Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Plan to Attend the Colonial Service at UCCT!

Written by: Brian Pabst

The United Congregational Church of Tolland (UCCT), founded in 1722, will be holding a special worship service on Sunday, June 14th at 9:00 AM. In conjunction with the Town of Tolland ‘s tercentennial, the service will be in the style that was practiced in early 1700’s.

All are welcome to join this historical gathering that will be both spiritual and educational. The service, led by Senior Pastor Jeffrey Gallagher and assisted by Associate Pastor Judith Medeiros, will demonstrate historically accurate practices of the American colonial times and include some elements of levity and mirth.

Several UCCT members will be participating in historically authentic roles of the period. Deacon Harvey Nivison will enact the role of Tythingman, keeping the congregation alert and giving rapt attention to the ministers. Mike Ellis, as Foresinger, will lead the parishioners in hymns. There will be no choir or instrumental music. Certain Deacons will be injecting some surprise statements during the service. So that all in attendance may know the significance of each phase of the proceedings, Kathy Bach, of The Tolland Historical Society, will announce and explain a number of points of interest of the service.

All participants will be dressed in costumes in keeping with the founding dates of Tolland and UCCT. The congregation is invited and encouraged dress in period costume, as well. As was the standard of the era, men and women are segregated in the pews with children seated with the women.

Following the service, there is a social hour in Fellowship Hall or outside, weather permitting. For the children there will be some colonial period games.

Come and pray, learn and enjoy some of the history that happened in our town so long ago.