USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Saybrook > The First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational) > Part 2
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Staff Workers Barbara V. Ross - James M. MacDonald Marion B. Clark
Illustrator Margaret E. Ebert
Staff Photographer Frank Bleau
Minister Rev. George L. Greene
Publication of "Saybrook Sez" was a major undertaking for a dedicated group of young people, all of whom were actively employed. Its editing and preparation with many illustrations and its printing running to 500 copies per issue on a hand-operated mimeograph machine was entirely done by evening work.
At the annual Church meeting in January 1944 it was voted "that hereafter the name of this corporation shall be "The First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational)" thereby revert- ing to the early title.
In the early summer of 1946 the church celebrated the ter- centenary of its founding in "The Great Hall of the Fort in 1646". The program opened Sunday June 9th -
June 9th Dr. Rockwell Harmon Potter of Hartford on "The Church, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth".
June 16th Dr. James English of Hartford, "The Church and Her Influence on the Community".
June 23rd Service of Holy Communion. In this sacra-
ment the old Communion chalices were used, one cup dating back to 1736.
June 30th At 11:00 o'clock, Dr. Herbert P. Woodin of Takoma Park, Maryland, Pastor Emeritus, on "Why I Believe in the Church".
Dr. Charles Seymour, President of Yale, "The Church and Her Influence on Education".
Lt. Governor Wilbert Snow, "The Church and Her In- fluence on Government".
The Reverend Edward M. Chapman, a historical ad- dress, later enlarged and published in book form.
In 1947 extensive changes were made in the chapel building, affording a modern basement for Sunday School classes, group meetings, sports and utilities. The main floor auditorium was entirely redesigned and the kitchen at the rear completely equip- ped.
In January, 1948, the Church voted to increase the mem- bership of the Board of Deacons from three to five and on March 31st it approved a proposal for participating in the uniting of the Congregational Christian Churches with the Evangelical and Re-
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formed Church. This vote, however, was later rescinded by another meeting of the congregation, held January 27, 1959.
Following the service of the first Sunday in June, Mr. Greene presented his resignation effective the last Sunday in August to accept a call to the Community Church of Park Ridge, Illinois. During Mr. Greene's ministry 229 new members were admitted to fellowship.
The Reverend E. Roy Burchell, a young man just released as a chaplain in the Air Force, accepted a call to our pulpit and assumed his duties November 1, 1948. After two years of most gratifying service to the Church, Mr. Burchell was recalled to active duty with the Air Force and presented his resignation. A special meeting to act on this declined to accept the resignation, but voted Mr. Burchell a year's leave of absence. During his absence the Church was fortunate in securing the services of Dr. William Patton as interim minister, an association that endeared Dr. and Mrs. Patton greatly to our people. In September 1951 word was received that Mr. Burchell's period of duty had been extended and his resignation was then accepted with regret. Dur- ing the period of Mr. Burchell's ministry, 41 new members were received into the Church.
On January 8, 1952, the Church adopted a new constitution and by-laws, following recommendations of a special committee. Later that month a call was extended to the Reverend Aubrey L. Murphy. The call was accepted and Mr. Murphy took over his Church duties on July 1st. He remained until June, 1955, when he resigned to take the position of Director of Religious Education for the Baptist Union of Western Canada. During the ministry of Mr. Murphy, 83 members were added to the Church.
On June 26, 1955, a call was extended to the Reverend Paul G. Pitman of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, and was accepted effec- tive September 1, 1955. Mr. Pitman was installed as minister of the Church of the Middlesex Association of Congregational Min- isters on November 27, 1955.
Because of the urgent need for additional Sunday School fa- cilities, the Church, later that year, purchased the residence owned by Carl Truebe, to the south of the Church property, for a new parsonage and converted the old parsonage into Church offices and Sunday School rooms.
Mr. Pitman served as minister of this Church until, early in 1959, he accepted a call to a church in Burlington, Iowa.
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GIFTS TO THIS CHURCH
1722 A piece of meadowland from David Parker, "then I give and bequeath the remaining eastern-most part of my mea- dow at Ragged Rock unto ye Church of Christ at Saybrook for the use, behofe and advantage of an orthodox dissent- ing minister in Saybrook Old Society".
1724 Land for a new house of worship given by John and Isaac Pratt, father and son, on condition it be used for Church purposes only, otherwise revert to the former estate. On this land, at the junction of the present Main Street and Pennywise Lane, the third Meeting House was built in 1726.
1736 Communion Cup given by Samuel and Lucy Lynde.
1793 Steeple built by popular subscription.
1797 Elisha Hart presented a "Quarto Bible". It remained in use until 1831 and is now in the Museum of the Acton Library.
1810 October 6, "this day received four additional silver cups from William Hart which were judged an adequate addi- tion to the Communion Table". These cups were stemmed goblets, part of the old Communion service still in posses- sion of the Church.
1812 November 4, Captain Elisha Hart "having a desire to con- tribute to the relief of those who have at all times so promptly executed the last services due to the dead" offered the gift of a hearse, which was accepted with thanks.
1826 It was voted that the "old hearse" be sold at public auction. The hearse was sold to Ambrose Whittlesey for $5.25.
1826 June 4, a silver flagon, purchased for $30. was bequeathed to the Church marked "David Whittlesey, to the First Church of Christ in Saybrook 1826". Now in possession of the Church.
1829 July 4, a Communion tankard marked "Elisha Hart, to the First Church of Christ in Saybrook 1829". Now in posses- sion of the Church.
1830 Bequeathed by Colonel William Ingham, $1,000 "as a per- manent fund to be placed at interest for the benefit of the Society".
1834 April 5, a plated Baptismal basin and a napkin presented to the Church by "a few young ladies". The basin is in possession of the Church and is still in use.
1838 Bequeathed by Elisha Hart, $120, "to the poor of Saybrook . . . to be invested in any way . . , from which the interest can be drawn annually".
1839 Subscribed, by members and friends of the Church, funds for a new House of Worship. The cornerstone of this House was laid with religious ceremony on July 4, 1839; and the building was dedicated on the first Sunday of 1840 and has been the home of this Church ever since.
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1844 Bequeathed by the Reverend "Father" Frederick William Hotchkiss, $50, "for Sacramental Plates if needed for that use". These Communion plates were purchased, and are still in use.
1845 Offer by "two persons" to furnish railings and posis in front of the Meeting House, provided these "not be used for tying of horses". Offer accepted.
1852 Subscriptions totaling $2,000 for the building of a parson- age. This parsonage was the residence of Church ministers until 1955, when a new one was purchased and the old one converted to Church offices and Sunday School rooms.
1855 Bequeathed by Miss Martha Clark, $150, the interest to be used toward the expense of providing bread and wine for the Communion Table, the principal to be kept whole and unimpaired".
1858 The Ladies of the Society having raised $450, offer to spend it for repairs and repainting of the Church. Offer accepted. Committee of Ladies Association: Lydia Sill, Ann A. Pratt, Catharine Denison, Emily King.
1861 Bequeathed by Miss Jeanette Hart, $300, "the annual in- terest to be appropriated in charities to the widows and orphans of the congregation".
1872 Pipe organ installed in the gallery over the front entrance. Funds for purchase of this organ were raised through dili- gent efforts extending over a two-year period by a com- mittee consisting of Thomas C. Acton, Jr., Samuel H. Pratt, Edward Blague, and George Vogel.
1872 "Ladies of the Church" proposed to help get fluid lights, these probably to replace candles.
1875 Subscriptions totaling $2,000 raised to build a "Conference Room" between the House of Worship and the parsonage. This building is the present Chapel.
1886 Bequeathed by Mrs. Emeline E. Bailey, $2,000 for the use of the Church.
1889 Given by the Primary Department, for 43 years under the leadership of Mrs. Samuel H. Pratt, the urn on the Church green.
1890 Bequeathed by Ambrose Whittlesey, $1,000, "to be safely invested and kept . .. the net income to be used toward the support of the ministry".
1903 Given by Thomas C. Acton, Jr., and the Misses Agnes A. Acton and Carrie M. Acton, in memory of Mrs. Sarah Eliza- beth Acton, $2,000.
1904 Given by W. Ernest Ingham, in memory of his father, Samuel K. Ingham, a hymnal board.
1904 Given by Mrs. Harriet W. Bowes in memory of her father, Richard A. Dowd, a clock to be mounted in the tower of the Church.
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1906 Bequeathed by Mrs. Harriet W. Bowes, $1,000, to be used for the poor of the Church.
1906 Given by Deacon and Mrs. Robert Chapman, in memory of their daughter, Harriet Chesebrough Chapman, an individ- ual Communion service.
1906 Given by Charles T. Welles, a "Revised Pulpit Bible".
1907 Given by Miss Agnes A. Acton and Miss Carrie M. Acton, a piano for the use of the Sunday School.
1909 Given by Mrs. Alice W. Bradley, in memory of her hus- band, Franklin Trowbridge Bradley, two silver offering plates.
1909 Bequeathed by Mrs. Harriet Hart, $500, to the Ladies Aid Society.
1910 Received from the "Mrs. Betsey I. Whittlesey Trust Fund, known as the Saba Ingham Fund", $5,000.
1912 Given by Mrs. Martha Amelia Acton, Miss Arrietta H. Ac- ton and Harry W. Acton, in memory of Deacon Thomas C. Acton, Jr., funds for the installation of electric lighting.
1921 Given by Mrs. Sarah Pratt Acton and Mrs. Edith Pratt Chapman, in memory of their mother, Mary Spencer Pratt, a silver offering plate for the Primary Sunday School, which she had conducted for 43 years.
1927 Given by Mrs. Ellen Stevens Smith, in memory of her mother, Adelaide Kirtland Stevens, an outside announce- ment board.
1932 The Church having voted the installation of a new steam heating plant, this was purchased. It was installed without cost by the following, who supplied all necessary tools and labor: Arthur Cahill, James U. Dibble, Calvin C. Fairbank, Benjamin H. Chalker.
1938 January 9, Given by Miss Clara Banning and David Clark Bull, a manuscript and old Communion Cup used in the Church on the green.
1938 January 22, Given by Miss Clara Banning and David Clark Bull, $1,000, for "The Bull-Sill Memorial Fund".
1940 Bequeathed by Mrs. Mary J. Goffe, in memory of her bro- ther, Daniel W. Pratt, $2,000, to the "First Congregational Church of Saybrook, absolutely".
1940 Bequeathed by Miss Agnes A. Acton, "the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, the interest of the same to be used for the running expenses of the Church".
1941 Bequeathed by Mrs. Ellen Stevens Smith, a fund to be known as the Adelaide Kirtland Stevens Fund, of "One fifth of my Residuary Estate in cash, the principal to be permanently invested, the income therefrom expended for the benefit of the Church". This bequest amounted to $3,024.
1942 Given by Harold W. White in memory of his father, the
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Reverend William F. White, minister of this Church from 1913 to 1921, a small Communion service for the minister's use on sick calls.
1942 Given by Frank S. Pratt, Deacon Emeritus since 1935, in memory of his wife, Isabelle Booth Pratt, the paneling around the Church side walls under the window rail. and the archway over the pulpit together with fluted pilasters on each side. This work was entirely executed by Mr. Pratt himself, one of the oldest members of the Church, except for mounting the archway over the pulpit where assistance was necessary.
1942 Given by Mrs. Herman Tobias, silk flags for the pulpit - National and Church - and eight choir robes.
1942 Given by the Young People's Group, "In memory of Mrs. Alice Woodin, wife of our former minister", the brass cross on the wall behind the pulpit.
1944 Given by the Young People's Group, the Colonial light over the front entrance doors.
1945 Given by members of the Church and the community in honor of Old Saybrook men and women in the armed ser- vices, the tower chimes.
1945 Given by George Johnson, a member of this Church, the framed painting of the Church hanging in the front vesti- bule. This painting was executed by an Italian artist from the cover photograph on a Church bulletin supplied by Mr. Johnson while he was on active combat duty in Italy during World War II.
1947 Given by the Men's Club, the custom-made wrought-iron handrails on steps at the Church entrance.
1948 Given by the Fourth Church of Hartford, Communion tray and plate.
1951 Given by Clayton W. Welles, a brass "Christian Bell for a call to order" in the Church school. Also, for the Church pulpit table, two book markers; one purple, denoting peni- tence and royalty ; and one white, denoting purity and joy.
1952 Given by Miss Mabel Reed, in memory of Mrs. Nellie Reed Hale, four brass offering plates, two brass vases and two brass candlesticks.
1952 Given by Mrs. Louise Wadsworth Chapman, in memory of her husband, the Reverend Edward M. Chapman, $2,000.
1953 Given by Miss Ruth S. Granniss and Miss Sarah G. Gran- niss, the pulpit Bible. This Bible is a book of rare value, a special limited edition of the Revised Version of which only 975 copies were printed.
1953 Given by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chapman, Jr., in memory of Deacon and Mrs. Robert Chapman, a silver Communion tray and plate matching the existing set in service in the Church.
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1953 Bequeathed by Mrs. Kate Chapman Auryansen, $2,000.
1953 Given by George Tolx and Ernest Tolx, the work of paint- ing the Church pews and trim, restoring them to white as they were originally.
1953 Given by Mrs. Agnes Strong, Mrs. Jean T. Scarpa and Donald S. Ayer, in memory of their mother, Mrs. Bessie T. Ayer, two pottery urns.
1954 Bequeathed by Mrs. Bertine B. Hannis, $1,000.
1954 Given by Mrs. Louise Wadsworth Chapman, in memory of her husband, the Reverend Edward M. Chapman, the Church Memorial Book (from which this booklet is copied), togeth- er with $250.
1954 Given by Church members to the "Bessie T. Ayer Memorial Fund", contributions amounting to $398.75 to be used for the "purchase of a small organ for the Church School ser- vice". Mrs. Ayer had been organist of this Church for many years.
1954 Bequeathed by Miss Ruth S. Graniss, $1,000.
1955 Given by Dr. Charles P. Botsford, in memory of Mrs. Maria G. Chapman and of his wife, Marion Chapman Botsford, $1,000, for the Church building fund.
1956 Bequeathed by Alexander Pratt, in memory of his sister- in-law, Mrs. Flora Seymour Pratt, $1,000.
1957 Bequeathed by Benjamin McElhone, $1,000.
1958 Bequeathed by George L. Chindahl, father of Mrs. George L. Greene, $1,000.
1958 Given by George L. Tolx and Ernest Tolx, the work of painting the interior walls and vestibule and spraying the radiators.
1958 Given by a group of friends, $244.50, in memory of Mrs. Emily Klocker.
1958 Gift by Church members and friends, new drapes for the Church windows, at a cost of $726.
1958 Given by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chapman, Jr., of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, $982, for building cabinets in which the original Communion service and other objects pertain- ing to the early history of this Church might be displayed and for niches with built-in desks for the Memorial Book and the Church guest book.
1958 December 15, Given by Mrs. Louise Wadsworth Chapman in memory of her husband, the Reverend Edward M. Chap- man, $1,000.
1959 Given by Mrs. Dorothy Christie and Mrs. Margaret Shep- ard Hodges in memory of their father, Robert Chapman Jr., $70, to start a fund for use of the Hospitality Com- mittee of the Church.
1959 Bequeathed by Mrs. Charlotte L. McMurray in memory of her father, Dr. Frederick Shepard, $500.
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PATACONK PRINTING COMPANY - 1959
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
MAR 90
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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