Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-11
LATE REV. C. A.
WIGHT PASTOR
HERE 1900 TO 1907

The following account of the death
Of the Rev. Charles A. Wight who
was pastor of the Old South church
in this city from 1900 TO 1907 is taken
from the Springfield Republican and
in these parts:
Rev. Charles Albert Wight, pastor
of the Second CONGREGATIONAL church
in Chicopee Falls, died at his home.
% Madison street, at $40 o'clocl,
April Is after an illness Of 10 days
with pneumonia. Though his condi-
ton for the last few days had beea
known to be critical, the news of his
Death came with a profound shock
both in the city, where he has labored
for more than seven years. and n
church circles throughout this part Of
the Connecticut Valley, where he is
well known because of his activities
in literary and church work.
Rev. Mr.. Wight was born in Hat.
field. After completing his prelimi-
nary education he entered Yale. be-
ing in. college al the same time wit a
former-President William H. Taft.
He was graduated from the university
and fitted for the ministry in Yale
Divinity School. While at Yale ,e
showed marked ability in both ath-
letic and literary lines. He rowed on
the Yale crew and was editor Of one
Of the college publications.
He was ordained to the ministry
May 10. 1855. and his first pastorate
was in Detroit. Mich. After servin ,
with several ether charges in the
Middle West lie was called to Halo
we'll. Me. which was the last charge
he held before being called to til.
Second Congregational church in the
fall Of 1897. He preached his first
sermon as pastor OF the Second
church Jan. ), 1908.
Under MIR. Nights pastorate the
ehurch's record has been one OF
marked progress. The church debt
was wiped out as the result OF cam
paign he inaueurateG two years ago
He has been active as an organizer
! ana has placed the various church ac-
Invites on a more systematic basis
/ than had previously existed. His WORT
among the young people OF his paris,
has been a feature Of his passionate
and the organization Of q social SER
vice board and appointment Of 2 so.
cial worker in Chicopec are amon1
the accomplishments largely due t.
| his efforts
Besides being much interested il
! foreign missions he found time to IL
much toward lettering the conditions
/ OF the foreign born residents vi
/ Chicopee. He has been active in tbs
| Congregational councils of Eampder
! county and has served as member
I Of the executive committee Of the
! Hampden Association Of Congrega
| tlonal Ministers.
Mr. N-ight's ,rcst conspicuous liter.
arr EFFORT during his pastorate ii
Chicopee is his book entitled. Some
Old Time Meeting Houses of the
Connecticut Valley published II
1911. The brief 6edicatory note t
{ this volume is q touching tribute e
his wife and her constant and eff
fcient help in his work in the Chris
/ tian ministry. The volume is ii
much historical value and shows the
/ result of much research and pains
taking care. AS the churches of the
I CID days were much more than Al
! present the centers OF parish activi-
/ ties, the book includes much that IS
of secular historical interest.
! The Second church has shown q
steady growth in membership undo:
Mr. Wight's pastorate. The latest
I evidence Of this was shown on Easter
! Sunday. when q persons were added
( 20 its rolls. Mr. Wight made many
/ friends whose circle was by no mea n
confined to the field Of his activities
His work has won general recognition
and appreciation.
. Mr.. Wight leaves his wife, Char
1 Iotte Wight, and two sons. Elliott, 6
freshman at Yale, and Charles a stu.
dent in the Chicopee High schoo'
lie also leaves his mother in Hatfield
and three brothers. Elliott OF New
York city. Harry of Northampton AM