The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-25

concernlng the Nnugatuck Mcth"- diet Episcopal church, read at service February 24. 1885, II n. fh', follows:
 "Deslring to put the doctrines of inc Revc. John Wesley Into effect fin their own lives, about dozen persons in the year lb2A began fin Naugatuck to hold prayer rneetinRs fin the homes Of the srrouu. Other interested people Joined with them, and 1t became necessary to use the Pond iIil 1chooihouse. to which McthodiSt circuit rider came at reg ulhr lh- faryalH to conduct worship. n 1843, the place of meeting wah VI A building on South Man street. a few years later, the loit or furniture store on the site or the present Glove shop was rented by inc Methodtsts. We may say that inc first real past0rate in Nauga- tuck Mcthodism opened with "hang". for the Rev. w. II. Bangs came as minister in the year 1s49. Two years later, the first Metho- dist church was built on lot on water street, and this was occu- pied for seventeen years. Then, Tn 196g. on the spot where the Ncary RuiIdinR now stands, a second church was erected. In 1887, the fInaI move was made, and third church was built on its present site on Meadow street. "rhe Nau- gatuck Agitator;;, ao;;,.n"d %h1SS ,nio ''"Irne "rhe Naugatuck Daily News, issued spccial edition devoted to the ms tory of the Methodists in the bor-
 
 Tine oflcial records and some souvenir programs give much in- terestinR information concerning Dast years. While we cannot, Ike our Congregational brethren, sho" whA1a linuor was ever purchased for the presiding minister, VIC can bring to mind at least one h. stance--fn the year 1S66-where- fin a member of this church was expelled from fellowship on three specific charges:
 I. Drunkenness Specification: That on or about the middle or January he was seen to pahs through the street at Union Clty badly intoxicated, reeling, ptagger- ing. ,....,. That on Christmas Day he won nVe td0lh1TB ITOIH OH0 OA A'"s at q game of cards.
 4 Sabbat- breaking = Speclhca- lions: That 1t was his custom last summer and fall to spend his sab baths wandering over the fields gathering nuts and apples"
 Rut if our ancestors could DC severe, they could be loving, too. Tn the same year, the official board exnressed its confidence in a broth er who had failed in business and wrote in the record: we continue fo place confidence in Brother M. the saIne as heretofore, and he has oup Christian sympathy in his mis- fortunes"
 its day. A memorandum tells us that, in 1882, "times are duil in the shops, and prospects gloomy for business" In 1894, the pastor received S26 SO that he might hire a horse. The same year, com rnittes was appointed to "procure a lot' for a parsonage, and, what ts more interesting, the present parsonage, and, what Is more IT, feresting, the committee was abo directed to find "the money to pay for it." The present parsonage was first occupied in March. 1895.
 Organ Bought ",rhe organ we now use was pur- chased from a private owner, Professor Thallon of Brooklyn. N. r., in 1903, at a cost of S2,4oo. In 1911, the mortgage on the par sonaEe was paid and the last h. debtedness on the organ paid In full. "Thirteen years ago farcical
 
 Slow Train to Mizzoury" was pre- scnted. The program entrances us as we read of Mrs. II. b. Gibbud fin the role of "Aunt Venus", Mrs. II. s. Rogers, as Marjorie May fiower". Clarence O'Mehra as Moe EIibitsky" and Jim Thompfon ns "human wolf with black mus tache." And this was aH late as 1922. "On June ', 1926, work was be- gun on the extensive remodellinE of the church structure and the result was the Colonial type pi building with certain Georgian re- fincmcnta, in which we are now worshipping. The dedication ser vice was on Feb. 20, 1927, with Bishop Luther F. Wilson, now de- ceased. preaching the sermon.
 The work Of this church goes on, the peoples thought forward, not back ward. Last year we took as our motto, "ElcYen decades of Methodinrn in Naugatuck and tn" twelfth to be the best. As we go farther into the 12fth decade we are determined 1t shall be the best |"
 Card Party Tonight
 A large attendance fig expected tonight at the card party which will be held by the Altar society of St Mary's church fin St. Mhry's parish halls. There has been an cx tenaive sale of tickets and the af- fair is expected to be successful socially and financially. Mrs. Jam"h Thurston is chairman of the com mittee in charge. There will be door and table awards and rcfrcah- ments will be served.
 NRExxOp3enOirs"I
 Bremen Seek Revenge
 The NauRntuck fremcn will try for revenge Tuesday night when they will Journey 10 Waterbury to meet the Brass City 6remcn in il bowling match at St. Joseph's hall at B o'clock. Two weeks ago the local fremen were Trimmed by small margin in n match rolled ht St. Hedwig's hall ana they hope to turn the tables tomorrow. A social time will be enjoyed.
 Car Damaged
 Nobody WAS badly hurt Saturday nighth when fl car driven by Vim cent Mulesky of Beacon Falls skidded and crashed into a pole The car whs much damaged. It was towssd to a' garage in Beacon Falls. Patrolman Raymond Carlson Investigated.
 Street Men Work Oycr-tIrne
 owing 10 the snow and slcct storm on Saturday, street depart mcnt employees were forced tO work far into the night. Supt James Rrophy said today that 23 were employed on shifts. All the trucks were put to work hauling