Rev. (now D. D.)
Theophilus Parsons Sawin, the seventh pastor, a son of
Rev. T. P. Sawin, Sr., was born in
Lynn, Mass., Jan. 14, 1841; was a member of the class of 1864 in Yale University, and was professor of Latin and mathematics in the
Milwaukee Academy from 1865 to 1871, and at the same time was engaged to some extent in journalistic work.
His professional education was wholly private.
He was ordained at
Racine, Wis., Dec. 1, 1871, and preached in the Congregational Church there for four years; then was called to the Congregational Church in
Janesville, Wis., where he preached till he came to
Medford.
During his pastorate in
Janesville, being much interested in education, he was, by State appointment, made a visitor to the Normal School at
Whitewater and a lecturer before the Teachers' Associations.
He was installed in
Medford Nov. 16, 1881, and dismissed May 12, 1886, to assume the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church in
Troy, N. Y., where he has most successfully labored to the present time.
By a unanimous vote of the church the following record was made April 27, upon the receipt of his letter of resignation: ‘Though extremely reluctant to part with a pastor who has been so successful among
[p. 69] us and is so highly esteemed by all his flock, we yet recognize the importance of the position to which he has been called, and therefore, though with sincere regret, accept his resignation.’
Rev. James L. Hill was his successor.
