The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-08-23
Church Semi-centenniaI

/ NHN mn 'H''lIFtlg tdfls THIS > pIlIe
The festivities opened Friday even
Ing. August nth by special singing
under the leadership Of Mrs II "
kennison Among those who took
part in the opening service were DR.
Pratt Who gave brief but compre-
hensiye sketch If the work and ef-
fort Of the church for the past years.
Miss Grace Tripp extended special
greetiags from the young people and
said among other things that the
Young people were well represented
in the church and had done their share
in making the anniversary pos ible
Mr.. Charles L Bah Of Bingham gave
an address 81 historical character
that included many recollection- Of bv
gone years At this service. a. We'll
in nearly all the following a num-
Der OF greetings were read from for
mer residents who we're unable no be
present This was an interesting
feature as it showed not only The keen
interest that these have in the church.
but il also brought wildly before the
Imagination Of the audience the
images and recOlections Of those who
formerly moved about in the commuD-
ity.
Saturday morning was mostly de-
voted To recreation, followed by an
outdoor dinner upon the church lawn.
The great number OF speeches that
followed afforded much entertainment.
Later in the day there Wa a very
fine reading by Or Charlie Yiles Of
Skowhegan
F. One of the most formal services was
held Saturday evening upon the ordi-
nation OF Mr.. T. B Madsen for the
ministry Rev J. S Clark of Madi-
son presided and the other clergymen
who took part were Rev T B. HIATT,
Rev. Charles Harbutt, Rev r. L.
Sheaff. Special music was given by
Miss Lillian Kennison and Messrs.
Arthur Plummer and Raymond Derby
shire
There were three services Sunday
The regular order vas observed at
the morning service and the sermon
preached by Rev F. b. HIATT of Bing-
ham. Mr.. HIATT was formerly the
pastor Of this church. and had a very
attentive audience
As North and East New Portland
have for the past four years been
united for the services Of one pastor.
and as the regular Sunday service at
the East village is held at > 30 in the
afternoon, this service could be char
acterized as East New Portland hour
Prayer was offered by Mr Marx
Hutchins followed by an address by
his son Rev Melvin Hutchins Of
Phillips The second address was
given by the State superintendent.
Rev. Charles Harbutt
The speakers for the evening were
Rev J. : Clark and Bey T b HIATT.
This Was the last and also very i'm
pressiye service In this as we'll as
in all other services. the music and
songs had large place Among
those who had the largest part in the
musical program were Mesdames Ken
risoa. Jackson, Quint Smith. Misses
Libay Grace Tripp, Mildred Trip,
Kennison and Tague; Messrs Derbt-
shire. Plummer, Jones. Hutehins and
Jackson. Some OF the most active
members on the entertainment COM
mittee We're Mrs DR. Pratt Mrs.
Knowles. Mrs. Laura Clark and Mrs.
Plummer The auto trips were in
charge of Warren Clark. Norton.
Chase and Henderson, At the even
ing service Mr. Madsen intimated that
he had always held the New Portland
church in high esteem. but he had
never before fully realized the hospit-
ality OF the people and Willingness to
serve in whatever capacity they are
called upon This included not only
the immediate members of the church
but all the residents of the village.
The people have endeayored To raise
fund. the interest of which shall I've
used for the support of the work The
most recent pledges were made by Mr.
Joseph Hiles of SkoWhegan and Mr.
I'4rtpa T.,,l-iD. ,t -fpuFnIJ