USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The First Church of Fairfield : being a brief account of three hundred and twenty three years in the First Church, Congregational, of Fairfield, Connecticut > Part 7
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Mr. William O. Burr presented the church with three acres of land which could be used as a camp site for youth groups such as Boy Scout or Girl Scout Troops. This gift was gratefully accepted by the Ecclesiastical Society. A bequest of $5000 was received from the estate of Mr. Samuel Rowland and applied toward the Parish House debt.
In the meantime the various activities carried on in the Parish House were flourishing. There was an income from rentals since the Parish House was being used by outside organizations such as the Masonic Fraternity. A Kindergarten School was being held in the Parish House basement although the Boy Scout Troop continued to hold its meetings in the basement of the church.
As in the case of the maintenance of the church property, so it is with church finances. They are a continuing concern year by year. Churches have to be sustained by the loyalty and generosity of their membership. In early Colonial times the churches were supported by taxing their members. Later on the system of pew rentals was devised and proved to be a substantial help in meeting the church budget. More recently voluntary giving and the Every-Member- Canvass have held the right of way.
Church organizations like the Women's Guild or the Eunoia Club held various functions that brought help to the church treas- ury. During Mr. Grant's pastorate church bazaars and lawn parties were held at the Sherman Parsonage. These were delightful occa- sions with ponies for the children, food for grownups, and various tables with articles for sale such as pies, cakes, ice cream, candy, jellies, plants and similar articles. Church suppers were held in the Parish House from time to time.
Then there were the special offerings on behalf of good causes such as the missionary interests of the church. For example, at a meeting of the Church Council on April 15th, 1932 Mr. Grant explained the Dollar Plan introduced by the Mission Boards to offset
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the drop in receipts owing to the widespread economic depression. It was voted to recommend that the First Church adopt this plan and distribute the coin cards among the members.
During Mr. Grant's pastorate there were a number of personnel changes affecting the church staff. In 1929 Mr. George Murphy resigned as organist and choir director after a service of thirty-four years. It had been a happy relationship and the members wanted to show their appreciation to Mr. Murphy for his many years of faith- ful service. At a meeting of the Church Council on April 29th it was voted to have a testimonial statement prepared by the Music Committee. This was presented to Mr. Murphy on May 12th which was his final Sunday as church organist.
A reception was held for Mr. Murphy on the following Friday evening. Out of his appreciation for his years of service, Mr. Murphy presented to the church a framed copy of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Psalm, illuminated by his own hand work and done with rare skill. Mrs. Grant Leonard succeeded Mr. Murphy as the or- ganist and choir director of the church.
Now that the new Parish House was a going concern it seemed desirable to secure a Director of Religious Education for the ex- panded work of the Sunday School. Miss Elizabeth Bulkeley was employed for that purpose. Arthur Rinden, a Yale Divinity student, was associated with her, working with the youth group. Together they conducted a Vacation Bible School for several weeks during the summer of 1927. Miss Bulkeley only remained a year as the Director of Religious Education and then accepted a similar position with the Baptist Temple in Rochester, N.Y.
She was succeeded by Mr. Kenneth Bunker as the new Director of Religious Education. Mr. and Mrs. Bunker came from Ohio and Mrs. Bunker was employed as Mr. Grant's secretary. She also served as Collector on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Society. Mrs. Bunker passed away after a brief illness in 1929 leaving a host of friends in the church.
A Memorial Service was held for her on October 12th and a picture was hung in the Sarah Deyo room in the church as a memorial to her. This room had been recently decorated and re- furnished by the Eunoia Club and the members were hopeful that it might come to be called the Sarah Deyo Memorial Room. A bronze tablet was placed on the wall for that purpose. More recently this
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room has frequently been called the Eunoia room largely owing to the fact that the Eunoia Club usually held its meetings in that room.
There will be no effort in this brief history to record the names of the various students who assisted in the church program from year to year nor the names of members of the choir and quartet. There are some names, however, that do stand out like that of David Davis who first came on the weekend basis and then stayed on to become the Pastor's assistant, remaining four years. Another Yale student whose name is remembered was Wesley Mallery. Mrs. Grant Leo- nard did not remain long as organist and was succeeded in that position by Mrs. Edna Cogswell Otis who became the new organist and choir director.
In 1929 a four page leaflet appeared and was distributed to the members. It was entitled "First Church News" and contained many items of interest to the members, bringing them up to date as to · what was taking place, somewhat in the nature of an annual report. It told of the activities of the various church organizations and their plans for the future. Among these organizations were the Mother's Club, The Young Couples Club, the Eunoia Club, the Junior and Senior Choirs, the Men's Assembly and the Community School for Teacher Training.
In June 1930 Mr. and Mrs. Grant were given a leave of absence of nine weeks so that they might attend the meeting of the Interna- tional Council of Congregational Churches, held at Bournemouth, England, from July first to eighth. They were among the one hun- dred and fifty American delegates to that session. They met with other delegates from all parts of the world. During a part of July and August Mr. and Mrs. Grant travelled in Europe, visiting several countries. It was a stimulating interlude after seven years in Fairfield.
A happy occasion in the life of the church was the fiftieth wed- ding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Livingston G. Smith on June 7th, 1936. For many years Mr. Smith had served as church sexton, deacon and Sunday School treasurer. At a meeting of the Church Council held on May 19th it was suggested that a purse be pre- sented to Mr. and Mrs. Smith on their anniversary. A committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements consisting of Miss Elizabeth Child, Mrs. H. C. Bullard, Miss Anne O. Morehouse, Mr. W. O. Burr and Mr. David Davis.
On June 3rd, 1930 Mr. Grant suggested to the Church Council
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that certain changes might be desirable to make the work of the Council more effective. The number of members might be reduced slightly, with members representing different aspects of the church program and with several elected as "members at large." A decision on this matter was deferred to a later meeting.
During the years of Mr. Grant's pastorate the Project Plan was in operation in the work of the American Board. This meant that Congregational Churches in this country could have direct relation- ship with individual missionaries at work in foreign lands and thus help with their financial support. In accord with this plan the First Church took a special interest in helping the American Board Hospital in Fenchow, China.
In 1928 a Religious Canvass was conducted in Fairfield by two representatives of the Connecticut Bible Society. The Ecclesiastical Society made a contribution toward this project. This canvass was carried out in cooperation with other churches in the area.
At a meeting of the Society's Committee on July 21st, 1933 it was decided that the church record book covering the years 1694 to 1806 should be deposited with the Fairfield Historical Society for safe keeping. In doing so it was clearly stated that the record book was on loan and that students of the history of the church or of the town of Fairfield could have access to it if they so desired.
During the pastorate of Mr. Grant certain important changes took place in the life of the community. The use of the Old Academy was given to the Historical Society and the Eunice Dennis Burr Chapter of the D.A.R. The Building Code of the town was revised in 1927. A Fire Commission was established in 1928 for the better fire protection of the property of the citizens.
On July 16th, 1929 the town accepted the gift of the land and building owned by the George A. Smith Post #74 of the American Legion, to be used as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors who died in the Great War. Miss Jennings gave the beach adjoining her property to the town for the use of Fairfield citizens and since that time it has come to be called Jennings Beach.
During Mr. Grant's pastorate there were numerous events of spe- cial interest to the membership. For example there was the special service in the observance of "The Connecticut Sabbath" on October 6th, 1935. The members of the Greenfield Hill and the Southport churches shared in this service. They followed the pattern of the
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early Colonial services, prevailing in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Men sat on the right with women on the left. The deacons occu- pied seats facing the congregation in front of the pulpit, behind the Communion Table. When the ministers entered the pulpit wearing their Geneva gowns the people rose as a mark of respect. The con- gregation stood for prayer. Metrical versions of the Psalms were used and the congregation sat for the singing.
There was a World Friendship Supper in the Parish House on May 16th, 1935. A Japanese supper was served with the waitresses dressed in Japanese costumes. The decorations around the hall were in oriental colors. There was an exhibit of Japanese curios and hand work. Following the supper Miss Eleanor Wilson, a missionary in Japan, gave an illustrated talk, giving as her theme, "Fascinating Japan."
It was at a Sunday morning service on April 4th, 1937 that Mr. Grant submitted his resignation as the minister of the First Church. He read a letter addressed to both the church members and the Ecclesiastical Society setting forth the reasons for his deci- sion. Some of these reasons were as follows:
"For a year I have felt that I must fix a date of leaving. The demands of this church as you know are exacting. The pastoral office involves much beside preaching and pastoral care. It involves initiative, constant oversight and energetic promotion over a wide range of parish organizations and activities set up to care for the spiritual, educational, social and recreational needs of our parish constituency. One may be as devoted to the work of preaching and pastoral care as ever. At the same time one must admit a lack of adequacy to continue to be responsible for administering the complex program of the church.
"Moreover this church is face to face with one of the great oppor- tunities of its history. Beyond the families on our present roll there is a large and promising field waiting to be cultivated. Assiduous parish calling is required. Better methods of approach can doubtless be devised.
"A new captain is due to take over this good ship, to chart its further course, to set its sail to breezes that already blow, and to make for such destinations as that new captain may wisely choose. My legacy to him is a group of workers of a sort to inspire his courage and refresh his heart.
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"Next October I shall have completed forty-one years of con- tinuous service in the ministry, divided among three parishes. It was a pastor who said, The longer I live the clearer it is to me that friendship is the one great compensation for living."
Thus was brought to an end a substantial and creative pastorate of approximately fifteen years, in which pastor and people worked closely in harmony. It was the plan of Mr. and Mrs. Grant to settle for a time in the home of a relative in Andover, Mass. Whether Mr. Grant would later accept the pastorate of a smaller church was left for the future to decide.
As it turned out Mr. Grant did not complete his ministry in Fairfield until May 1938. He had carried on in the meantime at the request of the church membership. Mr. Grant's last Sunday in the Fairfield pulpit was on May 20th.
In his final sermon Mr. Grant likened the relationship between church and minister in terms of a marriage. He suggested to the church members that they must not expect too much of their new minister, Rev. David Phillips Hatch. They must not expect a super- man. The most they can hope for is the honest effort of an all round man. A pastor must be allowed sufficient time for his family life. He must also have time for the religious experiences that enrich his soul. Mr. Grant predicted a successful pastorate for his successor which indeed proved to be the case.
A farewell reception was held for Mr. and Mrs. Grant in the Child Memorial Parish House on May 19th, 1938, sponsored by the Women's Guild. More than three hundred people were present to extend their affectionate greetings and good wishes. At that time a check for $4000 was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Grant as a fare- well gift. The presentation was made by Deacon William O. Burr and Mr. Grant responded with appropriate words, expressing deep appreciation on behalf of Mrs. Grant and himself. A musical pro- gram was presented by Mrs. Edna Cogswell Otis, the church organist, and former members of the church choir rendered several selections.
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REV. FRANK S. CHILD
REV. JOHN H. GRANT
REV. DAVID P. HATCH
REV. HENRY E. ROBINSON
REV. WILBUR S. DEMING
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Chapter Nine THE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION.
One of the outstanding events in the history of Fairfield and the First Church was the Tercentenary celebration. Interested persons in the church and community began making plans for this occasion several years before it was due. The matter was discussed at various committee meetings beginning in 1935. That was only natural since 1935 was the Tercentenary Year for the state of Connecticut.
At a meeting of the Church Council on June 11th, 1935 Mr. Grant made suggestions about possible "signs" in preparation for the Ter- centenary. The sign to be placed in front of the church might well read: "On this site have stood six churches of the Prime Ancient Society of Fairfield in the three centuries since 1639." The sign to. be placed in front of the parsonage might read: "Built by Roger Minot Sherman in 1816. Bequeathed to the First Ecclesiastical Society in 1849 to be used as a parsonage."
Again on November 5th, 1935 Mr. Grant suggested the con- struction of a model of the old church, saying that it might be put on display for people to see, in preparation for the Tercentenary. This suggestion received the hearty approval of the Church Council and the necessary funds were voted to cover the cost.
There is no doubt that the State Tercentenary celebration in 1935 stimulated the citizens of Fairfield to prepare for their own celebra- tion four years later. It was in 1935 that Mrs. Hugh Auchincloss offered the town thirty thousand dollars toward the remodelling and refurnishing of the Town Hall. This offer was gratefully accepted by the town authorities. Also in 1935 the Ogden House at the entrance to Oaklawn Cemetery was repaired and opened to visitors, along with the Old Academy.
The big day in the State celebration of 1935 came on September 28th when there was a parade, starting in Southport and ending at the Town Green. Approximately a thousand people shared a barbe- cue dinner, followed by dancing on the Green. The program con- cluded with a pageant entitled, "Uncoway," presented by three hundred students of the Roger Ludlow High School.
It was only natural that the Fairfield Tercentenary celebration of 1939 should be a joint enterprise including both the church members and the community at large. For this purpose a Fairfield
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Tercentenary Committee began their preparations carly in 1938. On behalf of the church a committee of three was appointed to make pre- liminary plans for the Tercentenary composed of the following: Miss Finette Nichols, Mrs. Frank Clarke and Mr. Wesley Sherwood. This committee recommended that there be a Church Tercentenary Com- mittee of Twelve and they recommended the following names: Miss Annie B. Jennings, Miss Anne O. Morehouse, David W. Price, Mrs. Leroy R. Link, Roger P. Welles, Mrs. Harold C. Bullard, Mrs. T. Waldo Grumman, William O. Burr, Mrs. Katherine M. Spaulding, Mrs. Edward N. Dewitt, Mrs. John L. Christie, and Mr. Frank B. Clarke. This committee was duly appointed at the Annual Meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society on January 18th, 1939.
Miss Annie Jennings did not live to take her full share in the Tercentenary program as she passed away on July 27th, 1939. In 1940 a small book of seventy-eight pages was published by the Town Tercentenary Committee as a memorial to Miss Jennings. It bore the title, "Fairfield Connecticut Tercentenary 1639-1939."
Mr. William O. Burr, a member of the First Church, was ap- pointed as the chairman of the Town Tercentenary Committee. This Committee was sub-divided into a number of smaller committees which dealt with such matters as arts and crafts, finance, genealogy, history, parade and pageant, the Pequot Monument and the various religious services. The program of the Tercentenary was so arranged as to portray the three centuries of Fairfield's history. In every sense it was a celebration for the entire community to enjoy.
In the final week of March, 1939, there was an exhibit of early American coins sponsored by the Fairfield Historical Society. In the month of April there was an exhibit of early samplers.
On June 20th a Pageant was presented at the Gould Manor Park. It contained ten episodes and was written by Henry Beale Spelman. The episodes were as follows :-
Episode 1. The Pequot War. by Pequot School
Episode 2. A Town Meeting. A Witchcraft Trial.
by Stratfield School
Episode 3. The Story of Nathan Hale. by Nathan Hale School Episode 4. Washington's Visits to Fairfield. .. by Washington School Episode 5. General and Mrs. Silliman. by Holland Hill School
Episode 6. Timothy Dwight. by Dwight School Episode 7. Roger Sherman. by Sherman School
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Episode 8. Abraham Lincoln by Lincoln School
Episode 9. William McKinley. by Mckinley School Episode 10. World War Volunteer Organization. by Grasmere School
An Exhibit of Fans was held in the rooms of the Historical Society during August. During the summer months there was an Information Booth set up in front of the Roger Sherman School for the con- venience of visitors and tourists. There was also an Educational Exhibit in the same school during the fall months.
There was an Arts and Crafts Exhibit held in the Greenfield Hill Grange Hall in connection with the annual Grange Fair. In Sep tember at the Historical Society Rooms adjoining the Fairfield Library there was an exhibit of early church pewter and silver, the articles being loaned by ten churches in the Fairfield area. Also in September there was an exhibit of carly American Books and Prints.
The final week of September, 1939, was the special Tercentenary week, with various events planned for each day. It began with a Union Religious Service on Sunday, September 24th, held in the Roger Ludlow High School Hall. Those taking part in the program included Rev. Joseph Twichell, Rev. Melvin Hatcher, Rev. Austin Maciejewski, Rev. George Wilson, Rev. David Hatch and Rev. William Blake. The major address was given by Rev. John Schroeder of the Yale Divinity School. His subject was, "Our Religious Liber- ties."
There were open houses during that same week such as the Gould Homestead on Tuesday, the Old Academy on Thursday, the Hobart House and the Sun Tavern on Friday. The Dedication of the Me- morial Tablet to Roger Ludlow took place on Thursday at the Ludlow Home-lot. Those taking part in the dedication included First Selectman John Ferguson, Mrs. Edward Wheeler, and two descendents of Roger Ludlow who spoke about the career of their ancestor.
The climax of the week came on Friday, being held on the South Terrace of the Fairfield Town Hall. There were two scenes from the Historical Pageant. There were two addresses, one being given by Governor Raymond Baldwin of Connecticut and the other by President Charles Seymour of Yale University. Mr. William O. Burr was the presiding officer on this happy occasion. A Tercentenary Ode, wirtten by Mrs. Walter Hellman, was given by a chorus of fifty. On Saturday the Tercentenary Parade took place. Many people
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turned out to honor the three centuries of Fairfield history, the afternoon ending with folk dancing on the Green.
The Tercentenary Banquet for the members of the First Church was held at the Child Memorial Parish House on Saturday evening, Sept. 30th. At the close of the dinner the new minister, Rev. David Hatch, gave a thumbnail sketch of all the ministers of the First Church beginning with Rev. John Jones. Each clergyman had his own peculiar characteristics.
Mr. Hatch then asked the descendents of the former pastors to rise and thirty people stood up. Present at the banquet was Mrs. George Borroughs, widow of a former minister, who had travelled from Ohio to be present at the celebration. A letter of greeting was read from Rev. John Bushnell, a former minister of the church, who was not able to be present in person. Three children of Dr. Child were present at the banquet.
Mr. Grant spoke briefly, extending his congratulations to the church members and describing some of the happy experiences during his fifteen years as pastor of the First Church. The six church deacons were then asked to rise and it appeared that all were dressed in costumes depicting the various historical periods of the past.
This was followed by a fashion parade around the dining tables. There were Puritan costumes, Revolutionary costumes, Civil War costumes, and the costumes of the Gay Nineties. Then came the greetings brought by the ministers of the neighboring churches, seven of the churches being the daughter churches of the First Church.
Mr. Ferguson, the First Selectman, brought greetings from the Town of Fairfield. Rev. James F. English, state superintendent, brought greetings from the other Congregational churches of the state. The evening closed with appropriate remarks by Mr. Hatch in which he paid a stirring tribute to Miss Annie B. Jennings whose untiring interest and efforts on behalf of the church were well known to all.
It was fitting that the church Tercentenary observance should conclude with a worship service on Sunday morning, October first, 1939. It was conducted by the minister, Rev. David Hatch, assisted by the former pastor, Rev. John Grant. The title of the sermon was, "The Measure of a Great Church." During that same afternoon the historic Sherman Parsonage was open to visitors.
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Chapter Ten THE FIRST DECADE OF MR. HATCH.
At a church meeting held on May 25, 1937, the following com- mittee was appointed to choose a new minister: Miss Annie B. Jennings, Mr. Frank B. Clarke, Mr. Harold A. Swaffield, Mr. A. M. Mccullough, Mrs. Archie McKie, Mrs. Allen A. Johnson, Miss Mabel Baron, Mrs. Arthur W. Deyo, Mr. Matthew R. Blish, Mr. L. G. Smith and Mr. Arthur W. Deyo as chairman. The committee proceeded to screen the various candidates and their choice finally fell upon Rev. David Phillips Hatch, minister of the Congregational Church in Dover, New Hampshire.
The committee's choice was approved at special meetings of the church and the Ecclesiastical Society held on February 23rd, 1938. A call was sent to Mr. and Mrs. Hatch and the church received an affirmative reply. Mr. Hatch notified Arthur W. Deyo, chairman of the pastoral committee, that he would begin his pastoral duties in Fairfield on May 29th, 1938.
The Installation Service for Mr. Hatch was held in the church sanctuary on January 4th, 1939. In the afternoon preceding the installation the examination took place at which time Mr. Hatch read a statement of his Christian convictions and experience.
At the church supper preceding the installation Miss Annie Jen- nings paid tribute to the former ministers of the church. She herself was a descendent of the first two pastors, Rev. John Jones and Rev. Samuel Wakeman. Miss Elizabeth Child spoke about her father's historical writings during his ministry in Fairfield. Rev. John Grant briefly reviewed his own happy experiences while pastor of the church.
The evening service began with the invocation by Mr. Grant. Used for the first time was the new pulpit Bible presented to the church by members of the Glover family. Rev. John Deyo offered prayer and Rev. Joseph Twichell of Southport extended a welcome to Mr. Hatch on behalf of the Fairfield community. Rev. Daniel Bliss of Greenwich gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Fred Hoskins gave the charge to the church and Rev. Robert Armstrong gave the charge to the new pastor. Rev. James F. English, Super- intendent of the State Conference, preached the sermon. The prayer of installation was given by Rev. William Horace Day and Rev.
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