19th century Bolton — Catholic church dedication

Roman Catholic Bishop Burke officiated at the dedication service at Holy Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing on Aug. 11, 1895.

“The church is an attractive edifice, located near the lake, and is a testament to the energy of Rev. Father Graham of Caldwell,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Aug. 13.

The weather was optimum.

“Bright smiling skies welcomed the vast throngs of people who wended their way to the shores of the holy lake on Sunday last to witness the dedication ceremonies of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament at Bolton, Lake George,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 14. “It was a happy day for all who were present and a memorable one for the people of the mission.”

Bishop Burke preached a noteworthy homily.

“Bishop Burke, always eloquent and instructive in his sermons, was at his best in this little country church and delighted the audience with a beautiful and fascinating discourse. … The large non-Catholic portion of the audience was highly pleased and delighted with this kind and considerate bishop, who, in the course of his sermon, spoke so eloquently of the charms of the holy lake.”

It was not the only new local church dedicated that summer.

“Rev. E. P. Hart of Alameda, Cal., general superintendent of the Free Methodist connection, will dedicate the new Free Methodist Church in Bolton on Sunday next,” The Morning Star reported on July 25.

In other 19th century Bolton news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1895

• “Gates Tanner & Co. have laid a new floor in their grocery department, which is a decided improvement,” the Bolton Landing correspondent reported in The Morning Star on March 29.
• “Arthur Bradley has opened a grain store at his residence near the schoolhouse. Jay Tuttle has also opened a grain store at his residence on Federal Hill,” the Bolton Landing correspondent reported on April 26.
• “Joseph Putney, a Bolton farmer, plows fields with a horse thirty-five years old,” The Morning Star reported on May 13.

1894

• Bolton Landing residents celebrated the up-coming 80th birthday of a long-time neighbor.

“Ransom Davis of Bolton will be eighty years old on the twenty-second of this month,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 11, 1894. “He is the liveliest octogenarian in the section. His eyesight is good, and he is able to read fine print without the aid of glasses. He … works regularly on the farm.”

• “Quite a change in real estate has taken place here this fall. Five new buildings are under way,” the Bolton Landing correspondent reported on Nov. 24.
• “Justice C. S. Enches returned on Saturday from a hunting and fishing trip on the shores of Lake George at Bolton,” The Morning Star reported on Nov. 5. “He brought home two plump coons, twenty-five good-sized perch, and a pickerel weighing ten ounces. The justice says the bass and pickerel fishing in Lake George has never been better than at present.”

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