CANTON – The Bradbury Chapel in Canton Point was the scene of a stained glass dedication on Sunday as friends and family of four generations of Conants gathered in the 1908 chapel.

The newest window to have a stained glass picture was given to honor Wallace and Effie Conant, and J. Carleton and Gladys Conant. Wallace and Effie were among the first to establish the Unitarian Church known as Bradbury Chapel.

As friends and families gathered, nearly filling the century-old chapel, Rachel Ray played preludes on the piano. The kerosene light chandelier with its etched glass globes was lit as well as sconces of kerosene lights flanking the pulpit and piano. This light as well as that coming from the 10 stained glass windows, showed off the unique embossed tin ceiling, surrounded by a floral embossed tin cove around the edges of the ceiling.

Clinton Conant, one of the trustees of this Unitarian church, welcomed the guests. He expressed thanks for the $3,800 that had been given in donations for repairs to the rear window. Nel Benard of Maine Art and Glass studios had made the new window as well as the rear window repairs. He thanked the Ladies Circle for $1,000 they received from items sold from the hall. He also thanked Gordon Tripp for building the ramp and steps to the church.

Gladys Conant, the 97-year-old matriarch of the Conant clan, boasts of her nine children, 20 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Her parents, Wallace and Effie were part of the original church.

Joe Perham, the dedication speaker, used the life of one of his favorite Unitarians, Cadwallader Washburn from Maine as his subject.

Washburn, born in 1866 was deaf and lived his very productive life in silence. Washburn was an artist of great renown having works in all the major museums of the world and was the greatest of dry paint etchers. His creed was based on the philosophy of Jesus and he believed there was no place for hatred or malice in this world, but that charity to others was the way one should live.

Rick Conant delivered words of dedication saying how the church had changed his life. He attributed the strong ties of the Conant family to his grandmother, Gladys. In 1937 she was named the church organist, served 49 years on the school board and is the oldest 4-H club member in the state of Maine and holds a spot on the 4-H club’s Hall of Fame. He says that all of her accomplishments pale before her family, of which she is very proud.

He said referring to the church, “This is where community bonds were made and people came together.”