USA > Vermont > Washington County > Barre > One hundred fifty years of Methodism in Barre > Part 5
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In 1909, a new organization was formed in the city of Barre, the first of its kind in the country, the Boy Scouts of America. This first troop was organized at the Baptist Church. A year or so later, Dr. Thayer formed a second troop under the auspices of Hedding Church, and was prob- ably its first scoutmaster. This troop got off to a good start, and by 1912, when Emery Newhall became scout- master, it was a good sized troop, already equipped with uniforms.
In the years that followed, many youth groups such as the Camp Fire girls, Girl Scouts, Cub Packs, and Brownies were organized under the sponsorship of Hedding Church.
The three Leagues were flourishing now, and in 1910, the Epworth League laid a hardwood floor in the League room and the Ladies' and Pastor's Union helped to buy a new carpet.
Dr. Thayer was the last representative of an old school of clergyman to come to Barre. Tolerant and kindly at all times in his dealings with others, he conducted his own life with the strictest discipline, and, among other things, ob- served the Sabbath most scrupulously. While not auto- cratically prohibiting these things, Dr. Thayer deplored the
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Rev. L. L. Beeman 1887-1890
Rev. W. S. Smithers 1890-1893
Dr. Walter R. Davenport 1893-1898
Rev. A. E. Atwater 1898-1902
Dr. E. O. Thayer 1907-1912
Rev. Elmer F. Newell 1912-1916
Ministers who served the Barre Methodist Church near the turn of the century
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practice of conducting sales within the halls of the church, even when this was done for the purpose of raising money for the church and its various benevolences.
He left Hedding Church in thriving condition in the spring of 1912, to retire from the active ministry. He and his wife spent their remaining years with their daughters in California.
Elmer F. Newell took the Barre charge after Dr. Thayer's retirement. He was a genial, warm-hearted man of friendly disposition, and Hedding members were drawn to him at once.
The parsonage was in need of some repairs now, and $435 was spent in 1915, the largest part of which went into the installation of a new steamheating plant. There was no church debt at this time. The minister's salary was $1500, including house rent, and discussion of the rising cost of living had begun to creep into the Conference records. The membership showed a slight decline, but many times these declines, especially when marked, were more a matter of the church records being brought up to date, names of deceased and departed members crossed off, than of any indication that the church itself had lost ground.
These were happy days in the life of the church. The social life of many of its people was completely centered here. The Ladies' and Pastor's Union and the Missionary Societies were flourishing, and it was nothing short of amazing the amount of actual hard work these women did to raise money for various purposes. Chicken pie suppers (with Mrs. Kennerson's hot rolls in abundance), rummage sales, fairs, food sales, entertainments,-all these were in evidence and testified to harmony and fellowship among the members. The kitchen was primitive in its appointments, the base- ment unattractive, but probably not one child or youth who attended functions there noticed these things, being much more concerned with the tables with their white cloth covers, loaded with good things to eat. The atmosphere of festivity and merriment and song that pervaded these oc- casions lingered in memory many years after the crude ce- ment floor, the uncouth furnace standing forth without apology in the main basement room (to warm chilled bodies),
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the old-fashioned lights, the obscure stairways, the plain cellar windows,-many years after these things were for- gotten. Nostalgia often grips the heart for those days of a more tranquil mood, lived at a slower tempo, when there was time to savor each of these plesaant occasions to its fullest.
In the year 1916, B. G. Lipsky left the Maine Con- ference to enter Vermont, and was assigned to Hedding Church. There has been little similarity of temperament among the men who have served this church, each one being
Dr. B. G. Lipsky 1916-1923 Outstanding leader of Hedding Youth
completely individual, and putting his own stamp on the church program. Mr. Lipsky was an entirely different type of pastor than either Dr. Thayer or Mr. Newell, but as de- voted and conscientious as they. A sincere, impassioned speaker, he made a vital appeal, especially to the young people with whom he was very popular.
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The Netop Class of young women was organized in 1917 with five members. Its purpose was two-fold, religious and social, and it proved to be a real force in reaching stran- gers in the city and welcoming them to fellowship. This was but one of the many Sunday school classes that were active at Hedding Church.
There was an enthusiastic group of young people in the church during this decade, and they were unusually faithful in working for the church. Sunday was often a very strenu- ous day for them. In the morning they were present at church and Sunday school, often teaching a class. After dinner, they would frequently walk to the North Barre Mission to teach in the Sunday school there, and Sunday evening found them once more at Hedding for Epworth League and evening service.
The United States was now a participant of World War I. The battle cry of this conflict was "Make the World Safe for Democracy", and Methodist youth with those of other denominations enlisted in the service of their country quickly and enthusiastically ..
The approach to the church from Church street had never been satisfactory, and in May, 1921, the trustees were delegated to find out what kind of an arrangement could be made with the city in regard to a sidewalk there. At this same meeting, the matter of the leaking church roof was discussed, and plans made for prompt repairs. This roof, due to the type of construction, gave much trouble to the officials over a period of many years, and oftentimes they despaired of repairing it with any degree of assurance that the work would be permanent.
The Annual Conference that met in Barre in 1921 was in charge of Bishop Hughes.
The high cost of living had caught up with the church on all sides. Mrs. George, who previously had deeded some property to the church subject to certain conditions, found the money derived from this investment insufficient for her needs. At a winter meeting in 1922 it was decided that the fair thing to do was to raise $1,000 on this property to be used for her as needed.
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It is of more than passing interest to this history to note that on March 13, 1923, the Official Board voted to pur- chase a new record book for its secretary, as the old one could not be found. Not only was this one record book missing; since then it has been discovered that all the other books prior to 1921 containing the secretaries' reports of the Official Board meetings have disappeared, although they are known to have been carefully kept by the various secretaries, Dr. O. H. Reed, Alvin W. Gates and Glenn C. Carpenter among others.
Four large, stout-covered books contain the reports from February, 1921 to the present time. Both Emery Newhall and Mrs. Alvin W. Gates served as secretary for periods of ten years, followed by various others who held the position for lesser intervals of time. Raymond H. Bosworth has been in this office since June, 1946, and supplements his painstaking accounts with newspaper clippings, programs, letters, and miscellaneous material that will be a joy to some future historian. There is also in existence a small book that contains the records of the Trustees' meetings from 1908 to July, 1943, which was kept by Judge E. R. Davis.
The Epworth League Institute had been organized in 1917 and now met each June at Montpelier Seminary. Hedding youth showed much interest in these conferences and supported them well. Seventeen went from Barre in 1922.
The matter of the George property continued to vex the church officials. At a winter meeting, 1923, A. A. Boyce, acting for the trustees, asked permission to sell either this building or the parsonage on French street, according to the judgment of the trustees. Permission was granted to do this, but on April 10 the Board specifically recommended that the Averill street property be sold, all claims paid, and the residue applied to church repairs. Thus, the parsonage was saved for future ministers' families.
Many individuals of Hedding Church have made out- standing contributions to the life of the community during its long history. Dr. and Mrs. Howard Drew came to the front in this capacity in 1923, when they organized the
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Santa Claus Club of Barre, a club whose sole purpose was to make a joyous Christmas for the city's underprivileged children. Gifts, money and services were contributed vol- untarily by the people of Barre to this new project which had the instant and spontaneous success that only a truly good thing can achieve. Even when Dr. and Mrs. Drew have been compelled to be absent at Christmas time, the Santa Claus Club continues its seasonal demonstration of good will. Such worthwhile community projects, which are only the manifestations of an inward spirit, have constantly lined the fabric of Hedding Church's over-all service, and have made her and her members a valuable adjunct to the city of Barre.
The following June, the pastor's salary was raised from $1,800 to $2,000, several raises having been made prior to this.
Heavy sorrow entered the pastor's household during their stay in Barre, when their younger son was taken from them. The sympathy of the entire parish and community went out to them in their hour of loss.
Mr. Lipsky's pastorate was of seven years' duration, the longest of any in the history of the church, and that fact is testimony to the splendid work he did here. Today, an as- tonishingly large porportion of those who came under Mr. Lipsky's influence in their youth are to be found as church leaders in their communities, not only in the towns and vil- lages of Vermont, but in the large cities in other states.
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CHAPTER VIII THE TWENTIES
W. T. Best came to Hedding Church in the spring, 1923. He was a man who had had an unusual career. Born in a Roman Catholic family, he trained for the priesthood and was almost ready to take his final vows when he came to the decision that he was making a mistake. A number of local ministers have forsaken Methodism to become clergy- men in some other denominations, but this is the first instance in the history of the Barre Church when a clergyman or clergyman-in-training of another church has embraced Methodism. Before he did so he worked for some time in the Salvation Army, and was called the "boy preacher".
Mr. Best was a powerful speaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was also an exceptionally capable business man and financial affairs of the church flourished under his direction. He owned and directed a small printing concern in Morristown, N. Y., during his preaching years. He was something of a "joiner" and belonged to many organizations and fraternal orders in Barre.
At a special meeting held in March, 1924, the officials of the church voted to recommend Doris Merle Davis as a deaconess probationer to the Deaconess Board of the St. Louis Conference. Two years later she became a full fledged deaconess and served in this field until her marriage eleven years later.
This was the post war era of the roaring and profligate twenties, and interest in some branches of religious work
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flagged. In the church records, concern was evidenced es- pecially for the young people of adolescent age.
In June, 1924, an appeal came from Miss Carle of the Mission asking for teachers, and also urging Hedding mem- bers to take more interest in the work there.
The routine work of the church continued, in war and in peace. Hedding Church had had a creditable record in benevolences through the years, and in connection with these, it is interesting to note that in June, 1924, approxi- mately one-third of this money was apportioned to the New England benevolences, which included Montpelier Seminary and Boston University. The remaining two-thirds went to World Service.
The following year, in March, 1925, the officials voted to place the proper inscription on Mrs. George's monument, not unmindful of how much she had done for the church. There was also discussion at this meeting as to what use her money . should be put. Two weeks later, the trustees were empowered to use the money to pay all debts and make some repairs, rather than to establish an endowment fund. In June of the same year, the pastor's salary was raised to $2,200, and the rental value of the parsonage set at $500. A year later, another $300 was added to Mr. Best's salary, mute testimony to his efficiency as a pastor and a business man.
During these years, several lay preachers were connected with Hedding Church, and annually their licenses were re- newed at the Fourth Quarterly Conference. Most of this group are still active in the life of the church and community. On March 30, 1929, the licenses of Cornelius Granai, M. F. Cerasoli, and Nelson Abbiatti were renewed.
"Mike" Cerasoli, as he has always been called, had at- tended both North Barre Mission and Montpelier Seminary. He first held a license to preach while a student at the Semi- nary. After his graduation in 1922, he had it renewed from time to time when he was located in Barre and could do so. A busy practicing physican in later years, Dr. Cerasoli did not continue as a local preacher.
"Kio" Granai also attended the Mission and the Semi- nary. He first secured his local preacher's license in More-
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town in 1918, and has held it ever since. The most active of any of the lay preachers, he has held preaching charges almost constantly, although he is by profession a lawyer.
Nelson Abbiatti first received a license to preach in 1921, and held it until 1929 when he asked that it be dis- continued. He has, however, continued his intense interest in the church and is one of its most active and conscientious members. In 1928 and 1929 N. H. Chesley also held a local preacher's license, and exhorters' licenses were issued Merlyn Ordway and Clarence Nicholson for several years.
Thus, the intricate machinery of organization which was so vital and necessary in the pioneer beginnings, and for which Methodism has been famed, has functioned adequately across the long years to the present time.
Following Mr. Best, Charles M. Charlton came to Barre in the spring of 1928, and left in the fall of 1929, remaining less than one year and a half. He had had a career as chap- lain in the navy and having become accustomed to a short, ritualistic type of service, he found the adjustment to the civilian service of the Methodist Church difficult. His sermons were on an intellectual plane, but seemed exceeding- ly brief to a congregation which was accustomed to ministers who preached at least twenty minutes.
There was more concern for world peace at this time than had ever before been evidenced. World War I had left people everywhere heartsick and disillusioned. On June 27, 1928, the Official Board voted to endorse the Kellogg Pact Petition, which was a resolution renouncing war.
The following June, 1929, the matter of repairs was again on the minds of the officials, and they voted to roof the parsonage, and put in new walks in front of the church. Men were hired for this labor, and at the same time they did some work on the parsonage barn, and fixed the church lawn.
By the fall of 1929, Mr. Charlton had tendered his resignation. One hundred fifty dollars was borrowed and a note given the bank so that he might be paid in full. Later he became a clergyman in the Episcopal church.
Since any change of pastorate in the Methodist Church usually takes place in the spring at Conference time, Mr.
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Charlton's departure in the fall necessitated some hasty activity on the part of the pulpit supply committee. Several prospects were considered by this committee, and their names presented to the Official Board. In the end, in No- vember, C. C. Chayer, then district superintendent, was "given a call" with the understanding that he might con- tinue his duties as superintendent for a time. His salary was set at $2,800, a slight increase over his predecessor's, with the promise of a $200 raise at the beginning of the Conference year.
Mr. Chayer was a colorful, warm-hearted man who plunged zealously into the work of the church, and who soon put his own individual stamp on its activities. One of the first things initiated by him was the publication of a little church bulletin-the HEDDING HERALD. This was a breezy, attractive little folder, partly inspirational in nature, and also with definite news value, keeping the members up to date on the activities not only of Hedding Church but also of the Methodist church as a whole. Within a few months, HEDDING HERALD was going into between four hundred and five hundred Methodist homes in the vicinity. The church also authorized the use of advertising in the local press for a two months period.
Early in Mr. Chayer's pastorate, in 1930, the Junior choir was organized and sang for the first time March 29. Other branches of church activity took on new life, and the congregations increased steadily. One cold winter morn- ing, three hundred forty-five were present at church, seventy- five of whom were the Girl Scouts of the city who attended in a body. The Sunday school attendance that day was two hundred thirty-one, the evening service seven hundred, . although it is not known just what the special feature was that evening. So large were the congregations that the little HEDDING HERALD reported the happy complaint, "that it is getting so a person cannot come to church and look across and see his friends." The Epworth League was reporting attendances of over fifty. Also active were the Girl Scouts (of whom there were one hundred seventy in the city), Brownies, Home Guards, King's Heralds, and many Sunday school classes, including a men's class which had
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attendances of forty and more on Sunday mornings. One especially cold day in February, 1931, the Sunday school attendance was two hundred twenty-one, and a week or two later, when Governor Wilson addressed the Sunday school assembly at the invitation of the Top-Notch class, this jumped to a challenging high of three hundred ten.
Perhaps Mr. Chayer's outstanding contribution to Hedding Church was the revitalizing of the Sunday evening services. Interest in these had been steadily declining, and the periods when they were discontinued altogether alter- nated with half-hearted attempts to revive them. During the two years he was here, Mr. Chayer put much time and thought into making these services real contributions to the life of the church and community. Week after week, out- side speakers and musicians of ability were present at Hedding Church. The "Symphony Hour" by the Barre Junior Symphony orchestra, under the directionof Dr. D. C. Jarvis, was a feature enjoyed at the conclusion of the reg- ular evening service during one season. Bishop Robinson, of Delhi, India, was one of the many fine speakers.
The Top-Notch class of boys and young men, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in December, 1930, voted to provide ushers for the evening services at one time, and eventually an orchestra of Hedding young people was or- ganized for these services.
The active membership was now listed officially as five hundred twenty-five. The drop was largely accounted for by the fact that careful check of the membership placed sixty names on the non-resident list. Out of this five hundred twenty-five, nearly one hundred were living outside the city.
The old problem of church repairs, of which there had been ample mention before Mr. Chayer came, was still pre- sent, and this note was growing steadily more and more in- sistent, especially after it was impressed on the members that Hedding Church was planning to entertain the Conference in 1934. It has always seemed to take some drastic or important event such as a cyclone, an industrial revolution, or a Methodist Conference to jolt the church members into action on the repair and building problem. The unattrac-
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tive appearance and general inefficiency of the basement was a thorn in good Methodist flesh, and "A Better Basement" became the battle cry from 1930 on. Mrs. Telia Trow had promised $1,000 in the event the project was under- taken. In regard to finances, this church was very meagerly endowed, having only $500 in such a fund as contrasted with St. Johnsbury's $75,000, so that in any project the members undertook they were realistically aware that the financial burden would rest squarely on their shoulders. But Method- ist shoulders had been squared before, and the minds of the people were slowly moving now to a decision that the hour for action was close at hand.
A capable Investigating Committee was appointed in January, 1931, consisting of the pastor, A. A. Boyce, Glenn Carpenter, G. A. Bixby, and Dr. L. D. Martin. This com- mittee went to work with a will, and had made rapid strides toward formulating a program when a break in pastoral leadership made the cancellation of their immediate efforts seem feasible.
At Conference time, Mr. Chayer received a most at- tractive offer to become headmaster of Montpelier Seminary, an offer which the people of Hedding could only be glad to see him accept with their good wishes and congratulations.
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CHAPTER IX DEPRESSION YEARS
Probably a more able man for the work that lay ahead could not have come to Hedding Church than Laurence H. Blackburn. He had not been a member of the Vermont Conference, but came from a charge in Massachusetts. He was a man of initiative and originality, with definite ideas as to the value of beauty in religious services, and therefore, of the value of a beautiful church. He also had tenacity of purpose and was not easily discouraged.
The work of the Investigation Committee had been necessarily suspended during the pastoral change, but this committee became active again at the beginning of the sum- mer, and in October, 1931, made their report. They unani- mously though regretfully declared themselves of the opinion that it seemed "absolutely unwise to undertake a large pro- ject in the midst of such serious and uncertain business con- ditions." They recommended certain minor repairs, and the immediate establishment of a building fund, and suggest- ed further careful study of the whole problem.
The country was in the throes of the Great Depression, the bitterest it had ever experienced, and institutions and organizations everywhere were bending their fullest efforts toward survival. The plight of millions of individuals in the nation was pitiable.
This report of the Investigation Committee sounds decisive enough, but the matter was by no means dropped or forgotten. The committee continued its work and had as its chairman the pastor, who was optimistic and enthusiastic,
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although business conditions grew worse rather than better as time went on. In March, 1932, the committee brought in a report in which they recommended a complete renova- tion program estimated at $9,800. One reason put forward for undertaking the work at this time was the favorable, low-priced labor conditions.
Only once before was a remodeling project approaching this one undertaken, when the sum of over $4,000 was spent on the second church in 1867.
Following this report, a Campaign Committee consisting of Mrs. G. A. Bixby, Mrs. Raymond Martin, Eric Pirie, Guy Norris, Fred Cutts, Mrs. Mae Counter, and the pastor and Glenn Carpenter, ex-officio, was elected. The Building Committee, headed by the pastor, was as follows: A. A. Boyce, Dr. L. D. Martin, Earl Batchelder, Harry Johnson, Mrs. Edward L. Hosmer, and Mrs. Charles H. Wishart.
The week of June 5th, an intensive campaign was con- ducted and over $10,000 was pledged, more than half of which was paid in cash. The Ladies' Aid Society contributed $1,000 and pledged another $500. From time to time, addi- tional gifts were received.
In the end, approximately $17,000 was spent, which almost equalled the total cost of the church when new, so much had building costs increased even with depression rates. The raising of this fund at this time of economic hazard also had its parallel in another period of the church history, for money for the new church was raised in the un- certain days of the 1890's. On December 30, 1932, with this program in mind, a special Quarterly Conference voted to mortgage the real estate of the church for an amount not exceeding $13,000.
Boston architects assisted in developing preliminary plans, but the actual work was directed by the Building Committee. John Boyce designed the chancel and super- vised its construction, and also gave invaluable advice throughout the project.
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