Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-07-14
CENTENARY OF CENTRE CHURCH
Closing Features of CeebratiOn-First Communion Cup
Again Used-Exhibition of Antique Articles-Centen-
NAL SermOn-HstOrical Paper


church now faces another cycle with n
resolve to let the heritage of the past
spur it on to greater accomplishments
in the future. The church was favored
with clear weather for it's centennial
program, and the various events were
TO a great number an inspiration and
blessing.
On Saturday afternoon the church
kept open house in the chapel from 3
to o'clock, and at the same time
there was an exhibition of articles of
olden days which was very entertain
ing. The articles had to do mostly with
the early days of the church. The Wis
itors were received by n committee con
sisting of the president and past pres
idcnts of the Woman S association and
the wife of the pastor and the host
esses of the occasion were representa-
tives of early families of the church,
Many wore costumes of several genera
tions ago. Refreshments of ice-cream
and cake were served by Caterer A. E.
Miller from tent on the lawn and
strawberry punch was served in the
ladies parlor.
Articles of Antiquity.
One article shown was an arm chair
which down to Oct. 10, 1898, had been
owned by these generations: Lucy
Goodhue, Francis Goodhue, Joseph
Goodhue, Harriet Goodhue Holbrook,
Franklin +. Holbrook, Frederick Hol-
brook, Lucy Brooks Holbrook Two
books which were owned by Rev. Alb
ner Reeve, the first minister in Brat
tlcboro, were shown, one printed in
Latin. They are owned by Mrs. w. H.
Bigeow. Grouped around the picture
of Rev. William Wells the first pastor
of the Centre church, were oil paintings
and other pictures of early members of
the church and society, including Mr..
and Mrs. John Holbrook, Mr.. and Mrs.
Uriel Skies, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Good
hue, Joseph Steen and others. Photo
graphs of nearly all who have served
the church as dcacons were exhibited,
also silhouettes of many of the church
people made % years ago.
There were exhibited the first record
books of the church and society, that
of the church containing the handwrit-
ing of Rev. William Wells. Many an
Gent official documents and deeds of
pcws were shown. A hymn book print
ed in 1866 was the property of Myron
+. Dutton of Dummerston. There were
a large number of very old books, in
Guiding the family Bible of Samuel Ell.
lot, for whom Elliot street was named,
also a Bible published in Brattleboro
by Holbrook & Fessenden.
The first communion cup used i'll the
church on the common was exhibited,
also the first communion table used
after the church was moved to its
foot stoves, warming pans, j. Good
70 har w
ballot box used in Brattleboro, pewter
articles brought over in 1880 by
William S. Newton s ancestors all at
tracted much attention. Silk made by
the wife of Chief Justice Royal Tyler,
starting at the beginning of the process
with mulberry leaves, aroused much
curiosity. Judge Royal Tyler's tall
hat case was interesting.
There was chair, owned by II. r
Lawrence, which was once the property
of cniDnin GQrton, who participated
in the attack on the Westminster court
house March 13, 1875. A veil ani
cuffs embroidered in 1923 by Mrs. Eliz
abeth Skies Cune were displayed, also
dress made by the late Deacon C. +
Thompson s grandmother more than l0t
years ago.
A collection of pictures of early
buildings exhibited by Miss Mary r
Cabot was especially interesting
Among the pictures shown were those
of the Burnside military school, tn
watercure buildings, the residence o
Joseph Goodhue where the librar,
stands and many others. Not the leas
interesting exhibit was an oil painting
of Brattleboro showing the old churcl
on the common
Centennial Sermon.
Rev. Harry r. Miles of New Haven
Conn, former pastor, preached tn
centennial sermon Sunday mornin
and was greeted by a large congrega
ton. The children s story was toll
by Rev. Roy NJ. Houghton of Ne'
Haven, former pastor. Fred c. AID
ans rendered a solo in the opening eN
ercises, and after the sermon com
munion service was held, at which fou
persons were received into the churc
by the pastor, Rev. Frederick "
Greene of Middletown, Conn, made
statement of the meaning of the CON
munion service, and the communion
was administered by Rev. DR.. George /
Martin of Auburndalc, Mass, and Rev
DR.. Samuel II. Lee of Springfield
Mass, both former pastors.
The theme of the sermon, which wa
one of the most impressive feature
of the centennial, was Honoring tn
Names and Missing the Spirit of tn
Fathers. We are met to look back wit
honor and affection to those WI
formed this church, said Mr.. Miles, an
then look ahead to see what demand
are made upon us if we are to be wo
thy followers.
The rose bush beside the cellar no
where Parson Wells lived on Asylu
hill blooms every year, and from tn
Mr.. Miles pointed out that the fri
GRANGE of the men and women wi
grew up in the church goes on and o
The men of the early days accor
plshed things together, but they keI
the individual flavor that most of
lose. The preacher said that Brattl
boro had not kept its neighborline
that characterized it a few decad
ago, and in this respect it had fall
behind many other places. This is
heritage that we ought to restore,
said.
There is a call today for n reco
SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILD
IL -.