THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY
the group was known as the Hillside Workers, under the leadership of Miss Minnie Clark. They met each Sunday evening at the church for a service, and during the week promoted the social side of the community. After the Christian Endeavor movement gained so much prominence in the country, the Hillside Workers changed their organization into a Christian Endeavor Society in 1887, meeting, as usual, each Sunday night.
The Dorcas Circle of the King's Daughters was organized in January, 1897. Originally it was a little sewing group, formed by Mrs. Clark Stone out of her Sunday School Class.
The Perseverance Circle of the King's Daughters was begun March 19, 1901.
In 1905, when the time arrived to celebrate the one- hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Church, great preparations were made. The building was enlarged by an addition to the north end, approximately 20 by 24 feet, redecorated, and a new carpet procured. The Centennial celebration was a gala occasion lasting three days, from June 30 to July 2, 1905. This was ''Old Home Week'' for many former residents. Again in 1926 extensive alterations were made. The basement of the church was excavated (a very difficult task), so that rooms were provided to be used as a dining-room as well as a kitchen; also a large addition was added to the west of the building , providing space for Sunday School rooms and a ladies parlor on the second floor.
January 15, 1940, all of the women's societies connected with the church disbanded, and a new organization was formed, a federation of all the women, young and old, called the Ladies Society of the Orange Congregational Church. It has been so successful that it has clearly demonstrated ''in union there is strength."
The Sunday evening service of the present day is conducted by a group of young people, who call their gathering ''The Young Peoples Forum." It is open to all boys and girls of high school age. One of the incentives of attending high school when they graduate from the
123