The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-15

Naugatuck, May l5-The observ-
ance OF the 10th anniversary Of the
Methodist church came to close
Sunday with services at II a. m. and
p. m.
A schoolhouse and loft Of a fur
niture store were among the early
sites for meeting places for Nauga-
tuck Methodists,, Clarence v.
OMaara revealed in a history Of
the local Methodist church. The
Pond Hill schoolhouse was the first
official meeting place, replacing
house gatherings. AS the religion
gained in membership here, the
Methodist district conference ack-
nowleged 1t by including Naugatuck
in the itinerary Of one Of its circuit
riders.
The meeting place was transfer
red In 1943 to building on Main
street, just south Of Maple street,
after three years was moved to the
loft Of q furniture store on Maple
street. where the Glove shop was
later located.
Rev. w. H. Bangs was the first
Methodist pastor to live here, COM
ing in 1849. A site for meeting
house was bought on Water street
in 1851 and a frame church Of
small proportions was erected there.
Rev. w. Gay was pastor then.
Mr.. OMeara brought out that
ARokhR<Jieke ~ thAeA Aope hnItANynd
In strict justice. He told Of men,
Der charged with Conduct unbe-
coming a church member" specif-
ically, intoxication, gambling win
ming IS from a shopmate at a game
of cards on Christmas day. and
Sabbath breaking CIT was his Gus
tom to spend his Sabbaths wand
ering over the fields gathering nuts
and apples~. He failed. to appear
before a committee named to try
the case and after hearing testi-
mony the committee expelled the
man.
Mr.. O'Meara also cited an in
stance where the committee exer-
cised mercy by refusing to sustain
charges brought against a member,
and giving him vote of full con-
fidence.
A building on the southwest cor
ner OF Maple and Church streets,
where the Neary building now
stands, VISA used as church from
1868 to 1887 by the Methodists.
This building was later moved to
lower Church st. and is the pres
ent Hibernian nall.
The present site of the church,
Meadow street, was bought in Oc-
tober, 1886, and a church was erect
ed at a cost of $1,000. 1t was dedi-
Gated July /, 1887 by Bishop FoSs.
The church was first lighted by oil
lamps. later by gas chandeliers and
then by electricity.
Pews were Of the opera-Seat type,
Mr.. OMeara recountS.
The parsonage was located an
May street for a number of years,
near the junction of High street,
and the building is still standing.
It was later moved to Meadow
street at the corner Of Meadow
street and in 1895, when Rev. H. L.
Glover was pastor. the present par
sonage on Frederick street was built.
The present pipe organ is almost
as old as Methodism in Naugatuck,
Mr.. OMeara stated. 1t was bought
in 1903. II years ago, and was rs
years old when 1t was purchased. Mr..
OMeara, a member of the church
so years, said he never recalled
more spontaneous dwrive than that
for the S2.400 required for its pur-
chase. The entire sum was pledged
lin very few minutes"
He recalled when a pump handle
had TO be used when the water mo-
tor which supplied power to the
bellows failed. when the water
motor failed and an anguished look
came over the face of the organist
as the organ gasped for air. some
member OF the choir or congrega-
ton FASTENED to man the pump.
and save the day"
The building was remodeled in
1927, one year after the church had