J. Romeyn Danforth
1903-1940

    1903 - January 1st, the membership is 444.

    1907 - Men's Club organized.

    1908 - Evening service changed from 7:30 to 5 pm.

    1909 - Miss Louse Allyn begins her work in Trinity School.    

    1911 - Mr. Danforth elected a member of the executive committee of the A.M.A.  The Junior Society of C.E. organized; reorganized in 1920 and again in 1933.  The Junior Department is added to the Sunday School.

    1912 - Cradle Roll organized as a branch of the Primary Department of the S. S.

    1913 - Mizpah Circle of King's Daughters organized.

    1915 - The Hon. George F. Tinker died; for 30 years he was the superintendent of the S. S.

    1916 - The church incorporated, and the First Ecclesiastical Society dissolved (organized 1726-27); trustees, a church council and finance committee created.  Deaconesses elected and placed on a parity with reelected deacons.  Deacons begin to be elected for a six-year term.  Every member canvass instituted.

    1918 - Parish House used as an emergency hospital for influenza cases.  Individual communion service adopted.  Iron fence set up around church property.  Bronze markers placed on fence on State Street side.

    1919 - The church raises nearly $9,000.00 for the Pilgrim Memorial Fund; this is augmented by a gift of $100,000.00 from "one of our summer congregation."  Troop 4, Boy Scouts and Acorn Troop, Girl Scouts organized; in 1921, Thistle Troop.  Honor Roll (First World War) of church and congregation numbers 76, including three gold stars.  Friday prayer meeting changed to a Wednesday mid-week service.  Women's League organized to integrate all of the women's church activities.  Union Lenten services started.

    1922 - Church membership passes the 500 mark, with 518 enrolled as of January 12, 1923.

    1924 - The budget plan adopted.

    1925 - The hour of S. S. changed form 12:15 to 9:30 am.  Membership in all departments, 311.

    1926 - Monthly choral vespers begun, 5 pm.

    1927 - Benevolences of the church reach their peak with $8,557.50 contributed; membership of church, 596.

    1928 - Membership passes the 600 mark, with 602 enrolled as of January 13.  February to June, Mr. and Mrs. Danforth make a tour of Europe and the Holy Land; the Rev. Edward M. Chapman preaching during Mr. Danforth's absence.

    1929 - New hymnal secured - Hymns for the Living age.  Present church floor laid.

    1931 - Present volunteer choir organized, replacing quartet choir; Mr. Allen B. Lambdin, director.

    1932 - Church records deposited in the State Library at Hartford in the interest of preserving the early records of Connecticut.  State provides photostatic copy, now in Town Library.

    1935 - Mr. Clark V. Poling secured as assistant pastor.  Ordained in the church October 8, served until March 6, 1938; one of the four army chaplains who went down with the torpedoed transport Dorchester in the North Atlantic Feb. 3, 1943, voluntarily giving their life jackets that others might live.  This year, 1935, Mr. Poling organizes the Church of the Little Children.  Intermediate Society of C.E. organized.

    1936 - Mr. and Mrs. Danforth embark on trip around the world.

    1938 - Philip H. Ward called as assistant minister, served until August 25, 1940.

    1940 - Purchase of the new parsonage at 50 Granada Terrace.  Mr. Danforth's a well-organized, genial and fruitful ministry.  Died June 6, 1940.