USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Brookfield > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Connecticut, and of the town of Brookfield > Part 2
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In the year 1887 the church edifice was extensively repaired; this included a reseating of the auditorium with solid oak pews, arranged semi-circular with cen- ter aisle and side aisles. The pulpit was replaced by an oak desk and furnishings. The walls were also frescoed, and a small room arranged for the Sabbath- school library. All at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars.
The remodeled church was reconsecrated Novem- ber, 1888, the Rev. Dr. Maxwell of Danbury, Rev. Henry L. Slack of Bethel, and Rev. James P. Hoyt of Newtown participating.
In 1864 the sheds for horses were constructed. In 1891 the pews were made free sittings.
Church Parsonages
The first parsonage was built about the year 1842. The Society did not at first own this building, as it
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
was erected by a few of the male members of the Society at their own expense. The architect and builder was Harry Sherman, Esq., son-in-law of Col. Isaac Hawley. This building is the one now occupied by Prof. H. W. Greene as his residence. The first minister who occupied it was Rev. Dan C. Curtiss. This house was sold in 1869 to R. H. Parker, Esq.
The present church parsonage was constructed and ready for occupancy in the summer of 1870. The building committee appointed in October, 1869, were Beers Foote, R. H. Parker, John Stewart, Harvey Roe. This committee was empowered to select a site and receive proposals for building a parsonage. Henry S. Peck and Benjamin Starr were a committee to receive funds for building.
The site selected, just south of the Episcopal Church, was on land belonging, in part, to Hiram Fairchild and Henry S. Peck.
In 1881 a barn was built for the new parsonage property, E. W. Ford and Emmon Hawley being the committee to secure the land and superintend the erec- tion of the building. In 1904-05 the parsonage was extensively repaired and remodeled.
The Church Choir
There was good musical talent in the old church at Brookfield, and the singers' seats in the gallery were
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HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE
well filled. The musical instruments in use for many years were the bass viol played by Arza Peck, the violin by Benjamin Starr, and the flute played by Edwin Smith. The tuning fork was in evidence. Mr. Charles Hawley was the chorister for forty years, possessing a musical voice of great compass and power. The stringed instruments were in time super- seded by a small organ which was introduced after the second church was built; this organ was played by Miss Harriet Peck for some time. Later a larger in- strument was in use for a considerable number of years, the organists being Mr. Henry Smith and Miss Eliza G. Fairchild.
In November, 1880, the present pipe organ was built and installed in the church. An organ concert was given by the makers on the 12th of that month. The instrument cost about a thousand dollars, a con- siderable amount of which was contributed by Mr. Samuel E. Merwin of New Haven, a former resident. Mr. Almon H. Taylor was organist from 1880 to 1897, Miss Minnie Somers succeeding him in this position, and for ten years has rendered most acceptable service to the church.
Prof. Herbert Wilbur Greene has been the choir director since 1900.
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Church Benevolences
This church makes annual offerings to the Church Relief Fund, the Congregational Church Building Society, Congregational Home Missionary Society, American Missionary Association, American Board for Foreign Missions, Congregational Education Society, Ministers' Relief Fund, Congregational Sun- day School and Publishing Society.
Trust Funds of the Society
Permanent funds have been left by former members to this church, the income to be devoted to the preach- ing of the gospel in connection with the Congregational Church at Brookfield. The funds were largely be- quests ; the names of the individuals who left such funds, with the dates when they were received by the Society, are as follows : Hubbell Smith in 1874; Han- nah Merwin, 1884; Beman Fairchild Memorial, 1885; "Unknown donors," 1886; Samuel E. Merwin and wife, 1886; Harriet Smith, 1891; Permelia Foote, 1892; Henrietta P. Starr, 1891; Eliza Peck, 1893; Isaac Lockwood, 1894.
Faith and Covenant-Constitution
Creeds are formulated theories, or confessions, con- cerning Divine facts. The early church at Newbury-
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HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE
Brookfield presents in her first "Articles of Faith and Covenant" most astonishing creedal elaboration, the same being twenty-five lengthy articles. As mankind advances we observe that creeds become more simple. In 1827 these articles and the covenant were ma- terially abbreviated. A constitution was likewise adopted in 1827.
In March, 1827, "The Constitution and Articles of Faith and Covenant" were by vote of the church printed in form of a church manual.
In 1885 the articles and covenant were recast and adopted in April, 1886.
In December 28, 1905, the church again appointed a Committee of Revision and adopted the following in 1906 :-
Confession of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Author of all things visible and invisible, Who has made the natural world beautiful and good, and is working to make the life of man holy and happy.
I believe in Jesus Christ as the Supreme Revelation of that life of love which is the will of God and the salvation of man.
I believe in the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of His followers, as the present Divine power for the redemp-
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tion of the world from sin, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
Church Covenant
Dearly Beloved: You have come hither to confess your allegiance to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, and to enter into covenant with His people. You confess your past sins with full repentance, and trust in God's forgiving grace; and you promise to seek, through prayer and the study of His Word, to be guided by His Spirit into all truth, to be cleansed from all evil, to be fitted for every good work. You desire to be (a true disciple) and (a faithful follower) of Jesus Christ; you consecrate (yourself) and your possessions to His service. The Lord hath shewed thee what is good; and what doth He require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God? You therefore profess before Him and this body that this is the life which, by His grace, you mean to live: to speak the truth lovingly, to follow the right loyally, to be honest and upright in your dealings with men, to be steadfast in your service of God.
With this church you now covenant to join in work and worship, seeking not to be ministered unto, but to minister ; doing good to all men as you have oppor- tunity ; helping us as we shall seek to serve and save
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and bless our fellow men; keeping with us the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Is this your purpose and your promise ?
[Here baptism should be administered to those who have not been baptized. To those who re- ceived the ordinance in infancy the minister should say] :
You were baptized in infancy into the name and household of Christ. Do you now accept and ratify that act of consecration ?
[Here those should rise who are to be received by letter, to whom the minister should say] :
You have come from other communions to join us at these altars in confessing our common Lord and in seeking to build up His kingdom.
[Here the members of the church should rise.]
Joyfully then do we, the members of this church, receive you to our communion. We remember the new commandment that we love one another, and will strive to obey it.
The Lord hath shown us our loving duty. This then is our purpose and our promise: to help you, as we can, in bearing your burdens ; to give you, as you need, Christian counsel and sympathy; to walk with you, if
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we may, in the ways of loving service; to be patient with you, and faithful to you, if you go astray ; to be jealous of your good name; to hold your peace and welfare as our own ; to fulfill to you, as far as in us lies, the law of Christ our Lord. And we humbly ask for grace divine to keep this promise.
In token of our hearty fellowship and earnest pur- pose I now give you this right hand.
[Here the minister should take each candidate by the right hand, repeating to each an appropriate verse of Scripture.]
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
December 28, 1906, a committee was appointed to revise the standing rules.
Church Incorporated
In accordance with the laws of Connecticut, Chapter XLIV. of the Public Acts of 1893, this church, upon application, became a legal body under the corporate name of the "Congregational Church of Brookfield," the certificate bearing date of February 18, 1901.
The church and society, under the Congregational
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HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE
system, act independently. In calling a pastor the church extends the call, and the society must concur in the same; both bodies agreeing, call the council to settle him. Each body has its separate officers. This rather complicated system has caused a large number of Congregational churches to merge the two bodies. A law now on the statutes of this state provides for the transfer of all properties and trust funds from the society to the church or corporation. The statute is No. 3963, and is as follows :-
Society to Transfer to Corporation
When any church of Christ has been duly incor- porated under the laws of this state, any ecclesiastical society connected with such church may, by a four- fifths vote of its members present and voting at a meeting duly warned and held for that purpose, trans- fer and convey to such church all the property and estate of such society and all trust funds held by it, to be held by such church corporation under and upon the same uses and trusts upon which the same had previously been held by such society. The committee of any society passing such a vote shall make any and all conveyances necessary to complete such transfer; but before the same shall be effectual a certificate of the fact of such transfer shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state by the clerk of such society. The
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corporation accepting such transfer shall thereupon become primarily liable for all the then existing debts and obligations of the transferring society, and such debts and obligations shall be a first lien upon the property so transferred, except such of it as has been held in trust.
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CHAPTER V
PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT NEWBURY-BROOKFIELD FROM 1757-1907
Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Brooks, 1757-1799
Mr. Brooks, who had "preached on probation" for the First Ecclesiastical Society of Newbury, was invited in June, 1757, to become the settled pastor, the church uniting in the call three months later, at which date, September 28, 1757, it was legally organized as a church.
Mr. Brooks was ordained and installed pastor of this church on September 28, 1757. The church was or- ganized and the first edifice dedicated on the same date, September 28, 1757. A day of fasting and prayer preceded these important events. The neighboring pastors who participated in these services were: Rev. Ebenezer White of Danbury, who preached the ser- mon; Rev. David Judson of Newtown, who gave the charge; Rev. James Taylor of New Fairfield, right hand of fellowship ; Rev. Jedediah Mills of Huntington, prayer of ordination; Rev. James Beebe of Trumbull and Rev. Elisha Kent also participated. Mr. Brooks was born in England in 1719, and was thirty-eight . years of age when he was installed. His ministry here
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
extended over a period of forty-two years. Only one pastorate in this vicinity was longer, namely, that of Rev. Mr. Mills of Huntington, who preached there fifty-two years.
Mr. Brooks lived in his own house, which was lo- cated about 200 feet north of the church and just at the rear of the residence of Mr. Henry Griffen. After his death Mrs. Brooks continued to live there, cared for by a daughter. This house was in the town of Newtown until 1788 (the date of our incorporation as a town), the Newtown line extending as far north as the present Congregational parsonage until that date. In signing all legal documents Mr. Brooks gave New- town as his place of residence. The salary of Mr. Brooks was fixed in 1757 at forty-five pounds per an- num for three years; after that date it was to be raised to fifty pounds per annum. In addition a settlement of one hundred pounds was made him in 1757 to be paid within three years. In 1784 his salary became fifty-five pounds and so remained.
During his ministry here the church at Bethel was organized in 1760, and the church at Ridgebury in 1769. In all ecclesiastical matters in neighboring towns Mr. Brooks participated.
He was pastor of this church during the entire period of the Revolutionary War and witnessed the great triumph in behalf of constitutional liberty. In 1788,
CAPTAIN GARRY BROOKS GRANDSON OF REV. THOMAS BROOKS, FROM WHOM THIS TOWN TOOK ITS NAME
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PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
when the parish of Newbury was incorporated with town privileges, it received the name of Brookfield in honor of its first and then-time pastor.
Mr. Brooks died September 12, 1799, in his eightieth year, and was interred in the Hawleyville cemetery (one hundred and eight years ago).
Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Robbins, 1799
November, 1799, Rev. Thomas Robbins became a temporary supply for the Brookfield Church, but re- moved to Danbury early in 1800, where he became a teacher of considerable reputation, and preacher. His chief contribution to the local history of the period is his "Century Sermon," delivered in Danbury January, 1801, the same being a record of Danbury during its first one hundred years.
Pastorate of Rev. Erastus Ripley, 1800-1801
Mr. Ripley received a call March, 1800, and was ordained the following April. One year later, owing to some misunderstandings, it was deemed advisable to retire Mr. Ripley, and the consociation met in October, 1801, for that purpose, his pastorate being a little less than one year and eight months.
The church was without a pastor for six years. During the interregnum, Rev. Josiah Haws and Rev. Joseph Mills were among the supplies.
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Pastorate of Rev. Richard Williams, 1807-1811
Mr. Williams received three calls from the church and society to become pastor in 1807 at a salary of four hundred dollars. He was installed June 2, 1807. The Rev. Daniel Huntington of Litchfield preached the sermon, Rev. Samuel Stebbins of Stratford gave the charge to the people, Rev. John Clark of New- town gave the right hand of fellowship.
Thirty-eight persons were added to the church dur- ing his pastorate. The church records were com- menced at his suggestion and with his assistance (previous to this time no separate records of church and society had been kept). After a little more than three years he requested that the consociation be called to dismiss him from the Brookfield church, giving as his reasons lack of cooperation, growing out of want of unanimity at time of his call; also poor financial support, which had embarrassed him to the extent that he was obliged to sell his house at a considerable sacri- fice in order to maintain himself. Mr. Williams' house was the one now standing opposite the residence of Mrs. Esther M. Hawley.
Mr. Williams was therefore dismissed by consocia- tion April 23, 1811. Mr. Williams was married while pastor over this church to Miss Electa White of Coventry ; marriage performed by Rev. Mr. Tylor May 18, 1808.
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PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Pastorate of Rev. Bela Kellogg, 1813-1816
The church and society extended a call to the Rev. Bela Kellogg, who, in a fine letter of acceptance dated December, 1812, signified his wish to be ordained and settled as their minister; which was done in January, 1813. His salary was four hundred dollars.
The following years, 1814-15, witnessed many cases of discipline in the Brookfield Church, indeed the records show but little else. These offences were breaking of church covenant, intemperance, and other causes. It must indeed have been a period of unrest and sorrow. Many of the members thus disciplined were reclaimed and given standing again in the church; some were excommunicated altogether. Mr. Kellogg was dismissed by consociation October 23, 1816. Mr. Kellogg stated that his salary was inade- quate for his support; it seemed to be the only reason on which he desired to sever his connections with the church. The consociation expressed sympathy with him and the church. Twenty-four persons united with the church during his pastorate.
A period of over four years followed in which the church was without a pastor.
Pastorate of Rev. Abner Brundage, 1821-1839
Rev. Abner Brundage received a call to the church in April, 1821, at a salary of four hundred dollars an-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
nually. In accepting the call Mr. Brundage stipulated that he be allowed to supply the church in Bethel one half of the time during the spring of 1821, the Bethel church paying their proportion of the salary during that time. Mr. Brundage also stipulated that as he was a member of the Westchester Presbytery their approval of his call be secured. The Brookfield Church therefore appointed Deacon Michael Dunning and Rev. William Andrews of Danbury a committee to meet the Westchester Presbytery at North Salem and secure their consent. Mr. Brundage's installation fol- lowed May 15, 1821, Rev. William Andrews preaching the sermon on this occasion, Rev. M. Rogers offering the prayer, Rev. Punderson giving right hand of fel- lowship, Rev. Daniel Crodner the charge to the pastor.
The ministry of Mr. Brundage extended over eighteen years and is a period of great interest. Large accessions to the membership are recorded.
A series of revival meetings was conducted in September, 1831, and morning prayer meetings were daily held in the town house for some little time.
There were many cases of discipline which were somewhat complicated ; but we see the purpose, namely, to keep the church pure, and we of to-day respect that purpose, remembering that a case of discipline is all but unknown at the present time in any church.
Mr. Brundage was willing to make an annual con-
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tribution to church expenses of twenty-five dollars, provided his salary was not allowed to fall in arrears; he also made other concessions of like nature. In October, 1839, his pastorate ceased at his own request, because of failing health. He retired respected and loved by his people. Mr. Brundage lived at the corner of the main street and the obtuse road, the present residence of Mr. H. Allen Smith, which Mr. Brundage owned.
During the next four years pulpit supplies were Rev. Philo Canfield, Rev. Mr. Day, Rev. A. B. Hull.
Pastorate of Rev. Dan C. Curtiss, 1843-1855
Mr. Curtiss came to Brookfield October, 1843, at which time he was installed. There were large ac- cessions to the church in 1851, forty-five persons uniting at one time on confession of faith, and others by letters. Many persons were also dismissed to sis- ter churches during his ministry.
The second communion service owned by this church was purchased in 1846.
The present church building (the second) was con- structed during Mr. Brundage's pastorate and dedi- cated April 12, 1854. At his own request Mr. Brundage's pastoral relations were dissolved by con- sociation, sitting in Stratford October, 1855, to the re- gret of the church which he had served for twelve
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years. Mr. Curtiss was the first pastor to occupy the parsonage built by several of the members of the Con- gregational Church about 1842.
Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Benedict, 1859-1862
Mr. Benedict became pastor April, 1859, at a salary of six hundred dollars and donation. Twenty-nine persons were admitted to the church during his minis- try. He remained pastor for more than three years, resigning September 22, 1862. The society com- mended him for faithful service.
Pastorate of Rev. P. H. Hollister, 1862-1864
Mr. Hollister was ordained and settled by council December, 1862; sermon by Rev. Mr. Charpiot of Trumbull; charge, Rev. Herrick of Redding; fellow- ship, Rev. E. C. Baldwin, Bethel ; prayer, Rev. W. H. Moore, Newtown.
Mr. Hollister's salary was the same as his prede- cessor's. Twenty-four persons joined the church during the two years of his pastorate. Mr. Hollister resigned December, 1864, and council dismissed him June 6, 1865. The church and parsonage were quite exten- sively repaired during his time here. Mr. Hollister's pastorate and that of Mr. Benedict extended through the stirring period of the Civil War.
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PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Pastorate of Rev. Frederick Munson, 1865-1870
Mr. Munson became pastor April, 1865, at a salary of eight hundred and fifty dollars and parsonage; he remained with the church about five years. A revival of considerable extent under Rev. Mr. Doolittle, an evangelist, occurred during his pastorate, with a large ingathering to the church November, 1867.
Mr. Munson resided in Brooklyn, N. Y., during the later years of his life, being connected with the Central Congregational Church during the pastorate of Rev. S. Parks Cadman, D. D. Mr. Munson died in Brook- lyn a few years since.
Pastorate of Rev. A. C. Pierce, 1870-1888
Mr. Pierce was called to the Brookfield Church in July, 1870, at a salary of one thousand dollars and use of parsonage.
He was installed October 19, 1870; sermon by Rev. D. Gale of Lee, Mass .; charge to pastor, Rev. Bonar, of New Milford; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Smith of Newtown; charge to people, Rev. Frisbie of Dan- bury.
Mr. Pierce and family were the first occupants of the new parsonage built in 1870. The pastorate of Mr. Pierce, extending over eighteen years, is remembered to-day with deep gratitude; both pastor and family
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
endeared themselves to this community in an unusual degree. Mr. Pierce became a strong factor in the County Association and Consociation. July 16, 1876, Mr. Pierce prepared and delivered an "Historical Dis- course," which was printed and widely circulated in this town. During his pastorate the present organ was purchased in 1880, and the church extensively re- paired in 1888. A revision of the rules was made in 1884.
Mr. Pierce died quite suddenly at the parsonage Sabbath morning, December 2, 1888, in the sixty-ninth years of his age. Mrs. Pierce survived him eight weeks, falling asleep January 27, 1889. Their mortal bodies were interred at Central Cemetery.
Pastorate of Rev. Henry B. Mead, 1889-1892
Mr. Mead accepted the pastorate in the spring of 1889, and was installed June 11, 1889. The sermon was delivered by Rev. J. A. Maxwell of Danbury, charge to pastor by Rev. D. Eddy, charge to people Rev. J. S. Ives.
The Christian Endeavor Society was organized by Mr. Mead; and a little book, entitled "The Recorded Words of Jesus," was compiled by him for use of Christian Endeavor societies. Mr. Mead is also re- membered as a lover of music. His pastorate ter- minated in the summer of 1892, after a faithful service
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PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
of three years. Mr. Mead died in Scotland, Conn., after a successful ministry of several years.
Pastorate of Rev. George W. Lawrence, 1893-1895
Mr. Lawrence commenced his pastorate October, 1893, and resigned December, 1894, the resignation taking effect in March, 1895. Although his ministry was short, he endeared himself to many in this com- munity. For several years after his pastorate here, Mr. Lawrence suffered from ill health and died at Newfane, Vt., in 1906.
Pastorate of Rev. Cyrus W. Francis, 1895-1904
Mr. Francis was called to the church May 12, 1895, and installed November 12, 1895. The following ministers participated in the service of installation : Sermon by the Rev. Henry L. Slack of Bethel; charge to pastor, Rev. Joel S. Ives ; charge to people, Rev. A. J. Park; right hand of fellowship, Rev. G. W. Banks ; prayer of installation, Rev. A. F. Pierce.
During Mr. Francis' pastorate forty-three persons were added to the church, twenty-six of this number by profession.
The "church wagon" was developed by Mr. Francis in October, 1900, and is now an established fact and necessity.
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The Sabbath school, under Mrs. Francis' superin- tendence, was greatly enlarged in numbers and effi- ciency.
In 1901 the church secured incorporation as a legal body. In 1903 the individual communion cup was introduced.
Mr. Francis resigned and was dismissed by council June 22, 1904, after a pastorate of nine years of faith- ful service.
Mr. Francis is the only living ex-pastor of this church at this date.
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