New Britain herald., 1917-12-01
SOUTH CHURCH AT
18TH MILESTONE
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souls. hts flock grew steadily and upon
his leave had doubled.
Rev. Mr Rockwell was succeed ed
by Rev. Constance L. Goodell, D. D.
Rev. Dr. Gooder. who was known as
the war pastor r. ; occupied the
pulpit from 1859 to 1872, which was
: during the period ~~ +he Civil war, be.
came known throughout tho United
States as leader In CONGREGATIONAL
ism. He was q very able man and
beloved by his parishioners. During
his ministry the flock more than
doubled and the first parsonage OF
the church was built. His wife was
Z remarkable woman and took an &C
tive interest in church and commu-
nifty affairs.
I. Rev. Henry l.. Griffin, D. D., who
died last summer, succeeded Rev. DR..
9oodell as pastor. He was q broad
minded man and advanced in learn
ing. He was the minister of the
church for five years and was fol-
lowed by Rev. James w. Cooper, D. D.
Success Under DR.. Cooper.
Rev. DR.. Cooper held the longest
pastorate Of any Of his predecessors.
administering to the needs Of his
members for q quarter OF century.
He was ordained on March 20. 1873,
and retired on March 20, 1908. Rev.
DR.. Cooper was IN excellent preacher,
q fine administrator and q business
= man. He was beloved by all the peo-
pie with whom he came In contact.
During his passionate the church made
ito greatest gains. When he accepted
the call In 1878 there we're $40 mem
bers in the church and upon his leave
this number had doubled. Rev. DR..
Cooper inaugurated many Ideas which
still prevail. He was especially In
strumentAl In building up the sun
day school, devoting q large amount
Of hts time and energy to this branch
Of church work. He introduced the
home department whereby Sunday
achol literature was taken to the
homes and distributed to the mothers
who could not attend the services.
Through his activities Rev. DR.. Cooper
became known nationally and re-
cnaved numerous calls. He was prom
anont In the councils Of the congre-
rational churches OF tho country. He
waa greatly interested in all branches
Of education and was member OF
the corporation at Yale University.
He was wanted for many OF the
larger national offices Of the church
and, at last after considerable pres
sure was brought to bear, he resigned
from the pastorate OF the local church
to become secretary Of the American
Missionary association.
Rev. Oxoro s. Davis. D. D., sue
ceoded DR.. Cooper. He was an en-
tirely different type Of man than his
predecessor. He was much younger
and full Of vigor and energy. He In
augurated q series Of stereopticon lee
lures. These became so popular that
It was necessary to turn hundreds
away from the church on Sundays be-
cause OF the lack Of seating capacity
in the church. His Bible classes also
became popular and interested a large
number Of men in his parish. Rev
DR.. Davis was an eloquent speake.
and received invitations from ali
parts Of New England to deliver ad-
dresses. He resigned his passionate ir
April, 1909. to accept the presidency
Of tho Chicago Theological seminary
: He came to this city In September
1904.
Rev. Herbert A. Jump succeeded
Rev. Mr.. Davis being ordained II
November, 1909. Rev. Mr.. Jump wa
4 man Of resource and was highly re
4arded by a large element OF tn
: city. He took an active interest II
municipal az we'll AZ church affairs
It was greatly through his efforts tina
the Elihu Root celebration was s'c
4 success Rev. Mr. Jump restgne
In September, 1911.
During the next two years tn
church was without a pastor. Re,
Frank q. Woodwork, who was for 2
years president of Tougaloo univer
saty, Touealoo, Miss, performed tn
duties az minister. Mr.. Woodwork
who was a native of Berlin Conn.
had devoted q large part of his If
toward educating the negroes of tn
South.
Growth Under IL. ZIill.
Rev. DR.. George w. q. Hill, tn
present pastor, came - New Britai
In September, 1915. ffUN the Mort
church, of st. J6ssn6D1ry. Vt. Sine
his arrival the membership Of tn
! church has grown from 1900 until
now numbers 1850. The Sunda
school classes also Increased in siz
and boasts OF total of 1900 pupils
The mems work has been reorganize
by Rev. DIR. Hill, and the brother
hood Is now doing effective work TIL