USA > Vermont > Addison County > Bristol > History of Bristol, Vermont (1762-1980), Third Edition > Part 9
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The memory of the Bristol Rail- road brings with it the memory of Levi Bates, one of Bristol's most loyal citizens. He was connected with the railroad for twenty-eight of its thirty- eight years of service, working as con- ductor, station agent, and superinten- dent over the years. His wife assisted him in his station agent work.
The names of three other men who labored faithfully for the Bristol Railroad come to mind. Ralph Denio loyally served the railroad for twenty-
one years as superintendent. Fred LaParl was engineer for thirty years. Frank Mott worked in several capacities, but in the later years he was the conductor. He served the railroad for twenty-two years.
For information on the Bristol Railroad, we are much indebted to a manuscript called "Thirty-eight Years with the Same Locomotive" written by William Gove.
Vergennes-Bristol Plank Road
In 1850, a group of Vergennes and Bristol citizens formed a company for the purpose of building a plank road from Bristol to Vergennes. This com- pany, known as the Vergennes and Bristol Plank Road Company, was composed of Datus Gaige, Luman Munson, Solon Burroughs, Samuel Holley, Harvey Munsill, Elias Bottum, William White, Samuel Strong, Wil- liam Parker, Samuel Morgan, William Pope, William Worth II, John Roberts, Benjamin Ferris, Mosely Hall, Carlton Stevens, Henry Spaulding, and Hiram Adams. The franchise was granted them November 9, 1850, and they began the construc- tion of the road at once. The planks and sleepers in the road were made from virgin pine. The road started west from North Street, seven-tenths of a mile north of the present Bristol traffic light and continued past the Catholic cemetery and the Wright Ferguson cor-
ner north of New Haven Street. From there it followed an almost straight line to Vergennes, meeting Route 7 just east of the city. The road, still known today as the Plank Road, is approximately seven miles long.
Nine years later, the company was released from all obligation to keep the road planked and was allowed to repair the road with earth and gravel in the usual manner of repairing turnpikes. It is evident that the planks had all worn out in that space of nine years, and the toll did not pay for the upkeep of the dirt road. In 1861, the company was allowed to surrender the charter and the turnpike. The former toll road upkeep was left to the respective towns through which it ran, Bristol, New Haven, and Waltham. Mr. Frederick Wood in Turnpikes of New England says that the very few plank roads in New England were all located in Con- necticut and Vermont, with the excep- tion of one in Massachusetts.
In 1855, the Vermont Legislature granted a charter to a company plan- ning to construct a toll road from Bristol to Huntington. In 1860, a com- pany was incorporated to establish a turnpike from Bristol to Fayston. No: further record of these two roads is available, so it seems evident that for some reason the projects were aban -. doned. However, in 1957, a road! known as the Mccullough Highway was completed, connecting Bristol and Irasville.
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XII Churches
Unlike most of the towns in the county which considered the support of the Gospel and the building of a meeting house town business, Bristol kept church and town matters sepa- rate. The first religious society in town was the Baptist Church organized in 1794, followed by the Congregational Church in 1805, the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1813, the Advent Christian Society in 1840, St. Ambrose Catholic Church in 1877, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the late 1800's. The Advent Christian Society ceased meeting in Bristol about 1947 as related in the two earlier edi- tions of this history. The Baptist, Catholic, and Seventh-day Adventist churches remain today as well as the Congregational and Methodist Episco- pal churches which joined in 1917 to form The Federated Church. Some of the material which follows will con- tradict information printed in the first and second editions of this history. Changed information is taken from Harvey C. Munsill's historical writings on the Bristol churches as published in The Early History of Bristol, Vermont.
Bristol Seventh-day Adventist Church
1863 saw the universal organiza- tion of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a group who looked for the advent of Christ and observed Satur- day, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. As early as 1876, references in Mary Drake Barlow's diary mention prayer meetings and Sabbath services she attended. Though she did not men- tion any organized church body, it is believed these groups were Seventh-day Adventists living and meeting in this area.
In 1888, Elder Thomas H. Purdon transferred his membership from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bristol to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rutland. This seems to be the earliest date with reference to an organized church in Bristol.
Records show there was an organ- ized church in Vergennes by 1914, possibly encompassing the Bristol members. There having been a fire in the home of Brother L. A. Armstrong, the church records were lost. However, the group was reorganized December 24, 1922, as the Vergennes Seventh-day Adventist Church with a membership of twenty-four. Meetings were held in private homes sometimes in Vergennes and sometimes in Bristol until March 29, 1969. Through the kindness of the Bristol School Board, it became possi- ble to use Howden Hall for church and Sabbath School services. Howden Hall had belonged at one time to the Advent Christian Church, a church unrelated to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Being unable to purchase the Howden Hall building, the Seventh-day Adven- tists decided to purchase the present site for their church at Rockydale, just outside the Village, on July 11, 1973. There on June 4, 1975, with Roy Clark representing the Town, ground was broken and a Thanksgiving service and lunch were held.
The Building Committee was com- posed of Bernard S. Valentine, Chair- man; Gus A. Kusch and Clarence Abernethy from Bristol; and Mrs. Edgar Willard and Mrs. Henry Van Ornum of Vergennes. The church was actually designed by suggestions and innovations from the congregation. Clifford Young of Rutland was the contractor builder with much of the in- terior work being done by the members.
In business session of the church March 13, 1976, it was decided to change the name from the Vergennes Seventh-day Adventist Church to the Bristol Seventh-day Adventist Church. On Sabbath April 3, 1976, the first ser- vices were held with thirty-nine guests and members in attendance.
Besides the Sabbath School and Worship services, the church frequent- ly presents the "Five-Day Plan to Quit Smoking," which is available to all. Other services to the community in-
clude a Vacation Bible School for a week in August, and the church has hosted several Vegetarian Suppers for the ladies of the other Bristol churches. At this writing, the local Elder is Gus A. Kusch.
Information compiled by Helen Kusch.
The Federated Church
Originally the Federated Church building was built in 1840 as the Methodist Church. It became The Federated Church in 1917 after the Methodists and Congregationalists joined together. Following is a con- densed history of both groups prior to their federation and up through the present.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, as it was referred to by Harvey Mun- sill, was organized in Bristol in 1813 when a class was formed at the home of Ebenezer Saxton. Later meetings were held in the barn of Captain Noble Munson. The first sermon was preached by Reverend Stephen Scovenberger. Their first regular meeting place was a chapel built in 1815 on the south side of West Street at the site of the present Park Filling Sta- tion. In 1839, when it was determined to build a new church, the chapel was sold to Datus R. Gaige. It was taken apart and all suitable material was used in constructing the W. H. Browe house, which was eventually torn down to make room for the new post office.
For a year, the Methodist Epis- copal meetings were held in the school house which stood near where the Catholic Rectory is now. By 1840, the Methodist Church building, later to be called The Federated Church, was completed on North Street. In 1878, Church Street was opened. Land was purchased from the church for part of the roadway. Thereafter, the location of the church was described as the cor- ner of North and Church Streets. A list of early Methodist ministers known to preach in Bristol are listed in The Early History of Bristol, Vermont by Harvey Munsill.
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Saint Ambrose Catholic Community - West Street
First Baptist Church - Park Place
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Bristol Seventh-day Adventist Church - Rockydale (just outside the Village to the east on Routes 17 and 116)
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The Federated Church - corner of North and Church Streets
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Also in 1840, the Methodist Church parsonage was built. It was a one-and-a-half story cottage intended to be used as a private residence but was sold to the church for the minister's use. The parsonage was renovated and modernized in 1915.
The Congregationalist Society had been formed in July 1805 by Reverend Jedidiah Bushnell of Cornwall. They had no definite place of worship until 1819 when they joined with the Univer- salists and Baptists to build a Meeting House on the north side of the Village Park, later to be the First Baptist Church building. In 1837, the Con- gregationalists sold their share in the Meeting House. For four years, they met at the school house and then in 1841 built the Congregationalist Meeting House which faced the Village Park from the south, commonly known as Howden Hall and currently used for the Bristol Kindergarten. At one time, this church was leased to the Advent Christian Society.
By 1890, the Congregationalist Society in Bristol had nearly become extinct but under the leadership of Reverend C. N. Thomas, it became ac- tive again. The cornerstone for a new church was laid in 1898. The building on the corner of North and Elm Streets was completed in 1900.
Over the years, the Congrega- tional Society waned and ebbed. Early ministers are listed in The Early History of Bristol, Vermont by Harvey Munsill. Other ministers of the church included: Reverend Calvin Butler (or- dained in 1842); Reverend C. N. Thomas (circa 1899); Reverend William Millar; Reverend William Scott; Reverend E. J. Ranslowe; Reverend Julian Klock; and Reverend W. G. MacFarlane, the last Congrega- tionalist minister in Bristol.
In 1917, the Congregational Society federated with the Methodists and the former Methodist church building became The Federated Church. The Congregational Church building on the corner of North and Elm Streets was used only for June, Ju- ly, and August services. By 1948, the church building had begun to fall into disrepair and it was sold in August of that year to Libanus Lodge No. 47. It
is still used as the Masonic Temple to- day. Because of its exceptional stained- glass windows and natural wood in- terior, the building was included on the 1978 Bristol Historical Buildings Tour.
Since the joining of the Meth- odists and the Congregationalists on May 24, 1917, to form The Federated Church, the membership was split two- thirds and one-third. A Methodist pastor has always been assigned because the Methodists outnumber the Congregationalists.
In 1965, the church building celebrated its 125th anniversary. The original church built in 1840 and seen in early pictures differs greatly from the present church. This is because from 1904 to 1906, the church under- went major renovations. The original portion of the building was moved slightly to the north, an additional room was constructed on the southerly side, the pitch of the roof was changed, stained-glass windows installed, and a new belfry added.
In 1915, a basement was dug under the church for more room; in 1926 repairs were done following fire damage; in 1939 remodeling was done and an organ installed. In 1959, a new electric organ was added and Ford Thomas donated the fully automatic chimes system.
Many memorial funds were given during the 1950's to beautify the church edifice and buy equipment for the church building and parsonage. Among the people so remembered are: Dr. R. J. Bristol, Elmer Boynton, Miss Olla Boynton, Anna and Edward Geary, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Guindon, Mrs. Grace Hanks, Mrs. Elizabeth Shiverette, and Mrs. Irene Wheelock. In 1967, a substantial donation by Ford Thomas made possible the building of the education wing. The wing consists of a minister's study, a nursery, and Sunday School and meeting rooms. The garage for The Federated Church was a memorial gift in honor of Ernest Guindon.
Currently there are several active groups within The Federated Church. These include Youth and Adult Fellow- ships, The Ladies' Aid Society (organized in 1890 - 1891), Bible Study and Women's Study Groups,
and Children's and Adult Choirs.
The Reverend Jonathan Bursey has held the longest pastorate in the history of the church. He came to Bristol in May 1955 and retired in 1974. His ministry was marked by a feeling of love and service. Under Reverend Bursey's leadership, the Christian education wing was built in 1967. Reverend Bursey's wife, Joyce, led the Adult Choir, played the organ, and was very active throughout his pastorate.
The Reverend Henry E. Cheney assumed the minister's position in June 1974. There was continued activity, organization, and congregational par- ticipation during Reverend Cheney's ministry. In 1976, he accepted another pastorate within Vermont.
In June 1976, the Reverend Doc- tor David Pak became the pastor of The Federated Church. Dr. Pak was born in Korea and educated in the United States. A highlight of his ministry was certainly his musical talent and Christian dedication. His wife, Sue, played a very active role in the life of the church and led the Children's Choir. In June 1979, they left Bristol to return to Dr. Pak's homeland. He accepted a professor- ship at the seminary in Taejon, Korea. Dr. and Mrs. Pak are actively continu- ing their missionary work in Korea.
In July 1979, Reverend Thomas Gibbs and his wife, Judy, arrived at The Federated Church and he is serv- ing currently. Reverend Gibbs gradu- ated from the University of Vermont and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. This is his first pastorate. Reverend Gibbs is eager to share his Christian education with the congregation of The Federated Church.
First Baptist Church
The first religious society in Bristol was the Baptist Church. The first Baptist meeting was held at the house of Elijah Thomas which stood nearly where Pilgrim Farm is, owned by John A. Hise, Jr. Baptism was ad- ministered by Elder Joseph Call in Baldwin's Creek about three miles east of Bristol Village. This was in August
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1794. The first settled minister in town was Reverend Amos Stearns who was ordained at the home of Robert Holley in Bristol in 1818. For the first few years, services were held in homes, barns, and schoolhouses.
In 1819, the Baptists, Congrega- tionalists, and Universalists joined forces and built a common Meeting House which was to be shared accord- ing to their contributions of labor and money. The church building was also known as the White House and was built by Solomon Drake. In 1837, the Baptists came into full ownership of the building when the Congregation- alists sold their share to the Baptists and the Universalist sect dwindled in number.
Mr. Drake designed the exterior of the building to have two pillars holding up a small portico over the front door. In 1877, the two columns were re- moved and replaced by brackets.
In 1885, extensive remodeling was done on the north end of the church to accommodate the first pipe organ which replaced the melodian of 1854. The pipe organ was rebuilt in 1938 and was used until 1953. At that time, a new electric organ was purchased by the Grace A. Hanks Memorial Fund.
In the late 1890's, changes were made to the church property. A cellar was dug and a furnace installed, a bap- tistry was built, and a new ceiling put in the auditorium. In 1897, the belfry was capped with a shingled cone. A new bell for the belfry, a memorial gift of Ezra B. Eddy, was hung in 1904. In 1902, the present Baptist Parsonage at 52 East Street was built.
In 1925, the church building was extensively remodeled and completely redecorated. Inside remodeling includ- ed a new entrance which made possible the center aisle, new memorial win- dows, new pews, hardwood floors, and modern lighting. On the outside of the building, the portico was enlarged, two new pillars graced the front, the cone was removed from the belfry, and a replica of the original spire was mounted in its place. The main ar- chitectural lines of the original 1819 Meeting House were restored.
More recent improvements in- clude a new furnace in 1967 and
redecorating of the vestry and kitchen in 1968. In 1975, the members of First Baptist built an addition on the north end of the building for a nursery, Christian education, and other church uses. The nursery is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Myrtle Lowrey whose bequest was the initiation of many gifts given to the building fund. In 1979, a large acrylic mural, painted by Mrs. Doty Kelleher of Massachusetts, de- picting various activities of the nursery class, was installed. It was dedicated in memory of Deacon Edwin H. Hanson.
Since the Second Edition of this history in 1959, several pastors have served at the First Baptist Church. Reverend Ronald E. Carver served from 1956 to 1960. He was from Maine, was a 1956 graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and went on to a pastorate in New Hampshire after his resignation in January 1960. Dr. J.S.A. Worboys served as the interim pastor until Reverend Reginald B. Watson assumed the pastorate in August 1960. He came from Massachusetts and went on to New York State after he left Bristol in April 1963. During the summer of 1963, various supply preachers served until Reverend John R. Burbank ac- cepted the pastoral call in October 1963. He graduated from Bristol High School and Bethel Theological Seminary in Minnesota. In 1967, the Reverend Mr. Burbank printed "A History of the First Baptist Chuch" which has been most useful in prepar- ing this article. Mr. Burbank left the pastorate here in January 1970 to become the Associate Executive Minister of the Vermont Baptist State Convention.
In September 1970, Reverend Augustus W. Dowdy, Jr., assumed the pastorate and is serving currently. He holds degrees from Gordon-Conwell and Andover Newton Theological Schools. Prior to coming to Bristol he served a church in Maine.
One of the features of the work of the church has been its various schools. A School of Missions, organized in 1929, was held annually for six weeks for over forty years. Recently the School of Missions has been substituted by emphasis during the
church year. The Daily Vacation Bible School was started in 1930 and is now held for one week each summer. The Federated Church cooperates in this program.
In the church's evangelistic, teaching, serving, and mission out- reach, it is supported by its various organizations. One of these is the Treasure Seekers Society which in- cludes women of the Baptist member- ship and congregation. This society, organized in 1886, still carries on work for worldwide charity and mission. A family oriented group to provide Christian fellowship, the Pocock Club, was formed in April 1957. Other organized groups are a thriving Church School, a mid-week study class, a prayer chain, senior high youth group, and choirs. Mr. John Sherwin was the organist and choir director for over thirty years beginning around 1940. During these years the choir's reputa- tion was well known throughout the area. Presently, Mrs. Marjorie Hill serves as church organist.
Other involvements include active participation in the statewide Baptist camping program, a daily message of devotion through a telephone ministry called "Inspirational Line" started in 1975, and an Art and Music Celebra- tion held in 1976 to commemorate the Nation's Bicentennial.
The First Baptist Church was in- cluded on the Bristol Historical Buildings Tour held in September 1978, because it is a major historical landmark of Bristol Village.
The First Baptist Church had the honor of hosting the Vermont State Baptist Convention for the first time ever in Bristol in May 1979.
St. Ambrose Catholic Community
The first St. Ambrose Catholic church was built in 1877 under the direction of Reverend Patrick Cun- ningham, pastor of the Middlebury Catholic Church. It was located just beyond the Bristol High School building and faced the Park from the west. The first Mass was celebrated there on January 1, 1878. The first resi- dent priest, Reverend Michael Car- mody, was appointed in 1893. He had
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the parochial residence adjoining the church built between 1893 and 1896. The rectory has been renovated inside and out.
The parish has several organiza- tions which are active: the Catholic . Women's Club organized in 1935; the choir for adults under the direction of Sheila Lathrop; the Folk Group under the direction of Mary Sullivan; the Community of Caring group; the Lay Ministers; the Thursday night Prayer Group; and the Marriage Encounter Group of over sixty couples who have experienced this unique weekend. Recently a Youth Ministry program has been initiated for the high school youth. It is a total ministry to these young people. Several high school youth have experienced the Search for Christian Maturity weekend sponsored by the Diocesan Youth Ministry Of- fice.
The Religious Education Program includes programs for children and adults. From 1976 to 1978, Sister Isoline Duclos of the Sisters of Mercy, acted as a consultant to the parish religious education teachers. In August 1978, she came to live in Bristol. Sister Isoline currently serves as the Religious Education Coordinator for St. Am- brose parish as well as for St. Peter's in Vergennes.
The parish has many committees which give direction and life to the peo- ple. Among them are: Buildings and Grounds; Finance; Liturgy; Pastoral Council; Religious Education; Social Concerns; Ways and Means; and Youth Ministry. At present about one- hundred people serve on these commit- tees.
In 1968, the Reverend Raymond Provost came to St. Ambrose. Plans were immediately started to replace the old structure with a modern building. The old building, serving the Catholic population of five towns (Bristol, Lin- coln, Monkton, New Haven, and Starksboro) was deteriorating and was too small for the over four-hundred families it needed to serve. The new colonial structure was blessed in August 1971, by the Most Reverend Robert Joyce, Bishop of Burlington at the time. It is of brick veneer and con- sists of fourteeen rooms including the main church; the Parish Hall which is used for parties, dinners, receptions, and many community functions; the kitchen; storage areas; bridal room; and meeting room.
In 1979, extensive landscaping was done on the grounds of the church and rectory. A shrine was placed on the lawn area between the church and rec- tory. This beautification of the church
property was due to many generous gifts from the parishoners.
In November 1975, the Reverend Basil Nichols succeeded Father Provost as the fourteenth pastor of St. Am- brose Catholic Community and he is currently serving in that position. Father Nichols also serves as Chaplain of the Bristol Fire Department; chaired the Halloween Committee for 1979; and is the Diocesan Director of Rural Life.
Former pastors of St. Ambrose in- clude the following: Rev. Patrick Cun- ningham (1877), Rev. Edward Maloney (Mission Priest), Rev. Henry Lane (Mission Priest), Rev. Jerome Gelot (Mission Priest), Rev. Michael Carmody (1893-1896), Rev. John Boyle (1896-1900), Rev. Thomas Schaeffer (1900-1901), Rev. Daniel Coffey (1901-1911), Rev. Patrick Doheny (1911-1913), Rev. Napoleon Archambault (1913-1925), Rev. J. A. Dame (1926-1931), Rev. Thomas Lid- dy (1931-1941), Rev. Michael Costello (1941-1947), Rev. Leo L'Ecuyer (1947-1956), Rev. Christopher McHugh (1956-1963), Rev. David Roche (1963-1968), Rev. Raymond Provost (1968-1975), Rev. H. Basil Nichols (1975-present).
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XIII Cemeteries
The earliest cemetery in town was located on Bristol Flats on a farm own- ed by Alec Hammond. Presently this land is owned by Andrew Johnson. There are three small cemeteries within Bristol: Meehan, Briggs Hill, and Varney, as well as two larger ones, Greenwood Cemetery and Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery.
The Meehan Cemetery is located off the Meehan Road in the middle of a meadow on the present David Purinton farm (formerly the Meehan Farm). There are only about thirty grave markers there now. Most of the burials appear to have been made between 1802 and 1844, although one marker shows the year 1863.
The Briggs Hill Cemetery is located on the Briggs Hill Road on the way to Lincoln. One of the first burials there was in 1805. Most of the people who lived in that area were Briggs families. The only recent burials there are relatives and friends of the Almon Norton family. There are several graves marked with plain field stones.
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