The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-12
CLERGY unite
TO PAY TRIBUTE
TO RICHARDSON
Death of First Presbyterian
Church's Distinguished
Pastor Pals Community

!. The funeral of Rev. John MacLaren
Richardson. pastor of the First Pres
byterian church who died last night
at his home as the result of brief
illness with double pneumonia, will be
held at 34oscIock on Sunday afternoon.
from the church. at Myrtle avenue
and State street where he, had given
the last seven years Of his life in
active and constructive work. The
arrangements for the funeral have not
yet been completed but it is expected
that the various religious, literary and
civic organizations, in which Mr.. Rich
ardson was actively interested will
each attend the services in a body.
The Pastors Association of which
Mr.. Richardson was prominent
member held a special meeting this
afternoon. in the. Y. M. C. A. to take
action concerning his death and to
arrange for the services at the fun
,eral. A special meeting of the board
of directors of the Charities Organiza-
ton society will be held at o'clock
this afternoon and the members OF
the Board of Charities met this after
noon for the same purpose.
T. flicudTUSOu lOSS " IIIc COIu'
munity where his activity was felt
in nearly every civic, spiritual and So
cial movement is considered public
immediate family.
Mr.. Richardson had enjoyed the
best Of health until a few weeks ago
when he was confined to his home
with grip. Little fear was felt at
h11f xxy1,o he uyoS
lowed by double pnuemonia, his rel
atives were summoned to his bedside
and the attendance of noted specialists
arranged. Every resource known to
medical science was introduced to
carry him successfully through the
crisis yesterday but without avail. He
passed quietly to rest at 7:15 last night
surrounded by those near and dear
to him.
John MacLaren Richardson was
born in Geneva, N. Y, September 16.
1876, the son of Edward Bronson Rich
ardson and Mary NacLaren Richard
son. He was of Puritan ancestry and
his family held place of prominence
in New York state for many years.
He received his early education in
the public schools Of Geneva and pre-
pared for college at the Geneva high
school. In the class of 1899 he en-
tered Princeton college. For two
years he studied at the Princeton
Theological seminary, but left there
to enter the Auburn Theological SEM
mary. He graduated from there in
1902.
Chittannango, N. Y, was the scene
of his first ministerial work. Upon
his graduation from Auburn seminary
he accepted the pastorate Of the Chit
tannango Presbyterian church where
he remained for two years. Thence
he was called to Syracuse, N. Y. Pas
tor Richardson answered the call and
became pastor of the East Genesee
street Presbyterian church.
In Syracuse he found wider scope
for his services; his charity and his
ever reaching toward God brought
many souls into a purer haven Of
peacefulness of spirit that made his
departure from this city a loss to his
many admirers. He remained in Syr-
acuse until January l.. 1909, when he
answered the call from Bridgeport.
Bridgeport was the scene of his
real work in the ministry and though
he had attained wide reputation
through his connection with the First
Presbyterian church which he guild
ed with firm religious belief tempered
with modern ideas consistent with his
faith, his activities for public and
spiritual welfare were but begun.
Following a period of depression
in the church's finances Eeth a con-
gregation that was depleted to min
imum roster, he struggled successfully
to 'build up it's membership and to
restore it financially and was highly
successful in both. --
With an eloquence that inspired re-
ligion, brought the backslider to his
CONTINUED on Page 2.)