New Britain herald., 1926-11-01
&TH ANNIVERSARY
 OBSERVANCE ENDS
Impressive Exercises Sunday at
 First Lutheran Church

More than 1000 persons were given communion at the morning service at the First Lutheran church yesterday, in connection with the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the church.
 The communion sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. S. G. Oh- man of New York. formerly of this city. Prior to the administration of communion 33 new members were admitted to the church membership.
 The anniversary exercises closed last evening after series of services throughout the day.
 At a. m. the Sunday school chill dren were addressed by Rev. Dr. Ohman. Rev. Joseph Hultberg, of Wenona, H.. a former Sunday school teacher in the local church and Pro- lessor Joshua Larson, vice president of the Minnesota college at Mime apolis, Minn.
 Joseph Anderson, superintendent of the Sunday school. will complete 40 years in that position next Janu- ary, 1t was announced yesterday.
 There was special music by the children's choir and by the regular church choir.
 A plea for more religious instruc- ton in the homes IS a means of combating crime waves, was made by Dr. Ohman at the 4 o'clock ses- sion, when a reunion of all the con- flrmation classes since 1884 was held. Each confirmation group was gathered in special crowd with a banner indicating the year in which the members of the group were con- f1rmed. These groups then marched from the church parlors to the main auditorium. While as many of the former members of confirmation classes as could attend were present, many others could not get there. Be tween 500 and 600 were present. There was only one member of the class of 1884 present, Bonnet Nelson, who was confirmed by Rev. o. A. Landell, one of the first pagtors of the then newly organized Swedish Lutheran church.
 Addresses were made also by Rev. Joseph Hultberg and Prof. Joshua Larson. At the request of Rev. Dr. A. A. Ahlquist the congre- gation stood for moments silent tribute in memory of those who have died during the past 45 years.
 A feature of the afternoon meet ing was the singing by the choir, and by the reunion choir, organized Of singers who have been in choirs for the past 45 years. This choir was organized under the direction Of Prof. Larson. Gold fountain pens were presented to Prof Larson and the present choir leader and Or ganist Prof. Per Olsson by Dr. Ahl- quist on behalf ot the church.
 The First Lutheran church now has more than 1900 members. It was announced that Dr. Ohman will preach in the church of which he was former pastor here next Sun day and later will speak at the Chil- dren Home in celebration of "Swed- ish Day"
 During the afternoon services telegrams were received from Mrs. A. E. Rudeen of Chicago. Rev. s. G. Hagglund, president of the New England conference of the Angus tana synod and Rev. c. Emil Ber- quist of Minneapolis, former mem Der of the local church.
 An interesting coincidence which was commented upon in connection with the anniversary is the fact that Rev. Dr. L. P. Ahlquist, at that time president of the New York confer ence and pastor at Portland, Conn. laid the corner stone of the local church in 1903.
 A banquet will be rendered Prof Larson of Minneapolis tomorrow evening at o'clocl' by the united choirs of the church. All wishing to attend should communicate with John Ericsson Of Ericson & Carlson or David S. Ohman. READ HERALD CLASSIFIED ADS