Norwich bulletin., 1915-10-12
P PASTORS IN IOO YEARS
Rev. A L. Tedford Gives Historical Sketch at Preston City Baptist Church Centenary 64 Constituent Members at Beginning Membership Now 17s-Baptist Ministers of County Join in Anniversary Celebration

1t had 6l constituent members at the beginning and had had in the 1oo years a total of SS7 members. while Its present membership is IFS.
 Including himself the church has had 22 pastors. The available records give c. r. Davis, Levi Walker, Sr-, and Ler Meech as the pastors covering the first l3 years from 1915 to 1928, without showing the exact time for which each served the church. These three were succeeded by the following:
 Luther Goddard, 1S2s-1e31: Alfyed Gates. May 27, 1881 to April. 1e96; N- p. Smaller. April, 1885, to April, lS43: F. R Knapp. April, 1S4S, to le45. to April, 1s47; Cyrus Miner. April. 1847. to April. 1851; E. Lunais. April. 1851, to October, 1851; N. H. Mattison. October. 1851 to January, 1858; Miles e. Smith. July 31, 1858, to May 16. 1870; E; B. Joy. July 2A. 1870, to April 26, 1874; D. F. Hin. Nov. 6. 1874 to March 2e lss2; F. s. Cooper, May 2l. 1882 to Nov. 1, 1885; Joseph Mo- Kean. March z, 1sse to Dec. 2, 1888; John F. Temple. Nov. IS. 1889 to May 22. 1892; James F. Cranston. July IT. 1892 to April: 1896; c: r. Edredge- Prindle. May 6. 1900 to Nov. 10. 1912; L. L. Holmes. October. 1918, to octo- Der. 1914: A. [. Telford. February. 1915, to the present time.
 The former pastors stil living are Rev. Mir. Cooper. now at East Marion, N. Y, but not in an active pastorate: Rev. Mir. McKean of West Townsend, Rev. Mir. Eldredge of Whitehall. Rev. Mir. Prindle of Shelton, and Rev. Mir. Holmes of Mattawan. N. J.
 In speaking of the history of the church. the pastor referred to the unity that has been characteristics of its peo- pie. and that the church had kept to her fundamental doctrine without ever any schism disturbing the member ship. 1t had been a church of revivals of marked power, had been a praying church that sustained It's covenant meetings and 1t was to be noted that practically all the constituent mem- bers were followed along in the church membership and participation in :ts work by the members of their ow- families.
 "Reminiscences.
 Reminiscent remarks that made 2 | particularly interesting part of tn, programme were given by former pas. tors, Revs. Cooper, McKean. Prindl' | and Holmes.
 An address upon the topic, The New American, which dealt with churci problems arising through immigration was given by Rev. A. B. Coats O Hartford. concluding the afternoon service.
 Evening Service. | At the evening service there wer solos by Rev. w. F. Newton and Rev G. R. Atha and the address was b. Rev. Dr.. Vichert. who spoke upon Tn | Biggest Thing in Life. He said thu there are. four things in life that or looked upon as big things, business pleasure, culture and religion, but tn
 biggest af them was religion 1t wa the biggest thing in life because 1 l taught man how to behave, hrougll
 joy into life and brought man to
 good end
 The benediction at the close of tn service was pronounced by Rev. D
 Slocum- Before the address by Re- Dr. Vichert there was an. anthem b
 the choir and selection by a nal I quartette.
 | One of the visitors at the meetin | was Charles F. F1urnans of New Bed
 ford. an evangelistic singer, who wa
 heard with much pleasure in solos q
 the morning and afternoon services.