USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Washington > The church on the green; the first two centuries of the First Congregational church at Washington, Connecticut, 1741-1941 > Part 12
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The following paragraph was adopted, to be read by the minister while the members of the church were standing: "We then, the members of this church, receive you into our communion and welcome you with joy to our fellowship. We promise to pray for you, to watch over you and help you, so long as you shall continue with us. God grant that loving and being loved, serving and being served, blessing and being blessed, we may be prepared while we dwell together on earth for the perfect fellowship of the saints above." The above form of admission was included in the church manual when it was revised and reprinted in 1910.
An historic decision in the history of the church was taken on May 8th, 1919 when it was decided to merge the Ecclesiastical Society with the church organization. The motion was as follows: "Be it voted by the members of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Washington, Connecticut, at a meeting called for that purpose, to hereby transfer and convey to the First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut, all the property and estate of such Society and
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all trust funds held by it, to be held by said First Con- gregational Church under and upon the same uses and trusts upon which the same have been held by the Society." Thereupon the Society's Committee proceeded to execute and deliver the deeds necessary for the transfer.
Following the action of the Ecclesiastical Society, a meet- ing of the church was held and unanimous approval was given to the decision of the Ecclesiastical Society. They voted to accept gratefully the transfer of all property and funds and to observe the same conditions for their use as had been observed by the society. Certain changes had to be made in the Standing Rules in order that this might be done. It was agreed that there should be a Society's Committee, the duty of which should be to care for all the material in- terests of the church, its property and trust funds, and to make a report at each annual meeting of the church. When the committee was constituted, it was decreed that there should be three members. At the present time there are five members on the committee.
When the church was first organized the method of financing the church was by taxation. The appropriate committees decided what the expense was to be and each family of the church and society was asked to bear its pro- portionate share. Later on, the method of financing the church was by the sale of pew rentals. As time passed, mem- bers of the church came to feel that this method had distinct limitations. When strangers entered the church to share in the worship service, there was an awkward problem as to where they should sit. Therefore, in 1905, the members of the Standing Committee sent out a letter to the members of the church and to the citizens of Washington not connected with other churches, assuring them that a hearty welcome in
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the church awaited them and that there was ample room for everyone. The letter is too long to be quoted in full but it went on to say that many of the pews had not been sold and were therefore open to any one. Furthermore there were many pew holders who were happy to have others share their pews with them. Hence it was hoped that no one would re- main away from church under the impression that they were not welcome.
Presumably this letter was well received and no doubt created a more hospitable atmosphere in the church service. At any rate the pew rental system continued for a number of years. Then in 1922 there was a deficit of $300 and a com- mittee was appointed to arrange matters so that such deficits would be eliminated in the future. It was composed of Elnathan Mitchell, Dr. F. W. Wersebe and S. Ford See- ley. The following year they brought in a recommendation to have free pews, the money to be raised for church ex- penses by an "Every-Member-Canvass." It was agreed that the committee should be continued and should draw up plans for such a canvass, calling a special meeting of the church when the plans were ready. This arrangement was carried out and the Every-Member-Canvass was launched with great success.
At the annual meeting of the church on January 3rd, 1924, Deacon Charles G. Fenn expressed his great satisfac- tion with the new system because it symbolized a free church. He said that no one remembered the exact date when the sale of pew rentals had begun. He recalled, however, a story told him by Daniel Canfield, regarding the opposition of John Gunn to the rental of pews. Mr. Gunn opposed it strenu- ously but the decision was taken. Thereupon Mr. Gunn bid off the highest priced pew and engaged a number of boys,
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including Daniel Canfield, to come in just as the service was about to commence, each having a piece of money which would require changing to pay for his sitting. This finished, he was motioned to his seat. Mr. Gunn's opposition was on the basis that it made the pews private property.
The astonishing success of the Every-Member-Canvass may be seen in the rapid increase in benevolence giving. In 1919 the Missionary apportionment of the church was $500, total gifts to benevolence being about $900. After three years of the new envelope system, the gifts for benevo- lence reached a total of $3,000 in the year 1922. There was a similar increase in the giving for home expenses.
There were many improvements in the equipment and property of the church during the regime of Mr. Carter. As early as 1900 there was a good deal of discussion regarding the need for a chapel in connection with church activities. This hope was not fulfilled until some years later. It was in 1910 that the memorial tablet was hung outside the vesti- bule of the church, giving the important dates in the his- tory of the church. It reads as follows :
"This church was organized in 1741. Its first meeting- house, a log shed, was built in 1742. The second church was raised in 1754 and destroyed by fire in 1800. The First service in this the third church was held on Thanksgiving Day 1801. The original spire and belfry, torn down in 1845 and only partly restored, were completed in 1910, the clock and chimes added."
The mention of the clock and chimes has reference to the generous offer of Mrs. Mary Brinsmade Van Sinderen to have the church spire remodeled and to place a clock thereon as a memorial to her husband, William Leslie Van Sinderen. The chimes consist of four bells which are in-
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scribed as follows: First, "Presented to the Ecclesiastical Society of Washington in memory of William Leslie Van Sinderen by his family." Second, "O Lord, Our God, Be thou our guide, That by thy help, No foot may slide." Third, "On earth peace, goodwill to men." Fourth, "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice." The clock and chimes were in working order on June 1st, 1910 and to commemo- rate the occasion, Mr. Carter preached a special sermon on May 29th using the text, Genesis 11: 5-"The Lord came down to see the tower which the children of men builded."
During this same year of 1910 there were alterations in connection with the entrances to the church and the church was painted. Also there were improvements and repairs to the organ, an electric motor and blower being added. Again in 1923 there were substantial repairs to the organ and to the church building costing approximately $1,000.
There were a number of gifts made to the church during the pastorate of Mr. Carter. Some of these gifts were for specific purposes such as improvement in the equipment. Among those who made gifts of this nature were Miss Jennie McKissock, John Woodruff, Miss Addie H. Woodruff, Daniel C. Nettleton and C. B. Nettleton. Cornelius B. Gold gave a piece of land to the church. Many years before, Daniel Frisbie had given a sum of money to the church, the . interest of which was to be used for the poor, and this fund was used from time to time for that purpose.
There were those who left sums of money to the church without definite instructions as to use and these sums were set aside as an endowment fund, the interest to be used for current expenses each year. Among those who gave in this way were Mrs. Julia L. Richards, Mrs. Amelia J. Galpin, Mrs. Sarah K. Mitchell, John M. Black and, more recently,
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Miles Aspinwall. It would not be possible to give a complete list of all those loyal friends who have made gifts to the church through the years. For all such gifts the members of this church have been and are today deeply grateful.
The modernizing of the church equipment included the installation of electric lights and of furnaces in the church. A modern touch was given to the communion service by the use of individual communion cups, beginning in 1900. New hymn books were purchased in 1907, and in 1914 two tab- lets were placed at the rear of the church, containing the names of the ministers and their years of pastoral service.
In 1906, the members of the church cooperated with Mr. C. B. Gold in his plan to have a new road constructed across the society's land on the Green, north and east of the church. This new development was carried to a successful conclu- sion and the arrangement of roads was constructed as we have it today. In 1922 Deacon Charles G. Fenn was asked to erect markers to show, as far as possible, the land still re- maining on the Green covered by the original grant to the Ecclesiastical Society.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Carter, especially the earlier years, that both the prayer meeting and the Chris- tian Endeavor Society held a prominent place in the pro- gram of the American churches. This was no less true of our church here in Washington. There was also an organiza- tion of girls called "Daughters of the Covenant." The Sun- day School continued to be an important part of the pro- gram. Mention must also be made of the Romford branch of the Sunday School which in the year 1901 had a membership of twenty-five. Mr. and Mrs. Carter began the custom of an annual party for the children of the cradle roll, a custom that is still continued.
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There have not been many references in this history to the ministry of music in the church. This has not been due to a lack of appreciation of the importance of music. From the early colonial days with the psalm-singing and the flute, to the coming of the reed organ and finally the vested choir, music has had an important place in our church life. But the records have had little to say about the work of the choir or the playing of the organ. Down through the years, much emphasis was given to the musical part of the church pro- gram, even though such efforts did not receive wide pub- licity. There are many members of the church today who recall with heartfelt appreciation the organ playing of Mrs. Powell Seeley and Mrs. William J. Ford and the capable leadership of choir directors like Earle Buckingham, Wil- liam G. Brinsmade, Russell Clark and Henry W. Seeley.
It was in 1914 that Mrs. Powell Seeley completed twenty- five years as organist of the church. At the annual meeting in 1915, in appreciation of her many years of faithful service, the members of the church presented her with silver knives and forks, Mrs. John C. Brinsmade making the presenta- tion.
During Mr. Carter's pastorate Hampton Sunday be- came an annual feature of the church program. This was quite natural in view of the fact that Mr. Turner, who had been a pastor of the church, was now in a responsible posi- tion at Hampton and spent his summers in Washington. Each year the Hampton quartet came to Washington and sang at a Sunday morning service, at which time there was a special offering for the Institute.
Another project carried on by the church was the show- ing of moving pictures in the old town hall. Through a com- mittee organized by Mr. Carter and Mrs. John C. Brins-
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made, suitable moving pictures were secured and shown at periodic intervals. Dr. F. W. Wersebe and Mrs. J. I. West took an active interest in this work.
It would not be possible in a book of this nature to de- scribe in any adequate way the part played by members of the church and the people of the community in the various activities connected with the World War. Such an account would take up far too much space. There are two scrap- books in the Gunn Memorial Library filled with clippings, photographs and other records relating to the World War. There is, for example, a pictorial account of the "Sister Susie Society," an organization of young women. Some years previous to the war, they were a reading and sewing club. After America entered the war, they became an active group of workers, specializing in the making of refugee gar- ments and other useful articles.
The Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross did yeoman service during the period of the war. It was first organized on March 1st, 1917 under the following officers : Chairman, Dr. F. W. Wersebe ; secretary, Mrs. A. C. Titus ; treasurer, A. S. Gregg Clark. Mrs. Walter Russell, as executive chairman, had charge of all the work.
Like other communities throughout the nation, the people of Washington entered wholeheartedly into such activities as food production and conservation. There was a town de- fense committee. The Washington Home Guard was organ- ized as a part of the State Guard under the following offi- cers : Capt. Frederick J. Ford ; 1st Lieut. Ralph J. Averill and 2nd Lieut. Curtis T. Woodruff. There were war rallies on specific occasions. The people of the community re- sponded generously when asked to invest in Liberty Loans. For his many services in connection with the raising of funds
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for the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and Y. M. C. A., Mr. S. Ford Seeley received an engraved memorial from the mem- bers of the Washington War Bureau of which he was chair- man.
The Neighborhood Club was the village forum, first or- ganized in 1914 by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Oldham, and held in the home of Mrs. Amelia B. Colby. When the meetings grew large during the summer months, they were held in the Washington Club House. During the winters the members met in the Brownley Inn. Mr. Carter was a close student of the war and made a report of the war situation at each meeting of the forum. Mr. John C. Brinsmade spoke at each meeting, giving an account of what was going on in this country. Whenever possible there was also an address by a speaker invited for the occasion. Mr. Carter's resignation from the church in 1925 was a heavy blow for the Neighbor- hood Club but meetings continued until 1928 under the direction of S. Ford Seeley and John C. Brinsmade.
In the scrapbook at the library there is a list of eighty- seven men who enlisted or were drafted from Washington during the World War. They entered many different branches of the service. Nine men were members of the 102nd Regiment of the 26th Division of the American Expedi- tionary Forces. Of these men called to the service, three gave their lives for their country. Louis P. Gage, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, was killed in the battle of the Argonne on Oct. 15th, 1918. Francis Eliot Seeley, a member of the church, died Oct. 23rd, 1918, from wounds received in the same battle. Warren B. Mitchell, also a mem- ber of the church, died in New York City, Jan. 22nd, 1920, from the effect of wounds received in the San Mihiel offensive.
The scrapbook lists twenty-one other men who had asso-
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ciations with Washington and who served the nation in various capacities during the war. It also mentions twelve women of Washington who served in various ways during the war. The people of this community were very proud of the fact that Brigadier-General Benjamin D. Foulois, head of the Aviation Section of the War Department, was a native of this town. Among the men and the women thus active in the national service during this critical period were a goodly number who were members of the Congregational church.
During the war, Mr. Carter preached a number of ser- mons that aroused keen interest, several of which were printed. There were several special services held in the church. Such a service was held on July 7th, 1918, when Capt. Frederick Ford brought in a beautiful silk flag which Miss Charlotte Brinsmade then presented to the church. Mr. Carter accepted the flag on behalf of the church. The flag was placed in position by Charles Fenn, chairman of the Society's Committee, while the congregation sang the Star Spangled Banner.
On Sunday, July 6th, 1919, a special patriotic service was held in the church and was called "The Demobilization of Our Service Flag." During the singing of the national anthem the flag was brought in by four ladies. After the name of Francis Seeley was read, Mr. Carter offered a short prayer in his memory. Then followed the reading of the list and after each name the congregation responded with the words "For thy merciful protection of him we thank thee, O God." Mr. Carter followed with an illuminating sermon on the text "Lest we forget" Deut. 4-9.
The ringing of the Congregational Church bell at 3:30 on Monday morning, Nov. 11th, 1918, awakened the people of Washington from their sleep and they were not long in
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realizing the significance of the joyful message. It was to announce the long awaited armistice. Patriotic citizens took turns ringing the bell and kept it up until after 7 o'clock.
During the war years much valuable work of a patriotic nature was done by the Judea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Judea Chapter was organized June 8th, 1898, with twenty charter members, the first regent being Mrs. Frederick Gunn, widow of the founder of the Gunnery School. Besides its own activities of a patriotic and educational nature, the D. A. R. cooperated in the establishment of other organizations like the Red Cross Chapter, the Bryan Hall Library and the Visiting Nurse Association.
A great event for the people of Washington was the dedi- cation of the Gunn Memorial Library in June 1908. It was the culmination of plans that had been maturing for several years. As early as 1890 a small sum had come into the hands of the Library Association. This was the nucleus for the construction of a new building. At a library meeting in 1901, it was suggested that steps be taken to increase the fund under the leadership of Senator Platt and Dr. Ford. Mr. W. L. Van Sinderen as the President of the Library Asso- ciation carried through a reorganization. Mr. E. H. Van Ingen and Mr. Richard S. Barnes made generous donations for the library building, the former suggesting that it be given the name, "Gunn Memorial Library." Mr. E. K. Rossi- ter as the architect gave generously of his time. At the dedi- cation exercises there were addresses by Mr. Carter, Mr. Clarence Deming, and the reading of an original poem by Dr. Rossiter W. Raymond.
No account of this library would be complete without a reference to the beautiful ceiling, painted by Mr. H. Sid-
WILBUR S. DEMING MINISTER 1935-
HYMNS
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THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH
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dons Mowbray and unveiled on July 4th, 1914. As a resident of Washington it was Mr. Mowbray's desire to make this splendid gift to the people of this community. There is a group of paintings, all illustrating the classic Greek story of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture and Proserpine her daughter who is carried by Pluto to the center of the earth. It is not too much to say that these beautiful paintings are well worth a visit to Washington.
Another event of great significance took place on May 29th, 1918, when the new edifice of St. John's Church was consecrated. We have already referred to the Episcopal Church built by John Davies, as a memorial of the Davies family, in the area now called Romford. In 1815 a piece of land was given to the parish by Ephraim Baker and the building was removed to its new site near the Green, where it remained for a hundred years. This building was torn down in 1917 to make way for the new building completed in 1918. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on May 19th, 1917 by the Grand Lodge of Masons in the state of Connecticut. The architect was Mr. E. K. Rossiter and the style of the building is early Gothic. The chancel is deco- rated with beautiful paintings by Mr. H. Siddons Mowbray, the central feature of the paintings being the figure of St. John. Rev. Theodore M. Peck was rector of St. John's when the new church was built and was instrumental in raising funds for its construction.
A notable gift to this community was recorded on Novem- ber 14th, 1925, when Mr. E. K. Rossiter deeded to a group of citizens the Steep Rock Park Forest. For thirty-five years Mr. Rossiter had been acquiring the forest lands around Steep Rock from which, at the high points, beautiful views of the Shepaug River valley can be obtained. Mr. Rossiter
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had laid out carriage roads leading through the park to the summit. The tract of land was in excess of 200 acres. Among the conditions laid down in the deed was the provi- sion that no automobile should be driven upon the land for pleasure purposes, and also that no building should be erected. Those named by Mr. Rossiter to have the care of this property were as follows : Adrian Van Sinderen, George H. Vaillant, Hamilton Gibson, Arthur L. Shipman, Arthur C. Titus, Victor Mccutcheon, E. Winthrop Rossiter, H. Siddons Mowbray and Miss Anne Van Ingen.
For over fifty years the Washington Choral Club was an active organization under the able leadership of Dr. Arthur D. Woodruff. Dr. Woodruff spent his summers in Washington and each summer, under his direction, the Choral Club gave a concert. These concerts reached a high level of excellence arousing great interest in music among the people of Washington and surrounding towns. The Golden Jubilee Concert of the Choral Club was held on August 23rd, 1929. Until the club hall was built, these con- certs were given in the Congregational Church.
A pastorate of thirty-one years is an event in the life of any church. It indicates strong ties of affection binding pastor and people. And yet there comes a time when each pastoral bond is broken. That time came for Mr. and Mrs. Carter on March 19th, 1925. There had been many expres- sions of appreciation of them and of their work through the years. Now had come the time for parting. In his letter of resignation, Mr. Carter expressed his gratitude to the members of the church for their cooperation during his years of service. Above all he was grateful to God for His mercies during the years spent in Washington.
Mr. C. B. Nettleton, Miss Louise Van Ingen, Mr. S. Ford
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Seeley and Dr. Turner were requested to arrange a meeting of the church to act upon the resignation. A committee composed of Mrs. John C. Brinsmade, Dr. F. W. Wersebe, Mrs. S. Ford Seeley and Mr. H. S. Mowbray were asked to draw up resolutions expressing the appreciation of the church and community of the work done by Mr. and Mrs. Carter during their thirty-one years in Washington. It was agreed that the resignation would take effect on Nov. 1st, 1925, and that Mr. Carter should be offered the position of pastor emeritus, without salary.
Upon the completion of the thirty-first anniversary on June 26th, 1925, an address was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Carter as a testimonial. We quote the following passages : "On this thirty-first anniversary of your pastorate, your friends have gathered to honor you and to express the af- fection for yourself and for Mrs. Carter that has deepened with the years. To the pastor comes, peculiarly, the petty criticisms that are the thoughtless expressions of our fret- ful moods. With this in mind, we delight in tendering you this testimonial as a permanent record of that love and respect in which the whole community holds both you and Mrs. Carter. As preacher you have made this pulpit known beyond the borders of town and state for its liberal, prac- tical and helpful Christianity.
"As teacher you have made live the word of God and have instilled in the hearts of many the spirit of service that is the perfect fruit of that teaching. As pastor you have in- creased the influence of this church in the community. You have comforted the afflicted, have rejoiced with those that rejoiced ; have indeed been like the good shepherd. As friend and neighbor, we have had pleasure that you considered us as such, for you have cheerfully assumed the burdens of the
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Good Samaritan. As citizen you have ever been foremost in promoting the welfare of our village. Of these virtues we are justly proud and we pray God that in the years to come these relationships may continue."
A special service in recognition of Mr. Carter's long pas- torate was held on Sunday, August 30th, 1925. The com- mittee of arrangements was composed of Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, Roger S. Forbes and Herbert B. Turner. Rev. Her- bert B. Turner presided at the service. Dr. Hillis spoke on "The Contribution of the Rural Church to the Republic." Rev. Roger S. Forbes of Philadelphia spoke on behalf of the summer residents, in appreciation of the Congregational Church in Washington and of Mr. Carter's services.
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