USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Brimfield Congregational Church Records - Vol. VII 1930-1947 > Part 8
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Thay Meeting held with Mrs. Phillips. Served supper to the Kiwanis Club of Springfield Thay 18 th about 200 came. Annual Flag day supper served
june July No particular happening
Cluq. Our annual picnic at Forest Park in Springfield. Very enjoyable + successful event. Supper and Whist held at Clark's on the 16th.
Sept. No particular event . Meeting held at
Bertha Por Brown's .
Och. Class served lunch at Town Hall to those attending the turkey meet on Och. 12th a very interesting & successful project. Held an old- day sewing meeting with Gladys Whitten on Och. 5 th. One More. Ich. 24 the by vote ofthe class we gave 200 towards the Thuich fund.
Now. meeting held at Mr. Hicks. Voted : that said oursturkey supper oft. Christmas instead of were this was ? Www. Ther with Then. Hadd. R. speciale work. all intale, amortindicato . a) profitable year. Respectfully submitted agnes B. Hicks, Secy. above report read by Thro. Elders.
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The B. L. S. class read a report of progress and of their meetings , projects contributions etc. This report was not handed to your clerk until later and has been misplaced. When and of such report is found, four click will record samel and makereference here to such a page.
B. L. S. Class Report See page 138 Officers. at this time the following officers were duly elected by ballot for the ensuing year. Moderator - Thr. Clarence B. Brown Check - This Gladys H. Campbell Var. Everett L. Landen Treasurer -
Auditor -
Mr. William S. Spooner
Syst of S. S. Mr. allen Keith 1 Member of Board of Trustees for 5 years. Mr. William D. Spooner. 1 Deacon for 4 years Mr. Frederick Bissell
Standing Committee electives 1. The. allen Keith 2. Miss Ethel Spooner
3. Mrs. Hester Sherman! Mise marie maddocks gave a very interesting talk on her bin capacity work with the young people of Whitinsville, Massachusetts. We were grateful to This maddocke for enlightening us about acity so nearly and yet of which weknew so little. To distribute the loose collections as in the previous year:
Vatid.
Voted Moved unanimously that the Clerk be instructed to send letters of appreciation to all organizations who have given
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so generously to our Church during our recentemergency caused by the hurricane of September 1938. Such letters were duly sent by your clerk, Moved to adjourn this muting: asocial time followed the business meeting and refreshments wer served under the direction of the B.L. S. Class. Contributions were given to defray expense for same. Respectfully submitted Gladys D. Campbell, Clerk
Mar. 26, 1939. at the regular meeting of the First Conq. Church, Rev. B. V. Mathews read letters of recommendation for membership for the following persons: Mr and Mrs. Charles L. Peirce from Faith Congregational Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mrs. Isabella M. Blair Second Congl. Church Mr. James H. Blair of Griswold Mrs. Alice Blair Matheson) Jewett City, Conn. Mrs. Bertha Brown was voted to be considered to have a similiar letter from the former advent Church of Brimfield, Maso. The Standing Committee also submitted the following names for baptism and church membership on profission of faith. Virginia Willda Dickinson Jabon Junior Keith.
Apr. 2,19. 1 Voted to receive into our membership the persons whose names were presented on inarch 26, 1939.
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Resignation To the First Congregational Church of Rer. Brimfield, Mass.
B.V. Mathews. Dear Friends: -
For some years past, Mrs. mathews and I have had in mind plans for moving to the west , and doing- Christian work, in that section of the country; and the opportunity having come to enter upon such work , we areled, Providentially, we believe, to sever our official connection with you. I therefore respectfully tender my resignation as your minister, to take effect from the first of June, or such time do may be arranged, in conference with the Standing Committee, and the Church. Intaking this step, we wish to express to the church people, and individuale our sincere appreciation for all the courtesy and kindness that have been shown us, at all times; and to thank you for your cooperation and support , in all that we have tried to do. We have much enjoyed our association with you, and in now dissolving this relationslup, we thank the Lord for His goodness, and commend you to Him, Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding Joy.
Fraternally yours, Burleigh V. mathews april 2, 1939.
April 9,1939 The persons whose names were (Easter) presented on March 26, 1939 were duly received into our Church membership, by Rev. Burleigh V. Mathews. Miss Virginia Dickinson and Jason Junior Keith were baptized.
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April 23, 1939 Upon the call of the Standing Committee a special, meeting of the Church was called to be held at the close of the morning service on april 30, 1939, to consider the resignation of Re: B. V. Mathews.
a letter from Rev. John B. Lewis of Union Church in Springfield, was read, requesting a letter of dismissal for Mrs. Ethel B. Elder. Voted to grant such a letter and authorize clerk to send same.
April 30,1939. at the close of the regular service of worship a special meeting of the Church was held with Moderator CB. Brown presiding. The call for the meeting was read by the Clerk. Voted : To accept with deep regret the resignation of our pastor. Rev. Burleigh V. mathews. That the Clerk be instructed to write a fitting letter of acceptance to Mr. Mathews. Voted: That a committee be appointed to draw up resolutions to besent to Rev. Mathews and spread upon the records of the church. The following committed was appointed by the chairman to draw in such resolutions. Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk, M.v. Freda Stegner inv. Everett Landen Voted : That this same committee also be empowered to draw up a set of resolutions upon the death of Diacon Wallace T. Moore, to send to the family and spread upon the records of the Church. at this time nominations were in order for someone to fill the
137
unexpired term of Deacon WallaceP. moore. Mr. Landenacted as teller. Mr. B. E. Campbell and Mr. Roe S. Clark were nominated the former receiving nine votes the latter 6. Mr. B. E. Campbell was declared deacon. Voted: - That the Standing Committee act in behalf of the Church as a pulpit supply committee and make arrangements for the services until such time as they have recommendations for a permanent pastor. In other words we are open to receive candidates.
Mr. Brown spoke of having a farewell reception for Mr. and Mrs. mathews. Voted that the Standing Committee act with the Fidelis Class i'm arranging such an affair. a Lug tilon was made of members to colliet funds for a suitable puree for presentation. Mrs. Knowlton and Miss Campbell were named as a committee to arrange a musical program for the reception. Respectfully submitted, Gladys H. Campbell.
opy of . etter sent to Rev. Mathews.
Rev. Burleigh V. Mathews Brimfield, Mass. Deal Mr. Mathews :-
at the meeting of the church held on sunday morning it was voted to accept with regret your resignation as requested on april 2nd. We wish at this time, to express to you and This. Mathews our deep appreciation for your years of untiring effort in the church and community. your friendliness and helpfulness at all times has been such
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a comfort. you have helped us so successfully through the trying and destructive hurricane and the period of reconstruction which followed that your patience and fortitude will not soon be forgotten.
We trust that God may safely guide and protect you in your travels across the continent and that your Christian work in the west may be pleasant and blessed. We commend you to God's care. Very sincerely Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk. May 1, 1 9 3 9 .
This letter was read by the committee appointed to draw up resolutions, and all were agreed that it expressed the sentiment required and was therefore sufficient.
Copy of Whereas, Resolutions sent to Mrs. Wallace Moore.
It hath pleased our Heavenly Father to call home to Himself, one who for the past fifteen or more years has been most actively associated with our Church, like it Resolved, that we, the First Congregational Church Inc. of Brimfield Mass. express to Mrs. Moore and family our sincere sympathy for their loss, be it further, Resolved, that we thank God for his truly Christian life and that we express our appreciation of his loving and faithful service to our Church by sending these resolutions to his family and by spreading them upon the records of the Church
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Gladys H. Campbell Committe Freda B. Stegner on Everett D. Landen Resolutions
Notice of The following notice was given at the harch Meeting regular meeting on Sunday morning July 254 1939 and read by Rev. U. H. Wheelock of Auburn :-
There with be a special meeting of the Church at the close of the regular Sunday service on July 2, 1939 for the following purposes :- 1. To elect a third person to the Standing Committee to serve in place. of allen Keith, as anielective member; since he is already amember ex officio " by being the suph of the Sunday School.
2. To consider the advisability of appointing additional, members or alternates to act with the Standing Committee in the matter of securing supplies and ultimately candidates for permanent pastor. The purpose of their being to provide more possibilities of getting around to hear possible candidate preach in their respective churches! 3. To tra nach any other business which would properly be taken up in these matters. The standingCom mette by Gladys . Campbell Click
B. L.S. Class Report liven at annual meeting. is placed. ) ee page 133
Treasurer Report of B.L. S. Class
Cash on hand March 10, 1938 - 7.82 in bank - 102.00
Collected from food sales + dues-also alumni refreshments about $ 100.00
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Donated to the Church Building Fund $50.00 and gave Church a hymnal board . $
Cash on hand Dec. 8, 1938 24.35 11
in Bank 10 2. 00 Respectfully submitted Gertrude Hitchcock, Treas.
Annual Report which The B. L. S. Class has had a busy was omitted and very pleasant year. We have See page added many new members and have 133. had to lose some of our old ones but we still have about 30 members. april 24th we set aside as B.L.S. Sunday and as many members as found it possible attended Church and Sunday School. The wonder if people noticed an increase in attendance! Our May 12th meeting was held in the form of a Mother-Daughter meeting, members bringing their daughters or mothers, or both. The visitors furnished a program and everyone had a very enjoyable evening.
On June 24th the class served refreshments at the academy, to the alumni association from which we realized about $20.
During July and august we held two foodsales. also during July we had our annual picnic at Little alum Pond It rained us out and we, finished our meeting at Mrs. Landen's. On October 13th we had our meeting in the form of a Halloween Party at the Colonial Coffee House in Palmer. Miss Brainard and ann Dewey certainly showed us a good time and it was with regret that we left to go. He had our Christmas party on Dec. 8th at Irene Arighta During this past
141
month we also made Christmas wreaths. We shall probably clear about 20. We are in hopes to present the Hi. Boys and their Radio Rangers at the Town Hall sometime in January. The proceeds will go toward the Church Building Fund, to which we have already con- tributed 50. We hope bear this in mind Respectfully submitted, Katherine Wesson.
Sept. 17,1939. The following notice for a church meeting was read at the regular morning service. Brimfield, Mas. Sejalt. 16, 1939.
a special meeting of the First Congre- gational Church will be held in the Church auditorium immediately after the morning service on Sunday, September 24, 1939 to act on the following: article 1. To see if the Church will vote to authorize the Trustees to proceed with such alterations to the Parsonage as may be necessary to convert the building into two tenements.
article II. see if the Church will vote to authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Trustees to borrow such as sum or sums of money as may be necessary to complete the alterations to the Parsonage stated in article one; to sign a note or notes for and in the name of the Church for the above mentioned purpose; to offer for collateral such securities held by the Church as may be necessary to secure the loan; and to renew
142
such a note or notes from time to time as may be required Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk per order of the Trustees.
Sept. 24, 1939 The church was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. 3. Brown at the close of the regular morning service. The clerk read the call of the meeting which stated clearly the purpose. after considerable discussion pro and can the church voted to convert the parsonage into a two tenement house. Many members did not favor our asking our minister to share his home with another family. The question of building a new parsonage on the site of the horse-sheds was commented upor The Trustees felt that by converting the parsonage into two tenements it would facilitate it's sale at a later date and there would be a means to an end, or otherwise later, a new parsonage might be built. Therefore the following motion was made and carried: moved : to authorize the Trustees to proceed with such alterations to the Parsonage as may be necessary to convert the building into two tenements.
Hoved: To authorize the Treasures with the approval of the trustees to borrow such a sum or sums of money as may be necessary to complete the alterations to the Parsonage as state in the foregoing motion; to sign a note or notes for and in
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the name of the Church for the above mentioned purpose; to offer for collateral such securities held by the Church as may be? necessary to secure the loan; and to renew such a note or notes from time to time as may berequired. moved to adjourn
July 2 1939 your Clerk was absent at this (insert ) meeting held at the close of the regular service but since no- one was appointed to keep the minutes - I will record the verbalreport given later of said meeting.
Voted? To appoint Mrs. Mabel Peirce as a member of the Standing Committeeto replace Mr. allen Keith as the elective member, for he automatically was a member byvirtue of his office as Suph. of the Sunday School
Voted. That Mrs. Matheson and Gladyo H. Campbell be added to the personnel. of the Standing Committee to constitute a committee of Pastoral Supply until such time as a Pastor is chosen. These additional members to be dropped when service is complete.
Det. 22, 1939. The Church was called together Calling of for a meeting at the close of the a Pastor regular morning service. The notice of said meeting having been given the preceeding Sunday The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Mr. Clarence Brown. allen Keith was appointed Clerk to act in the capacity of Miss Campbell, who was unavoid ably absent.
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The purpose of the meeting was stated as being the calling of a pastor and then givento open discussion. Rev. Norman Machoed, Jr. was recommended by the Committee on Candidates. The opinion was first expressed that he was too young. Then reference was duly made to his unusual rekord and the recommendations of his teachers or those in position to know him. a letter from Mr. Macfoed to the Clerk was read by the Chairman.
Finances of the church were then discussed. It was estimated that the pledges would have to be increased approximately $300 yearly There would be an initial outlay of $100 to assist Rev. Mr. Machoed inmoving
It was then said that the fact that we did have a regular minister would cause a keener interest among the people; thus bringing their financial as well as moral support.
Benj Sherman and Junior Keith were appointed tellers and matter as to whether or not to call Rev. Norman Manfred was put to an informal vote.
In the meantime Mr. Charles Peirce spoke about a Mr. Wellington Smith a soloist of mote in New York City. Mr. Smith has offered to put on a concert here to raise money for our church. This was but as a proposal and voted on. a committee was appointed by Mr. Brown, consisting of Mr. Charles Peirce, The. Charles Deland and a third members to be named later.
Results of the informal ballot: no = " It was then moved that this informal vote be made unanimous to call Rev. Norman Machoed to become our pastor. It was to voted
The meeting was then adjourned
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Respectfully submitted allen Keith, Clerk pro. tem.
Oct 29,1939 Rev. Norman Machoed, Jr. has accepted our call and he began his active ministry with us to-day. The parsonage is not ready for occupancy so they are remaining in West Hartford until such time as they can occupy the parsonage .
Dec. 3, 1939 at the close of the regular Sunday morning service, the church members met and the Trustees explained that in order for them to receive the loan from the Congregational Church Building Society of new york, it was necessary to obtain a deed to the land of which the church stands. Since, we do not have such a deed, there will bea special Town meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12th at which time we hope to be granted such a deed by the Town. Voted: To urge our Church members who are eligible to vote to be present at this Town meeting and there support our desire for a deed to our church property.
Dec. 12, 1939. at the special Town meeting the following business of interest to our Church, was transacted :-
That for consideration of one dollar , the town sell and convey to the First Congregational Church of Brimfield , Inc. , all its right , title and interest in and to that certain tract of land with the church building thereon , situate in Brimfield , bounded and described as follows : Southerly by Main St. about 363 feet ; westerly by the Warren Rd . about 477 feet; northerly by North Common Street about 325 feet, easterly by Common St. about 240 feet , together with the right to draw water for ase at the church building from the town's water
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Supply Through fixes as now laid from said building to the town
main so ...; as the town may have available therefor sufficient water over and above its own needs , at an annual rental of one dollar per year; excepting and reserving however, to the town, the right to use for public parking purposes , any portion of said tract ; also excepting and reserving to the town the right to enter upon the described premises for the purpose of improving visibility at the intersections of Main St, and the Warren Rd and Main St . and Common St. by grading and removing earth and trees; and that the Selectmen be & they are hereby authorized , in the name a belidit of the town, to execute , acknowledge and deliver a deed conseying to said Corporation , the town's right , title and interest in said promise Dec. 24, 1939. a duly called meeting of the church members was held at the close of the regular service. In the absence of Mr. CB. Brown, our moderator, Rev. Norman Macleod, Jo called the meeting to order and read the call of the meeting.
Upon the Anotion of Mr. Frank Gifford and seconded by Mr. Campbell, it was noted: To authorize the Trustees to apply to Authority the Congregational Church Building to Trustees Society for a loan not to exceed to mortgage 1 700.06. And if said loan is approved the Church ley said Congregational Church Building Society, the Trustees are hereby authorized to take the proper steps legally to mortgage the property to the said Congregational Church Building Society; and to fix the amounts and dates required for the payment of the specified instalments upon said mortgage and the Church pledges itself to the prompt payment of the same. Resolved: that the First Request to Congregational Church of Brimfield Hampden County request the Hampden County Association association of Congregational for examination Churches and Ministers to assist irvination + installation them in the examination for ordination of their duly called Pastor, Norman M. Macleod, Jr. and, that being satisfactory, proceed with them to the service of
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ordination and installation; and that the clerk of the church be hereby instructed to send a copy of this resolution to the Sciche of said association. So moved and voted. Moved to adjourn
Dec. 31, 1939. at a meeting of the Church Members at the close of the service, Sunday, December 3,19 3 9, it was voted to receive Dr. Frederic a Charles into the church by letter from the church at Exeter, n.H.
It was also voted to grant the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Macleod, Jo. authority to administer Communion at the regular morning service, Jan, 7, 1940. Frank S. Gifford Click, Tro Tem 1
Dec. 24, 1940. "The New Church Hymnal" edited by H. augustine Smith and published by appleton- Century Co. of New York, were used for the first time for the Christmas service. Many members and friends of the church have contributed memorial copies and the church surely does appreciate these gifte.
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Annual Meeting Jan. 5, 1940.
The annual meeting and roll call of the First Congregational Church was held on Friday evening, January 5, 19 40 at 8:00 o'clock. Rev. Norman Macleod, Jr. conducted a brief devotional meeting and then our moderator, Mr. Clarence Brown presided.
The Roll Call of members showed 30 members present and responses were given for ten others. The membership is as follows:
Membership December 31, 1938 male 29 Female 60 Total 89
Admission by Letter + 3 + 5 +8
Prof. of Faith Male 32 Female
65
Total-97
Removed
1
By letter - 1
- 2
by death
Male 31 Female
6 4
Total 95
Treasurer! Report.
The Clerk's report was read and accepted to be placed on file. The Treasure's report was given and accepted as follows: - Receipts :
Balance Jan. 1, 1/0 9
Pledges
$ 553.20
Plate Collections 24.5.25
Thise. 6 . 73
Investment Income 693.42
Church Re-Construction 3043, 87 Operating Loan 35.00 Parsonage Re Construction (non) 2000.00
Church Re-Dedication? 5.00
6582 47
6805.15
Expenses:
Salary Pastor. 869.49
"
Organist 150.00
Janitor. 75.00 Interest & Collection 34. 4.3
Power & Light 13.55
37. 00
Fuel. Insurance
116.94
222.68
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Parsonage Maintenance 7.00 Church He-Construction 3132,50 Parsonage " 1775.06 Church Re-Dedication 3. 05 Operating Lean Payment 35.00 General Expense 1 75,35
6424.17
Balance Dec. 31, 1939 380.98 $ 6 805.15
To the Members of the First Cong. Church: Because of the unsettled conditions prevailing for the major part of the year, it was to be expected that the financial position of the Church would be effected.
Receipts from pledges showed a marked decrease. $ 55320 being rec'd. as compared to 738.95 during 1938. Plate collections however improved. $245.25 was received in 1939 as compared to #142.67 in 1938.
The income from invested funds remained substancially the same The B. L.S. Class contributed $35.00 during the year to be applied against the outstanding loan obtained some years ago for operating expenses. This payment reduced the note to $165.00 Contributions toward the re-con- struction of the Church building continued throughout the year remarkably well During the past year 3028.49 was received Of this amount" 1197.66 was collected by the H. F. a. alumni association. The total receipts to date for this purpose are $4989.77. Expenditures to date on the re-construction amount to $5888.10 with 535.53 outstanding. The unpaid bills represent the
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last of the expenses chargeable to hurricane Damage and will make the entire cost $642263. Total pledges for this work amount to $ 5798. 17. a collateral loan at the Palmer Nationalbank of $ 1000.00 is also outstanding. all of these obligations will be taken up as soon as the loanJana grant is received from the Congregational Church Building Society.
The remodeling of the Parsonage wa undertaken in 1939. as of December 31 st. $ 1775.06 has been paid for this work It is expected that between $3500.00 and 3800.00 will be required to complete the work To date $2000.00 has been borrowed. This is in the form of a collateral loan at the Palmer national Bank.
Unpaid bills chargeable to the general account amounting to "236,07 are being carried over into 1940. This amount included $84.66 for the new hymnale ( of which amount $ 66.55 has been received - Jan. 4 th) Contributions for 1940 are being received for operating expenses of 1940 in excess of expectations. It is sure that enough will have been received in a few days to pay all outstanding obligations other than those chargeable to the re-construction of the Church and the remodeling of the Parsonage. Pledges for the year. 1940 already rece ved amount to nearly 14 00. of. It is hoped that there may be friend regularly and completely. If this is tone ow budget for the year, will be very minty covered. Envelopes for weekly offerings are available to any desiring. them.
Respectfully. Everett il Landen was
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The report of the auditor, The William & Spooner was given by Everett Landen, as follows: This is to state that I have Ren examined the stocks, bonds and bank balances in the safe deposit box at the Palmer National Bank, and find them the same as last year except for what the Bank is holding as security for the over thirty- one hundred dollars the church is now owing the bank, I have examined the account. of the church treasures for the year 1939, his checking account, bank balance, cash on hand, and receipts for payments, made during the year regard everything as correct. William S. Spooner auditor. at this time Rev. Norman Macleod, Ir gave a brief oral report. The thanked the Church most heartily for its call to him and hoped that he and Mrs. Macleod would be able to serveus long and well the anticipated anearly ordination) service for himself to that he could perform all the duties necessary of a minister. He spoke most highly of the splendid work the churchand its members have done inrestoring the building and also commended their work in remodeling the parsonage. He extended a welcome to members and townspeople these at any time. He mentioned the work of the committee which has made arrangements for the i dedication service to be held on Jan. 14, 1940
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