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Farmington News
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From "The History of Old 'Farmington' by Ruth Hewitt and Aileen Groves": The first Religious Services were held in 1853 by a Presbyterian minister, in an open field. In May, 1872, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized and held services in Shady Grove School House. In the fall of 1876, a church was built by combined subscription of all denominations at a cost of $1,500. The church was located next to the old brick warehouse. They had a membership of 18 and a union Sabbath Sunday School of about 30 to 40 members. The Episcopal Methodist North Church organization held their first service May, 1878 in the Presbyterian Church with 24 members. They met on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. The first Methodist Church was built in 1889 at a cost of $2,500 and dedicated November 10th of the same year. A parsonage was built in 1890. Rev. John Stephens was the first minister to live in the parsonage. He married a local girl, Lizzie Peters. The community did not seem large enough to support two churches, and finally the Presbyterian Church was disbanded. The original Methodist Church burned June 11, 1932. They were able to save the pretty pulpit, a couple of chairs, and the piano. A new church was built on the same spot and dedicated December 18, 1932. The Methodist Church of Milton gave to the new church their old bell and silver communion tray and pitcher. Farmington's had been destroyed in the fire. Stephens Hall, a hall for church activities, was completed in 1959 and dedicated on November 29th of that year. The Sunday School Building was erected in 1961 and consecrated on October 1st. In 1967 a new parsonage was built on the back end of the church lot by Johnny Creek. The old parsonage was sold and moved away, and the space is now used for the church parking lot. Interesting comments appearing in a Stockton paper about the church on November 16, 1887, read as follows: "If a dynamic bomb had struck Farmington Sunday night it would not have occasioned more surprise than did the introduction of the bass violin to the church choir. Some of the old 'fossils' looked aghast when Brother Wilgus rose to play the opening hymn on his favorite instrument and some of the young people (who trip the lights) could hardly keep their seats as the deep, rich chords of the old bass violin thrilled through the church. But right here we wish to say it's the best thing that has happened for many a day." Instead of making enchiladas for sale with which to buy things for the church, the Ladies' Society gave Oyster Suppers to buy pews the church needed.

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Happy12th Birthday to Danielle Lawrence, Love Papa and Mimi. Danielle is a 7th grader and is also a cheerleader for the Escalon Outlaws.

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Happy Birthday to our Fire Chief, Conni Bailey, Monday, August 29th.

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Renee Lyda Lawrence, formerly of Farmington, who was Miss Farmington in the years of 1988 and 1989, is planning her wedding for September 10, 2011. The bridegroom is Rick Mason of Manteca. Several guests from the surrounding area, also Grandmother Gallyer of Fresno and an Aunt from Colorado Springs, CO will be attending. Renee and Rick will be residing in Escalon.

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I would still like to hear from you. Have you taken a trip? Have you had out of town visitors? Let me know of family birthdays, anniversaries and new arrivals to your family. Whatever you want to add to the Farmington News is welcome.

Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-Mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.