Connecticut western news., 1918-01-17
5OTH ANNIVERSARY OF
 THE METHODIST CHURCH
Brief History of the Church is Given Which Should Prove Interesting
 to All

The 5Oth anniversary of the Metho- dist Episcopal church was celebrated on Wednesday with appropriate ser vices. We. print below brief history which was read at the services and pext week will further elaborate on the program carried out.
 To present in the brief time allotted me, even a short sketch of the early history of our church renders it poss- ible that some name be omitted, or some fact you may consider of interest is left without mention, so l must ask yorr indulgence in that respect, I assure you it has nor been intentional, but the early records are meagre, and the par ticipants in those early scenes are "on the other side of the fluod".
 My principal source of information, aside from the recollections of our older members, las Eeen the excellent sketch of our church prepared by David Phil lips, while our pastor in 1855; this is preserved in the Quarterly Conference record book.
 The first Methodist meeting house in the town was the one at Canaan Val ley, built as early as 1879 or 1920, but no record is available oi the preachers or the members of those days, with the exception of two who will be mentioned later. In 1886 this church was part of the Norfolk circuit under the charge sf Joseph B. Wakeley, who made his home in the Valley. Ashley Falls was added to the circuit in 1843 at which time the church there wa; built on land donated by Major John Ashley.
 At various times the circuit inclu. ,ded, besides the three places men. tioned, Chapinville, South Canaan. Goshen and Cornwall Hollow. Among the preachers in charge we find the names of some who may be familiar to those present. Thomas Lodge, Adee Vail, Aaron Hunt, H. O. Humphrey, Oscar Haviland; all members of the New York Conference and in what was then known as the Rhinebeok district
 In 1861 William E Clarke was ap- . pointed to the Norfolk Circuit. It is , related that sslaileyenr his -weyt-tc-a Nor folk, the first Sunday after Conference, from North East, where he had been stationed the year previous, he stopped at Stevens hotel, now the Garfield Inn, Canaan, to feed his horse. At that time the passenger station occupied the west room of the hotel. Nelson M. Brown being the agent in charge.
 In conves sation with MT. Clarke he learned who he was,, and being a Methodist himself, a member of the ,Lakevi'le church, he proposed to Mr. Clarke that he return to. Canaan and preach that afternoon. To- thIs suRges- tion, MT Clarke assented provided a suitable meeting place was secured. MT. Brown found that the town hall could be had, so the word .was passed "around and at 3 o'clock the first Metho- dist preaching service at, Canaan Depot, as this village was then known, WAS held. The hall continued to be the place for Sunday services for several years, though at times, particularly for evening gatherlngs, the ball room of the old Warmer hotel was-nsed, i'm that room there were held the special revival services that were a. feature of tthe early days and ,ar those times and In that place many who became mem- .bers dated their conversion.
 The next year MT. Clarke ,xas re- stn1ned to Canaan, and Ashley Falls was added to the appointment, Philip sGermond coming as ass sstant an the ,circnit. He lived at Norfolk but preached at Canaan in the morning ,and at Norfolk ln the afternoon, MT. Achl low A ;v, rthe morning and at Canaan in the afternoon, thus giving the latter place two Sunday services. Tho following i year MT Clarke was sent to Falls FIl- lage leaving MT. Germond in charge of Ashley Falls and North Canaan as the Minutes read. Norfolk and Goshen were made an appointment and never again was connected with this appointment.
 In 1865 David Phillips, a young man just from school was sent to this place. The society was steadily grow. ing in numbers, it was in this year that special revival services resulted in tbe conversion of many, several of whom were heads of families who joined the Methodists. A class was formed at East Canaan, led by E. s. Roberts, which continued for many years in charge of Mr. Roberts and his brother Wallace Roberts.
 It was evident to the people that a church edifiee was & necessity and must be provided Plans were made to take up the project on the return of Mr Phillips from Conference, but in. stead of his coming back he was sent to Esopus and William F Brush Le came the pastor at Canaan. MT. Brush is now living at Ocean Grove, N. r. Under him the church project assumed definite shape. October 8, 1866, he called the society together 70 elect a