“The service was one of simple dignity, participated in by many clergymen of the city and from other places, and with fine music and an eloquent sermon the church was forever dedicated to worship, and teaching the Gospel.”
From Jonathan Jenkins’s sermon:
“Fine virtues, like fine folks, live together.”
“A worthy building is itself a perpetual, persistent and powerful preacher. The human voice is not the only instrument of preaching.”
“A worthy building serves religion by providing an effective means for its preservation and increase. The agency by which Christianity won and keeps a place in the world is preaching.”
“A worthy building serves religion as it gives help in the human search after God. It is the one constant, universal human search.”
“A worthy building serves religion serves religion as it favors knowledge of duty. Two contents of religion are the Father which is in Heaven and the earth on which His will is to be done in an unearthly fashion.”
“What has been said needs no application. I have seen this evening not the marble, beautiful church in the city by the sea of Galilee, but the new, beautiful church in the city of Hartford by the river. And now, for my brethren and companions’ sake, for the sake of the large hearted, generous men who built the former house and worshipped in it and who are now in the city having no temple, for the sake of the men who in the old church preached the Gospel of grace of God, I say, Peace be upon thee.”
From Archibald A. Welch’s remarks:
“In closing let me say that all the Christian virtues were not monopolized by the various contractors on this building. This building committee itself, composed of men of varying tastes and differing ideas regarding ecclesiastical necessities, has pulled together as a unit in this work with a single aim: the good of the church; and in resigning my post I wish to extend to them my heartiest thanks and assure them of my appreciation of their unselfish forbearance with all views which did not coincide with their own.
From Charles R. Burt’s remarks:
“In accepting from you the keys to this sacred edifice it becomes me, as the representative of the Pearl Street Congregational Society, to express to you our appreciation of the good work you have wrought her and our sincere and heartfelt thanks in view of the same.”
“In receiving these keys to society owns its obligation as in effect, trustee in charge of the property, which it holds under the law for the uses and purposes of the Farmington Avenue Congregational church in its noble work for the Master in propagating his gospel and extending his kingdom in the world.”
Edwin P. Parker was the pastor at the South Congregational Church.
F. S. Hatch was a minister in Monson, MA.
Jonathan L. Jenkins was a former pastor of the Pearl Street Congregational Church. He currently lived in Portland, ME and was the “only living ex-pastor of the Pearl Street Congregational Church”.
Archibald A. Welch was chair of the building committee.
Charles R. Burt was chair of the Pearl Street Congregational Society.
William De Loss Love was the current pastor of the Farmington Avenue Congregational Church.
Heber H. Beadle was the son of E. R. Beadle, a former pastor of the Pearl Street Congregational Church.
C. D. Hartranft was affiliated with the Hartford Theological Seminary.
