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First Congregational Church
Former: 504 S Fourth, Now home of First Brigade Band
and D/JCGS
New:
PC_125
1845 Established
1858
07 22 Ladies Festival, effort towards payment of
the small remaining debt WD
10 28 Annual renting of
pews will take place at the Church on the 1st of November at 2 o'clock p.m.
11 25 A donation visit paid to Rev. W. A.
Niles at his residence WD
1859
01
12 Children of the Sabbath School held a festival
in Cole’s Block WTranscript
04
28 Wooden sidewalk, constructed in front
of, Wisconsin St WD
05
26 Mr. Holdrege, music teacher,
children WG
12 22 The children belonging to the
Congregational Sunday School are to have a Christmas Festival tomorrow evening
at the Council Rooms. We hope the tree
around which a hundred smiling faces gather will be loaded with just such
presents as they most desire, and as will be sure to encourage them to get
their lessons better during the year that will intervene before another festive
season shall arrive. WD
1860
05
24 Membership increase, due to Rev. Charles Boynton,
successor of Rev. Niles WG
07
19 Rev. Boynton
voted pastor WD
1872
08 08 Extensive repairs
having become necessary, it has been decided to improve and enlarge the whole
edifice WD
1883
In 1883 a cozy
parsonage was built, which is still the home of the minister attending the
charge. 07 16 1909
story
It is thought that this parsonage
was replaced so after 1909 when the church was replaced.
1903
Orlena
and Anna Moak funerals
1904
10 10 The matter
of a Men's Sunday Evening club at the Congregational Church is being broached.
These organizations are becoming very popular, and wherever they exist have
proved to be conducive to interesting young men especially in church
attendance. That there is ample fuel for such movement in our midst is a fact
not to be denied and it is hoped something may materialize of this
project.
1905
Church
minister, Thomas B. Thompson, beneficiary, Fannie Lewis' will
1908
10 02 New Woodcraft Indians club met and
elected officers
1908
1909
01 01 Men's Club hosted Schildkret Hungarian
orchestra at Turner Opera House WG
01 01 Special Christmas musical program
prepared by the choir; sermon WG
01 15 Decision made to build a new church,
dimensions; $7500 has been subscribed; Clover Club promises generous
donation WG
04 02 Turner opera house dramatic show, given under the auspices of the Clover
Club WG
04 02 Edward Racek purchased church building
and removed it to his lots in Second St, where he will have it fitted up as a
double flat residence building WG
06 11 Rev.
Henry Rehm’s song set to music WG
1909 Corner Stone of New
Congregation Church Laid
07 16
Last
Sunday afternoon the corner stone of the new Congregational Church, corner of
Fourth and Wisconsin streets, was laid with impressive ceremonies. There was a large number of people present to
take part in the proceedings, including the various church societies, people of
other denominations and quite a number from out of town. The weather was ideal for the services and
everything passed off in a most excellent manner.
The
corner stone was laid at the southeast corner of the building, it is of Bedford
sandstone and has inscribed on it "1909." A brief history of the church, copies of the
local newspapers and a number of other documents were placed in the stone. Rev. H. W. Carter, D. D., of Beloit,
superintendent of the missionary department, Congregational societies of
Wisconsin, laid the stone, and Rev. Charles Parker Connolly, pastor of Plymouth
Church, Milwaukee, delivered the principal address. His remarks were eloquent and interesting,
and thoroughly appreciated by all present.
The program in full was as follows:
Sentences from Scripture ........Rev. H. C. Rehm
Doxology ........................Congregation and
Choir
Invocation ......................Rev. H. C. Rehm
Vocal Quartette .................Mr. and Mrs. Wm
Sproesser, Edw. L.
Schempf, Mrs. C. R.
Feld,
Reading of report ...............C. A. Skinner
Address .........................Rev. P. C.
Connolly, Milwaukee
Song ............................Choir
Reading of contents of stone ....Rev. H. C. Rehm
Laying of corner stone ..........Rev. H. W. Carter,
Beloit
Hymn,
Blest Be
the Tie That Binds ..Congregation and Choir
Benediction
The initial step in the movement
leading to the building of the new Congregational Church was taken in January
1908, at meeting of the Clover Club. It
was voted at that time that the club pledged itself to raise $1000 for a church
building fund. This action and the
heroic way in which the members and officers of the club at once went to work
encouraged the church to look forward to larger things. It has long been realized that this church
was in need of extensive repairs. It was also felt that this would at least
require a complete remodeling of the building.
At a
meeting of the church and congregation held June 22, 1908, the sentiment seemed
to be in favor of a remodeled church, but a committee consisting of Mrs. L. L.
Parks, Mr. R. Achtenhagen and Mr. Rehm was appointed to canvass the situation
and ascertain whether it would not be expedient to plan for a new church.
This committee
was empowered to decide for a remodeled or a new church. After considering the
matter all summer this committee decided to submit the question to the
trustees, the Sunday school superintendent and the president of the Clover
Club, which organized itself as a joint committee with the original
committee. This joint committee decided
to recommend building a new church on condition that $7000 including the Clover
club pledge be raised. It was also voted
to build according to plans drawn by Van Ryn & DeGelleke of Milwaukee, for
the Two Rivers Congregational church.
The
$7000 was soon pledged and at the annual meeting of the church and congregation
on January 11, 1909, it was decided to build a new edifice costing about
$11,000. In March the old building was sold and contracts let to Ferd. Behlke,
carpenter; Mallow & Kaddatz, masons; William Schiebel, plumber; Schmutzler
& Heismann, painters.
The
building committee consists of the Rev. H. C. Rehm, chairman, R. Achtenhagen,
E. A. Pratt, A. D. Platz, Mrs. L. L. Parks, and Chas. A. Skinner. The cost of the building will be about
$12,300 which includes price of the memorial windows donated by C. A. Skinner,
Mrs. W. C. Stone, Mrs. C. Berrymann, Lee Skinner for the late C. B. Skinner and
wife, and also by Mrs. G. B. Lewis for the late G. B. Lewis, by Mrs. H. Donner
for a Bennett memorial, by Mrs. Jesse Stone for former Lieut. Gov. Jesse Stone,
by Mrs. F. M. Piper for a Piper Memorial.
Mrs.
Katherine and Lucy Hall have also contributed $400 each which will be used in
payment on the $2,150 Kimball pipe organ purchased for the new church. This instrument will be a Hall memorial.
The
First Congregational Church in Watertown was organized by Rev. Stephen Peet,
agent of the home missionary society, July 13, 1845, or just sixty-four years
ago. The first meeting was held in the only schoolhouse up to that time within
the city limits of Watertown. The
society was composed chiefly of Presbyterians, but an organization was effected
in accordance with the Congregational faith.
The first communicants were George Breakenridge, Wm. Dunlavey, O. K.
Coe, Nancy Breakenridge, Jane A. Dunlavey, Mary J. Scott, Paulina S. Coe, Maria
Shears, Harriet Montgomery.
A
church edifice was erected in 1850 on the site of the proposed new church at a
cost of $1500. It was enlarged twice
since, the first time in 1858 and again in 1872.
The
first pastor was the Rev. B. F. Parsons, and during his pastorate services were
held in the old Cramer block, 113-115 West Main Street. The succeeding pastors were: Revs. J. C.
Craighead, N. C. Chapin, W. A. Niles, Charles Boynton, W. H. Ryder, Charles C.
Craigin, W. A. Hendrickson. R. C.
Bedford, James M. Campbell, G. C. Weiss, W.
T. Ream, Wm. Fritzemeier, Thos. B. Thompson and the present pastor, H. C. Rehm.
In
1883 a cozy parsonage was built, which is still the home of the minister
attending the charge.
The
present church now under construction is being built at a cost of $12,500, and
with an organ costing $2,100, will cost the congregation the sum of $14,600.
The
pastor, Rev. H. C. Rehm, is entitled to the credit of initiating the move for
the building of the new church, and he has labored incessantly and hard to
bring about the success of the movement, and every member of his congregation
gave him encouragement in his good work.
10 01 First Services
The
first services in the new Congregational Church will be held on October
10. The afternoon meeting at the
Methodist Church will be continued next Sunday.
Arrangements have been made to have the Sunday school room completed so
that it can be used both for the school and the regular services which will be
held at the usual hour in the morning.
This has been done in order to get the routine of church activities on a
working basis before dedication. It has
been practically decided that the date for dedication will be October 24. At that time it is expected to have the
church completed, including the memorial windows and a pipe organ. WG
10 15 Dedication of Congregational Church
The
building of the new Congregational Church has been an unusually successful
enterprise and plans are now being made to dedicate on October 31 with two
elaborate services. Prominent speakers
from out of the city will be on the program, while a choir of about thirty
voices will contribute the music. All
the details of the occasion will be announced later. Contrary to the general impression the
building will be completed in October, which means that it has taken less than
six months to erect this church. The
weather has been exceptionally favorable and there have been no delays in
securing material. The contractors have
pushed the work and there was no conflict in the arrangements.
Another
feature deserving mention is the comparatively low cost at which the building
was erected. The total outlay, including
all fixtures, pews, lighting, etc., will not exceed $13,000.
It
is to be regretted that the new two manual pipe organ which represents an
expenditure of over $2000 will not be in place on dedication day and will not
arrive until about Christmas time.
However, a fine two manual pipe organ will be installed temporarily by
the Kimball Organ Company at once and will be used at the dedication.
All
the windows with the possible exception of the largest will be installed next
week. It is hoped that these windows,
made of the finest Tiffany or drapery glass, will prove one of the features of
the edifice. The pews are all of oak
with quartered sawed ends. A new pulpit
donated by the Wilder family is a beautiful piece of furniture and together
with a new American Revised Bible will harmonize with the surroundings. All who have seen the tinting of the walls
and the wood work stain are delighted with the color harmony that has been
secured.
It
is certain that everything has
been done to make this new church homelike and restful as well as thoroughly
modern in all its equipment. WG
10 29 Dedication
Postponed
The dedication of the
new Congregational Church has again been postponed and the plans are now to
hold the service incident thereto on November 21st. A delay in filling the order for the church
pews is the cause, as the church is in readiness for occupancy. WG
11 19 Dedication of New Congregational Church
Beginning
with Sunday next the Congregational Church has arranged for a week of
celebration and jubilee in the new church.
Two big services on Sunday will be of unusual interest, as marking the
opening of an epoch of larger usefulness for the congregation and because of
the presence of two speakers of exceptional ability and reputation. Pres. E. D. Eaton of Beloit College will
preach the regular dedication sermon in the morning, while Dr. C. H. Beale of
Milwaukee Grand Avenue Church will deliver the address in the evening. Dr. Homer W. Carter, Home Missionary of the
state, will be at both services and take part in the program.
The
senior and junior choirs have been consolidated for the occasion and will sing
two anthems at each meeting. There are
to be three soloists, Edward Schempf, Mr. and Mrs. William Sproesser, and a quartette
consisting of Mr. and Mrs. William Sproesser, Mrs. C. R. Feld and John Schempf.
Because
of the delay in securing the pews it has been possible to perfect all
arrangements and to make far better preparation for the occasion.
On
Monday there will be a homecoming meeting for all those who have in the past
been in any way connected with the church, the choir or the Sunday school. This has been arranged purely for the purpose
of giving expression to our interest in and affection for the old church. Rev. T. B Thompson of Rockford, Ill., and J.
T. Moak of Ft. Atkinson will speak on behalf of the home comers, while Mayor
Mulberger will give the word of greeting.
Entertainment and refreshments will be provided, but no
charge or collection of any kind will be made.
During the week there will be a house-warming for the boys and one for
the girls. An outside speaker will be
secured for the mid-week service and there will be a union vesper service with
the Methodist Church on Thanksgiving day.
WG
11 19 A Fine Musical Treat / First
of the Series of Artist Recitals
Music
lovers of Watertown and vicinity will be pleased to learn that the first of the
series of artist recitals arranged for the coming season will be given at the
new Congregational Church, Friday evening, November 26th.
The
artists who will appear at this concert are:
Marion Greene, the eminent Basso Cantante, whose rise to the high rank
which he has attained among American artists has been phenomenal. He is constantly filling the most desirable
engagements with prominent choral and orchestral organizations throughout the
country. In connection with Mr. Greene,
Harry Karl Gillman, an American violinist who has studied abroad with some of
the leading masters and who has created a sensation in European as well
American cities wherever he has played, will be heard. In addition, Manson Orsay, the superb lady
harpist, will appear in several solo numbers.
Those
of our musical people who have arranged the recital series for Watertown
guarantee that the artists who will appear at the recitals are all artists of
the first rank and no lover of music should miss hearing them. Over 200 tickets for the coarse have already been
sold on subscription to leading Watertown people. The price of course tickets—3 concerts—is
only $2.00, and they will be ready within a few days.
The
second concert will include the well-known Steindel trio (possibly during
Christmas week), and at the third concert, Jessie Lynde Hopkins, the well-known
Chicago contralto, will be the leading artist. Further particulars
regarding this series of concerts can be obtained at the store of the Schempf
Co. WG
11 26 Congregational Church Dedicated WG
Last Sunday the new Congregational
Church was dedicated, dedication services being held at 11 o'clock in the
morning, at which Dr. Edward Dwight Eaton, president of the Beloit College,
delivered the dedicatory sermon. The
program carried out at this service was as follows:
Organ Prelude
Doxology
Invocation
Chorus—God Hath
Appointed a Day Tours
Reading of the
Scriptures
Solo—Lord God of
Abraham Mendelssohn
Mr. William Sproesser
Prayer of Consecration
Hymn 131
Dedicatory Sermon
Dr. Edward Dwight
Eaton
Quartet—Seek Ye the
Lord Roberts
Edward Schempf, tenor
soloist, Mrs. William Sproesser, Mrs. C. R. Feld, William Sproesser, J. W.
Schempf
Offering
Chorus—The Heavens Are
Telling Haydn
Dedication Services
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. O. L. Robinson
Dedication Hymn
Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude
The evening services
were held at 7:30 o'clock, the Rev. C. H. Beale, D. D., of Milwaukee delivering
an able sermon. The program was as
follows:
Organ Prelude
Doxology
Invocation
Chorus—God Hath
Appointed a Day Tours
Reading of the
Scriptures
Solo—Arm, Arm Ye
Brave Handel
Mr. William Sproesser
Prayer
Hymn
Sermon
Rev C. H. Beale, D. D.
Solo—With Verture
Clad Haydn
Mrs. William Sproesser
Offering
Hymn
Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude
The organist at both
services was Mrs. A. Speer of Milwaukee, a most excellent musician, her playing
being one of the pleasing features of the day's program.
The attendance at both
services was very large, many former members of the church being present from
other places. Rev. O. L. Robinson of
Madison, state Sunday school superintendent, delivered the dedication prayer,
and Dr. Eaton delivered an eloquent dedicatory sermon, among other things
saying:
The more perfect and beautiful life may be, the more
distressing is its brevity and the more paralyzing is the effect of that
brevity upon the life itself. Here is
the crowning triumph of the power of the endless life. Christ draws the eye beyond the perishable to
the indissoluble, beyond the mortal to immortality.
As business men regard the longest investments as the
best, so the interests of life which have in them the absoluteness of eternity
are the worthiest of us.
The speaker described at
some length an incident of the setting free of a young homing pigeon far out in
the open Atlantic, and its flight back to the dove cot which was its home, and
compared this instinct to the human soul for the larger life which the church
reveals as the gift of its Master.
Well may we rejoice
then in our life with all its varied, wholesome activities as interpreted and
energized by Christian faith. No shadow
of time can eclipse our exultation in it.
The earth is its present sphere, and the here and the now grip it about;
but thus it grows strong and faithful.
It bides its tune and is sure of the larger manifestation; for at its
heart is the power of the endless life.
The homecoming
week of jubilee program which began last
Monday is as follows:
Monday
evening—Homecoming meeting—A reunion of all members and friends of the church,
the choir and the Sunday school, in the parlors. Addresses by the Rev. Thomas Barney Thompson
and Mr. J. T. Moak on the part of the home-comers. Mayor Arthur Mulberger will give the word of
welcome. Music and refreshments and no
offering is to be taken or charge of any kind made as this gathering is simply
to renew old interests under a new roof.
Everyone invited.
Tuesday evening, 8
o'clock—Girls housewarming—Gathering of all girls in Sunday school and choir
under the auspices of the Junior Clover club.
Different organizations are to be formed.
Wednesday afternoon,
2:30 o'clock —Clover club meeting
Wednesday evening,
7:30 o'clock—Midweek service—Plans will be made to organize the Beecher club.
Thursday evening, 7:30
o'clock—Union Thanksgiving service—The Rev. Robert Barnes of Milwaukee will
deliver the sermon.
Saturday evening, 8
o'clock—Boys housewarming—This meeting is intended to get the different classes
of boys together for the purpose of organization.
Mayor Mulberger
delivered the address of welcome Monday evening; Rev Thos. B. Thompson, former
pastor of the Congregational Church, also delivered an interesting address,
followed by a reminiscent address by J. T. Moak
of Ft. Atkinson, for over 50 years a resident of Watertown and for many years
its postmaster. His address is of
unusual interest, and will be published in full in The Gazette next week, lack of space forbidding it this week.
The new Congregational
Church is a credit and ornament to our city, and speaks well for the zeal of
its communicants. To Rev. H. C. Rehm,
its pastor, special praise should be given.
He has successfully carried out the work of erecting this fine edifice,
in the face of obstacles that would prevent many from undertaking the task.
12 03 Resolutions
Whereas, The splendid
success of our dedication day program was due to those who so generously
offered their services.
Be It Resolved, That the
Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church, of Watertown, herewith desire
to express their appreciation and gratitude.
To Dr. Edw. Dwight
Eaton of Beloit College, for his scholarly and eloquent sermon.
To Dr. O. H. Beale of
Milwaukee, for his stirring and effective address.
To Mr. O. L. Robinson
for the helpful part he took in the program.
To Mrs. Speer of
Milwaukee, for the efficient way in which she presided at the organ, under
considerable difficulties, and for her perfect success in giving the music an
attractive and beautiful setting.
To Mr. Edw. Schempf,
for his tenor solo, which was one of the features of the program, and which was
greatly appreciated by all.
To Mr. and Mrs.
Sproesser for enriching the services by solo work which was beautiful and
finished to an unusual degree.
To Mrs. O. R. Feld for
the effective manner in which the whole musical program was prepared and
conducted.
To the entire choir,
each member of which gave so much time and talent and succeeded so thoroughly
in doing justice of the music and the occasion.
And Be It Further
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to each person mentioned
above and that they be published in the newspapers.
— W. C. Stone,
President Board of Trustees. WG
HL<> Moak, Justus.htm
Add to remineneses sec of history online htm
Watertown Gazette, 12 03 1909
Interesting Address by J. T. Moak
At the reunion of former members of the Congregational Church of this city last week, or rather at the homecoming exercises, J. T. Moak of Ft. Atkinson, a former resident of this city and who was for many years postmaster here, delivered the following very interesting address. It will be read with keen interest by The Gazette readers not only in this city, but wherever it circulates:
At the suggestion of someone who meant well, but I fear advised him wrongly, Mr. Rehm was induced to invite me to give you this evening a chapter of reminiscences of the Congregational Church. Having a distrust of my ability to do this satisfactorily, at least to myself, my first impulse was to decline. The request was couched in such complimentary terms, and evidently with so much sincerity, that I hesitated, for a time; when remembering how loyally Mrs. Moak and I were entertained by this people when we left the city three years ago, I determined to lay aside all delicacy and respond to the call as one that you or your representatives had a right to make.
Therefore I am here to fill the part assigned me in the program to the best of my ability. If my efforts to entertain you shall prove disappointing, I implore you to deal with Mr. Rehm, for bear in mind that his advent in the city was subsequent to my departure and he could not be expected, from want of personal knowledge, to act with full understanding. If it turns out that he was the victim of misplaced confidence he should not, in all fairness, be held accountable for results.
As already indicated I am to deal with some of the early recollections of the church going back thirty, forty or fifty years, which antedate the birth of many of you and will serve to revive the memories of some of your seniors. My first associations with the church date back to 1854, the year of my coming to the city. It had been organized then about nine years and the pastor was Rev. W. A. Niles. The church edifice was then considerably smaller than in later years, and the usual attendance was in size commensurate with the building. Mr. Niles remained about six years and was succeeded by Rev. Chas. Boynton, whose successors in the order named were the Revs. W. H. Ryder, C. C. Cragin, W. A. Hendrickson, R. C. Bedford, J. M. Campbell, A. O. Wright, G. C. Weiss, Wm. Fritzemeier and T. B. Thompson.
This covers a period of 52 years during which time I sat under the droppings of the sanctuary, and I am compelled to confess, which I do in the deepest humility, that notwithstanding the efforts which these faithful workers in the Lord's vineyard put forth for the regeneration of souls and the salvation of sinners, I never maintained any closer relation to the church than that of a brother-in-law. However, my good wife was gathered into the fold which may, in a measure, have been taken as part satisfaction. How often have I wondered that she has not grown round-shouldered under the weight of these doubled responsibilities.
As a member of the board of trustees for many years, I was quite familiar with its affairs, internal and financial. We had often to wrestle with difficult problems. How to pay the minister and meet other obligations when due was sometimes no easy matter. The current revenues were not always available or sufficient and it was not unusual for the trustees to put their hands in their pockets and supply the necessary funds. At other times having credit at a friendly bank, we would join in a note and have it discounted. Another of our resources was to head a subscription list and then invoke the aid of some of the women in the church to go out and circulate the same, as they were found to be more successful in that work than the men. Looking back upon this I will admit that it was a most cowardly thing to do, and for one I crave forgiveness for having been a party to any such transaction.
There was an organization among the ladies known as the Mite Society, its purposes being similar to the present one known by the more euphonious name of the Clover Club. And it was very useful in its way, too, besides furnishing amusement and promoting sociability among the church attendants. I am not certain that it was not in some respects an improvement on the more modern methods. In those days there were no church parlors in which to meet—we had not attained the dignity—and the gatherings were migratory. And they were always well attended. There were readings, recitations and the like, not forgetting music and thereby hangs a tale.
For hilarity and good fellowship there were several who could always be depended upon, but the leading spirits among them and the provokers of the most fun, I think, were good old Deacon Coe and Jonas Sleeper. Their specialty was singing and they were always ready to display their talents in that line on call. I do not think that either would have taken first rank in a high-class musical organization nor would they perhaps have been able to hold a position long in your present choir. I am certain that the Mite Society could not have gotten along without them. The play of Hamlet with Hamlet omitted would [not] have been quite as satisfactory. Speaking further of their singing, one of their favorite selections was entitled "Nicodemus," and as the song never may have been heard by some of you perhaps I will be pardoned for giving some of the words; though out of regard for your feelings I will confine myself to a single verse and the chorus, which seems infliction enough. It was as follows . . .
1910
1910
05 27 Milwaukee
district convention of Congregational churches held at church WG
06 10 Dedicatory organ recital WG
07 08 Young
ladies of Junior Clover Club, left for Lake Mills to enjoy a week's
outing WG
1919
1919 [may be a couple yrs earlier]
1920
Rev.
George C. Weis, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church in this city, died
at Firewater, Oregon, on Dec. 6, where he was pastor of the Congregational
Church. He is survived by his wife and
two daughters, also by one son by a former marriage. His many Watertown friends learned of his
death with much sorrow. After leaving
Watertown he published a newspaper for a time at Waukesha, and then went to
Alaska, where he did well in gold mining, and then located in Washington. WDT
1924
01 28 Last Saturday afternoon Rev. N. Carter
Daniell the esteemed pastor of the First Congregational church of this city for
the past 13 years, passed
to his eternal reward at his home, 500 S. Fourth Street. Rev. Daniell had been in poor health for many
months, still the news of his death was received by our people with great
surprise, for all had hoped and prayed for his ultimate recovery. WDT
1926 FINAL SERVICE BY REV. FOSTER
Watertown Daily Times 08
1926, (Picture)
Next Sunday,
August 22, will mark the last service to be conducted here by the Rev. Earl
Ware Foster, pastor of the Congregational Church, before he leaves to assume
the pastorate of the Olivet Congregational church at Merriam Park, St. Paul,
Minn.
Rev.
Foster has chosen for his subject “The Last Call”. There will be special music with Mrs. Inez
Mansfield, soprano, and the Buell instrumental trio on the program. The public is invited.
Rev.
Foster’s leaving is much regretted, not only by members of his parish, but my
many acquaintances and friends in every walk of life in this city. He had his
family have made many friends here. His
services to his congregation and to the community has been great and his
influence for the best in the community has been a factor in local circles.
Rev. Foster and his family have the best wishes of their fellow citizens of
Watertown.
1956
04 05 The first of two church mergers affecting
four of the city's present Protestant congregations, first announced in the Times in 1955, will take effect on June
1, 1957, when Watertown will have only
one Methodist Church. Announcement
of this date was made here today by the Rev. William V. Stevens, minister of First Methodist and Wesley Methodist
Churches. WDT
The
other merger, which is also scheduled for next year, will involve the First Congregational Church and the First Evangelical and Reformed Church. Details on the merger are still pending.
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