Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-07-14

stands. 1t was sold in 1854 and in
1913 it was moved to the rear of the
north watercure building 1t is now a
tenement house.
In those early days much attention
was given to matters of discipline, and
the paper mentioned several reasons
given for accommodation, among
them being neglect of public worship
and covenant obligations and failure to
attend to Christian duties.
Rev. Mr.. Niece was pastor nearly 16
years. He died in Nashua, N. H., in
1876 at the age Of 81 years. He was
succeeded in 1894 by Rev. Charles
Walker, during whose pastorate, in
1912, the church was taken down and
set up, somewhat enlarged, on its pres
cnt site. The general plan of pews was
much the same and the row of pillars
was retained. The Brattleboro bank
stood between the church and the
George II. Clapp residence. The en-
larged building was dedicated Jan. II,
1913, and the name Centre Church is
first mentioned then in the church rec
ords. Rev. Mr.. Walker was dismissed
by council Feb. IA, 1916. He died in
Pittsford in 1870 at the age of so. 1t
was in 1898, during Mr. Walkers pas
torate and before the church was
moved, that Deacon John Holbrook,
who was father of the late ex-Gov.
Frederick Holbrook, died. He had been
deacon nearly 25 years.
A. Huntington Clapp was ordained
and installed Oct IA, 1916, and served
II years. He died in New York city
in 1899 ut the age of 80.
Rev. George p. Tyler, a Brattleboro
native, son of Royal and Mary palm
err Tyler, began as pastor Nov. 4,
1893. He was the only person reared
in this church who subsequently served
it as minister. The next year the
chapel on Elliot street was sold and
what is now the ladies' paror was
built. Entrance to it was by a board
walk attached to the Dashboard of the
church on the south side, as the land
sloped back from the street. In 1863
the pew owners sold their pews to the
society for 81 each. On July II, 1864
tornado blew off the stecple on the
roof down to the clock, and thereupon
the audience room was extended and
the present steeple built from the
ground up. Mr. Tyler was dismissed in
January, 1867. He died in Lansing.
burg, n. Y, in January, 1896, at the
age of Sc.
Rev. Nathaniel Mighill came in Dc.
tobcr, 1867. He was but 81 years old
but he was paid more than twice what
any previous minister was paid. He
brought about the first districting of
the parish, in 1869. During his pas.
torate, in 1873, the horscshods were
cleared away, the bank property was
bought and the south wing of the chap.
cl was built. The expense was about
$4,000. Rev. Mr.. Mighill was dis
missed in August, 1875. He died in
Granville, Mass, in 1873, aged 80.
Rev. DR.. George Leon Walker, whose
boyhood home was here, came next, sup
plying from October, 1875, to January
l, 1878. He was son of a former
pastor. Subsequently for years he was
pastor in Hartford, Conn, and became
a recognized leader in the denomina
ton. He died in Hartford in 1900 AT
the age of &c.
Rev. Dr. George Il. Martin, now of
Auburndale, Mass, was pastor from
July l, 1878, to Sept. G, 1888, and was
ordained and installed July 8, 1879
Just before he came the choir seats
over the church entrance were given W
and the choir moved to the opposite
end of the church. After he came the
present organ was installed.
He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel II
Lee, who supplied until late in 1885
afterwards becoming president of tn,
American International college il
Springfield, Mass, in which city he nov
lives.
Rev. Charles o. Day was the mex
pastor, serving from Dec. 49, 1885, un
til Sept. %, 1898, nearly 10 years. I'm
der his pastoral charge extensiv,
changes were made, including circula
. pews and cathedral glass windows
many of the memorial windows. TIL,
, expense was about $4,000. Thu
church was re-dedicated Aug. 80, 1888
Rev. Mr.. Day was chaplain of the Yer
, mont regiment at Chickamauga when h
resigned. He died at Andover, Mass
v in 1910 at the age of IS years.
h On June l, 1892 Rev. Harry r
{ Miles, now pastor of the Dwight Plac
. church in New Haven, Conn, came t
q this church. After serving a little owe
@ nine and half years he was dismisse
4 by council Oct. 10, 1908. The new pan
4 sonage was built early in his pastoratt
Rev. Roy M. Houghton, now of tn
Church of the Redeemer in New Haver
J. became pastor Jan. l. 1909, and serve
e until Feb. l, 1916. The grading of tn
= puhudy ncHool, beBUH ny MT. Miles, wa
# completed by him. The Goodhue proI
i. erty was bought for parish use, tn
!. pews made free, the evcry-membe
n canvass to meet expenses and benevt
n lences adopted, and the church and Sc
ciety consolidated and incorporate
, during his pastorate.
a Rev. Richard H. Clapp came to tn
!" church April 2 of the present year an
" has shown himself to be man @
IL great spiritual force. All the pastor
u have been college graduates.
y The above is bare outline of
T. paper that contained much of intere'
Il t" the congregation.
$, Centennial Communion.
.r centennial communion service WI
40 held in the church Friday afte
&c noon at 4,30 O'Clock, which was We
10 attended. 1t was conducted by Il
pastor, Rev. Richard II. Clap2, al
IL was very impressive service on c
n actly 100 years from the day the fir
10 communion service was held in Il
r. church when it stood on the commo
The pastor was assisted by four de
10 cons, George H. Clapp, DR.. Ansel
n Miller, Edward G. Crosby and Geor