USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Ridgefield > The history of Ridgefield, Conn. : from its first settlement to the present time > Part 10
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The Rev. Charles Smith, the Rev. Origen P. Hol- comb, and the Rev. Charles J. Todd, each had charge of the churches in Wilton and Ridgefield, residing in Wilton, and devoting two thirds of the time to Wil- ton and one third to Ridgefield. The Rev. Jacob Ly- man Clark took the charge of the church in Ridge- field, in connection with that of New Canaan, minis- tering one half of the time in each until 1837, and re- siding in New Canaan, when he accepted a call to the church in Waterbury, Ct., and which brings us to the period when constant services were secured to the par- ish, under the Rev. Eli Wheeler, as before mentioned.
Connected with the foregoing history of the church in Ridgefield arises the reflection that during the cen- tury and a half which has transpired, since the first introduction of the services of the Church here-a pe- riod embracing about five generations of those who have in succession attended on her ministrations-that we, too, are rapidly following the generations that are numbered with the congregation of the dead ; a num-
4 ber far greater than those who compose the present congregation of the living, and who are still favored with the privilege of entering her sacred courts, and listening to the calls of the Gospel, as uttered from the
129
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
lips of those, her ministers, appointed to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. " So teach us to num- ber our days that we may apply our hearts unto wis- dom."
The following are the inscriptions upon tablets in the church:
THIS TABLET is erected by the Vestry, in memory of NATHAN DAUCHY, a zealous friend and supporter of this Church. He died April 14, 1824, in the glorious hope of a Blessed immortality.
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
THIS TABLET is erected by the Vestry, in memory of SAMUEL STEBBINS, Esq., Senior Warden of this Church, From the year 1793, until his death. He died March 27, 1836, aged 73 years.
130
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
His untiring activity, and Christian devotedness, in the cause of religion, and the prosperity of this Church ; are worthy of a grateful remembrance in the annals of this Parish.
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
The lettering on the tablets is all in capital letters.
A SUCCESSION OF MINISTERS.
Names.
Date of Entering on Ministry.
Date of Leaving.
Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Stratford.
I725.
Rev. Henry Caner, of Fairfield
1727.
Rev. John Beach, of Newtown.
I735.
to 1738. .
Rev. James Wetmore, of Rye.
1740.
Rev. Richard Caner, of Norwalk.
1742.
Rev. Joseph Lamson, of Rye, with Bedford and North Castle. I744. ...
Rev. Richard S. Clark, of Salem, with { Ridgefield and Ridgebury.
1764.
to 1767.
Rev. Epenetus Townsend, of Salem, with Ridgefield and Ridgebury. ) May 26, 1768. July, 1776.
The above were missionaries of the " Society in England for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," previous to the Revolutionary War, who officiated at Ridgefield in connection with other stations or at intervals.
I31
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
Names of Rectors.
Date of Entering on Ministry.
Date of Leaving.
Rev. David Belden
I788.
for 4 months.
Rev. David Perry.
Sept. 22, 1791.
April 1, 1795.
Rev. David Butler.
Feb. 14, 1799.
Oct. 1, 1804.
Rev. Russell Wheeler.
Sept. 15, 1805.
May I, 1806.
Rev. Elijah G. Plumb
April 2, 1807.
April 11, 18II.
Rev. Reuben Hubbard.
Jan. 15, 1812.
April, I818.
Rev. Charles Smith.
June 15, 1818.
April, I823.
Rev. Origen P. Holcomb.
May 26, 1823.
Easter, I83I.
Rev. Charles J. Todd.
May 15, 183I.
Sept., I834.
Rev. Jacob Lyman Clark.
July 20, 1835.
Mar. 26, 1837.
Rev. Eli Wheeler.
Aug. 1, 1837.
Mar. 31, 1839.
Rev. Joseph H. Nichols.
April 28, 1839. June 30, 1839.
Rev. Warner Hoyt.
July 6, 1839.
Oct. 18, 1844, deceased.
Rev. Thaddeus M. Leavenworth.
April 1, 1845.
Oct. 1, 1845.
Rev. David H. Short.
Dec. I, 1845.
April 1, 1846.
Rev. Henry Olmsted, Jr.
April 13, 1846.
April 20, 1850.
Rev. William Staunton
June 8, 1850. May 30, 1852.
Rev. Theodore S. Rumney.
August, 1853.
Nov. 14, 1853.
Rev. William H. Williams.
March I, 1854. May 1, 1864.
Oct. 7, 1863.
Rev. Curtiss T. Woodruff.
May 10, 1866.
Rev. Francis T. Russell
June 3, 1866.
May I, 1868.
Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis.
Aug. 2, 1868. Aug. 3, 1873.
Rev. David D. Bishop.
Oct. I, 1873. May 12, 1878.
Rev. Francis A. Henry
July 1, 1878.
Present Rect'r
CHAPTER IX.
HISTORY OF METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE extensive religious revivals that preceded and followed the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Christmas Conference held in Baltimore, Md., A.D. 1784, prepared and raised up young men who became evangelists, and were sent by Rev. Francis Asbury, travelling Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to various parts of the United States.
As early as A.D. 1787, the Rev. Cornelius Cook preached in Ridgefield, and Ambrose Olmsted, Jr., received the following certificate :
" To whom it may concern : These certify that Am- brose Olmsted, Jr., is a constant attendant at public worship (as opportunity offers) with the people called Methodists, and that he contributes his due proportion toward maintaining said worship & ministry.
" Certified by me, CORNELIUS COOK,
Minister of the M. E. Church. Nov. 16, A.D., 1787.
Recorded Dec. Ist, 1787, by Benjamin Smith, Congre- gational Society's Clerk."
At the first Methodist Conference held in New York City, June, 1789, the Rev. Jesse Lee, from Virginia, was sent to the "Stamford Circuit," in New England.
His first sermon was preached in Norwalk, on the highway, June 17th, 1789. He formed a two weeks' circuit, embracing Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield, Strat-
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
I33
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ford, Milford, Redding, Danbury, Ridgefield, and other intermediate places, and the name was changed to Fairfield Circuit.
Mr. Lee preached his first sermon in Ridgefield probably on the 26th of June, 1789, in a building known as the "Independent School-house," situated near Mr. P. C. Lounsbury's house, formerly owned by Nehemiah Perry, M.D.
On Thursday, January 28th, 1790, the first "Class" was formed in Ridgefield, being the third in New Eng- land, and was composed of Ichabod Wheeler and wife, and Daniel Keeler and wife, at Limestone, at the house of Ichabod Wheeler, near Taylor's Mill, and which continued to be a preaching place for some years.
On the 27th of February, A.D. 1790, Elder Jacob Brush, and Revs. George Roberts and Daniel Smith, came from Maryland, to labor under direction of Mr. Lee, who extended his labors eastward to New Haven.
The early records of the society being lost, it is im- possible to ascertain who were the early members of the Methodist Society in Ridgefield ; but we find in the records of the Congregational Society that cer- tificates similar to the one above quoted were issued by " Jesse Lee, Methodist preacher," to Jeremiah Olmsted, of Ridgebury, October 17th, 1789 ; also, April Ist, 1790, by Rev. George Roberts, to Ichabod Wheeler ; December 24th, 1790, by Rev. John Blood- good, to Daniel Keeler ; March 30th, 1797, to Stephen Mills, Powell Batterson, and Jonathan Stevens.
March 27, 1798, John Mills. Dec. 10, 1804, Thaddeus Benedict. Dec. 10, 1804, Joseph Mead, 3ª.
7
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HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
Nov. 5, 1805, Sam1. Hoyt, 2ª. Dec .. 7, 1805, Abijah Hyatt. Mar. 31st, 1806, Benjamin Bouton. Aug. 6, 1807, Martha Bouton. Nov. 23, 1807, Jabez M. Gilbert.
Mar. 28, 1808, Dan1. Dean.
Nov. 14, 1809, Amos Baker, M.D.
For several years there was no preaching upon the Sabbath by the "circuit preachers ;" but this va- cancy was most acceptably filled by the frequent and voluntary labors of Absalom Day, of Norwalk ; Aaron Sanford and Hawley Sandford, of Redding ; Rory Starr, of Danbury, "local (or lay) preachers," and James Coleman, "superannuated," of Ridgefield, whose name and labors have been handed down in grateful remembrance to the children of the fathers. " Classes" were formed in North Street in 1805, in the village in 1809, and from 1807 to 1826 the houses of Thos. Hyatt, Jabez M. Gilbert, and Amos Baker, M.D., were the regular preaching places of the " Methodist Itinerants."
In 1824, the first church edifice was erected, standing in the fork of the roads leading to the districts called North Street and Titicus, and the "circuit" appears under the name of "Redding and Bridgeport." Fre- quent revivals of religious interest had occurred, spe- cially in the years 1816, 1822, and 1828.
In 1831 a more extensive and powerful work was experienced, resulting in large additions to all the churches. Among the converts was Mr. William Crocker, who soon became a very acceptable and useful "local preacher."
135
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The following is a list of the Ministers, sent by the New York Conference to the circuits, embracing Ridgefield, from the year 1790 to 1836, at which date Ridgefield became a station, with a resident minister.
FAIRFIELD CIRCUIT.
1790. John Bloodgood.
1791. Nathaniel Burton Mills, Aaron Hunt.
1792. Joshua Taylor, Smith Weeks.
I793. James Coleman, Aaron Hunt.
I794. Zebulon Kaukey, Nicholas Snethen.
REDDING CIRCUIT.
1795. Daniel Dennis, Timothy Dewey.
1796. Elijah Woolsey, Robert Leeds.
1797. David Buck, Augustus Jocelyn.
1798. William Thatcher.
1799. David Brown.
1800. Augustus Jocelyn.
1801. Samuel Merwin, Isaac Candee.
1802. James Coleman, Isaac Candee. James Campbell, N. U. Tompkins.
1803. I 804. Peter Moriarty, Sylvester Foster. 1805. Peter Moriarty, Samuel Merwin.
1806. Nathan Felch, Oliver Sykes.
1807. James M. Smith, Zalmon Lyon.
1808. Noble W. Thomas, Jonathan Lyon.
NEW YORK CONFERENCE.
1809. Billy Hibbard, Isaac Candee.
1810. Nathan Emory, John Russell.
18II. Aaron Hunt, Oliver Sykes, and John Reynolds.
1812. Seth Crowell, Gilbert Lyon, S. Beach.
1813. Aaron Hunt, Henry Eames.
1814. Ebenezer Washburn, Reuben Harris.
1815. Elijah Woolsey, Reuben Harris.
1816. Samuel Bushnel, John Boyd.
I36
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
1817. Samuel Bushnel, Theodocidus Clarke.
1818. James M. Smith, Theodocius Clarke.
1819. J. S. Smith, Phineas Cook.
1820. Laban Clark, Phineas Cook.
1821. Laban Clark, Aaron Hunt.
1822. Samuel Cochrane, Aaron Hunt.
1823. Samuel Cochrane, John Reynolds.
1824. Elijah Woolsey, John Reynolds, Aaron Hunt, Super.
From 1825 to 1827 it was called
REDDING AND BRIDGEPORT CIRCUIT.
1825. Marvin Richardson, H. Humphreys, Frederic W. Siger, A. Hunt, Supr.
1826. Marvin Richardson, H. Humphreys, A. Hunt, Supr., Oliver Sykes, Supr.
1827. Henry Stead, John Lovejoy, J. C. Bontecue, O. Sykes, Super.
REDDING CIRCUIT.
1828. Henry Stead, Gershom Pearce.
1829. Ebenezer Washburn, Gershom Pearce.
1830. Ebenezer Washburn, Oliver V. Ammerman.
1831. James Young, Josiah Bowen, O. Sykes, Supry.
1832. Nicholas White, Jesse Hunt.
1833. Jesse Hunt, John Burton Beach.
1834. Josiah Bowen, John Burton Beach.
REDDING AND NEWTOWN CIRCUIT.
1835. Humphrey Humphreys, Josiah L. Dickerson, John Davies.
In 1836, as above stated, Ridgefield was separated from other appointments, and became a "station," having Rev. Parmelee Chamberlain as its pastor, who remained two years, and at the close of his labors re-
I37
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ported a membership of one hundred and eighteen, probationers" included.
In the year 1839 occurred the most extensive relig- ious awakening in the history of the church, under the ministry of Rev. Thos. Sparks. The curiosity of the community to hear the "experience of a converted sailor"-Rev. George C. Bancroft-drew large au- diences.
But the relation of these " experiences" was accom- panied by such spiritual power, and enforced by such vivid declaration of divine truth, and the clear and logical arguments concerning the truths of the Gos- pel, as presented by Rev. Paul R. Brown, that many who came through curiosity were deeply convinced of the truth, resulting in the conversion of large num- bers and the increase of the membership of all the churches in the village.
The large accession to the Methodist Church and congregation made it necessary to provide a larger place of worship. Accordingly, in the year 1841, the house now standing on the corner of Main and Catoo- nah Streets was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Chas. Chittenden. The humble beginnings of ninety years ago are represented to-day by a membership of nearly two hundred.
Nor has the influence of this church been confined to this vicinity alone. Other towns, and the distant West, have heard the Gospel preached by the sons of those fathers and mothers.
Revs. Stephen Remmington, Thos. B. Rockwell, Wm. Crocker, Albert Nash, Elias Gilbert, Alonzo B. Pulling, Miles N. Olmsted, and Frank W. Lockwood have been sent forth from her bosom, as chosen minis-
138
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
ters of God ; while the plains of India have been hal- lowed by the self-sacrificing labors and early death of Mrs. S. Minerva Downey, daughter of Rev. Thos. B. Rockwell.
The following list of names is of those ministers who have been stationed in Ridgefield from 1836 to 1878 :
1836-37.
Rev. Parmelee Chamberlain.
1838-39.
Thos. Sparks.
1840.
Seymour Van Deusen.
1841-42.
Cha8. Chittenden.
1843-44. 66 Abram S. Francis.
1845-46.
66
Charles Stearns.
1847-48. 66 Sylvester S. Strong.
1849-50.
Nathaniel Mead.
1851.
Ira Abbott.
1852-53.
Reuben H. Loomis.
1854-55.
66 Friend W. Smith.
1856-57.
Joseph Wildey.
1858-59.
Joseph Woolley.
1860-61.
Joseph Smith.
1862-63.
Calvin B. Ford.
I864.
Samuel F. Johnson.
1865-66.
James D. Bouton.
1867-68-69.
66 George L. Thompson.
1870-71-72.
Larman W. Abbott.
1873-74-75.
Theodore C. Beach.
1876. John B. Merwin.
1877.
William Ross.
1878.
Smith H. Platt.
The history of this church would not be complete without reference especially to one to whose tireless labors, consistent life, and godly example the church is indebted more than to any other person for its growth and influence in the community-JABEZ M. GILBERT. The " Methodist itinerant" came preaching a univer-
139
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
sal atonement ; man's moral agency ; a full, free, and perfect salvation from sin ; the new birth ; the knowl- edge of the " witness of the Spirit ;" the duty of holi- ness of life.
These truths met the wants of his soul, he accepted them, hesitated not to join the little band of like faith, demonstrated by a long and consistent life the truth of the doctrine he professed, and died leaving a va- cancy not soon to be filled.
A man of firm convictions, strong will, stern integ- rity, deep and ardent sympathies, liberality equal to and often beyond his means, the Church found in him a reliable leader, a wise counsellor, a constant and lib- eral supporter ; the poor a cheerful and open-hearted benefactor, and the community a recognized example of consistent piety.
CHAPTER X.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF RIDGEBURY, AND PRO- TESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RIDGEBURY.
(Now extinct.)
THE Congregational Church in Ridgebury was or- ganized in the month of January, 1769. It was com- posed of eighteen members, "professing the doctrine and practising the discipline agreed upon by the Gen- eral Consociation of the Churches of Connecticut, at their meeting in Saybrook, 1708."
It appears from the records that meetings for public worship were held as early as 1760, in what was called the " New Patent Meeting House," which was proba- bly built as early as 1738, but there was no settled pastor until 1769, when a council of the consociated pastors and elders of the western district of Fairfield County, composed of Revs. Jonathan Ingersoll, Rob- ert Silliman, Moses Mather, Samuel Sherwood, Seth Pomroy, Hezekiah Ripley, and Ebenezer Davenport, together with the following nine messengers : Mr. Joseph Bishom, of Stamford ; Joseph Platt, Esq., Norwalk ; Lieut. Nathan Olmsted, Ridgefield ; Mr. Stephen Godfry, Green's Farms ; Capt. Elisha Albert Greenfield ; Lieut. Nehemiah Mead, Wilton ; The- ophilus Fitch, Esq., Canaan ; Deacon Daniel Andrews, Norfield ; Ensign Nathan Read, Middlesex, was con- vened and the church organized.
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AAAAAAAAALA
محكمـ
141
RIDGEBURY CHURCHES.
At the time of its organization the church consisted of the following eighteen members, who presented cer- tificates from neighboring churches :
Rev. Samuel Camp, Jabish Smith, Isaiah Birchard, James Northrop, John Rockwell, Daniel Coley, David Rockwell, Timothy Benedict, Samuel Keeler, Lemuel Abbott, Samuel St. John, John Joyce, Jonathan Osborn, Samuel Gates, James Sears, John Barber, Thomas Frost, and Thomas Wilson ; and the Rev. Samuel Camp was ordained and installed as their first pastor.
The ordination services were as follows : First, prayer by Rev. Mr. Bartlet ; sermon, by Rev. Mr. Ingersoll ; ordaining prayer, Rev. Mr. Mather ; charge, Rev. Mr. Silliman ; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Mr. Pomroy ; laying on of hands, Revs. Jonathan Ingersoll, Robert Silliman, Moses Mather, and Seth Pomroy. The con- cluding prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Taylor, and the benediction pronounced by the pastor. Mr. Camp's salary was " seventy-five pounds lawful money annually." The society also voted to give him one hundred and fifty pounds for his settlement, to be paid in three equal annual instalments. Mr. Camp continued his labors with the church until 1804, a pe- riod of over thirty-five years, when he was regularly dismissed. His health not permitting him to labor as pastor, he continued his residence in Ridgebury until his death, which took place March 10th, 1813. He was thrice married, and is buried beside his three wives in the cemetery, a few rods north of the meeting- house.
After the dismission of Mr. Camp the church was without a settled pastor until 1821, when Rev. Nathan
142
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
Burton was called, ordained, and installed as pastor. He continued in that relation until June, 1841, a pe- riod of nearly twenty years. Mr. Burton was a mem- ber of the church in Ridgebury, and was chosen dea- con in 1813. After serving in that capacity for eight years, he resigned the office in October, 1821, to be- come pastor of the church. He died in August, 1859, aged seventy-nine years.
Mr. Burton was succeeded by Rev. Zalmon B. Burr, of Westport, Ct., a licentiate of New London Associa- tion. He was ordained and installed in June, 1843, and remained with the church seven years. After Mr. Burr, the society engaged the services of Rev. Martin Dudley, now of Easton, Ct., who preached about a year.
The next settled pastor was Rev. Philo Canfield, of Buffalo City Presbytery. He commenced his labors in August, 1852, and was installed in September of the same year. Mr. Canfield continued his relations with the church until the Spring of 1856, when the connection was dissolved. In August of the same year, Rev. William W. Page was employed to preach for the society one year, as a supply. From Septem- ber, 1859, to September, 1861, Rev. E. S. Hunting- ton, of Danbury, preached for the society. Mr. Hunt- ington was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Jackson, who preached nearly a year.
At a special meeting of the church, convened for that purpose, December, 1862, a call was extended to Rev. John E. Elliott, of Barkhamsted, Ct. Mr. El- liott accepted the call, and commenced his labors in February, 1863, and was ordained and installed in
I43
RIDGEBURY CHURCHES.
May following. He remained with the church but two years, or thereabouts.
In the autumn of 1867 Rev. Augustus Alvord, of Bolton, Ct., commenced preaching for the church, and remained with them until August, 1871, four years, preaching as a stated supply ; and in September of the same year (1871), Rev. William M. Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was invited to supply the pulpit. The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Parsons has continued his labors with the church until the pres- ent time.
Mr. Camp, the first pastor of the church, was a native of Salisbury, Ct. But little is known of the results of his labors. He left on record the names of thirty- five children of members of the church baptized by him from 1769 to 1799, none of whom are now living, so far as known. Mr. Burton also records the names of some twenty " children of believing parents" bap- tized by him. Of those baptized in infancy by Mr. Burton, but one is a member of the church at the present time, or residing in Ridgebury, though sev- eral are known to be living elsewhere.
During the long interval between the dismissal of Mr. Camp and the settlement of Mr. Burton, services were regularly held in the church, the pulpit being supplied by neighboring ministers, or a sermon read by some person of the congregation appointed for that purpose ; and from 1813 to 1817 a season of spe- cial religious interest was enjoyed, thirty-four members being added to the church by a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The labors of Mr. Burton were highly appreciated
I44
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
by the church, and eminently blessed of God. From 1821 to 1843, which covers the whole period of his ministry as pastor, one hundred and fourteen were added to the church, of whom "some remain unto this present, but the greater part are fallen asleep."
During the pastorate of Mr. Burr, 1843 to 1850, eight new members were added. From 1850 to the close of Mr. Canfield's pastoral relations with the church in 1856, twenty were added. From 1856 to the present time the additions to the church have been "few and far between," only seventeen in the whole twenty-two years.
There have been nineteen deacons of the church since its organization in 1769, of whom but one, dea- con James E. Hayt, remains. In October, 1762, the Ecclesiastical Society of Ridgebury bought the land on which the church now stands, of John Whitlock. The consideration was " the love and respect I have and do bear unto said Discenting Society in Ridgebury."
Previous to this time, it is said, an old Congregational church of some kind stood on the hill about half a mile south of the present house of worship. This was probably the "New Patent Meeting House" before alluded to. But in August, 1768, the society voted to build a " Church" forty-six feet long by thirty- six feet wide, to be " shingled with cedar shingles, and sided with chestnut or oak." It was further voted that " the new house shall stand facing the east, and be finished by the first day of July, 1769."
In February, 1784, it was voted, " That we will do something towards making the meeting-house more comfortable and convenient." And in 1793 a com- mittee was appointed to " mark out the meeting-house
145
RIDGEBURY CHURCHES.
into pews, and sell them ; and to lay out the money that shall arise therefrom on the house." The con- gregation worshipped on rough wooden benches for twenty-four years before the pews were built, and listened to golden truths preached from a plain wooden pulpit. There were no stoves, except such as the more elderly females brought with them on the Sabbath, and these were always replenished with fresh coals from the neighboring fireplaces during the intermis- sion. The house was without plastered walls, but we never heard that any of the congregation complained of the cold.
After the introduction of pews, the two-known as No. 5-on each side of the pulpit, were reserved as " Honorary Pews," and the two-No. II-" under the stairs," as "Spare Pews."
During the brief service of a Mr. Perkins, who sup- plied the pulpit for nearly a year after the dismissal of Mr. Camp, it was voted, in October, 1804, that " per- sons of other persuasions may come and hear Mr. Per- kins preach."
At a meeting of the society held November 30th, 1818, it was voted " that the Society grant liberty to the town of Ridgefield to hold their Town Meeting in the Meeting House in said Ridgebury for one Meeting."
During the summer of 1816, and again in 1834, the society repaired the meeting-house built in 1768, very much improving its external appearance, and in 1838 they also thoroughly repaired the interior, entirely re- moving the wall, pews, and pulpit, supplying their places with new walls, convenient slips, and a desk of more modern style. They also closed the doors on
.
I46
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
the north and east, leaving but one entrance to the church.
In the spring of 1832, the society purchased ten acres of land with the buildings standing thereon, for a parsonage, and February 12th, 1838, they sold the same to David Hanford, of Norwalk, Ct.
In the year 1844, the present pleasant and conve- nient parsonage house was erected on a plot of ground four rods by twenty, presented to the society by Mr. David Hanford, and the late Gamaliel N. Benedict, Esq.
The " old church," which had stood as a sort of moral lighthouse for more than eighty years, and which had been the spiritual birthplace of so many souls, was finally demolished, and a new house-thirty by forty-six feet-erected in its place, which was dedi- cated, with appropriate exercises, to Almighty God in 1851. It is well furnished, with a bell weighing nine hundred pounds, a melodeon, etc., etc., and though there is but a feeble remnant of the church left, yet the word of God is faithfully preached every Sabbath, and the ordinances of the Gospel regularly administered.
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