New Britain herald., 1917-12-01

women's societies have also been un-
dergoing reorganization. The women
recently united into one society.
known as the Women's association.
The church has just completed some
very extensive repairs in the two
chapels and adjacent rooms. New
electric wiring has been installed, the
plumbing repaired and the walls deco
rated. The cost of the alterations will
total about $1,000 or $4,000.
The South church is today the
largest church of Its denomination IN
the city and in New England and is
the eighth in size among the Congre-
gattonal churches Of the country. The
first house of worship was built in
1872 and stood at the corner of Main
and Arch streets. 1t was used for %
years and then moved in the spring OF
1854 to the place where the Porter and
Dyson building now stands to make
room for the present church building
The church was completed in 1858 and
the new chapel was added in 1890
during the passionate of Rev. DR..
Cooper. The erection of the new
chapel was made possible largely
through the gifts Of c. B. Erwin.
Many OF the members Of the church
worship upon their death. Among
the largest benefactors was Mr.. Err
win, who gave his home on Wash
ington street to be used as a parson-
age and also left a fund Of SIS, 5000,
the income of which is used to keep
the property in repair. The house oc-
cupied by the Judd family on Frank
lin square was used as a parsonage
until this time. Among the other men
who remembered the church were:
DR.. 1ucius woodruff, who left large
fund to be used for library purposes:
Charles S. Landers, who beQueathed
money to be used for the poor. and
Philip Corbin, who left a fund to in
stall the magnificent organ. Among
the men who were prominent in pub
lie life Of the city and were members
OF the church were: Charles Peck,
John b. Talcott, William s. Booth,
Frederick North, J. NJ. Tuck, John H.
Peck, William II. Hart. d. O. Rogers.
David N. Camp, John ?. Bartlett and
Martin S. Wizard. JOHN Wizard. who
was one of the most highly esteemed
members of the church, was one OF the
greatest factors in building up large
Sunday school. He was of con-
genial disposition, of a kindly person.
ality, and was greatly beloved by both
young and old.
The growth of the church and its at
tainment of it's important place In the
life and history of the city are due, to
a large extent to the able assistants
that the church has been fortunate in
securing.
During the ministry Of DR.. Cooper
it was found necessary to secure the
first assistant. The men who have
acted in this capacity since that time
are: Rev. Stephen G. Butcher; Rev.
Herbert c. 1de, now pastor In Red
lands, Cal; Rev. Watson Woodruff,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. James w. Wood
ruff, OF Berlin, now pastor in Lynn,
Mass. Rev. Howard S. Fox, now pas
tor in East Providence, r. l., and Rev.
Franklin c. Thompson. who is ut
present capably performing his duties
at the local church.
The South Congregational church
has been very prominent in mission
airy work. Many of it's members arc
now represented in missionary work
both at home and abroad. Among the
best known missionaries from the
local church was Rev. Miner Rogers,
who died a martyr on the field. Rev.
Mr.. Rogers was killed In Adana, Tur-
key, during a persecution OF Arme-
mans by the Turks. His sister, Ger
trude Rogers, is also widely known as
a missionary worker. At the out
break OF the present war. Miss Rogers
was obliged to fee TO this country.
The church carries on missionary
work in this city among the Italians
and Assyrian-Persians. The work
which was formerly carried on among
the ArmenianS has been turned over
to the First church.
The work among the italian people
is being conducted by the new pastor
Rev. Aurelius Sofia. The work among
the Assyrian- Persians is hour1shing
under the leadership of Rev. E. e.
Adams. The mission was particularly
active in raising money for their fam
lilies and friends In Persia during the
massacres in Uramia. Although the
mission is composed largely of q
working class, over $4,000 was raised
! to alleviate the sufferings of their
| brethren in Asia Minor.
When this country entered the great
conf1ict the men OF the church re-
| aponded gallantly to fight for Uncle
Sam and democracy. There are to-
! day over 80 members of the parish in
the army and navy. Those left be-
hind have not forgotten the boys
| who offered themselves on the altar
! of patriotism A small leather-bound
copy OF the new testament and a let
ter from the pastor accompanied by
a small silk flag. has been sent to
every church member now in service.
An honor roll fellowship has also
! been organized at the church to keep
| the boys well-informed of the news
| from home and to let them know that
| although they are away they are not
/ forgotten.
The gifts were sent to the soldiers