Asylum Hill Congregational Church dedicated

1. I’m pretty sure Nathaniel Burton had taken over at North Congregational Church by this point, but I’m not positive of that.
2. “Rev. Park” is probably Edwards Amasa Park, who was a professor at Andover Theological Seminary at this point in time. That’s supported by Atwood Collins, who described him as “Professor Park of Andover,” as well as by Joseph Twichell’s obituary.  Park would have known both Joseph Twichell, who was a student at Andover, and Calvin Stowe, who ended his teaching career there.  Both Twichell and Stowe went from Andover to Hartford in 1863-1864.
3. “Rev. Jenkins” is probably Jonathan Jenkins served as minister of the Pearl Street Congregational Church from 1864-1866, during which time he was friendly with Joseph Twichell, Nathaniel Burton, and Edwin Parker. This is additionally confirmed by Twichell’s 1918 obituary, which stated that “Rev. J. L. Jenkins, pastor of the Pearl Street Church,” had participated in the dedication service.

Construction on the church shut down for the season shortly after December 14, 1865.

1. Seats would be sold this evening.
2. The church would get its bell on June 22, 1871.

1. “The audience room of Asylum Hill church is very pleasantly, and in all respects beautifully arranged. It is not gaudy, but exceedingly neat and modest.”
2. “The windows are the only flashy adornments which strike the eye, being of colored glass, and there is nothing particularly out of taste in them, though a little less color would perhaps be more in keeping with the plain finish surrounding.”
3. On Edwards A. Park’s sermon: “As one who listened understandingly writes:  ‘It almost marked an era in one’s life to hear Dr. Park preach.  His sermons were invariably long, but had a wonder holding power on his audience.”

Swartz, Melva J., “Hill Church Will Observe Anniversary,” Hartford Courant, March 18, 1940, page 1.

Unattributed, “Asylum Hill Church – Its Dedication,” Hartford Daily Courant, June 16, 1866, page 2.

Unattributed, “Fiftieth Anniversary of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church,” Hartford Courant, February 14, 1915, page X5

Unattributed, “History of the Hill Church – F. Irvin Davis Gives It in Brief,” Hartford Courant, March 2, 1908, page 4.

Unattributed, “Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Twichell Honored at Anniversary of His Church,” Hartford Courant, March 24, 1915, page 16.

Unattributed, “Rev. J. H. Twichell dies at four score,” Hartford Courant, December 21, 1918, page 2.