USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Bethany of Quincy, 1832-1957 : Bethany Congregational Church, Quincy, Massachusetts > Part 3
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During the war years articles for recreation were contrib- uted by the Women's Union to the U.S.O., home made cookies went to the Service Men's recreation room in the basement of the First Parish Church, and Christmas boxes to men in the service. A Red Cross sewing unit provided many articles for hospital use, and knitted articles for the Seamen's Friend Society. Members of the Union and Evening Group sold war savings stamps and bonds at department stores, in recog- nition of which Mrs. Norman E. Dow, president, was pre- sented an Award of Honor by the U. S. Treasury Depart- ment. In honor of Mrs. Mary Melcher, a deaconess of the church, and captain of the Mary Melcher Team of the Women's Union, a room for nurses at the Cushing Hospital was furnished.
During the war, Bethany Men's Club attendance natur- ally fell off, but interest remained high and excellent pro- grams such as talks by Herbert Black, War News Editor of the Boston Globe and Saville Davis of the Christian Science Monitor were offered.
Under Mr. Gilchrist, Bethany men gave their time and labor in renovating the walls, ceilings and floors of the social hall and parish house, thereby saving the church hundreds of dollars.
At the annual meeting in January, 1942, Mr. Carle Hayward, nominating committee chairman, paid Mrs. Mary Melcher, who had served so faithfully for many years as deaconess, the special tribute of moving that she be elected deaconess for life. The church meeting set aside the rotation
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Bethany Congregational Church
of office section of the by-laws for this one instance so to vote, and by the sustained applause the meeting indicated enthusiastic unanimity.
The Reverend Hugh MacCallum served as Associate Minister from September, 1943 to December, 1944, followed by the Reverend Robert W. Savidge in a similar capacity from January, 1945 to June, 1947.
The Fifty-fifty (50/50) Club organized in 1946, for young married couples has provided for improving the acoustics in the sanctuary and has given the asphalt tile floor for the social hall along with the social programs for group fellow- ship. The group is in the process of re-organization.
Very active work was carried on by the members of the Women's Union in 1947 at the Church World Service Center in Boston where clothing was collected, cleaned, mended and distributed to 30 different foreign countries.
During a period of about two years in which Mr. Gil- christ was forced to relinquish his duties because of illness, the church was fortunate in securing the Reverend Frederick J. Bishop as Associate and Interim Minister from June, 1947 to June, 1949.
To Mr. Bishop, a man of fine spiritual qualities, the church owes a deep debt of gratitude for carrying on the work of Bethany, and contributing importantly to the further growth of the church in services and membership. He re- signed to accept an interim pastorate in Brookline, following which he and Mrs. Bishop spent the summer of 1950 in Eng- land where he preached in several Greater London pulpits. In 1951 he accepted a perma- nent pastorate in Randolph, Mass., continuing there until he passed away June 24, 1955.
In June, 1949, the Reverend Tom R. Barbour came to Beth- any as Minister of Religious Education, serving in that ca- pacity until February, 1952, when he was called to accept a similar position in New Bri- tain, Conn. His ability in lead- ership, coupled with tireless energy, was of inestimable value in promoting the work of the church school and young peoples' organizations.
In 1949 the Women's Union increased their mission pledge
REV FREDERICK J. BISHOP
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www 125th Anniversary Observance
to $400 a year. Boxes of used clothing were sent to home mission areas in the middle West and "Care" packages went to Germany. The Birzgalis family, Renis, Milda and Rasma, displaced persons from Latvia, sponsored by the church were aided with clothing, and the Van Dalia Home for convalescents was adopted as a project for friendly visits.
The Reverend Thomas W. Davison was called to Beth- any in October, 1949 as Associate Minister with special emphasis in pastoral calling. He devoted untiring attention to hospital calls and other visits to those in need of his kindly and helpful counsel. He retired in May, 1951.
A Student Fund for Church Vocations was created by the Church Committee in 1950 for the purpose of giving financial assistance to Bethany young people pursuing vari- ous church vocations. The fund was first established as a War Memorial to six Bethany young men who gave their lives in World War II, but has recently come to honor others too, in memoriam.
The living memorial oak tree shading the minister's study was given by his parents for Lieutenant Thomas Babbitt Bates.
In February, 1950 the first issue of the News Letter appeared in its present printed form, and since has been published regularly, at least eight issues a year, by the Publicity Committee.
Mrs. Mary Meicher, a devoted worker in the Women's Union for 40 years died in 1951 and in her memory her team presented beautiful silver candelabra to the Union.
The very interesting and successful Men's Bible Class, conducted by the Reverend John H. Scammon, Professor at Andover Newton, enriched and stimulated the men of Beth- any during the years 1950-1955.
Mrs. Heslip E. Sutherland, missionary chairman of the Women's Union in 1952 toured the mission centers in Puerto Rico, bringing back a vivid picture of her experiences.
The Reverend Kenneth C. Bunker was installed on Feb- ruary 15, 1952, as Associate Minister and Director of Reli- gious education, very effectively contributing materially in this dual capacity to the progress of Bethany.
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Bethany Congregational Church
During Mr. Gilchrist's pastorate, the 25th Anniversary of the present church building was observed, September 27 to October 4, 1953. Guest minister at the Sunday service on the 27th was Dr. Halford E. Luccock. A Tea and Open House was held Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the Wom- en's Union, the Anniversary Banquet followed on Thursday, October 1, and the World Wide Communion Service on Sun- day, October 4. In preparation for this anniversary, funds were raised for church renovation through the sale of me- morial candles and certificates of participation.
Dedicated at this time were new chancel appointments : the gold altar cross, designed and executed by the donor, Mrs. A. Warren Stewart; a dossal cloth of red velvet for the oak reredos, the reredos itself being a gift of Deacon Frank B. Curry in September, 1950; a red chancel carpet, gift of Donald and Roger Kent, a carved chancel rail, and a leather bound, illuminated, hand engrossed Book of Remem- brance, a memorial to the Reverend Eric I. Lindh.
In 1953, unique in the history of the church and the Women's Union, was the ordination of two Bethany young men to the Christian ministry at Bethany Church. Roy D. Colby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Colby, was ordained at services here May 24, and Walter F. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Smith, on June 7. A supper for relatives, friends and official church representatives was provided by the teams to which their mothers belonged.
The State Conference again honored Bethany by hold- ing its annual meeting here May 17-19, 1954.
The Women's Union, now comprising 11 teams, each meeting monthly and coming together at the regular Union meetings, is dominated by enthusiasm for their tremendous activities. On April 15, 1954, at services in the Chapel, a memorial chapel organ was dedicated in honor of Agnes Ruggles Allen. Originating as a project of the Women's Union, the organ, a Baldwin electronic instrument, is a gift from past and former members and Bethany organizations in memory of friends and relatives.
Mr. Gilchrist resigned from Bethany in September, 1954 to travel abroad and especially to visit the Holy Land. Upon his return he and Mrs. Gilchrist were commissioned to carry on a nation-wide lecture tour for the Missions Council, stress- ing the work of and need for foreign missions.
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125th Anniversary Observance
1954-
The Reverend John D. Banks was called to Bethany from Hope Church of Springfield, Mass. by vote of the Church at a special meeting July 19, 1954, preaching his first sermon as minister here on September 19. A major innovation of his pastorate has been the establishment of a schedule of two services on Sunday, at 9:30 and 11. The early service has proved popular especially with the younger members who can attend church while their children are in the church school.
Mr. Banks has brought to Bethany a happy combina- tion of ability, energetic enthusiasm and devotion to duty which is contributing much to Bethany's progress. Some future historian will have the pleasant assignment of re- counting the accomplishments during the present span of years in the Bethany story.
Mr. Bunker resigned as Associate Minister and Director of Religious Education in July 1955 to accept a pastorate in Mystic, Conn.
The years 1955 and 1956 were active and fruitful ones for the Women's Union. Mrs. Sutherland, chairman of the Friendly Service Work of the Suffolk District, visited the Middle East in the summer of 1955, bringing back a realistic picture of the refugee there. The renovation of the kitchens with modern conveniences, planned by the women for many years, was begun in 1955, and in 1956 they purchased 15 tables in addition to the first 12, and 150 chairs for the social hall, and voted to give an additional $1,000 to the church and to pay for half of the carpeting of the sanctuary.
Mr. Benjamin F. Hodgkinson died Augst 7, 1956. A deacon of the church, a teacher in the church school for 27 years, and known as Quincy's "No. 1 Volunteer Worker" he helped organize the Community Chest and was awarded the Red Cross service medal for his work as chairman of the First Aid Division during World War II. He, with Mr. Wil- liam Edmonston, organized the first Boy Scout troop in Quincy in 1910 which met in the cellar of Mr. Edmonston's home. On December 9, 1956 a pulpit Bible, covered in red sealskin and embossed in gold lettering, the gift of the Beth- any Boy Scouts, Quincy Council (BSA), Bethany Churchmen, and an anonymous donor, was dedicated in memory of "Ben" at Sunday morning services.
On August 15, 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Pieter Havers and their two children, brought to this country from Holland through the auspices of Church World Service, and sponsored
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Bethany Congregational Church
by Bethany Church, were welcomed at South Station by Beth- any members and provided by the Women's Union with canned goods and linens for their new home here.
Over 1000 pounds of good used clothing was sent to missions areas during 1956, money went to Jaffna College for a bicycle project as well as for Christian education books; and on Christmas Eve, layettes for small children of Hun- garian refugees were placed in a creche in the sanctuary. Missionary speakers have brought a vivid picture of the desperate need in other lands, and the women are fulfilling the destiny of their early missionary beginnings in their gen- erous response.
In response to a growing feeling that Bethany Men's Organization should be more comprehensive in scope and purpose, Bethany men are endeavoring to add to their social and intellectual fellowship a new and definite emphasis on religion and service. The new organization is called Bethany Churchmen, and offers to all men of the parish, through eight service groups, real participation in the larger life of Bethany by enlisting their interest through a particular activity of their own choice.
In September 1955, the Reverend and Mrs. Orvel C. Crowder came to Bethany, Mr. Crowder as Associate Minis- ter and Mrs. Crowder as Director of Religious Education.
THE REVEREND AND MRS. CROWDER as they greeted members and friends of Bethany at the reception just before they left for Tennessee
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125th Anniversary Observance
Mr. and Mrs. Crowder resigned July 31, 1957 to go to Milligan College, Milligan, Tenn., where Mr. Crowder was appointed Professor of Old and New Testaments and Minister of the Hopwood Memorial Campus Chapel.
The services of Mr. and Mrs. Crowder had become available to Bethany primarily because of their residence in this part of the country while Mr. Crowder did post graduate work at Harvard University. It was a fortunate circumstance that made it possible for Bethany to have the benefit of their leadership in their respective fields for nearly two years. This appreciation of Bethany people was expressed to Mr. and Mrs. Crowder at a reception held in the church shortly before they left for Tennessee.
The Reverend Z. William Colson Jr., has been named associate minister and director of religious education to suc- ceed the Reverend and Mrs. Crowder.
Bethany's influence for good, will continue to affect people and places as yet unknown through the lives of Wil- liam H. Anderson, Ralph Colby, Arthur Dunham, and Robert Fenby, all Bethany young men dedicated in their preparation for the ministry. The Reverend Loring Roberts is already serving a pastorate in Haverhill, Mass. The Reverend Gordon Avery is now minister of the First Congregational Church in Raynham Center.
Miss Irene MacCauley, outstanding in guidance in the religious education field, is serving the Community Church in Snyder, New York.
The former Miss Mary Schmitz, now Mrs. William Slough, former Editor on the Publishers Board of the Pres- byterian Church in Philadelphia, and an honor graduate from the Union Theological School in New York City, is now married to the Reverend William Slough who is the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rochester, N. Y.
Mrs. Agnes Allen, now starting on her 43rd year as organist and choir director, remembers the frigid winter evening set for the performance of the oratorio The Holy City, when the comfort of a hot brick beside her at the console served to limber her stiff fingers. In 1927 she felt that increased dignity in worship came with the change into a vested choir, thus omitting the soprano and contralto hats often bedecked with bobbing roses.
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Bethany Congregational Church
May Mrs. Allen continue graciously and expertly as ever, interpreting through her own life and the eloquence of her artistry the Word of God through music.
In this brief historical ac- count there has been little op- portunity to give proper ex- pression to the debt of grati- tude which Bethany owes the loyal helpmates of her min- isters.
Time after time through this century and a quarter the rec- ords tell of invaluable faithful MRS. AGNES RUGGLES ALLEN service performed by minis- ters, wives in the church school, on important committees, and in women's groups.
Above all, though, their devotion to the church and their sympathetic understanding of pastoral problems have pro- vided inspiration and guidance for our spiritual leaders.
Who can adequately measure how much of Bethany's progress is really due to the wife of the minister?
The Honor Roll of Years has been rich in lives worth living and in gifts worth giving, but the hundreds of worthy names herein NOT listed, and the countless UN-NAMED gifts of money, time, energy, skill, interest, love and devotion have in the most real sense advanced Bethany to this 125th anniversary, and God willing, will continue to enrich Bethany materially and spiritually through the years to come.
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125th Anniversary Observance
"THE STORY OF OUR CHURCH" in drama and song presented by the church school during Family Week in May 1957 was based on the theme of the year's course of study : "The Church." Appearing in the drama were, from left : Richard Phillips, Lynn Batchelder. David Allen, Douglas Rand, Lauren Duncan, Carol Swindler and William Ullstrom.
(Photo by Robert Leo Eng)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION-PRIMARY CONCERN AT BETHANY
"Christian Faith and Life" is the general theme of church school studies at Bethany. A three-year cycle of Bible-based courses of study unites all departments in wor- ship, discussion, and creative activities. The home is brought into the endeavor through parent-teacher magazines, pupil guides for daily readings, and home projects.
Family worship services bring children, parents and teachers together in the church once a month prior to depart- ment sessions. "Family nights" offer seasonal meetings for worship, demonstrations, discussion, and educational films following an informal supper.
Excellent printed texts and special audio-visual aids are used in departments from nursery through adult.
Leadership training is carried on through midweek serv- ices, a community training school, and special classes.
A church school library has become an effective supple- ment to classwork.
Other activities with educational emphasis include : Youth, Junior, and Cherub Choirs, Scouting for boys and girls, Youth groups for Junior High, Senior High, Young Adults and Bethany Players, and athletic teams.
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1904580
Bethany Congregational Church Directory of Church Officers and Committees MODERATOR Hermon M. Noyes
CLERK Kyle C. Coburn
ASSISTANT CLERK Miss J. Marion Nilsen
TREASURER Lawrence D. Duncan, III
ASSISTANT TREASURERS Craig Baldwin, Alfred J. Balerna COLLECTOR Paul S. Mugford ASSISTANT COLLECTORS Lloyd Thompson, Wilson G. Russell, Clayton E. Simpson AUDITORS William P. Farrar, Cameron Montgomery, Ralph W. Moorhead
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
Hermon M. Noyes, Chairman; Kyle C. Coburn, Clerk ; Lawrence D. Duncan, III, Treasurer; Mrs. Munroe Maclean, President, Women's Union; Mrs. Otto T. Glaman, Mrs. Wil- liam A. Wardwell, Miss Virginia Papani, Walter M. Pinel, H. Kenneth Hudson, Heslip E. Sutherland, Rev. John D. Banks, Minister; George R. Thompson, Deacon; Mrs. Allan W. Cole, Deaconess; Harold D. Gurney, Chairman, Pruden- tial Comm .; Walter A. Schmitz, Chairman, Finance Comm.
CHURCH COMMITTEE
John D. Banks, Minister, Chairman; Kyle C. Coburn, Clerk; Miss J. Marion Nilsen, Assistant Clerk; Richard Ericson, Deacon; James W. Maclean, Deacon; George R. Thompson, Deacon; Wilfred A. Creighton, Deacon; Thomas A. Stevens, Deacon; F. Lester Sprague, Deacon; Charles R. Irving, Deacon; William J. Martin, Deacon; Chester A. Howard, Deacon; Mrs. John B. Rupp, Deaconess; Mrs. David Ullstrom, Deaconess; Mrs. Albert C. Riddick, Dea- coness; Mrs. Allan W. Cole, Deaconess; Mrs. Ione M. Gor- ham, Deaconess; Mrs. Reginald Trethewey, Deaconess; Mrs. Harold D. Gurney, Deaconess; Miss Lillian Wyllie, Deacon- ess; Mrs. Charles F. Hartford, Deaconess; C. Walter Deacon,
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125th Anniversary Observance
Junior Deacon; Robert S. Reinelt, Junior Deacon; B. War- ren French, Jr., Junior Deacon; Howard S. Willard, Jr., Junior Deacon ; Richard E. Sprague, Junior Deacon; F. Edwin Westberg, Junior Deacon; David A. Healey, Junior Deacon (Acting) ; Mrs. Lawrence D. Duncan, III, Junior Deaconess ; Mrs. George D. Harlow, Junior Deaconess; Mrs. Alfred J. Balerna, Junior Deaconess; Miss Mary Lou Glaman, Junior Deaconess; Mrs. B. Warren French, Jr., Junior Deaconess; Miss Sylvia Hofsepian, Junior Deaconess; Mrs. James B. Rattray, Junior Deaconess (Acting) .
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE
Harold D. Gurney, Chairman; O. Wendell Rogers, Carl R. Clouser, David O. Ullstrom, James W. Maclean, Edwin E. Roberts.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Walter A. Schmitz, Chairman; Mrs. Penuel E. Sullivan, W. Edgar Wylie, Francis J. Morrison, Vincent D. Cox, George D. Burroughs, James B. Rattray, John H. Stelling, Ralph W. Moorhead, Lawrence D. Duncan, III, Treasurer.
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Paul N. Young, Chairman; Irvin B. Gifford, Guy W. Shaw, Raymond W. Morse, Howard Willard, Sr., Secretary ; Nicholas Papani.
MUSIC COMMITTEE
Mrs. Andrew J. Lund, Mrs. Walter L. Smith, Mrs. Wil- liam J. Lund, J. Warren B. Findlay, Mrs. Edward H. Swind- ler, Miss Muriel J. Goudey.
MISSIONARY COMMITTEE
Miss Bernice M. Reed, Chairman; Mrs. Graton G. Howland, Mrs. Peter Sletner, Miss Wilma H. Butler, Mrs. Dorothy L. Healey, Miss Robina Purdon.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Peter Sletner, Chairman; Mrs. William H. Rendle, Jr., Secretary ; Mrs. Ernestine Campbell, Albert E. Rendle, Rob- ert S. Pinkham, Mrs. Henry F. Paterson, Jr., Mrs. Gilbert L. Crofts, Mrs. Hermon M. Noyes, John E. Krasinski, Mrs. Alfred P. Landers, Malcolm C. Walker, Treasurer.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Mrs. Reid Ward, Chairman; William H. Howe, Edward H. Swindler, Richard D. Allen, Mrs. Rolf E. Eklund, Mrs. John E. Harrold.
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Bethany Congregational Church
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Mrs. John E. Brennan, Chairman; Mrs. H. Kenneth Hudson, Miss Gloria Morgan, Miss Kathryn J. Roberts, Charles F. Hasey, Walter E. Piper, Mrs. Constance Lally.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
Miss Edith Gibson, Mrs. A. Warren Stewart, Walter J. Butterworth, Chairman; Mrs. Munroe Maclean, President, Women's Union; Harold D. Gurney, Chairman, Prudential Comm .; Rev. John D. Banks, Minister.
HEAD USHERS
Donald F. Sargent, First Service; Charles R. Irving, Second Service.
USHERS
First Service
Second Service
Robert S. Beebe, Jr.
David W. Booth
Ellis W. Belcher
Robert D. Carnathan
William H. Best
David L. Clough
C. Walter Deacon
Herbert D. Eldert, Jr.
Douglas S. Gordon
Curtis M. Gifford
Charles Lew-Hanson
Ali Korpi
Leslie V. Loud
Andrew J. Lund, Jr.
William R. Mewis
Walter M. Smith, Sr.
Albert C. Riddick
Howard S. Willard, Jr.
Carl S. Langley
Vernon E. Tower
Edward A. Shattuck
Merton Pomfret
Clayton E. Simpson
Philip T. Frank
Richard W. Troup
Alfred M. Toy
Robert J. Sands
Carl E. Siddens
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
H. Kenneth Hudson, Chairman
PICTURE CREDITS
COVER and the Reverend Mr. Banks by Robert Leo Eng The Reverend and Mrs. Crowder by Everett Tatreau, Courtesy of the Quincy Patriot Ledger
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125th Anniversary Observance
125th Anniversary Program
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1957 11:00 A.M.
125TH
ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICE
MR. GEORGE B. HASTINGS, Guest Speaker Moderator of the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches
Dedication of Memorial Gifts
DEVOTIONAL LEADERS THE REV. JOHN D. BANKS THE REV. Z. WILLIAM COLSON, JR.
SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE CHANCEL CHOIR
AGNES RUGGLES ALLEN, Organist and Director WALTER M. SMITH, Trumpeter
SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6, 1957 7:30 P.M.
HISTORICAL PAGEANT Under Auspices of the Bethany Players EDWARD A. BOHLKEN, Producer and Director THE REV. JOHN D. BANKS, Author Devotions led by THE REV. Z. WILLIAM COLSON, JR.
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Bethany Congregational Church
OCTOBER 6-9
HALL OF MEMORIES
Exhibit of Historical Items of Bethany Church in the PARISH HOUSE
MRS. GILBERT L. CROFTS, Committee Chairman
Anniversary Dinner
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 6:30 P. M.
WALTER E. PIPER, Presiding
Introduction of Senior Members
Introduction of Former Staff Members by HERMON M. NOYES, Moderator
Greetings. The REV. GEORGE E. GILCHRIST
Bethany Through the Years in Pictures Old Time Songs
DR. JOHN E. WALLACE, Guest Speaker Minister of First Congregational Church Wellesley Hills, Mass.
MRS. ROLF M. GUNDERSEN, Dinner Chairman
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125th Anniversary Observance
125th Anniversary Committees
PLANNING COMMITTEE Walter E Piper, Chairman
Rev. John D. Banks H. Kenneth Hudson
Mrs. John E. Brennan Heslip E. Sutherland Mrs. William A. Wardwell
HISTORICAL PAGEANT Under Auspices of Bethany Players Edward A. Bohlken, Producer and Director Rev. John D. Banks, Author
DINNER COMMITTEE Mrs. Rolf M. Gundersen, Chairman Mrs. Munroe D. MacLean Mrs. Andrew Warren Stewart Mrs. William A. Wardwell
ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET EDITOR Miss Muriel Jean Goudey
ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET COMMITTEE Walter E. Piper, Chairman
Mrs. John E. Brennan
Miss Leila P. Hunt.
Mrs. Kyle C. Coburn
Robert S. Pinkham
Miss Muriel J. Goudey
Walter A. Schmitz
INVITATIONS AND SPECIAL GUESTS Miss Dorothy E. Fitts
MUSIC Mrs. Agnes Ruggles Allen
HALL OF MEMORIES Mrs. Gilbert L. Crofts, Chairman Miss Edith L. Cole Mrs. J. Edward Egan
Mrs. William A. O'Connell William Howe
Paul Crosby
Paul B. Smith Mr. and Mrs. William H. Rendle
PUBLICITY Mrs. John E. Brennan
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Bethany Congregational Church
Church Organizations
CHURCH SCHOOL Rev. Z. William Colson, Jr., Director of Religious Education Nursery-Mrs. William LaFavre, Superintendent Kindergarten-Miss Joan Brigham, Superintendent Primary-Mrs. O. Wendell Rogers, Superintendent Junior-Mrs. John D. Banks, Superintendent Intermediate-Mrs. Alexander Smart, Superintendent Senior-Z. William Colson, Jr., Superintendent
WOMEN'S UNION Mrs. Munroe D. MacLean, President
EVENING GROUP Miss Eleanor G. Brown, President
MOTHERS' CLUB Mrs. Robert H. Knowles, President
BETHANY PLAYERS Edward A. Bohlken, Director
AMICITIANS Miss Esther G. Sauter and Miss Agnes E. Berry, Co-Chairmen
TRI-S CLUB Mrs. Ruth G. Graham, President
CHANCEL CHOIR Mrs. Agnes Ruggles Allen, Director Youth Choir-Mrs. Kenneth E. Webb, Director Junior Choir-Mrs. Matthew Cushing, Director Cherub Choir-Mrs O. Wendell Rogers, Director
BETHANY FELLOWSHIP
Robert Leo Eng and Mr. & Mrs. George R. Thompson, Advisors
BETHANY HI FELLOWSHIP Mr. and Mrs. H. George Hoffmann, Advisors
JUNIOR HI FELLOWSHIP Mrs. Harold B. Shields, Advisor
THE CONGREGATORS Miss Josephine Hinckley, President
ATHLETICS William L. Lipp, Chairman
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125th Anniversary Observance
BOY SCOUTS John C. Bendix, Scoutmaster CUB SCOUTS Howard G, Phillips, Cubmaster EXPLORER SCOUTS Robert P. Nordstrom, Advisor GIRL SCOUTS Mrs. Robert C. Johnson, Leader
BROWNIE LEADER Miss Ruth S. Jacobson
STAFF
Mrs. Laura Howe, 1929-1934 (Office Secretary and Director of Religious Education)
Mrs. Marion S. Neal, 1935-1950 (Office Secretary)
(1935-1949 Director of Religious Education) Miss Leila P. Hunt, July 1, 1950 Interim Secy. for six months (1949 to date Church School Secretary) Mrs. Elizabeth H. Wooldridge, Nov. 28, 1950 to Dec. 15, 1953 (Office Secretary)
Mrs. Ruth S. Kinsley, Dec. 15, 1953 to date (Office Secretary)
Mr. Albert E. Rendle-present custodian
MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED BETHANY
Rev. Lyman Beecher, Supply
1831
Rev. T. Field, Supply
1832
Rev. Stephen S. Smith, Supply
1832-1834
Rev. William M. Cornell
1834-1839
Rev. William Allen 1841-1849
Rev. Nelson Clark 1850-1857
Rev. Joseph Henry Thayer, Supply, 1858-1859
Rev. Oliver P. Brown, Supply
1859-1862
Rev. Edward P. Thwing
1862-1867
Rev. James E. Hall
1868-1873
Rev. Edward Norton
1874-1895
Rev. Edwin Noah Hardy 1895-1911
Rev. Benjamin A. Willmott,
1912-1915
Rev. Thomas C. Richards
1916-1918
Rev. A. W. Remington, Supply
1919
Rev. Eric I. Lindh
1919-1935
Rev. George E. Gilchrist
1935-1954
Rev. John D. Banks
1954-
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Bethany Congregational Church
YOUNG PEOPLE'S (STUDENT) ASSISTANTS
Mr. E. E. Craig
1906-1908
Mr. William McInnes
1937-1938
Miss Esther Springer 1938-1939
Mr. Ralph Chapman
1939-1941
Mr. Harold Stuart
1941-1942
Mr. George Dolch
1942-1943
Mr. George Lockwood
1943-1944
Mr. Warren Steinkraus
1944
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS
Rev. Hugh MacCallum
1943-1944
Rev. Robert M. Savidge
1945-1947
Rev. Frederick J. Bishop
1947-1949
(Associate and Interim Minister)
Rev. Tom R. Barbour 1949-1952
(Minister of Religious Education)
Rev. Thomas W. Davidson 1949-1951
Rev. Kenneth C. Bunker 1952-1955
Rev. Orvel C. Crowder
1955-1957
Rev. Z. William Colson, Jr.
1957-
SUPERINTENDENTS OF BETHANY BIBLE SCHOOL
Cotton Pratt 1837-1838
Daniel Sawyer 1838-1841
Cotton Pratt 1841-1842
Rev. William M. Cornell 1842-1843
William Pratt 1843-1860
Elbridge Clapp 1860-1869
C. W. Carter 1869-1892
Dr. C. T. Sherman 1893-1894
W. H. Fay 1895-1898
E. W. Branch 1899-1900
Charles Sampson 1900-1905
Eber E. Craig 1906-1908 Ernest W. Branch 1908-1912
Melvin P. Hay- ward 1912-1920
E. W. Branch 1920-1921
Frank C. Blake
1921-1922
Reorganized into departmental superintendents 1922
Renamed BETHANY CHURCH SCHOOL with departmental superintendents 1923
Joseph W. Thomas 1924-25
John F. Fairbanks 1925-27
Joseph W. Thomas 1927-28
Ernest W. Branch 1929-34
Franklin C. Davis 1935-36 H. Kenneth Hudson 1936-37 Miss Nellie Perry 1937-38
DIRECTORS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Mrs. Marion S. Neal 1935-1950
The Reverend R. Barbour 1950-1951
The Reverend Kenneth C. Bunker 1952-1954
Mrs. Anna May Crowder 1955-1957 The Reverend Z. William Colson, Jr. 1957-
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125th Anniversary Observance
MODERATORS
Benj. R. Downes 1832-1849
Chas. Hardwick *1855-1856
David Stetson
1849-1850
R. B. Leuchass 1856-1857
William Pratt 1850-1851
Charles Spear
*1851-1852
Rev. Oliver
John Hardwick
1852-1853
Brown *1860-1861
James S. Baxter 1861-1862
(No record for the next several years; it is believed that the minister acted).
Elbridge Clapp 1868- ?
Theophilus King 1879-1880
Elbridge Clapp 1880-1881
C. W. Carter 1881-1882
T. H. Wason 1882-1883
H. Walter Gray 1883-1884
Elbridge Clapp 1884-1885
C. W. Carter
1885-1887
T. H. Wason
1887-1890
Elbridge Clapp 1890-1893
H. Walter Gray 1893-1894
James F. Merrill 1894-1895
H. Walter Gray 1895-1896
Ernest W. Branch 1896-1901 Delcevare King 1901-1902
Ernest W. Branch 1902-1903
Frank W. Crane 1903-1917 Albert L. Hayden 1917-1922 * Appointed
Henry P. Hay- ward 1922-1923
Ernest L. Collins 1923-1926
Albert L. Hayden 1926-1928 Ernest L. Collins 1928-1931 Carle R. Hayward 1931-1941 Hermon M. Noyes 1941-1944 Carle R. Hayward 1944-1946 Hermon M. Noyes 1946-1948 Heslip E.
Sutherland 1948-1950 Hermon M. Noyes 1950-1952
Walter E. Piper 1952-1954 Irvin B. Gifford 1954-1956 H. Kenneth Hudson 1956-1957 Hermon M. Noyes 1957-
CLERKS OR SCRIBES
Benjamin R.
Downes
1832-1849
Albert Pratt
1849-1851
Jonathan Baxter
1851-1852
Ernest D. Gourd 1895-1910
(pro-tem)
John F. Hunt
1910-1920
George R.
Smalley
1852-1855
Albert Pratt
1855-1856
Franklin Hard- wick
1856-1860
Wm. Sheehan
1860-1865
Rev. Oliver Brown 1865-1866
C. W. Carter
1866-1868
James S. Baxter 1868-1892 William P. Bailey 1892-1893 James S. Baxter 1893-1895
Arthur B. Fitts 1920-1921 Roscoe R. Ricker 1921-1925 Elsie S. Norris 1925-1935
John B. Rupp 1935-1940
Arthur C. Neville 1940-1943 Jos. W. Thomas 1943-1947 Kyle C. Coburn 1947-
Miss J. Marion Nilsen was elected Assistant Clerk in 1950 and has served to the present time.
44
John Hardwick 1857-1860
William Pratt 1853-1854
Charles Spear 1854-1855
Bethany Congregational Church
TREASURERS
John Hardwick 1849-1860
James S. Baxter 1860-1866
C. W. Carter 1866-1868
James S. Baxter 1868-1887 William G. Comey 1887-1892 Dr. C. T. Sherman 1892-1895 James S. Baxter 1895-1898
Mrs. C. S. Hub- bard 1898-1900
Chas. W. Miller
1900-1911
George A.
Sidelinger
1911-1912
Chas. W. Miller
1912-1914
William F. Sidelinger 1914-1916 Abbot L. Melcher 1916-1922 Chas. W. Moreton 1922-1926 Roscoe R. Ricker 1926-1930 James Moorhead, Jr 1930-1944 William W. Smith 1944-1945
George R. Young 1945-1948 William H. Booth 1948-1952 Lawrence D.
Duncan 3rd 1952-
ASSISTANT TREASURERS
George R. Young 1939-1942 Raymond W.
Morse 1942-1944
Geo. W. Roberts 1944-1945
Andrew J. Lund 1945-1948
Vincent D. Cox 1948-1951
B. Warren
French 1951-1954
Richard F. Booth and
Paul W. Smith 1954-1956
Craig Baldwin and Alfred J. Balerna 1957-
PRESIDENTS OF BETHANY WOMEN'S UNION
(Organized 1913)
Mrs. H. Everett Crane 1913-1914
Mrs. Franklin P. Horton
1914-1915
Mrs. Eben W. Sheppard 1915-1916
Mrs. Franklin P. Horton 1916-1918
Mrs. John F. Welch
1919-1920
Mrs. Jennie H. Hunt 1920-1921
Mrs. Hattie M. Spear 1921-1926
Mrs. Franklin P. Horton
1926-1927
Mrs. John C. Pierce
1927-1928
Mrs. William J. Lund
1928-1930
Mrs. David C. Reid
1930-1932
Mrs. William G. Shaw
1933-1934
Mrs. James E. Hardy
1935-1936
Mrs. Joseph E. Lund
1937-1938
Mrs. George R. Young
1939-1940
Mrs. Frank L. Peabody
1941-1942
Mrs. William Musgrave (Mrs. Elmer Waters)
1943-1944
Mrs. Norman E. Dow 1945-1946
( Mrs. Robert Reed)
Mrs. Lyman C. Goodrich 1947-1948
Mrs. John E. Harrold
1949-1950
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