USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > History of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church in Watertown, 1836-1936 > Part 9
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To finish the report of affairs from the Trustees' Records, a few more items will be included. First, Mr. Wallace A. Shipton, one of the more recently elected Trustees, has been made custodian of the organ. Upon his recommendation a contract was drawn up with the Norman Foss Co., by which the latter guaranteed to keep the organ in perfect repair for fifty dollars a year. This system worked out so well that the contract has been renewed each year. Second, in 1935, it was decided that the two-apartment house nearest the Church, one of the two pieces of property on Mt. Auburn Street given to St. John's by the will of F. A. Whitney, was in too bad a state of repair to warrant renovating it. Its appearance detracted from the dignity of the Church, and it was therefore torn down. Under a contract with Joseph Breck & Sons, the cellar was filled in, the plot graded, the old line of poplar trees taken down, and the whole western end of the church lawn landscaped. The pretty new shrubs and trees as well as the enlarged lawn made the church edifice more attractive than ever.
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, PARISH HOUSE AND PARSONAGE, 1936
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I
Third is the record of Mr. and Mrs. Fred F. Hale's gifts to the Church in this period. In 1930 they placed certain new furnishings in the parsonage, including a fine Persian rug, and a new davenport for the living room. In 1936 they have provided special fibre-board screens (non-warping) for the church dining room, by means of which this rather large room may be made into various smaller sizes by simply moving the screens. This naturally makes for a much more cozy room for smaller suppers, luncheons, and other gatherings.
Fourth is the latest appraisal made May 27, 1935, of the church property, as follows:
"A meeting of Trustees of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church was called at five o'clock at the Church by President Alonzo Huse, for the purpose of deciding upon an appraisal value of all property owned by the Church, which could be used in a report to the First Quarterly Conference.
A quorum being present as follows: Bros. Huse, Paine, Shipton, Jones and Perkins, Dr. Taylor was present also, it was voted to adopt the following appraisal:
Church and Chapel. Building $135,000
Parish House .
50,000
Land (59,000 feet more or less at 27 cents) 15,930
$200,930
Parsonage. Building
$10,500
Land (8,000 feet more or less at 27 cents)
2,160
$12,660
Summer Street Property. Building
$6,000
Land (7,160 feet more or less at 30 cents)
2,150
$8,150
The First Quarterly Conference will also request information as to amount of insurance carried, which is as follows:
Church, Chapel and contents $114,000
Organ
20,000
Parish House and contents
44,000
Parsonage
8,500
Summer Street House
5,000
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We have the following Trust Funds:
Helen R. Robinson Fund for Poor . $1,000
Richard H. Paine Trust Fund $5,000
HOMER C. PERKINS, Clerk."
At the Trustees' Annual Meeting of April, 1936, the Board and officers for the Centennial year read: president, Mr. A. Alonzo Huse; treasurer, Herbert L. Paine; Clerk, Homer C. Perkins; William R. Beale, Walter G. Frazee, Fred F. Hale, David R. Jones, Byron L. Scribner, and Wallace A. Shipton.
In order to take up again the thread of the general church life, the affairs of various societies (not reviewed elsewhere) will be briefly listed. To start with the Sunday School, we find that Mr. Arthur Watts has been Superintendent during the entire period. The officers elected to assist him for the year 1936-37 are: for the Beginners' Department, Miss Theda Pollock; Primary, Miss Alma Timper; Junior, Mr. Alfred Cook; Intermediate, Mr. Richard Hatch; Senior, Mrs. Lawrence Gentleman. The present enrolment of the school, exclusive of the Cradle Roll and Home Departments, is four hundred and thirty. While the finances are not as flourishing as they were in the easy years of the 1920's, the treasurer can none the less report all bills paid and all necessary quarterlies and supplies on hand. The school has always kept up its own benevolences, remembering the Little Wanderers' Home substantially at Thanks- giving time and the Deaconess Hospital at Christmas. Under the discussion of young people's work may well come mention of the Boy Scout Troop No. 30 under Scout Master Lawrence M. Gentle- man. This troup has its full quota of thirty-two registered scouts, and Mr. Gentleman reports that over fifty per cent of the scouts have advanced to second class or higher rank, which is the best standing for advancement the troop has had.
The Epworth League has had many fine officers in the last decade, some of whom have moved on to other positions of respon- sibility in the Church. Quoting only those who have served as presidents of this society, they are: 1927-28, Elizabeth Armstrong; 1928-30, Cyril Currie; 1930-32, Edwin J. Armstrong; 1932-33, Helen L. Moore; 1933-35, Lucy Armstrong; 1935-36, Alma Timper; and 1936-37, Philip Watts. The League's officers for the Centennial year are as follows: president, Philip Watts; first vice-president, Robert Sawin; second vice-president, Barbara Richardson; third
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vice-president, Doris Belanger; fourth vice-president, Walter Guy; treasurer, Robert Watts; secretary, Lillian McMurtrie.
The Methodist Club has continued in its very important place as a friendly gathering and forum group for all men interested in St. John's. Its activities have always been varied and its appeal wide. Monthly suppers have been followed by excellent speakers or entertainments, while the providing of one supper for the Ladies' Aid Fair, rehearsals for the big annual play, a male chorus at some of the Sabbath evening services, and the big "Guest Night" for the ladies are the "extra curricula" activities of the members. Presi- dents during the last decade have been : 1927-28, Byron L. Scribner; 1928-29, Fred F. Hale; 1929-30, Wilmot Evans; 1930-31, William L. Pearce; 1931-32, Paul E. Chase; 1932-33, K. Chesley Minty ; 1933-34, Kenneth Mackay; 1934-35, Alfred Cook; 1935-36, William Coumans; and 1936-37, Robert Butterfield. The officers for 1936 and 1937 are: president, Robert N. Butterfield; first vice- president, Edwin J. Armstrong; treasurer, W. Irving Middleton; secretary, Grenfel Swim.
The progressive Ladies' Aid of St. John's has always been its really strongest organization; and the parts of the Church and parsonage under its surveillance receive good care. The society's budget is divided into two sections: in the first are the home duties, such as Church and parsonage furniture replacements, the current expense weekly offering to the Church, and local charity; in the other section are benevolences not directly connected with St. John's. During the prosperous years up through 1929, the sums of money raised by the ladies and given away were really astounding. Receipts from the Annual Fair fortunately grew and grew during the years when the society was paying off its large Remodelling Fund pledges, the net receipts topping two thousand dollars for two years. Ladies' Aid activities are without number, but for the benefit of posterity, a few will be listed here: eight church suppers a year with entertainments, monthly Men's Club dinners served by groups, luncheons, food sales, parish calls, pastoral reception in May, gen- eral work of the Friendly Committee, entertainment to the Ladies' Aid Union in 1934 (six hundred women present), and refreshments at the annual Watch Night service on December 31. For the Church and parsonage many new articles are purchased annually: new scenery for the stage, a property closet constructed, new chairs for dining room supplied when needed, church kitchen equipment,
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vacuum cleaner for ladies' parlor, clock for chapel, electric refriger- ator for parsonage, kitchen cabinet, furniture for stage, parsonage kitchen renovation (1935), and enlargement of ladies' parlor kitchenette (1935), and purchase of our fine new set of church dishes in 1936 through individual gifts of money. Donations to charities have been to the Morgan Memorial, Deaconess Aid Fund, Italian Mission, Zion's Herald Relief Fund, District Nursing Asso- ciation, Medical Mission and the Methodist Pension Fund. The current expense subscription to the church treasury has been enlarged through the years until now this society subscribes ten dollars a Sunday! All other facts about the Ladies' Aid are in Record No. 6 at the back of the book. The officers, 1936-37, are: president, Mrs. Eudora Tucker; first vice-president, Mrs. Cora Hale; secretary, Mrs. Carrie Roberts; treasurer, Mrs. Rena Fancy.
One of the great occasions in the 1927-37 decade was the monthly "sociable" held on October 4, 1933. At this supper the president and treasurer of the Trustees were able to announce that the mortgage on the Church, incurred in 1925 when the Parish House was built, had at last been liquidated, by means of the added Ladies' Aid subscriptions and the money received annually from the Whitney bequest. As a part of the joyous celebration of that eve- ning, the mortgage note was burned by Mr. A. Alonzo Huse and Mr. Herbert L. Paine, and St. John's was free again to enjoy without stay or encumbrance the full value of its property. Mr. Herbert L. Paine, who had been treasurer during these important years, said in his interesting report that a total of $14,589.85 had been paid out in interest since the Trustees first began borrowing the money necessary to finance the building seven or more years previous. Now the Church was "in the clear" again, and everyone could feel that his own contribution to current expenses unquestionably brought him direct benefit. The guest speaker of the evening was Bishop Charles Wesley Burns. It was shortly after this that Mr. Paine resigned as treasurer of the Church (November, 1933), a position he had held efficiently since 1917. He was succeeded as "treasurer of the Church" by Mr. Homer C. Perkins, but Mr. Paine is still "treasurer of the Trustees," having charge of the special financial responsibilities and income of the Trustees, such as the church real estate, insurance, and the Bostwick, Robinson, Paine, and Whitney Funds.
The second of the great occasions in this last decade of St.
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John's history will be the celebration of the One Hundredth Anni- versary during the fall months. Not all the plans have been con- firmed at the time of this writing, but it is hoped that the following will remain intact: Bishop Charles Wesley Burns will speak at the service commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of our founding on October 4, Sunday morning; in the evening there will be a dedication of our new Methodist hymnals, followed by a family gathering and reception in the parlors; October 7, Wednesday eve- ning, will be the anniversary banquet, with Bishop Edwin H. Hughes giving the address; Sunday, October II, will be devoted to Evangelism, our own pastor, Dr. Francis Dee Taylor, speaking; on Friday evening, October 16, there will be an old fashioned prayer meeting with testimony and singing of old hymns; Sunday, October 18, will be dedicated to missions, and Dr. Louis O. Hartman, editor of Zion's Herald, will speak at the morning service, and our District Superintendent, Dr. Charles Otto, in the evening; Wednesday eve- ning, October 21, will be the banquet for our "Historical Night," when we shall have many distinguished guests from the Methodist Episcopal Church at large, including former pastors, and repre- sentatives from neighboring churches; on Sunday, October 25, Dr. Daniel L. Marsh, president of Boston University, will speak on Education at the morning service, and special programs will be planned by the Sunday School and Epworth League; Professor Elmer R. Leslie will speak in the evening; during November, on Sunday afternoons, special vesper services will be held for organ concerts, at one of which Mr. William E. Zeuch will play. Special exercises in December and the anniversary Watch Night service on New Year's Eve will bring the Centennial to its close.
The fair, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 4 and 5, is called "The Centennial Fair," and will be the finest and largest one the Church has been able to hold for six years. The entertainment for both evenings will be a pageant of the History of St. John's, written by Mrs. Helen Moore Gentleman. Those in charge of the Centennial Fair are: general chairman, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Perkins; publicity, Mrs. Edna M. Beale; decorations, Mrs. Ethel Thomas; president of the Ladies' Aid, Mrs. Eudora Tucker. Chairman of Committees: turkey supper, Mrs. Edith Loring; men's club supper, Mr. Homer C. Perkins; housekeepers' table, Mrs. Minnie Cramer and Mrs. Lilla Gentleman; Christmas gifts, Mrs. Louise Butler; food, Mrs. Ethel Bond; tea room, Mrs. Phoebe A. Paine; ice cream
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and tonic, Mrs. Madeline Morgan and Mrs. Pearl Ernst; garden table, Mrs. Cora P. Hale; Philathea table, Mrs. Emma Reck and Mrs. Sara Sargent; Epworth League (handkerchiefs), Miss Jean Taylor; children's table, Mrs. Ercel MacDougall; Philathea group, Mrs. Hazel MacKay; apron table, Mrs. Mabel Lundgren; remem- brance table, Mrs. Edna M. Beale; White Elephant, Mrs. Nettie Butterfield; grab table, Whitney Class; museum, Mrs. Ruth Skinner and Mrs. Edith Bixby; movies, Mr. Fred F. Hale; candy table, Mrs. Carrie Roberts; doll carriage parade, Mrs. Mabel Nye; fortune teller and silhouettes.
Attention is called, as we celebrate our one hundredth anni- versary, to the harmonious spirit and progressive attitude that has filled the Church since Dr. Taylor and Mrs. Taylor came to Water- town in 1920. No petty dissatisfaction has spoiled the harmony of any of the church relations. Dr. Taylor, besides being an under- standing pastor, is known everywhere for his exceptional preaching ability, and his fine Sunday morning sermons and the shorter addresses for evening meetings have long been our pride and inspiration. The men of Watertown, as well as those of our own denomination, think very highly of our pastor, and as a popular member and president of the Rotary Club he has been sent to Rotary Conventions in Denver, Colorado, and in Brussels, Belgium. He has also been Master of Victory Lodge A. F. and A. M., and High Priest of the Watertown Royal Arch Chapter; he has lately been District Deputy Grand High Priest and now is Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. The various societies of our Church are likewise appreciative of his cooperation with their programs.
Mrs. Lois V. Taylor has from the first been universally loved. Her most generous service to the choir for all these years has been outstanding, and many a Sunday morning and many a society meeting has been made more attractive by a solo rendered in her delightful soprano voice. In the records of the Philatheas and of the Woman's Home Missionary Society is special mention of some of her other activities. It can only be added here that there is not a society in St. John's that has not benefited from her work, the gift of her voice and her presence. The rest of the "parsonage family" consisted of Miss Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Taylor and Miss Jean Taylor, both of whom were very little girls when the family first came to Watertown. "Betty" attended Watertown High School
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REV. FRANCIS D. TAYLOR, D.D., AND MRS. TAYLOR
and Simmons College, and last month (June, 1936) the church folk were privileged to enjoy the occasion of her marriage to Mr. Fred Albert Miller, at a beautiful church wedding. Jean is a senior at Watertown High School for 1936-37.
One of the most congenial of all parsonage receptions was held in June, 1935, when the Church helped Dr. and Mrs. Taylor cele- brate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. "Open House" was held all evening, June 25, and several hundred church members called to congratulate the pastor and his wife, who were made especially happy on this occasion by the gift of a complete service (for eight) of sterling silver flatwear, Fairfax pattern, purchased by means of the combined gifts of a large proportion of the church membership.
To complete this chapter, and incidentally to complete this section of the general history of St. John's, two lists are printed, more for the curious satisfaction of those who may read of us in 2036, than for our own enlightenment. First comes the Church Budget of Current Expenses and Benevolences, 1936-37, and last, the Official Board of the Centenary Year.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, WATERTOWN
BUDGET FOR CHURCH YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1937
Pastor's salary
$3,600
Pastor's expenses and supplies
480
District superintendent 270
Bishop
90
Secretary and Collector's salary
360
Secretary and Collector's expenses
60
Sexton's salary
1,300
Conference expenses
50
Conference claimants
612
Music
900
Fuel
900
Lighting
300
Water
40
Printing and Bulletin
300
Insurance
750
Weekly offering envelopes
37
Taxes .
260
Repairs
200
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Federation of Churches $25
One Hundredth Anniversary celebration 300
Miscellaneous
I25
$10,959
World Service and
Annual Conference Benevolences 2,500
Total
$13,459
OFFICIAL BOARD - 1936-37
Trustees: President, A. Alonzo Huse; treasurer, Herbert L. Paine; clerk, Homer C. Perkins; William R. Beale, Walter G. Frazee, Fred F. Hale, David R. Jones, Byron L. Scribner, Wallace A. Shipton.
Stewards: E. J. Armstrong, G. S. Bacon, W. J. Brett, V. C. Brink, R. N. Butterfield, L. H. Chase, L. M. Chase, P. E. Chase, Alfred Cook, W. J. Coumans, C. A. Day, G. W. Delmage, W. M. Evans, L. M. Gentleman, L. A. Gray, Adam Green, R. M. Hatch, G. H. Joyce, C. A. Kerr, W. C. Leonard, C. S. Lovell, W. I. Middle- ton, K. C. Minty, Mrs. H. L. Paine, Mrs. H. C. Perkins, A. J. Phillips, Miss E. L. Richardson, Ray V. Richardson, Adam Ross, W. R. Sawin, A. K. Scott, F. D. Shaw, A. L. Shipton, H. E. Smith, G. S. Starbird, C. W. Tucker, Miss N. E. Turkington, A. L. Watts, Mrs. A. L. Watts.
Recording Stewards: Arthur L. Watts; Communion Steward, Albert F. Leigh; District Steward, William R. Beale; Reserve Dis- trict Steward, W. Irving Middleton.
Committees: Membership, W. A. Shipton. Music: W. M. Evans, Alfred Cook, A. K. Scott, W. J. Coumans, V. C. Brink. Religious Education: A. L. Watts, Mrs. L. M. Gentleman, Miss E. L. Rich- ardson, Miss E. J. Armstrong, Dr. G. S. Bacon. Finance: B. L. Scribner, A. A. Huse, H. C. Perkins, H. L. Paine, A. L. Shipton, W. A. Shipton, A. L. Watts, F. D. Shaw, C. A. Kerr, W. M. Evans, W. C. Leonard, C. W. Tucker, W. I. Middleton. Benevolences, the Finance Committee. Auditing: R. N. Butterfield, C. B. Currie, K. G. MacKay. Church Records, R. M. Hatch. Parsonage: Presi- dent of Trustees and Parsonage Committee of Ladies' Aid Society. Pastoral Relations and Pulpit Supply: H. L. Paine, F. F. Hale, B. L. Scribner, P. E. Chase, R. V. Richardson. Nominating Com-
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mittee, A. L. Watts, C. B. Currie, E. J. Armstrong, W. I. Middleton, Miss Theda L. Pollock. Ushers, B. L. Scribner. Church Federation, R. M. Hatch, G. H. Joyce, W. D. Currie.
Committees of the Board of Trustees: Use of Church: H. C. Perkins, F. F. Hale, W. A. Shipton, D. R. Jones. Real Estate: H. C. Perkins, H. L. Paine, A. A. Huse. Sexton: H. L. Paine, H. C. Perkins, B. L. Scribner. Organ: W. A. Shipton, W. R. Beale, W. G. Frazee. Fuel: W. R. Beale. Insurance: H. L. Paine, F. F. Hale, A. A. Huse. Cemetery Lot: D. R. Jones, W. G. Frazee. Resolutions: F. F. Hale, B. L. Scribner, W. G. Frazee.
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APPENDIX
THE CHOIR
No information is available regarding the choirs of the early years of our Church. The earliest mention obtainable is during the late 60's and early 70's. The choir was then seated by the organ in the rear gallery of the Church on Main Street. Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Bemis are mentioned as being soloists. An interesting feature of the services at that time was that when the congregation arose to sing the hymns, they turned and faced the choir. One of the pastors, evidently newly appointed to the church, was so displeased to see the people thus turn their backs toward him that he turned his back toward them and faced the wall. In 1877, a new organ was placed in the front right-hand corner of the Church and the choir then came down to this new location. At times a choir was seated in the rear gallery for special purposes. During the years that followed, many excellent musical services were given. Soloists, a professional male quartet, and orchestral instruments assisted on special occasions.
When the corner stone of the present church edifice was laid and also when the building was dedicated in 1895, the choir furnished special music for these services. A much better location was provided for the choir in the new Church. A large chancel in the rear of the pulpit plat- form was a great improvement. Adjoining the chancel was a room designed and equipped for the use of the choir. This was used for the music library and as an assembly room preceding the services.
In 1902, a vested choir of boys and men was formed to sing at the evening services. Much interest was created by this innovation. Latent talent was soon discovered. As a result of the training received, some of the boys went out from this choir and became soloists in the large Episcopal churches in Boston. After a few years, this form of choir was discontinued. Miss Chamberlain was the founder.
Down through the years, with but few short periods when a soloist or quartet was employed, the musical part of the services has been furnished by a chorus choir. Among those who have served as choir directors are Frederick Adelbert Whitney, Richard H. Paine, Austin Howard, Charles R. Fletcher, Mrs. Emilie M. C. Leach, Robert N. Lister, Miss Chamberlain, Mrs. Nellie Holt Hilton, Wallace A. Shipton and Miss Rena I. Bisbee.
WALLACE A. SHIPTON.
Miss Rena I. Bisbee became organist and choir director September 24, 19II. At this time the Church was served by a quartet: soprano, Mrs. Whitcomb; alto, Mrs. Crocker; tenor, Mr. Hill; bass, Mr. E. Willard
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Phippen. After two years the quartet was supplanted by a chorus choir under the direction of Mr. Robert N. Lister, who had served in this capacity before. He often used as soloists some of his own pupils, or used them as a quartet. In April, 1914, Mr. Arthur J. Phillips became director, and also baritone soloist. Miss Bess E. Perry was soprano soloist at this time. On Christmas Sunday, 1914, the Harvard String Quartet assisted the choir, Mr. Virgil C. Brink playing first violin; and ever since Mr. Brink has often played with St. John's choir.
On September 2, 1917, Miss Bisbee, the organist, was asked to be director of the chorus choir, as Mr. Phillips was preparing to leave for Y. M. C. A. work in France. Upon his return in 1920, Mr. Phillips again became baritone soloist. Mrs. Pearl Edna Selfridge became soprano soloist in May, 1918, and was of great help in leading the choir. Mr. Chandler Wells served as tenor soloist in this period. The church was closed from September 29 to October 20 in this year because of the influenza epidemic. Mrs. Selfridge resigned during the summer of 1923, and for several months supply soprano soloists were hired for one or two Sundays at a time, and our pastor's wife, Mrs. Taylor, sang the solo parts whenever she was needed. Miss Hildred Polley was finally selected as regular soprano soloist in March, 1924, and Mr. Frank Barnhart the following November, as tenor.
The new Skinner organ, gift of Mr. Frederick Adelbert Whitney, was first used on Christmas Sunday, 1924. The dedication of the organ took place at a vesper organ concert at four o'clock, by Mr. William E. Zeuch, the baritone soloist being Mr. David Blair McClosky. During 1925 and often thereafter, Stephen Bissett, a member of the choir, assisted with his violin in solos and obligatos. Mrs. Esther Little became a member in 1926, and soon was recognized as alto soloist, holding that position up to the present time (1936). Since 1926, also, the name of Kenneth G. MacKay appears often as violinist, and he has also served as bass soloist in the choir. Mr. Herbert L. Robinson, Mr. Harry Scanlan, and Mr. Sam Sharkey were tenors who followed Mr. Barnhart, to be succeeded by Mr. Joseph Wood in 1930, who has been the regular tenor soloist since then. Miss Hildred Polley left in June, 1933, and was succeeded for a time by Mrs. Louise Murray. Our present soprano soloist is Mrs. Eleanor Harris. Mr. Irving Middleton and Mr. Grenfel Swim have been giving their services as baritone and bass soloists, respectively. Substitute organists are Mr. Wallace A. Shipton and Miss Lilla M. Burgess.
Members of the Church who have contributed instrumental solos or obligatos are: Elizabeth Armstrong, flute; Edwin Armstrong, mello- phone; Ethel Hall, cello; Ann Burgess, trumpet; Willard Linfield, trumpet; Lilla Burgess, cello; Richard Hatch, flute; Robert Watts, trumpet; Robert Sawin, trombone; Ralph Morgan, baritone horn; and Ruth Linfield, cello.
The backbone of the church music has always been the voices of the church people who have given their services year in and year out for our anthems. A list of the choir as of May, 1936, follows: Rena I. Bisbee, organist; Mrs. Eleanor Harris, soprano; Mr. Joseph Wood, tenor; Mrs.
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