Our twelth pastor was the Rev. Shepard Knapp, Jr.  He was born in New York City, September 8, 1873.  He was graduated from Columbia University in 1894 and began his studies at Yale Divinity School that same year and was graduated in 1897.  He immediately received a call to our church and was installed on November 11, 1897.

He was a young man of culture and charm, and from his church calendar, we note he was a very busy one.  Not only did he have five services on Sunday, four of which he probably attended, but he had office hours five days a week for private conference or consultation.

We can learn of him from a letter received by the Woman’s Association many years ago:

"The church of Southington and the people of the church and town have a very warm place in my heart.  They were more than kind and friendly to me in those days when I was a raw young person, learning by his mistakes, of which they were the victims.  They were especially charitable about my sermons, which I knew were rather feeble and thin, as might be expected of a beginner.  There were some weeks, I remember, when I almost despaired of having any sermon to preach when Sunday came, for after struggling with it for three or four days, I would tear it up on Friday and have to start all over again, terrified by the shortness of the time left.  Yet, the kindly, attentive audience would give me a thrill at the time of delivery, and perhaps something of that was reflected back on the people in the pews.

"The beauty of the fine old church building was another inspiration.  A large photograph of it hangs in my bedroom, where I see it every day when I awake.  The people of my day, many of them no longer of this earth, are very vivid in my memory, a cross section of New Englan character, many a heart of gold hidden under a reticent manner, and revealing unexpected sources of wit and wisdom to the young parson, as he was gradually admitted within their fortification."

Mr. Knapp resided at first in the residence of Mr. Gould, and later had the house known as the "Bishop house" next door to the Post Office.  Although he was a bachelor, he always maintained a home noted for hospitality and friendliness.  Upon special occasions while here and as long as she lived, his mother acted as his hostess.  His parents were interested in the first church and gave the first one thousand dollars toward the Chapel, which was completed during Mr. Knapp’s pastorate.  The conference room moved here in 1873, was again moved, and this time, one door above the site of Lewis High School.

He resigned in 1901 because of ill health and later accepted the call to the Central Congregational Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he remained until he retired.   Shortly after he went there, he was called to attend a funeral of a widowed mother.  She left two boys, and Mr. Knapp felt so sorry for them he took them home with him that night.  They remained, and he educated then and gave them all advantages.  Mr. Knapp now proudly stated that he was a grandfather and recited the advantages and joys of this state of being.