Connecticut western news., 1918-01-24
5OTH ANNIVERSARY

Below we print the balance of the
historical sketch read at the services,
part of which wss published last week.
The 22d OF that month the trustees
received from Edwin P. Hunt a deed
of the lot on which the present church
sta nds. under these provisions Sin
trest that rhe premises herein cOn-
veyed shall be used. kept. maintained,
and disposed of as place of Divine
worship, for the Use Of the ministry
and members of the Methodist Ep' 1co
pal church in the United States OF
America, subject to the discipline.
usage and ministerial appointments of
said church as from time TO time
authorized by the General Conferences
OF said church. and the Annual Con-
ference in whose bounds the said
premise are situated.
This was but the beginning of the
benefactions of Mr. Hunt, for not only
did he give the land but the stone for
the foundation came from his quarry
on what we know as the Deming fam
He also, with James A. Root headed
the subscription paper for the building
fund with 5 900 each While Mr. Hunt
never became a member of the church,
he generously supported the enterprise
Mrs Hunt was an active member from
the start, an earnest worker in every
way pertaining to the advancement of
the cause.
In 1867, Marvin r. Lent, who had
q reputation rs builder Of churches,
was appointed to Canaan. He at once
started to secure the needed funds.
meeting with ready response and so
much encouragement that in tie spring
of 1867 the work was begun Some of
our oil or me bers recall that Mr.. Lent
worked with his horse and stoneboat
drawing the stone for the foundation
rot in the least interfering with his
ministerial dignity. January of 1868
the building was COMP leted and the
dedication services were held fifty
years ago today, the 10th. Bishop E s
James, whose ancestral home was at
South Canaan officiated in the morn-
ing and Presiding Elder J. B. Wakeley
preached in the evening. Philip Ger
mond was also present to look after
further subscriptions to the building
fund It is said by those Cf our men,
bers who were present that day. that
both services were attended by as many
% the church would hold, the, weather
was mild, the people were happy in
having a church home.
The bell was given by Col. Ger rye
Church of Great harrington, in men,
DRY ff his mother. devoted member
of TIE Methodist Episcopal church. By
the will of Col. Church the society re-
oeived legacy In 1904, also in mem
ory of his mother The windows were
memorials of various members at the
time appropriately inscribed. The
Communion tet which was used up to
1905. was presented by Mrs Lydia nj.
Peet, long member of the church.
Besides those already mentioned
there were many whose names are not
recorded, bot we find among those
known to have been prominent in the
early history of the church; MIR and
Mrs Charles Emmons, Mr.. and Mrs.
James A Root. Mr.. and Mrs. Benja.
min Jones Mr. and Mrs. Jonn r. Full.
Ter. Ensign Church, Mrs Hannah
Roberts, John w. Mead and Mrs
Clarissa Marvin both of whom were
members of the old church at Canaan
Valley aud trai sferred their member.
ship to the new church. But time
would fail to tell of all the hopored
and honorable names of those who
"through faith wrought righteousness"
for the kingdom of God and His church
in Canaan and who now rest from their
labors.
To these names should be added
those of many who took up the work
~ the older members passed away, Mr..
and Mrs. Jacob Decker, Mr. and Mrs.
ii. Fl Coggswell. Mr.. and Mrs. 2. O.
Cummings, Mr.. and Mrs. Fl. b.
Stevens, Mr.. and Mrs. g. P. Strong,
Mr.. and Mrs. q. l. Parsons, N. G.
Ward, julius s Corpit, MIR and Mrs,
d. W. Marvel Mrs Sabra Marvin
Humphrey. and host Of others whose
memory is held sacred.
Very early the Ladies Aid Society
was formed, doing full measure of the
work and supporting every good cause,
furnishing the money for repairs and
when needed for running expenses.
Two of the members of the society
years ago are still with as. Mrs. S. J
Hamr, d, d Mrs f. M. Caldwell
The fir.t Methodist Sunday School
was organized May 4, 1862 with N. M.
Brown ss superintendent; succeeding
him were. HI. H. Coggswell. A
Root, Q. Ernmons. A. S. Adams J K
Proctor, E s Roberts, G L. Parsons
G. w. Parsons. One of the earliest
teachers is still an active member Of
the present school, Mrs. T. M. Cald
we'll.
The parsonage was built in 1882 OF
property generously given by Mrs
Mary Q. Corbit, who also gave thu
pipe organ that was installed in 1906