USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > Two hundred fifty years, the story of the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, 1695-1945 > Part 8
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He was only seventeen, with no education except winter terms in the country school. He spent his time working on the farm or in the coal mines, riding ten or twenty miles on
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Sunday to preach in some country schoolhouse; but he was unsatisfied and he determined, whatever the obstacles, that he would obtain an education.
In spite of warnings from some of his associates that col- lege was dangerous and would unfit him for the work of the ministry, he set out for Western College, since renamed Coe College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There he obtained his B.A. degree; there too he became acquainted with Miss Anna Shuey, Dean of Women and Professor of Mathe- matics, who was a great inspiration and help to him during those difficult years, and whom later he married. Through- out his college and graduate work, part of which was done at Yale, his chief concern was always to discover the har- mony that he believed must exist between religion and the teachings of modern science. As his study progressed, he found more and more clearly that science, instead of being in conflict with religion, vastly increased his conception of the majesty of God and the wonder of the universe.
For a number of years he was college pastor, and lecturer on the Evidences of Christianity, at Otterbein College, in Westerville, Ohio, an institution of the United Brethren; from that institution he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. But pleasant though his associations there were, he found himself hedged in by the fundamentalist doctrines of the denomination; he turned, therefore, to the Congregational Church as a church which would give him the intellectual freedom that he desired. He and Mrs. Swain were received into the Congregational Church by Dr. Washington Gladden, one of the most prominent leaders in the denomination.
He then became pastor of a little church of working people in South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts. From there he went to Laconia, New Hampshire, where he led in the building of a new stone church, he himself being largely re- sponsible for the gathering of the funds.
THE REVEREND RICHARD LARUE SWAIN, PH.D.
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It was the recognition of his liberal views and the knowl- edge of these somewhat unusual pastorates that led the pul- pit committee of the South Church to invite him to be- come its pastor. Although a complete contrast to Dr. Tweedy in background, personality, and manner of preaching, Dr. Swain extended still further the liberaliz- ing influence of his predecessor. The titles of his two best known books, "What and Where Is God?" and "What and Why Is Man?" indicate the courage and directness with which he attacked perplexing problems, challenging old dogmas and presenting a modern approach to the funda- mental truths of religion. More than 30,000 copies of the first book were sold, and it was translated into French and Japanese.
In 1916, when the union of the two churches had be- come an accomplished fact, Dr. Swain tendered his resig- nation, but instead of retiring from active life he entered upon a new field of service. He traveled all over the United States, lecturing in colleges and conducting Reli- gious Institutes in cities, with churches of all denomina- tions cooperating, upon the fundamentals of Christian philosophy and its application to practical living. He had found for himself a satisfying faith, but he had found it the hard way; he was eager to share that faith with others, espe- cially with those who were troubled, as he had once been troubled, with intellectual doubts and queries.
The last few years of his life were spent in semi-retire- ment, and he died in 1940 at the age of eighty. The memo- rial service was held in the United Church which, with prophetic vision and unselfish effort, he had helped to es- tablish.
For eighty-six years since the division of 1830 the two churches, North and South, had led parallel lives. They had worked side by side, with mutual respect and friend- ship. They had seen many changes, met many crises, de-
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veloped in strength and spiritual understanding. But a new age was bringing new problems, new responsibilities, a challenging task to which a divided church was not equal. So with devotion and sacrifice, in faith and prayer, pastors and people made the great decision. Once again the churches stood at the opening of a new era, but this time they would face it together.
VI THE CHURCH REUNITED
1916-1945
B Y the turn of the century the two churches were con- fronted by many baffling problems. Broad Street, which in 1807 had been a pleasant thoroughfare in a quiet village of a thousand people, was now at the heart of a great city. Most of the old residences had disappeared and had been replaced by commercial establishments of various kinds. Many of the inhabitants had moved to other neighborhoods, leaving the churches in a location that was no longer convenient for their parishioners. Moreover, the entire character of the city had changed. The leisurely horse and buggy had been succeeded by the automobile with its great potential power and speed. The sailing vessel had vanished, except as a plaything for the well-to-do, and its place had been taken by the steamboat, the tug, and the barge. Handicraft had given way to machine-made prod- ucts; and the small shop in which skilled craftsmen, with the help of an apprentice or two, had fashioned blankets or beaver hats, furniture, pewter ware, or casks for the whalers, had been replaced by great factories which made a multitude of products and employed hundreds or even thousands of workers. Most of these workers had come from other lands, strangers to the American traditions but lured by the hope of easier and more comfortable living or by the ideal of political freedom: Irish, driven out by fam- ine; Germans who had fled from a land where the struggle for liberty had proved hopeless; Swedes, Poles, Czechs, Italians, Hungarians, Greeks, Armenians, Slovaks, and
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many others, all seeking freedom and opportunity and bringing with them religious faiths as varied as their eco- nomic and social traditions. For such conditions the churches of the preceding generation were as inadequate as the horse-drawn vehicle and the sailing vessel.
To be sure, there was still a place for the small, friendly, neighborhood church; but there was also need, pressing need, for the large central church, with modern equip- ment; with a pastor of broad outlook and commanding personality and a salary large enough to free him from anxiety and to provide opportunity for the fullest expan- sion of his capacities; with assistants trained in religious education and other phases of religious work. In the face of these conditions what should the two churches do? Should they both move into residential sections and rebuild? Should one move out, leaving the downtown area for the other? Or should they undertake the delicate task of re- uniting, with all the adjustments that such a task involved -adjustments of finance, of personnel, of emotion and sen- timent?
In 1912 a group of the influential businessmen of the two churches proposed a merger, largely on the ground of better business. Such a merger, it was argued, would avoid duplication of equipment and effort, thereby making pos- sible more effective work at a decreased total cost. But old loyalties were too strong; the procedures incident to a union were too involved; the argument of business effi- ciency was not a sufficiently potent basis for agreement; and the proposal failed to obtain substantial support.
Nevertheless, the idea was not dead. Dr. Swain, pastor of the South Church, had caught the vision on a plane higher than that of purely business efficiency. Mr. Gallaudet, who had recently come to the North Church and had initiated many plans which he was naturally eager to develop, put
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all these aside, considering only what would be for the highest good of the two churches. The two ministers talked and prayed. Groups of their parishioners talked and prayed. The idea grew.
On May 16, 1915, both ministers preached upon the is- sues involved. Mr. Gallaudet expressed their common feel- ing in these words:
Crises come in the life of the church as crises come in the life of the individual.
Three steps stand out broadly in any time of decision, as indicat- ing ultimately the true course to be pursued. First, face the facts as they are; second, get the vision of them as they can be; and, third, so strive that ye may attain.
There will always be small churches in the city .. . and they will never be the churches qualified to cope with the problems and equipped to meet the needs that the city situation specifically pre- sents-they will always be small churches.
There is a demand for churches of a different type and of a broader spirit, churches that shall wear their denominational name rather lightly and their Christ-appointed privilege very seriously, entering into the city's life, striving to understand its aspirations and temptations, as friend understands friend, endeavoring to take up a fair share of its burdens, as members of a family share and share alike. These churches are coming in Bridgeport. Are they coming fast enough? Will they come in time to save the city from the dangers of its own prosperity, development, and success? Will they ever come in time to save themselves from growing weakness, from incipient failure, from lingering death?
I am not asking, "Is union possible or likely?" But, "Have we anything big enough to unite on?" Have we the vision of a united church large enough to draw us together and make us one in spirit before we undertake to think of being one in fact?
On June 20, 1915, a special meeting of the Second Church was called and a committee, consisting of Lucien T. Warner and Wilbur A. Smith representing the church and Samuel C. Shaw and A. W. Burritt representing the
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society, was appointed "to make inquiries of the First Church regarding its views concerning a union of the two churches."
A joint committee was appointed, consisting of the fol- lowing members: from the First Church, Deacon Henry D. Simonds, Mrs. James G. Ludlum, Mrs. William J. Nichols, Dr. Henry Blodgett, Mr. Samuel M. Hawley, Mr. W. Seymour Lacy; from the Second Church, Mr. Lucien T. Warner, Mrs. John C. Curtis, Mrs. C. Nathaniel Worthen, Judge Samuel C. Shaw, Mr. Bradford D. Pierce, Jr., Deacon Wilbur A. Smith.
On September 22 a meeting of the joint committee was held at the Y.M.C.A. Mr. Warner was elected chairman and Mr. Lacy secretary. The committee was subdivided into committees on organization, real estate, and finance. Dr. Swain and Mr. Gallaudet were invited to attend all meetings. It was the task of this committee to consider the question of union from all possible angles. Could the union be consummated without undue friction? Was the underlying motive strong enough to overcome the inevi- table conflict of personalities and sentiment? How could the legal problems be worked out? In what way could the various men's and women's organizations be united with- out the sacrifice of individual loyalty and strength? From the beginning the pastors had stipulated that their resigna- tions should be offered and accepted; likewise, that the res- ignations of all other officers of both churches should be submitted. New officers would then be elected, the two churches being equally represented on every board and committee. It was further agreed that plans for a new church building should begin immediately.
On January 17, 1916, a committee was appointed from the joint committee to submit a detailed plan of union; and on February 2nd meetings were held in both churches
UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH DEDICATED JUNE 13, 1926
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to act upon the report of this committee. The plan was for- mally adopted, not without dissenting votes, but by a sub- stantial majority of each church. That night The United Congregational Church was officially born.
The following letters of resignation were then read by the two pastors and were received by their respective con- gregations with deep emotion:
February 2, 1916.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-
Dear Friends:
You called me to be your pastor and teacher almost six years ago. Tonight you have voted to accept the plan of union proposed by the joint committee of the North and South Churches. This means that in the future you will be an honorable, constituent part of "The United Congregational Church of Bridgeport."
I therefore tender my resignation as pastor and teacher of this church.
It is very sad for me to break these sacred ties, but over against this sadness is the inexpressible joy that the life of this grand old church is to pass over into a finer body where it may live a larger and more useful life.
All New England should be duly impressed by the noble ex- ample of these two splendid churches uniting to make things better and not simply to make them easier. They do not unite of necessity but by reason of a God-given vision for better service to this com- munity. Neither traditions nor prejudices have been allowed to stand in the way. These churches are not planning to give less money but more, because the investment will be a better invest- ment. They are not looking for an easy place where they may rest, but for a broader foundation where they may build and climb. They mean nothing less than greatly to increase their power-plant for the benefit of this city and the world. May God abundantly arm you for this noble endeavor.
With all the soul that I possess I bless you in the name of Him who has given me a share in your dear lives.
Very sincerely yours, Richard L. Swain.
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February 2, 1916.
Dear Friends and Fellow-Members of the First Church:
I have been your pastor for a little over three years. I love you, and I love your church. In ways I can never forget I know your love of me, and of mine.
I believe we have been called, together, to a noble and splendid ministry. In the heart of this good city of Bridgeport I believe that a gallant service for the Kingdom of Jesus has been held up before us as a prize, and I have gladly given myself to the work that has been ours to do.
Now a larger work calls you, and I must as gladly lay my share in it down. This would be hard to do if I were not sure that the work is larger, very much larger, than our church alone could aspire to; and equally sure that the spirit and power to undertake it and the willingness to meet whatever sacrifice it involves, are richly yours.
I could not for a moment consent, nor could you be willing to let me, that my three years' service as your pastor should now do any- thing but encourage you to the great work which I believe lies be- fore the United Church. With all my heart I wish you Godspeed in that work and in that Church. I am grateful to you for all you have borne with me, done for me, stirred up in me. My prayers and my love shall long follow you, and in all things may the Spirit of Jesus lead you true; after all, nothing else counts but loyalty to Him.
Affectionately your pastor, fellow-member, and friend,
Herbert D. Gallaudet
The following letters were then exchanged:
THE Southern portion of the United Congregational Church to the Northern portion of the United Congrega- tional Church sendeth Greetings:
Dear Brethren:
As the Joint Committee recommends a union service for next Sun- day morning, we therefore ask the privilege of worshipping in the North Church, if it is entirely agreeable to you.
Our hearts are open toward you and our hands are outstretched. We expect a rich blessing upon our first service together and pray God that our noblest vision may be realized through the centuries that are to come.
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May our children and our children's children for many genera- tions rejoice in the union that is being consummated by us in faith and prayer!
Affectionately yours,
By order of the STANDING COMMITTEE.
THE United Church in its northern portion reciprocateth with deep affection the greetings of the United Church in its southern portion:
Dear Brethren:
We have never been as far apart as our current names would indi- cate, and are now very much nearer than even the short streets be- tween us. We rejoice that we are soon to be entirely one in that spirit and tradition which has lived in us both since the first days of the old pioneer Church of Christ in Stratfield, beginning in 1695. Our hearts are enlarged toward you, brethren; with tender affec- tion we greet you; we mingle with yours our prayers, our hopes, our faith. May the union soon to be completed bring upon us, and upon this whole community, and upon the generations to follow us, the abundant blessing of God.
We welcome most heartily your generous suggestion that our first service together, next Sunday morning, be held here with us; and as the committee has arranged that the first meeting for organization be called for this Wednesday evening, we ask that at that time we may with your concurrence come to you.
Affectionately yours,
By order of the STANDING COMMITTEE.
On March fifth the Holy Communion was celebrated in the North Church, the last service to be held in that sacred edifice. The occasion was one of deep feeling, especially on the part of those who had been long time worshippers in that old church, who loved the building with its graceful lines and its cherished memorial windows, a building about which family associations for sixty-eight years had gathered. But mingled with the sadness there was also joy that an old wound had been healed, and a confident faith that the church would go forward, united in fact as well as
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in name, to ever greater achievements. Four days later a meeting of the Fairfield County East Consociation of Con- gregational Churches was held, the last gathering of any kind to meet in the First Church. The resignations of Dr. Swain and Mr. Gallaudet were approved, and The United Congregational Church of Bridgeport was officially re- ceived into the membership of the Consociation.
The site of the proposed building aroused little discus- sion, for the matter seemed to have been determined more than a century before. The land on which the First Church stood had been deeded to the Society in 1805 by Ezra Hub- bell on condition that it should be used for church pur- poses; otherwise it would revert to his heirs. The only prac- ticable course of action, therefore, appeared to be to raze the North Church and erect a new edifice on the same site, worshipping meanwhile in the South Church. Accord- ingly, demolition of the building began at once.
The next vital problem was that of a new pastor. The manner in which the union had been effected had attracted the attention of Congregational leaders, and men like Dr. Carl S. Patton and Dr. Washington Gladden frequently supplied the pulpit and gave freely of their counsel and help. A pulpit committee was appointed, consisting of Samuel F. Beardsley, Mrs. William E. Seeley, C. Nathaniel Worthen, Mrs. Henry W. Hincks, Horace W. Smith, Rich- ard I. Neithercut, and William E. Hatheway, with Mr. Frederick B. Curtis as chairman. This committee consid- ered many persons, men active in church life and promi- nent in the denomination. Among them was Dr. William Horace Day of Los Angeles, California. Dr. Day came to New Haven, and a number of persons from the United Church went to that city to meet him and hear him preach. Then he was taken on a tour of Bridgeport, that he might gain some impression of the character of the city and its people. Observers noted the keenness of his understanding
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of business and industrial conditions and the genuineness of his interest, not only in the homes of the well-to-do, but even more in the conditions under which the factory em- ployees lived and worked. On December 16, 1916, the church voted unanimously to extend a call to Dr. Day. He accepted, occupying the pulpit for the first time on Febru- ary 25, 1917, and preaching from the text, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
William Horace Day was born in Bloomingdale, Illi- nois, on November 26, 1866, the son of the Reverend War- ren Finney Day, D.D. and Rachel Beith Day. From his ear- liest years he was surrounded by influences that made for tolerance and breadth of view. His formal education began in the public schools of Illinois, but it was in the hospitable Day parsonage, where he came in frequent contact with leaders of the Christian church, that he gained insight, even as a boy, into the great problems of his time. When his parents set out on a tour in which they visited many of the mission fields of the world, they placed their son in a school in Leipzig, Germany. He spent his college years in New England, graduating from Amherst in the class of 1889. The first year of his theological training he took at Yale, but transferred to the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he completed his work. His chief concern was always the application of the Gospel to the life of the everyday man, and while he was in the Seminary he spent one night of each week at Hull House, working under Jane Addams. Upon completion of his training he became assistant pastor of the New England Congregational Church in Chicago, where he was in charge of the Sedgwick Street Settlement, living, meanwhile, in the tenement district of the north side.
In 1894 he was awarded a fellowship from Chicago Theological Seminary which gave him a year in England
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and another in Germany. Curiously enough, this was the Blatchford Traveling Fellowship, established by Elipha- let W. Blatchford, son of Dr. John Blatchford and grand- son of Dr. Samuel Blatchford, both former pastors of the First Church. In the universities of Oxford and Berlin the young student specialized in philosophy and theology, studying under some of the leading scholars of the time; and in London he observed methods of work at Toynbee Hall, the first settlement house in the world. Here he knew Sir Wilfred Grenfell of the Labrador Mission.
On his return he married Miss Julia Huntington Ly- man, also of Illinois, and a graduate of Wellesley. Coming as she did from a pioneer missionary family, Mrs. Day has always had a strong personal interest in missions, and she has done much to stimulate the missionary work of every church with which she has been connected.
For four years Dr. Day was pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church at Aurora, Illinois. In 1900 he went to Los Angeles as associate with his father in the First Congrega- tional Church, one of the rare instances in which father and son have been associated in such a pastoral relation- ship. In 1906 Amherst conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After his father's death he became pas- tor of the Los Angeles church and remained there until 1916 when he accepted the call to the United Church.
The decision to come to Bridgeport had not been made lightly. The church with which he had long been associ- ated, and his father before him, was one of the leading churches of the country, with a membership of twenty- three hundred. Pastoral and personal ties were strong. Moreover, he had been actively connected with many phases of social work - in settlements, in work among the Chinese and Japanese, the Armenians and colored people, and a mission for deaf mutes. To leave all this behind and
THE CHANCEL
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undertake a new task, full of uncertainties, required a high degree of courage and of sacrifice. Bridgeport was a city of polyglot population in the midst of a war-time boom. The people of New England were reputed to be unemotional, cold, and formal. The church to which he was called was composed of parts long separate and newly welded to- gether, and the success of the venture no man could fore- tell. He was assured that in Bridgeport he would find every conceivable religious and social problem. Dr. Gladden wrote him, “40,000 population added in a year. It ought to be about the strongest church in New England. What will happen when the war closes, nobody knows, but my belief is that the foundations are strong enough."
"The thing that led me to accept the call of the United Church more than any other," Dr. Day said later, "was the evident desire of those who lead to have the church serve the community as a whole; an intelligent purpose so to plan the work and worship of the church that it should in different ways meet the needs of different classes of men. If Christianity means anything, it means that in the life and teachings of its Founder man is to find the standards of life and motives for serving that shall be greater than lines of social cleavage. . .. Only in the leadership of the Master can we escape sectarianism in religion, sectionalism in na- tional life, and snobbery in our social relations. The United Church will be true to the purpose for which it was founded only in so far as it dares to attempt this difficult but superb task."
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