New Britain herald., 1922-07-15
Had Charge of Episcopal Choir
 Over Half Century
RECALLS TOWNS GROWTH
Rev. J. C. Ward Recovering From Serious Operation-Church Picnic Held Today-Baseball Scheduled TomOrrow-Church NOtes-Items

ed many events of interest which have occurred during her 80 years of life
 most of which time has been spent ir this town. As the reporter entered
 the room Mrs. Lewis put down a New
 Britain Herald, which she was read.
 ing, and paper which she has read during its life in this town.
 Unhesitatingly and smiling, Miss Lewis acknowledged that she passed her S0th birthday during the pas, year. She Is as active today as she was years ago, and only gave up ac- tive work as' music teacher and or ganist two years ago.
 Miss Lewis is a voter, having been made one when she went with a friend who desired the right of the franchise. SEe has exercised her right once, voting on a school mat ter in the town. Little interest was attached by her to the long campaign for woman suffrage, nor does she worry much over the many complex problems of the day which seem to be important in the lives of many ac- | tive women of today.
 Perhaps the most unique record which Miss Lewis has esta blished is that of having filled the position as organist at the Episcopal church for woman she first took the place in March, 1861. soon after the church had been established here.
 During her years of service in the local edifice, Miss Lewis has been ab- sent but few times, the longest per od occurring in 1892 when she took three months trip to California.
 Minister Goes To War.
 At the time she started as organ ist, Rev MT. Finch was pastor of the church but he resigned soon after her starting. to become chaplain With a northern regiment in the Civil War.
 Miss Lewis recalled Rev Mir. Wells who first started the church. He was pastor of the Congregational church at the time. His thoughts and, ideas on religion did not concur with all those of his congregation and he left the church to start the local branch of the Episcopal church. With ! him went many of his followers in | the congregation, and thus started the present Church of Our Saviour. Meet ings were first held in a local hall while the members of the new church were busily engaged gathering funds enough to erect church. The pres- ent brick structure on West Main street was completed about 1862. It was built by Captain Wheeler who built and lived in the brick house on North Washington street, now occu- pied by Arthur Farrar and family. George Eaton, father of James and William, was one of the pillars of the church when it was founded. He was senior warden for long time.
 A handful of parishioners built the church and, before the arrival of an assigned pastor, Professor Russell of st. Marks church in New Britain, used to hold services here. A Rev. MT. Seeley was pastor here perhaps for the longest term of any man who has served the church. Miss Lewis recalled John Hird, who had a repu- taton as musician, and who was leader of the choir in the church for many years. The organist could well remember Charles and Robert Hird, sons of John Hird, and now retired business men of this town, when they used to sing in the choir. She re- membered the Eatons when as youngsters they were brought to church by their parents. Miss Lewis has seen all kinds of changes in the church and congregation up to 1920 | when Rev R. H. Burton, pastor, she resigned active work as organist upon | the installation of a new and massive i pipe organ.
 One of the keepsakes which Miss Lewis prizes is a gold cross presented | her last April by Suffragan Bishop Ed ward Campion Acheson of Middle town. The letter was as follows:
 "Middletown, Conn.,,
 April 12, 1922. My Dear Miss Lewis:
 T am sending by mail a small gold cross, which please wear on Easter lay. This is slight recognition of your faithful service in playing the organ for so many years in your par sh church and also of your loyalty.
 "A happy Easter to you.
 Your friend,
 "E. CANTON ACHESON."
 Miss Lewis was so years old last { November She has seen the coming l f the railroad, the trolleys airpanes; he building of the Russell and Neri docks at Central Square; the start ( nd growth of the Trumbul Electric { ompany and of the Standard Steel l nd Bearings plant; the building and I turning of the old Town hall; the I tart of the Plainville Trust com I any; and other epochs in the towns istory. As a child she was brought | ere on a visit by her parents. They ( raveled by wagon from Coventry, N. II .. and the journey took several days. he old New Haven canal was then c l operation and, there was bridge } banning it, where now is located the I ew Haven railroad crossing. This | as also a station where freight was a nloaded to be taken by teams to ristol and New Britain. The resi- | ents of the town who wanted church 2 ,rvices on Sunday, boarded the t acket at the station and went up to | armington then a large and pros- arous community. Plainville, in the C avs of the canal was known as the Ii ristol basin. When her family first titled here they lived where now c ands the old Colonial House on u ast Main street. The Lewis family W Id cattle and they were driven in a W .rd overland to Cheshire where her A