Norwich bulletin., 1922-10-28
THE CELEBRATION AT FARMING.

TON
 Dear Sisters of the Social Corner: Many of Us enjoy the celebrations of some historical event and it Is most in- terestlng to attend these gatherings n some of our earliest towns .and villages In Connecticut. It has been my privilege and great pleasure to be present at the service at the one hundred and hftieth anniversary of the building of the meet, ing house of the First Church of Christ (Congrege eEional) In Pennington. Per haps some of our readers in the eastern section of the state are not very familiar with the locality of this old time settle ment. However, we find beautiful val ley about nine miles west of Hartford In which a small river takes it's course and on the eastern slope is situated the village which bears alike with the river and valley, the name of Pennington. October 18th was an ideal autumn day for this anniversary service, which had been greatly prepared for. The program was carried out as near as could be ac- cording to Colonial customs About one o'clock D. n., a drummer attired in Co., lonial costume, summoned the people to the meeting house, by the beat of the drum. for about an hour, the service to begin at 3 o'clock. Guards also in Co., loufal costume were stationed at the en- trance of the church, in order tos keep away straying Indians. This edifce which has stood for century and a half, is Of frame construction, having a -steeple, rising to the height of 150 feet. finished with a gilt star and weather vane
 Promptly at o'clock the services be- gan, the church benig filled by a large audience. The choir composed of eight ladies and four gentlemen, dressed in ancient costume, offered w1ns uo..l1 .s. to modern styles The millinery display was especially interesting, poke bonnets varying dimensions being worn, some were very plainly trimmed, with only 8 band of ribbon. while others were vel | supplied with spring fowers, inserted beneath the wide brim, resting above the forehead. Two of the ladies wore pretty plaid silk dresses, tight fitting waist an6 sleeves but very full skirts, over "nnon, strous hoops. This vested choir to rep. resent those who sang at the dedication services within these same walls in TIT: 1 walked through the aisles followed by the pastor and two assistants, the lattel wearing the ordinary black robes, as th, custom oin some denominations at tn, present time. 1o US of this generatio, it was beautiful picture to look upon ana to hear the sweet voices of ancien
 song linaccompanied by musical instru
 ment as the little party passed along
 and proceeded to the front Of tn
 church, the choir taking it's place to on
 side of the pulpit. The historical addres
 was delivered by Robert Porter KeeI
 formerly of Norwicn) whose ancestor
 Robert Porter was was on the seve
 men who, in 1852. organized this Firs
 Church of Christ fin Pennington Tn
 hymns sung by the congregation were C
 the oldest selection. The choir rendere
 a very important and interesting part c
 the concluding services The old tim , method of singing psalms, the deaco ] reading one or two lines, then repeate by singing, was carried out. Anthem
 were sung, accompanied by flute violi and bassoon and the pitch pipe was i | l evidence Time and space cannot allow detailed account of this very interestin
 historical celebration. which 80 man