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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
At a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society on August 7th, 1947, Fred C. Anderson had presented plans for rebuilding the Sherman Parsonage. It was a rather drastic proposal and a rough estimate of the cost was between $25,000 and $30,000. An optional plan was presented by Mr. Anderson for building a new parsonage of a southern Colonial type, made of brick and shingled with slate. The cost of building was estimated to be about $40,000. No definite decisions were taken at that meeting.
At a meeting of the Society on May 27th, 1948 the issue was brought up for a final decision. Four possible plans were discussed:
I. To sell the parsonage and build or buy a more suitable one.
2. To remodel the present parsonage.
3. To repair the present parsonage.
4. To sell the parsonage and temporarily rent another parsonage for the minister.
During the discussion it was brought out that the Society must secure the permission of the Superior Court to discover whether the property could be sold. Hence the decision was made to request the Superior Court for permission to sell the Sherman Parsonage. The Society desired the right to dispose of the Sherman Parsonage so as to make it possible to buy or build another parsonage elsewhere.
The church was successful in its appeal to the Superior Court. Permission was granted to the Ecclesiastical Society to sell the Sherman Parsonage. Thereupon the Society's Committee was in- structed to set a minimum price of $25,000 for the parsonage property.
The property was finally sold in 1952 for $21,000, with a down payment of $9,000, the balance to be paid over a ten year period. It was purchased by Prof. and Mrs. Albin Noyes Doe of Bridgeport. Professor Doe was a member of the faculty of the University of Bridgeport. When buying the property they made the comment that they looked forward to living in a Colonial mansion, built in 1816, which had had such an interesting history.
93
اتصال العلم :
W
பிரைஸ் பரஸ்
In the meantime a joint meeting of the church and the Society was held on April 18th, 1950 to reach final conclusions about a new parsonage. The decision was made at that time to borrow a sum, not to exceed $35,000, for the purpose of financing the purchase of land and the construction of a new parsonage. In that year a special Parsonage Committee was appointed composed of Harold A. Swaf- field as chairman, Mrs. Harold C. Bullard, Mrs. Henry S. Burr, Robert Draper, Nelsen Hauge, Roger P. Welles and Maurice B. Tracy.
A Building Committee was appointed with Neil J. Curles as chairman, Richard A. Brown, Mrs. Daniel B. Hardenburgh, Charles R. Pritchard, George L. Todd and David W. Price as legal Counsel. A lot was purchased on Sunnieholme Drive and the work of con- struction was started.
At a meeting of the Society's Committee on October 17th, 1950 a policy was set for the new parsonage, as follows:
1. It shall be the home of the minister of the First Church. It shall be for the use only of the minister and his family.
2. Any alteration to the parsonage shall be with the consent of the Parsonage Committee and the Society's Committee.
3. The Society shall maintain suitable floor coverings for rooms on the first floor, together with suitable shades, curtains and drapes for the windows.
4. The minister shall be expected to provide his own furniture.
5. The Society shall provide the expense of maintaining the building and property.
6. The Society shall assume the cost of heating oil, electricity for lights and appliances, fixed rental and business phone calls, water, and insurance for the parsonage property.
The new parsonage was completed in 1951 and the Hatch family went there to live. The pastor called it "the year of transition." A service of dedication was held on September 23rd, conducted by Rev. Leon A. Dean of Greenfield Hill and Rev. Galen E. Russell of Southport, with the Chorus Choir of the First Church participating in the service. There was "Open House" that afternoon and refresh- ments were served. The arrangements were under the sponsorship of the Hospitality Committee of the church of which Mrs. Matthew R. Blish was chairman.
94
IT
£
٩٢٠١١ اللـ
1
1
The portraits of Judge Sherman and Mrs. Sherman which had hung in the Sherman Parsonage were loaned to the Fairfield His- torical Society and now hang in the new building of the Society. Also loaned to the Historical Society were some books and old papers of historical value and the grandfather's clock, all of which had been kept in the Sherman Parsonage.
95
Chapter Twelve THE LATER YEARS OF THE HATCH PASTORATE.
A rapidly growing church creates various problems for its com- mittees and the congregation as a whole. In the first place there is the need of securing pastoral assistance for the minister. When the church membership roll exceeds five or six hundred then the need for an additional clergyman on the staff becomes a pressing issue if the church program is to be successfully carried on.
Furthermore a growing church usually implies a rapidly increas- ing Sunday School. This may eventually necessitate double ses- ions both for the church services and for the church school. And of course a rapidly growing church membership puts upon the church the responsibility of making special efforts to assimilate the new members and integrate them into the church program. All of these developments took place in the First church during the Hatch pastorate.
In submitting his report to the church for the year 1952, Mr. Hatch made the following observations: "As our Parish expands there seem never to be enough hours for the tasks which should be under- taken. With one hundred and one new members admitted to the church in 1952, it must be obvious that time has been expended in acquainting newcomers with our church traditions and encouraging them to believe that they will find ours to be a true church family. Judging from the loyalty and support that are evident we shall have sufficient financial resources to insure the calling of an associate pastor whose work could begin in the fall of 1953."
The minister's anticipation received confirmation in the calling of Rev. Rodney G. Snedeker to be the Associate Minister of the First Church, beginning his work on July 15th, 1954. His responsibilities included the supervision of the Junior High Fellowship, teaching the Adult Bible Class, working with students, doing some calling, and assisting in the Sunday morning services.
At the Joint Annual Meeting on January 18th, 1950 it was moved to amend the By-Laws in the following manner: "There shall be a committee on Missions and Social Action of nine members to be elected according to the rotary system. Three members are to be elected at each annual meeting. The duties shall be to keep the church in- formed of missionary work as related to our denomination and make
96
المسال ساء الدوللـ
P
recommendations to the Church Council. It shall also keep the church informed about the concerns of the Council for Social Action."
The First Annual Spring Festival took place on May 20-21, 1949. It was called "Operation Maytime," and was sponsored by the various church organizations such as the Women's Guild, Eunoia Club, Mother's Club, Couples Club, Men's Club, the Pilgrim Fellowship, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. There was a sale on Friday followed by a church supper, ending with a Fashion Parade and Card Party. On Saturday there was a sale, children's activities and auction, with a dance in the evening. The net income from this joint enterprise was around a thousand dollars.
In 1950 a Weekday Church School Program was started in the Parish House, with the teachers supplied by the First Church. Classes were held on two days a week. It was sponsored by the Council for Inter-Church Cooperation.
The year 1951 was a creative year in a number of ways. There was the Union Thanksgiving Day Service in which the Fairfield First Church united with the Southport Church and The Green- field Hill Church, meeting on Wednesday evening before Thanks- giving.
The Church Family Sunday began in 1951, as many church mem- bers felt the need of it. The fourth Sunday of the month was Church Family Day when the children sat with their parents during the first part of the church service.
On November 7th, 1951, there was a Father and Son Banquet and this started a precedent that has been followed in succeeding years. In that same year the Women's Guild held a "Pre-Christmas Bazar" in which various articles were sold such as aprons, handkerchiefs and dolls.
The expanding enrollment of the Church School necessitated a good deal of effort to secure more teachers and to organize the work more effectively. On September first, 1952 Mrs. Truman N. Chase became the Church School Director. She took over some of the activities that had been under the supervision of Glenn Wishard. It finally became necessary in the fall of 1955 for the church school to operate on a double session program, the sessions being held at 9:30 and 11 A.M., with a staff numbering sixty teachers in all.
In a similar manner a single Sunday morning church service proved to be inadequate for the increasing membership. There was not
97
العروس
12
enough room to accommodate those who desired to attend the church service. They had already installed amplifying equipment in the sanctuary. The first reference to the need for a double service was made at a Deacon's Meeting on May 14th, 1950. The next recom- mendation was made at a meeting of the Church Council on February 12th, 1952. There was a nursery hour during the church service sponsored by the Couples' Club to enable parents to attend church.
The issue was finally brought to a decision at a Deacons' Meeting on May 12th, 1955. It was decided to begin the double services in September. For that purpose certain business arrangements had to be made with the organist and the paid quartette. The double sessions were to be held at 9:30 and 11 A.M., the same hours that the Sunday School sessions were held.
The decision was made in 1954 to establish the plan known as "Colony Groups" in the First Church. This system had been tried in other churches and had been successful in the assimilation of new members. It meant dividing the parish into a number of geographical areas. The hope was that periodic neighborhood meetings might be held in each of the colonies. Mr. Hatch called it "A break-down of the Parish into ten colonies."
It must be admitted that all of the colonies did not respond fully to their opportunities for holding periodic meetings. But Colony Nine did take hold of the new plan with genuine enthusiasm. They not only held monthly meetings in the evening but organized a Tuesday morning Bible Study Group. They also developed a plan for organized parish calling.
The year 1954 saw the appointment of a Church Survey Com- mittee to make a study of church needs such as increased facilities, personnel structure, future building program, financial status and long- term objectives. The idea was for the committee to make such a study and bring recommendations before a future joint meeting of church and Society. This issue will be dealt with more fully in a sep- arate chapter.
It was in that same year that another joint committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of incorporating the church and the Society into one organization. The first suggestion along this line had been made at a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society
98
N
in 1951. The plan was for this joint committee to report back to each group after making the study.
If the committee report was accepted at a future joint meeting of church and Society the plan was to have a new committee appointed by the Board of Deacons. The duties of this committee would be to draft a new constitution together with By-Laws.
These plans found fulfillment on June 30th, 1955 when the First Church and the Ecclesiastical Society met jointly and voted to merge into one legally constituted church body. In due course this action was successfully consummated and a new constitution was adopted. This issue also will be dealt with more fully in a separate chapter.
At a joint meeting on March 25th, 1953 a new method of electing deacons was approved. There was to be a Board of nine deacons, three to be elected biennially, in the odd numbered years. Nomina- tions were to be made by written ballot, following a church service.
At a joint meeting on January 8th, 1957 the decision was made to establish a Board of Six Deaconesses, to be elected in a similar manner as the deacons. After the establishment of the Board, two were · to be elected biennially for terms of six years and would not be eligible to succeed themselves. The regular meetings of the deacons and deaconesses were to be held jointly.
Property matters are a continuing problem in the life and work of a church. This has certainly been true for the First Church of Fairfield. At the annual meeting on January 17th, 1951 it was voted to ask the Fairfield Cemetery Association to act as the church agent in handling the Roger M. Sherman Burial Plot Fund.
At the annual meeting on January 21st, 1953 it was explained that for a church member to have the use of the free bed at the Bridgeport Hospital, given by Miss Annie Jennings, it was necessary for the patient to enter the hospital under general service and the hospital staff were to be used rather than a personal physician.
In February, 1950 an inventory was taken of the old communion cups and tankards kept at the Southport Savings Bank. The list was as follows: I. Cup, gift of Samuel Wakeman, 1692. 2. Cup, gift of Jonathan Sturges, 1722. 3. Tankard, gift of Thomas Hill, 1757. 4. Cup, gift of Captain John Silliman, 1752. 5. Tankard, gift of Lewis Sturges, 1753. 6. Cup, gift of Mrs. E. Wyncoop, 1777. 7. Cup with handle, gift of Joseph Wakeman, 1726.
99
T
الور
L
7
Г
8. Baptism bowl, presented by Mrs. Ellen Lathrop, 1780.
It was in the year 1955 that the Church Property Committee could report partial success in the elimination of the pigeon nuisance although it was recognized that this would inevitably be a con- tinuing struggle from year to year.
At the annual meeting on January 17th, 1951 it was voted to spend a sum not exceeding $5000 for the purchase of land on Center Street, immediately adjacent to the Parish House for the purpose of securing a parking lot. It would have a frontage of approximately one hundred and twenty-five feet.
In 1952 the Capital Improvement Fund Committee was set up after a special study of church school needs had been made by the Religious Education Committee. The thought was that the time had come to liquidate the present indebtedness and also to carry out some rather extensive improvements in the Parish House.
Under the chairmanship of Donald G. Robbins Jr. the committee succeeded in raising $24,620 in pledges. This enabled the church and Society to pay the balance on the bank notes, surface the parking lot, remodel the Assembly Hall and modernize the kitchen in the Parish House.
At the annual meeting in 1954 Warren Hall, Chairman of the Church Property Committee, was able to report the completion of a two year plan to redecorate the entire church, including the Eunoia Room, Choir Room and Kitchen.
It was the custom of the church treasurer to make a report at. the annual meeting concerning the principal funds of the Society, on behalf of the Investment Committee. In 1950 considerable research was done in connection with several accumulated "Trust Funds" which had been left to the church, especially those dealing with the care of graves in the East Cemetery. This study made it possible for the Board of Deacons to make definite disposition of the funds in accord with the purposes of the donors.
At the annual meeting in January 1953, Roger P. Welles, the treasurer, gave a detailed report regarding each of the principal funds of the Society, describing the date of the gift, its approximate amount, and the conditions surrounding the gift. The total market value of the church funds at that time was approximately $230,000.
It was customary to take the unpledged offerings of the six
100
Communion Sundays each year and put them aside for the use of the Deacons' Fund. This fund was under the joint supervision of the Chairman of the Deacons' Board, together with the minister. As expressed in a resolution passed at a Deacons' Meeting on January 4th, 1955, "The Deacons' Fund shall be used to alleviate cases of mental and physical distress and for any other purposes that the Board of Deacons may determine."
In February 1956 a Weekday Nursery School was started under the direction of Miss Sophie Gross, with Mrs. Kenneth Klinedinst as her assistant in September. There were approximately fifty children enrolled in the school; half of whom attended three days a week, while the rest attended the other two days. First preference was given to the children of First Church members. The school was not conducted as a profit-making operation. Any balance at the end of the school year was to be turned over to the church treasury.
The Parish House was in continuous use by both church members and outside organizations during these years. This meant substantial "wear and tear" for the equipment. The records tell about repairs being undertaken in different parts of the Parish House from time to time. One reason for renting the Parish House to outside groups was that it offered financial help in maintaining the property. Several non-profit organizations are permitted to use the Parish House without cost.
After a year of study, in 1955, it was the recommendation of the Survey Committee that the time might be appropriate for a substantial advance in making structural changes in both church and Parish House. It was suggested that a Long-Range Planning Committee should be appointed.
As a temporary measure, it was voted at a meeting on April 9th, 1956, to authorize the treasurer to borrow a sum, not exceeding $17,500, for the purpose of financing certain changes and renovations in the Parish House.
Some of the changes were to be made in the basement, such as completing two more class rooms, and extending the walls of the nursery rooms, with folding doors that could be opened up for the use of the bowling alleys. After receiving the approval of the church members, the needed changes were taken in hand and duly com- pleted.
At the annual meeting on January 9th, 1952 Roger Welles
101
n
IT
10
relinquished his position as treasurer of the Society and the church. In view of his faithful services for fourteen years, the following resolution was passed: "Deacon Roger P. Welles, having served as treasurer of the First Society since 1938 and of the combined church and Society funds since 1942, when the single budget system was initiated, is relinquishing his duties as of January 16th, 1952.
We cannot allow this annual meeting to pass without recording our grateful appreciation for his services during this considerable period of time. Our church membership roll having doubled since Mr. Welles was first elected to office, it is plain that his work on behalf of our Fellowship has increased proportionately. Yet his ready and cheerful acceptance of added responsibilities is typical of the spirit he has so consistently displayed.
Beyond the routine attention he has given to his office, his concern for the spiritual welfare of our church has been consistently manifest. His excellent judgement, prudent counsel and courageous faith in the future of the church are among the aspects of a basic Christian integrity for which we have cause to be profoundly grateful."
There were a number of personnel changes during these years. Since 1950 there had been a succession of temporary organists in the church. It was on September 7th, 1952 that Miss Patricia Clark became the church organist and choir director.
Mr. W. Eben Burr took over the position of acting treasurer of the Society in 1952 in view of the fact that Mr. Stier could no longer serve in that capacity.
The Church members were pleased when the tenor soloist, Richard Parke, received a scholarship at the Juilliard School of Music in 1955.
Two stalwart pillars of the church passed away during the late years of the Hatch pastorate. Mr. William O. Burr died on August 6th, 1953. He had served as deacon for forty-three years, becoming emeritus deacon in 1951. He had been the President of the Fairfield Historical Society for a number of years. In 1944 Mr. and Mrs. Burr had observed their fiftieth wedding anniversary. During his life time he had become an outstanding leader in both church and community, giving generously of his services to many good causes.
Judge Bacon Wakeman died on May 6th, 1954. He too had gladly served in many capacities as churchman and citizen. Both of these men had left their mark upon the parish and the community. Judge
102
-
Wakeman was a deacon for many years and had been a church member for 74 years.
Glenn Wishard passed away on April 22nd, 1956, after serving a number of years as the Director of Youth activities in the First Church. He was the veteran of thirty years of service as a Y.M.C.A. secretary in various parts of the world including Ceylon and the Far-East.
Hubert Orton resigned as sexton of the church in 1951 after serving in that capacity for seven years. He was replaced by P. Sterling Petersen. The church members greatly appreciated Mr. Orton's friendly spirit.
The First Church sponsored three young men who were Hungar- ian refugees. They came to Fairfield from Camp Kilmer on March 2Ist, 1957 and were guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alanson Harper. Later they were offered the use of the home of the late Deacon and Mrs. William O. Burr where they set up housekeeping. It was not long before they found work and began to adjust them- selves to the ways of their adopted country.
It was also in 1957 when Florence Bullard, chairman of the Board of Deaconesses, sent a letter to the church membership suggest- ing that it might be desirable to organize a Women's Fellowship to which all the women of the church could belong. There might be several smaller groups, however, within the Fellowship, that could meet each month for study and service of various kinds.
November 4th, 1956 was a happy day for the many friends of Rev. Rodney G. Snedeker. On that day he was married to Miss Elizabeth Joan Bitting in the First Presbyterian Church at Bing- hampton, N.Y. Miss Bitting was a graduate nurse, employed at St. Raphael's Hospital, in New Haven, Conn.
On October 18th, 1956 Mr. Hatch suffered a heart attack and was taken at once to the Bridgeport Hospital where he remained for six weeks. This was followed by a period of convalescence at home for several months. At a Joint Meeting of the Society and Church on November 19th, Mr. Hatch was granted a leave of absence and it seemed best for him to spend the time at his summer home in Danbury, New Hampshire. It was decided at this meeting to under- write the cost of installing a heating plant in the Hatch Danbury home, namely . $3800. A letter was sent to the church members
103
H
0
استدا
الليرة لـ
U
explaining the situation and asking for voluntary subscriptions to the "David Hatch Convalescent Fund."
The illness of the minister necessitated several changes in the church program. Mr. Snedeker carried on, filling in for Mr. Hatch during his absence, doing the pastoral duties that needed to be done such as sick calls, funerals, baptisms, weddings, and conducting the Sunday morning services.
In April of 1957 Mr. Hatch was happy to return to his pastoral duties on a full time basis. Once again he carried on his regular program of work, including about thirty-five pastoral calls a week. Mr. Snedeker and two Yale Divinity School students helped with the Sunday morning services as well as with the youth. program.
In the fall of 1957 Mr. Snedeker accepted a call to become the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Woodstock, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker were given a farewell reception in the church parlors at which time they were presented with an engraved silver bowl and a purse. Mr. Hatch spoke appreciatively of the services of Mr. Snedeker during the three years he had served as a member of the First Church Staff.
At the Sunday morning service on November 10th, 1957 Mr. Hatch resigned as the pastor of the First Church, after a pastorate of nearly twenty years. It was his plan to accept a call to serve two small churches in Franklin, N.H. where he expected to begin his duties in January, 1958. It so happened that his father had served as minister of one of the churches from 1903 to 1909. Also Franklin was the home town of Mrs. Hatch. Mr. Hatch told the congregation that Franklin was only eighteen miles from Danbury where they had their summer home.
In his statement to the church Mr. Hatch said, "My decision to resign came as a result of hours of deliberation and prayer. It was not in any sense a hasty move but was one I had thought upon since carly last fall. I leave with the warmest and most affectionate good- will for every person in my parish." His letter of resignation came as a complete surprise to the members of the First Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.