New Britain herald., 1922-02-25
REV. s C. GILMAN B DS FAREWELL TO
 THIS CITY THE EARLY PART OF MAY

| cornerstone, Work progressed rapidly and the basement was ready for occu' pancy by Christmas of the year 1905 Dedication Exercises The entire edihce was completed | for services in May, 1906. Dedication exercises. were held which lasted foi period Of four days. These were attended by several of the greatest church representatives of the New York conference. in addition to scy. era statesmen. The congregation by then had grown to 1000 members. Il has increased steadily until al the present date II has total of l,bnC adults and more than 2,o00 registered including the children.
 Church Cost StOO.OOO
 The church. considered of the most beautiful kind in the state was erected at a cost of sloo,oo0. Today 1t stands clear of all debt. The last Of the mortgages was burned with fitting OK. erciscs in May Of 19la.
 During his pastorate here, Dr. Oh. man has tried to found the basis oi his administration on spiritual and educational work
 Had Many OTcrs. His initial success at tho local church was continued through the years which passed and he has been offered many 1attering pastorates, all of which he declined. His main pur- pose was to complete his work here after starting it 27 years ago and his objects have been fulfilled. One of the offers extended him was to take charge of the largest church of the Augustana Synod. including James. town, N r., Chicago and San Francis co. His work at the New Britain church, being recognized throughout the conference, had attracted the at tention of his fellow workers in the field and during festivities held here, was visited by many notables such as Bishop K. H. G. Won Schweh of Sweden. The Bishop was loud in his praise of the local pastor and admired the manner in which he handled the great problems confronting him in his work, especially towards clearing the church from encumbrances.
 Held Many Offices.
 Dr. Ohman has held many import ence. He was secretary and presi- dent of the Hartford District, secre- tary of the New York conference and when the conference was eventually divided into two distinct parts, was elected as the first president to con- trol the New England conference. He held this office for five years, being elected unanimously until his in- creased work here forced him to re- sign.
 He was member of various boards in the conference and the Augustana Synod and at the present time is a member of the board of directors of the Old Peoples Home in Worcester, Mass. His interest in this and the manner in which he helped manage the tremendous affairs of the Shome, have always been appreciated and higher honors are eventually awaiting him should he care to take them.
 Dr. Ohman was also member and president of the immigration board of New York city and a member of the educational board of the Augustana college and Theological seminary at Rhode Island.
 He was vice president of Lpsala college at Wentworth, N. J., and a member Of the Liturgical or Luther- an church at-large in this country. committee of the Augustana Synod.
 Delegate to Germany.
 In the year of 1907, Dr. Ohman was entrusted with d commission as dele gate by the Augustana Synod to Lut- zen, Germany. Here, great festiv- ties took place during the dedication of the Gustafus Adolphus Memorial chapel. He spent a short time in that country studying the methods of gation with an interesting story of the work taking place there.
 On Reception Committee
 Dr. Ohman has heen rewarded for his services by being appointed to the committee arranging for the honor- ary visit of Archbishop Nathan Soder- bloom of Sweden who will come to the United States in 1923. He will seek to have him visit in this city as he passes through the New England states. The Archbishop plans visit to Yale. Archbishop Soderbloom will be attended by representatives of the World Alliance the American Swedish Foundation of New York.
 His New Pastoratc.
 It will be in the early part of this May that Dr. Ohman will bid his friends and church members of New Britain good-by that he may pursue his new duties at New York city. He will succeed Rev. A. F. Borgendah hl who left that pastorate for a larger field. Dr. Ohman plans many new ventures at the church in the great metropolis and the members of that congregation are anxiously looking forward to his coming
 New Pastor Here.
 As yet there has been no new pas tor appointed to succeed Dr. Ohman. although several have been consid- cred, Among them are Rev. Abel Ahlquist. pastor of the Swedish Luth' eran church in Providence, R. I. and Rev. D. Anderson of Brooklyn, N. r., Rev. MT. Ahlquist has preached to the local congregation, having occupied the pulpit last Sunday.
 Unable to Come sunday.
 It was planned to have Rev. Mir. Anderson of Brooklyn preach here this Sunday but he will be unable to attend
 
 Regret His Leaving.
 The departure of pr. Ohman is re- grotted greatly by the church board and the COngre gation in general