USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Brimfield Congregational Church Records - Vol. VII 1930-1947 > Part 6
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Rules for Gov't .
In all matters of government not provided for in these by laws the church shall be governed by established Congregational usage.
Amendments: The Standing Committee of the Church shall be Art. IV Set. 2. authorized to act for the Church, by meeting with the nominating committee of the S.S. when they meet to nominate the Supt. of the S. S. The purpose of this being to have both the Church and the S. S. have a voice in the selection of its Superintendent. See page 118. Art. IV Sect . 1
The Standing Committee ( of which the pastor, deacons, Supt of the S.S. and Clerk shall be members ex- officio) and three 3) elective members. See page 179.
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May 21, 936, Thepular morningser ucetwas ducted by the young People's or Pilgrim Fellowship of Hampden ounty. In organist and chair wes furnished by them Miss Shirley Provost presided and presented To. Eddy from the International College in Springfield. May 3,1436 The young People's Society took, charge of the morning service with Miss Eleanor Known as chair man? "Miso Eleanor Clark, served as organist and led the chair of young people. They presented The. Richard Carlton a student at Harvard Divinity School as the guest speaker. The meeting was well attended.
Juni 4,1936. Rev. Mr. Mathews and Mrs. Mathews. Mrs. B. G. Campbell and Miss Gladys Campbell attended the ecclesiastical council meeting held at Hope Cong. Church in Springfield, for the purpose of examining Itto Fail Jonas as candidate to the ministry. It was so voted and the service for ordination and installation was duly carried on to which service we as delegates remained.
Pastor's august 16 and 23, 1936 the church Vacationswas closed, during the Pastor's vacation. and On legust 30, 1436 the church service H. F. a was conducted by the Hitchcock Alum Free academy alumni Association. Rev. Hugh Magill delivered the serman; Charles L. Peirce presided as president and Gladys H. Campbell served as organist and choir director for an alumni Chair of fourteen members
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Sept . 6, 1936. Rev. Mathews read a letter from the First Church of berlin, Ohio, recommending to our fellowship and care, "Miss Eleanor H. Clark, Said letter to be held over for action later
Sept. 13, 14.6. Upon the recommendation of the Standing committee it was voted to receive this Eleanor H. Clark into our membership. . The right hand of fellowship was given by Rev. Mathews. I noticelevar alla given Low the church to convene at the close of the church service on Sunday Sept 20 for a brief meeting.
Sept. 20, 1936 The Church was called to order by Pastor. The Clerk who was the only member of the Committee which met to arrange for the unification of Church and Ja ish, gave a brief report stating that it was necessary forthe Church to accept formally the gifts, funds and liabilities from the terich Discussion followed'with the motion ite adjournuntil called by the standing Committee bey a written" tratice fromthe Quick: This matter was convide : deny vital to the future lus of the label !
Och 4,1936. at the written request of the clock the church was called together at the close of the morning service Meeting called to order by the Moderator Mr. C BB. Brown. The motion which was voted by the Parish at their last meeting was read by the Clerk. Then Mr. Everett Landen presented a motionin five parts. This motion was suggested and approved by Mr.
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William S. Spooner and Gladys H. Campbell Members of the Parish Committee and is as follows: -
motion: 1. That the First Congregational Church, Acceptance Inc., of Brimfield, Massachusetts accept and of funds, by this action does accept all the property, debts, obligations of whatever kind or nature, of the real estate, etc. First Parish or Congregational Society of from the Brimfield, Massachusetts. Parish.
2. That said incorporated church assumes all debts or financial obligations of said Parish. 3 . That said incorporated church pledges itself to administer all bequesto made over to it by said Parish at any date, in full accord with the conditions under which said bequesto were made to said Parish. 4 That said incorporated church treat the history of said Parish as part of its own history and that all of its records be preserved with the records of the church.
5. That said incorporated church authorizes its duly elected trustees to forthwith complete negotiations with the committee of said Parish as above set forth.
The above motion was so voted.
Moved to adjourn! Gladys H. Campbell clerk
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annual Meeting jan. 2, 1937.
The annual meeting of the First Congregational Church, Inc. was held Sat evening Jan. 2, 193% Mr. Mathews conducted a short devotional service with Miss Eleanor Clark acting as pianist.
Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. Clarence B. Brown. The Roll Call was givenshowing an attendance of 34 members with responses sent by "others totaling 51 responses. There were + 9 absentees by whom no word was sent. Several of these have not responded for a period of five or six years.
The Clerk's report was read and accepted. The Membership report was as follows :- Membership Jan. 3, 1936 Thate 31 Female 14 Total 105
lamissione 2 2 33 76 imissals-(letter) " 3 3
- 2 74 by death " - 0
-
6
male 33
Female 68 Total 101.
Report of the Church Treasurer, Everett D. Landen was read + accepted, as follows :- Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1936 - - $ 13.00 Receipts
Pledges (operating expenses) $962.20 Benevolent 15.85 Plate Collections 140.15
Miscellaneous - 2.75 1120. 95 $ 1133 .95
Disbursements To Parish Treasurer" 1050. 20 Miscellaneous Expenses 35.77
$ 1085.97
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1937 47.98
1133.95 Everett D. Landen, Treas. The Church auditor, Mr: William J.
Spooner, gave his report that he had audited and approved these recorder This report accepted as given.
Treasurer's Report
Auditor
.
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at this time, Mr. Clarence B. Brown, the Parish Treas. gave a brief resume to show us how the Parish funds stood Since the Church is soon to assume full responsibility for all the obligations of the Parish, these reports proved most interesting.
1. Mathew's Report.
Mr. Mathews gave his report which was voted accepted as read. An outline follows: Greetings - Happy New year!
Weddings- Eight couples were married. Deaths - Included six Church members. Mrs. Julia Hicks-closely connected although not a member. Mrs. Charlotte Wales Chamberlain Died March 13th in Boston. Members- Four young people joined Church Four little children baptized. Sunday School - Improved attendance. Interest of classes - Picnics B. L. S. Class- Newly organized The Fidelis Class- Continued splendid work for betterment of Church. a. Redecoration of Church Vestry b. Venetian Blinda c. New light globes etc. Brimfield Improvement Society Splendid work of landscaping of the front yard of the Church. Shrubbery. Benevolent Society - Harvest supper & sale. Church services
1. young Peoples' Services at Church- Speakers- a. Mr. Dutton of China V. Richard Carleton - Newton Theological Seminary c. Richard Banford of Monson, Mass. 2. May 24h in charge of Pilgrim Fellowship a. Mrs. Norman Eddy of springfield , Mass . 3. Dr. John R. Scotford guest speaker at the baccalaureate meeting of H. F. a. June 21 st. 4. June 1 the Mr. William Ganley of No. Wilbraham 5. July 12 th Dr. Earl Vince- East Church- Springfiela
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6. aug. 30 th H. F. U alumno Ussoc. Rev. Hugh Magell speaker. average attendances Morning services 43
Sunday School 62 C. E. 11 number of calle - about 386.
Miss Gladys Campbell gave herreport for the Sunday School. This report is an innovation since the incorporation of the church. It is as follows: -
The record of the S.S. for the year, 1936, is one of great encouragement to me and Ifeel that it should be to the Church. The aggregate attendance this year has more than doubled that of the previous years Ut the beginning of the year the S.S. voted to renew it's
membership in the system of Cross and Crown Pins for attendance at A. S. sessions. The members intered heartily into this method of gaining awards for perfect attendance a id over 40 pins were awarded the first quarter. Naturaly me have not been able to continue an unbroken record and will not receive their gold pins at the beginning of the new years However, a splendid per- centage of those who started out in jan. have continued with perfect records through December and they surely justly deserve credit.
This renewed interest and attendance has made lit, necessary to have some, new teachers appointed at times. I, as, Supt. wish to take this opportunity of thanking all the teachers, officers and committee members who have given so generously of their time to helping in the S. S. Without 's support the work could not be carried on very long.
Onenew class in the adult Department, R.L. S. that of the Young Women of the Community, has proven it's worth in many ways Their very presence has been a source of inspiration to me and surely they must have a far-reaching influence over the younger wildren. I regret that an attempt to interest, similarly the young men of the town has been unsuccessful to date, but, I believe that suchu class
S.S. Supt's report
105
should be organized soon and would be a splendid asset to the S.S.
I would be very ungrateful indeed if I did not recognize at this time, the improvements which have been made to our S. S. rooms. The redecorations, new Venetian blinds, and beautiful pictures have made an atmosphere of true worship possible and the organized classes of the S. S. are thus performing something of lasting benefit to the Church & S.S. I surely hope that in the near future more adequate equipment may be secured for the work of the Primary and Junior Departments. Mrs. J. Edgar Brown has taken a huge burden upon her shoulders in the work of these departments, and, as always, has given wholeheartedly of time and effort and my report would be worthless unless due credit were given her for her faithful efficient service Ihave enjoyed the work as Supt. and
appreciate all your considerations of my lack of experience. Itrust that the work will continue to grow and such a work of God is certain to do this in the hands of so many willing helpers.
Gladys H. Campbell, Suph of A. S. The S. S. Treasurer's report was given by Roe Clark, Jr., as follows :- $
09
Balance on Hand Jan. 1, 1936 Collections 159.69
Othersources 36, 3 6
$ 196.14
Total expenses, supplier, Songbooks, pinvete 17 1 . 0 3
Balancelow hand an. 1, 1937 -- $ 25.11
Two of the organized classes of the S. S. reported work of interest to the Church.
We have had a most successful year. We have held regular monthly meetings the first Wednesday afternoon of each month, except for December, which was cancelled on account of bad weather The following were some of the outstanding
The Fidelis Class
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projects. February-serving of Town Meeting Day dinner. - Voted to purchase some venetian blinds for thes. S. room. Feb. 21 st Military Whist at the Town Hall.
June 10 th Flag Day supper.
Food sales during summer.
august. I. F. A. alumni association dinner served by a competent committee. Very successful.
October- Class served lunch Columbus Day at Elbow Brook turkey farm of H. E. Shaw. occasion being N. C. turkey raisers assoe. field day. 300 served. Lunch also served for the auction at Lincoln Homestead on October 14th.
Nov. 10th Turkey supper-Very successful.
In august voted to buy two pictures for S. S. room. Later voted to purchase two additional ones. In November voted to buy extra dishes.
Finally, we wish at this time to thank you all for our co-operation during the past year without which we could not have been as successful.
Mrs. Stanley Hicks.
at the suggestion of Rev. and Mrs. Mathews a group of nine young women met at the Parsonage Feb. 4 1936 and organized the B. L.S. Class of Brimfield Congregational Church.
The Bible was decided upon as a course of study and Mrs. Harry P. Landen, teacher.
The first project for the purpose of earning money, was the presentation of The Tom Thumb Wedding, and Tagiant of Wedding Gowns" on May 9 th in The Church, It was most encouraging to have the first undertaking such a success owing to the faithful work of the class, members and
B. L.S. Class.
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children of the town and the generous cooperation of the church members and townspeople.
Various other functions have been sponsored by the class throughout the year, such as food sales, suppers and the selling of Christmas Wreaths and decorations The class has contributed $ 15.00 for the Organstund and $8.62 to complete the payment on the Sunday School Hymnale The enrollment of the class has increased It is the hope of the class and its members to beable to be of more service to the Church and Sunday School throughout the coming years.
Respectfully submitted, Ruth M. Clough, Seet. C. E. The Christian Endeavor Society Society. reported through Miss Grace Sherman as follows: During the past year the C.G. Society has held its meetings Sunday eveningsat 1:00 P.M. until recently when the times was changed to 6:00 P. M. Members have attended meetings of the neighboring societies during the year. They also took part in the morning servicesheld by the CE. Society This Christmas we packed a basket of food and took to one of the families in town. Respectfully Submitted,
Grace Sherman, Seet.
Treasurer's Report of C.G. Cashanhand $ 13.97. Receipts from collections 11.94
$25.71
Expenditures G.E. World $ .75
Cleaning Choir Robes
12.50
Pledge 5. 00 C. C. paper .10 Speaker 3.00
Postage . 26 21.61
Balance on hand $ 4.10 Harriet Tarbell, Tread!
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Ladies The Ladies Benevolent Society's report of Benevolent Mrs. Harrison Brown was read by Mis. Mathews Society. We have lost 4 members by death. Spent $14.00 for floral pieces. $8.25 for individual gifts ; $ 5.00 for Red Cross making # 27.25. Have contributed to the Church $ 50. 00 for wood $27.00 for coal $ 5.00 for repairing the clock, making a total of $ 82.00 for Church or a total of $ 109. 25 for the year. We have held one food sale and the usual harvest supper and sale and we have some articles yet to sell
Women's Mrs. Charles Robinson reported informally Missionary for the Women's Missionary Society which Society. has not had meetings this year but an amount of $10.00 has been forwarded to the Mass. Cong. Conf. and Missionary Society.
all of these reports were accepted as read, to be put on file in the records.
The following officers were duly elected to serve for the ensuing year. I. trator - Clarence BB. Brown assurer - Mr. Everett D. Landen auditor - Mr. Williams. Spooner Lubb of A.S. - Miss Eleanor Clark De confor 4 yrs. - Ins. Clarence / Grown Click Gladys It. Campbell One memberfor. Board of Trustees for 5yrs. - Mr. Charles Wheeler. Stand. q Comm: - Miss Ethel Spooner Mr. allen Keith This. Hester Sherman
Under new business the Clerk requested the Board of Trustees to take up with the Selection of the Town the possibility of placing our valuable record books in the Town Safe. a suggestion was also made that
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there is a possibility that if it is not feasible to keep the records at the Town Hall - they might be taken care of by a Historical Society which of course is concerned with the preservation of valuable recorde. The meeting was adjourned. The deacome and their wives had prepared a very bountiful supply of refreshments which everyone enjoyed at the close of this another annual meeting Respectfully submitted Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk.
Dec. 5,193%. The Standing Committee of the Church presented the following list of names as proposals for membership: William Fresh, Marjorie Kemp, Barbara ann Phillips, George Benjamin Sherman and Harriet E. Tarbell.
Des. 19, 1937. The following persons were
by Profession of Faith, received into membership , at the regular Christmas service: William Fresh, Marjorie Kemp. Barbara ann Phillips, G. Benjamin Sherman and Harriet E. Jakbell William Fresh was baptized also.
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annual meeting -Dec: 30, 1934.
The annual meeting of the First Congregational Church, Inc. was held Thursday evening Dec. 30, 1937. Rev. Mathews led in a short devotional service with Mrs. Knowlton at the piano.
Roll Call
The business meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. Clarence Brown. The Roll Call was given showing an attendance of 34 members with responses sent in from 15 others giving a total of 4 9 responses. The clerk read a list a 15 members who had been placed on the retired list because they had not responded or shown anyinterest for several years.
The clock's report was read and accepted. The report of membership was as follows: Membership
Jan. 2, 193 7 male 33 Female 68 Total 101
admissions + 2 " + 3 + 5
Dismissed by letter
3 5 71 1 - /
10 6
Retired list - 5 -10 - 15
male 30 Female 60 Total 90 The Treasure's Report was read and accepted as follows: Receipts :
Balance Jan. 1, 1939 Pledges
709.90
Loose Change Collections
128.87
Benevolence 4.10
Misc. Receipts (Envelopes) 2.15
Organ Fund
175.00
Insurance Dividends 24.25
Parsonage Repair 176.38
Bequest of Julia . Brown 200.00
560.47
1981.12
Investments
$2029.10
Treasurer's Report
47.98.
$
70 10 5
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Expenses:
Salary Minister 191.63 Organist 112.50
Janitor 112.50
Jax on Church Membership 15.75
Mass. Cong. Conf.
Benevolence
19.95
Payment to Parish Treas. 154.95
Interest Expense
notes $25.74 Collection 1. 17 26.91
Light and Power
7.83
17.00
375.00
171.38
130,32
Misc. Expenses
38.98
$ 1977.50
Balance Dec. 28, 1937
51.60
2029.10
Summary of Receipts from Invested Funds. Bonds :
armour Co. of Deleware $ 40.00 N. E. Power assoc. 50.00
St. Louis & Iron Mr. R. R. 40.00
. Ilinois Power & Light 100.00
Great Northern R. R. 27.50
Winnipeg Electric 20.00
Oregon Short Line R. R.
12.50 $290.00
Stocks: 1. S. Steel Preferred $ 16,25
.L. S. Steel Common 8.00
UnionPacific R. R. 49.50 am. Tel. &. Jel. 101.25
atcheson & Topeka &. SantaFe (Prof.) 7.50
" (Comm.) 2.00
$184.50
1
Bank Deposits : Palmer Savings Bank ($1094.52) 16.41 Ware " 1103.00) 16.54
Monson
=
( 270.85) 8.10
Organ Repairs note Parsonage Repair Insurance
Summary Receipts from Investes
Funds.
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($ 354.95) 10.62
Warren Savings Bank
N. S. Hubbard Fund ( 500.00) 15.00
M. H. Corbin 11
186.82) -
Southbridge Savings Bank (
128.89) 1.92 E. Clark March Fund 429.67) 6.44 Foster Fund
429.67) 6.44
Julia Hubbard Fund 300.00) 4.50
$85.97
$ 560.47*
Total Receipts from Invested Funds 1937 Incomplete -- Does not include amounts collected by Treasures of First Parish or Congregational Society prior assigning of income to First Congregational Church, Inc. Everett D. Landen, Treas.
Auditor-
The auditor Mr. William S. Spooner stated that he had checked over the Treasure's records and had verified them with the bank, etc. and reported they had been signed as correct.
Pastor's Report.
This year in the affairs of the church seems , in someways , just about like other years of recent date :- but there is always the change of personnel , in any organ ization; and we in this institution are not exempt from A sule. at the end of January, 1939, we received a call from Mr. Austin Hale of Boston, bringing a beautiful bouquet of flower. in memory of his mother, who would have been 100 on jan. 29th, if she had lived There were placed in church on the last Sunday of the month, at his request, + were a reminder to those who knewher, that though absent, she is still living. In april, the church, + the entire community were shocked , + saddened by the sudden passing of Ralph" Brown, so well known to all of us who are here, + to many sinds , in town, o in the surrounding villages No one un explain, or understand, who one is taken, & another left- or how it is that a young man, in the midst of an active life , should be called away when so many others, some in advanced years, are suffered to continue on in their usual way . We shall , however , comprehend it all , we may well believe, whenthe Lord has called Us, to , unto Himself, + the affairs
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of this world become intelligible , to us all, as we re - consider them . In the words of the hymn , " - And we shall still be joined in heart , and hope to meet again ". "Because Ilive, ye shall live also, is the promise on which I i'm sure, we can all rely for our sustaining hope, while we are prosecuting our tasks in the present world.
Another good fellow- citizen, who finished his course a few weeks later was Mr. Coolbroth, whoworks well known to many of us , who are meeting to gether tonight . He was among the first few people whom we met in comingto Brimfield for the first time, and we much enjoyed hind, & his comments on political + social matters, and his ready wit o humor. He will be remembered for years to come , as an outstanding personality in the town, one with a character all his own. In July, Peruel Parker died after anillness of a few weeks, culminating a long period of painful infirmity in which he had disclosed endless patience, of the most admirable fortitude. We oftenwonder how he could live down or live above, the injured state in which he found himself- is called for a spirit that some of us think we never could show ; but it was a lesson to us all, on the subject of courage in the face of hopeless odds, & I believe we are the richer for it . The news comes today of the death of Charlesst George, so long confined to his bed , with a disease which apparently could not be much alleviated. For him, the change of state will be animmense relief , we may be sure ; for , he often expressed the wish to go, + one cannot wonder that he did, knowing that his chances of recovery were so very re- mote . For his own sake , we could not wish him to return; but so far as we are concerned, we shall miss his cheerful acceptance of his lot , + his clear, calm appraisal of the situation. Others whose bodies were brought here for burial or whose ashes were committed to the earth in their home town, were: - Miss Augusta Sherman of Worcester (July 30); Mrs. Mary Hubbard Times, + her son arthur (Ing ) id Mrs. Ladd , an aunt of Robert & G. Benjamin Sherman, buried in the old cemetery in Sturbridge, (aug. 15) Viaterials, Equipment - Passonagere- roofed.
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Sale of setees from S. S. vestry and replace- ment with new chairs - Fidelis Class. Renovating- of the lavatory in the vestibule - TB. L. S. Clase. Special Services, Speakers, etc. June 6- Grange Sunday- 13 - Children's Day- Mr. Franklin Plimpton 20 - Baccalaureate
27 St. John's Day - Masons from = Day Spring Lodge - Manson Sept. 5 - young People's Service Mr. Blake Hoover- Speed. Y.M. C.a. aug. 1st Rev. Samuel Eaton, D. D. april 11th Rev. Raymond Dudley of India Och. 17th Dr. Dutton of agawam. Nov. It Prin. Harold M. Ladd at opening of Education Week.
Supt. of the S.S.
During the past year the Sunday School has had an active membership of seventy-seven, including twelve teachers. Ten new members have joined us this year. It is encouraging to see the list of attendance pins awarded this past year: Il bronze pins. Il gunmetal pins. 9 silver pins. 43 gold pins. I wreath and 16 wreaths to be awarded the first of January. Special services were held at Easter time, Children's Day, Rally Day and on Christmas Whyi charge of Mrs. Edgar Brown. socials have been several and well attended.
It is hoped that with the enthusiasm shown by the attendance at the Christmas party the Sunday School may have a more successful + beneficial year, Respectfully submitted, Eleanor H. Clark.
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Report of Cash on Hand 1/1/3% - 25.11
Secti+ Treas. Collections 158.40 Birthday bank 13 . 53 Mrs. Day' donation! 5.00
Mr. J. Newton, another donation 1.00
Total rec iepts 203.04 amount paid for supplies 186.68 Balance # 16. 3 6
average attendance
1 st Quarter 66.5%
65.1%
2nd average 3rd. 58.4% att. 62.4%
4 th
59.4 %)
average Collection
1 st Quarter $ 3.3 9 3.20 average
2 nd 3rd
3.08 for yr. 3.23
3, 23
average Expense per quarter # 46.67 Respectfully submitted Barbara L. Wood.
We consider we have had a very- successful year having given food sales, suppers , card parties , etc., which have brought us in a good sum From our sunshine boxes alone we took in $ 33.8%. In the past year we have earned $161.14. This does not include sale of setters. We wish to thank all for cooperating with us to make this possible. We have presented to church toward Organ fund $100 and $ 25 toward repairs on parsonage. - Mrs. J. Walter Brown, Pres.
The B.L. S. Class of the Brimfield Congregational Church has completed its second year successfully. at the annual meeting of the classheld in March the following officers were elected:
Fidelis Class.
B.L. S. Class.
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Pres. - Mat lape adamel Vice Pres. - Helen- Lec. + Tasas. . Rath Corregir. Several projects have been undertake, Why the class to amor on such as :- The Public Bridge + Wirst Party held in april, a super for the associates of Mr. Roe Clark, in une; several food sales and the sale of personal labels and Christmas wreaths.
The class contributed $25.00 toward the expense of the Parsonage roofing and has in- stalled a chemical lavatory; making the room larger and painting the walls. The B. L. S. class wish to thank all who have contributed so generously in its undertakings and hope to be of more service throughout the coming year. Respectfully submitted, Ruth W. Clough, Sec.
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