USA > Vermont > Washington County > Barre > One hundred fifty years of Methodism in Barre > Part 7
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The president of the railroad, A. F. Sortwell, agreed to allow the Methodists to use it, although it was to be disposed of in the near future. The pastor and Lyman Taft thoroughly cleaned this place. This is the story in Mr. Lowe's own words:
"First of all I placed a large iron kettle in the middle of the house and put into it a large amount of brimstone. Then I heated a large piece of iron white- hot at the foundry and, hurrying over, dropped it into the kettle and hurried out before being suffo- cated. After a couple of days the germs were all dead. Mr. Taft and I did a lot of hard work, aided later by other workers from the church.
"As for equipment we started with exactly zero. Who ever knew a mission enterprise to start with a bank account? The Kingdom of God never origi- nates with money.
"Well, I took from Hedding Church all I dared to, borrowed Brother Fred Page's old bay mare, Pansy, and with his Concord wagon begged and borrowed tables, chairs, (no two alike!) stove pipes, etc., etc. Miss Hanson and the other ladies brought down pictures, mirrors, and other ornaments so that the place soon assumed a real homelike atmosphere.
"When we advertised that on a certain Sunday afternoon we would be open to do business we had some crowd on hand. I think there were one hundred fifteen children and young people present. Not all of the children could get inside. Several went in and out via the windows. However, after two or three Sundays we had everything in order and the organization perfected. Miss Hanson acted as super- intendent, I raised money and did anything, while a good number of workers from Hedding church came to teach and do anything that was needed."
This building was sold several months later, and the Methodist equipment moved to an empty house nearby. Later, a vacant store on Main street was used.
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It soon became evident that a permanent place must be established if the work in North Barre was to continue with- out interruption, and the people closest to it were rapidly coming to the conclusion that this work, begun so simply, without fanfare, might become a most important enterprise with far-reaching results. The chief reason for this hope- ful outlook lay in the character of the North Barre people themselves. No finer group ever came to thece shores as lonely immigrants (and it should not be forgotten that the ancestors of every nationality in this country originally came as just that-lonely immigrants). Actually, while of a different temperament, they embodied some of the traits that were inherent in the Vermont Yankees. They were thrifty and home-loving, and by and large, the women were superb housekeepers. Many a doctor or tradesman, returning home from a trip to the North End, commented admiringly on the mirror-bright stoves, the shining windows, the polished floors-and began to take an interest in how spaghetti was made, recalling the aroma from kettles simmer- ing on the stove. Some of the more astute of the Barre population began to realize that these new people were a tremendous potential asset to the town.
Sometime during these early days, probably between 1903 and 1905, Hedding Church took over the Mission and from then on for a number of years, was solely responsible for it. A number of other organizations, however, helped in its support. As early as 1908, Miss Hanson, chief worker at the Mission, was supported in large measure by the Ver- mont Conference Woman's Home Missionary Society. The Board of Deaconesses of the Vermont Conference ap- parently assisted with funds, and for a number of years, the National Board of Home Missions and Church Exten- sion had a connection with the work. Just exactly what the status of each was is not known, but obviously, while all these organizations contributed materially to the welfare of the work, there was much overlapping of effort, with resulting confusion.
On June 22, 1910, at a meeting of the Vermont Confer- ence Woman's Home Missionary Society in Montpelier, a letter was read from the pastor of Hedding Church, Dr.
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Thayer, requesting that the organization take over the work of the Mission lest it die. After considerable discussion, these women decided to undertake the project, which must have seemed a very large one to them at the time. They were, however, heartened by the information that the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension had made a condi- tional promise of $1,200 toward a new chapel, with the idea that the building would not cost much in excess of $3,000. According to the Official Journal of the Vermont Conference, 1911, the Mission had changed hands by that year.
North Barre Chapel Built in 1910
As early as 1909 the trustees of Hedding Church had pur- chased the lot for the chapel for the sum of $450 and later, the National Board of the Woman's Home Missionary So- ciety donated $500 toward the construction of the building. This chapel erected by the Women's Home Missionary So- ciety was reported ready for occupancy by December 10, 1910. The deaconesses moved into their new quarters on Berlin street, not far from the chapel, in 1912. At this time, one hundred sixty-five were enrolled in the Sunday
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school and at one Christmas social, one hundred twelve boys and girls were present.
This same year, 1912, both the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension and the trustees of Hedding Church surrendered their titles to North Barre Church property to the Woman's Society. Both organizations continued to aid the work of the Mission, but the authority was now cen- tralized to some extent.
The children were the first group to be reached by the Mission; the women, the last. Domestic by training and inclination, unfamiliar with the language and customs that the husbands and children were picking up. in school and at work, they tended to remain in the seclusion of their own neighborhoods. When they finally began to attend the Mis- sion and were enrolled in the Mothers' Club, they inevitably became a vital influence in their section of the community.
At one time during the Mission's history, when the sup- port of the growing work became a pressing problem, the New England Board of Deaconesses offered to take over the Mission, administering the work and assuming all financial responsibility, but the Woman's Home Missionary Society refused.
The years drifted slowly away without the larger portion of the people of Barre having any real comprehension that a miracle in Americanization was taking place in the North End. As early as 1919, the work had grown to such pro- portions that it became apparent that the Vermont Con- ference women could no longer carry it on alone. In 1923, the control of the Mission passed into the hands of the National Board of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, and an era of unprecedented prosperity began. A double building, larger than the old one, located on Smith street, was purchased in 1924 with a legacy of $3,350 from the es- tate of Mrs. Nancy Rollins of St. Johnsbury. This is the present site of the North Barre Community House, the official title of the old North Barre Mission.
By this time at least, there were sizeable groups of people of Spanish, French and Scotch descent associated with the Community House.
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In 1925, twenty-two young people from the Community House joined Hedding Church. While the work of the Com- munity House and chapel, under the national setup, was now entirely separate from Hedding Church, those from the Com- munity House who embraced Methodism either at the chapel or at Hedding Church, were placed on Hedding's membership roll since the chapel had no official conference rating as a church. This procedure is still followed.
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North Barre Community House Purchased in 1924
A report from the workers at the Community House in 1930 has this to say of their activity: one thousand three hundred thirty-one calls made, four hundred eighty-five meetings attended, two hundred eleven meetings conducted, five hundred fourteen letters written, two thousand children taught, twenty-eight Mothers' Club meetings held. Certainly, these figures speak for themselves.
There was no further change in the machinery of govern- ment of the Community House until 1939. Then, as a result of the historic Unifying Conference of Kansas City that year, the Town and Country Bureau of the Woman's
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Division of Christian Service took charge of the Community House and Chapel. This same year, Rev. Marjorie E. Hanton, enrolled missionary, became superintendent, and took over the pastorate a year later.
At the present writing, some seven hundred families are recorded as having been touched by the work of the Com- munity House. There are, of course, no records for the earlier years. There are now enrolled more than four hun- dred fifty people of all ages, from nursery school tots of three to grandparents. There are twenty-five active groups in the church and community house program, which also sponsors a summer camp and daily vacation Bible school. Three full-time workers, three part-time, and several who give a few hours a week carry on this work, and the Community House is open from nine in the morning for nursery school until late at night.
Sixty women belong to the Mothers' Club, representing a number of faiths, nationalities and creeds. At one meeting of the Club, Catholic, Jewish and Methodist mothers took part in the worship service, witnessing in a small way the unity that is inherent in all great faiths.
Words are completely inadequate to evaluate the work of the North Barre Mission through the years. Uncounted numbers of men and women who came under its influence are now prominent in the community life. Many have gone from Vermont to become useful citizens elsewhere, and one at least, has achieved a national reputation.
This is Ugo Carusi, born in Italy, who attended the Mis- sion Sunday school from the age of four or five years until he was in his middle teens. In 1925 he went to Washington, D. C., to become executive assistant to Attorney General Sargent under the Coolidge regime, and remained in the Department of Justice until 1945 when he was appointed United States Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization by Presi- dent Roosevelt. In 1938 he was the official delegate for the United States at the first International Congress on Crimin- ology held at Rome, and is now national head of the de- partment in charge of displaced persons.
For many years now, the people of the North End have been pouring the richness of an older and more mellow tradi-
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tion into the life of Barre. In music, art and scholarship they have been outstanding. But what is most important, young Americans in this group have been mingling freely with all the other groups of different descents in Barre. They have been going to school together, joining in games on the playground, attending the same parties, graduating from Barre's one high school, and frequently intermarrying. The result of this free intermingling over a long period has been to transform Barre from a prim, New England city into one of the most democratic localities in the world. Without the tremendous Americanization impact of the North Barre Community House it might never have hap- pened that Barre, Vermont, located in the heart of the Green Mountains, has become one small fortress of demo- cracy in a mighty land.
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CHAPTER XI WAR YEARS
Ralph W. Kelley, who came to Hedding Church in the spring of 1942, remained but six months, the shortest term of service of any man since Mr. Puffer died at the parsonage in 1874.
The drums of war were rolling once again following the tragic debacle at Pearl Harbor. At the Official Board meet- ing, October 1, 1942, Mr. Granai, who was himself soon to enter the service, suggested that the attention of the Pro- testant Churches be called to the desirability of making some expression of good will to the local men leaving for the ser- vice. The Board went on record as favoring this idea. In the end the Barre clergy planned brief send-offs for the different groups that were leaving almost every week now.
At this same meeting, the pastor, an earnest, dynamic man of considerable ability, informed the Board of the pos- sibility that he himself might soon be called into service as a chaplain. This summons came very shortly, and Mr. Kelley prepared to leave. A resolution was drawn up and passed by acclamation, expressing the deep appreciation of the members for his splendid service, and regret at losing him. This same resolution requested Mr. Kelley's return at the end of the war, circumstances permitting.
At Mr. Kelley's last service, Sunday morning, Mr. Granai went forward and in a few fervent words bespoke the congregation's good wishes to the pastor. There was hardly a dry eye in the church; emotions were running high
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at this time with boys and men of all ages marching away day by day to the service of their country.
Daniel T. Hill came to Barre that same fall. He was a big, genial man of kindly temperament and made many friends here. Like his predecessor, he took an especial in- terest in boys' work and gave much time and thought to the scouting program.
Rev. Daniel T. Hill 1942-1946 Pastor at the time the mortgage was paid
The Guy Black program of evangelism was conducted at Hedding in the fall of 1943, and resulted in fifty-one decisions for Christian life.
The war cast its continuing shadow over the church and the city. A Service Flag and Book of Honor were dedi- cated at the church in September, 1943. By the following spring, one hundred sixteen young men and women from Hedding were in the service and a real effort was made to keep in touch with them. Each one received a New Testa- ment or Prayer Book, and a little bulletin, THE MES- SENGER, was sent out each month to nearly every corner of the world. In addition, the pastor and many of the parishioners were writing personal letters. When VE Day
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arrived, May 8, 1945, the church was open throughout the day and services of thanksgiving conducted every hour by the pastor or Clyde Fussell.
Beginning in September, 1944, there was considerable discussion at Board meetings relative to selling the lot at the rear of the church. In the end, since there was no unani- mity of opinion in this matter, it was dropped.
The first phase of the Crusade for Christ, which was sponsored by the national organization of The Methodist Church, was carried on this same fall. The entire sum sought was $25,000,000 and Hedding's quota was $1,495. At the first meeting of the new year, 1945, Hedding was found to have exceeded its quota when $1,800 in cash and pledges was reported. The National organization also exceeded its quota by $2,000,000. The North Barre Chapel raised $383 .- 54 on this occasion. This first phase of the Crusade was succeeded by one of evangelistic emphasis, and under the pastor's direction, a large proportion of those affiliated with the church but not members were called upon and given an opportunity to join.
In the spring, the members of Hedding Church were once again concerned with the church building itself. Twelve years had passed since it was completely remodeled. Now it needed attention again. Before anything could be done, however, there was the matter of the old mortgage which still remained on the books due to the hard times of the thirties and a major war in the forties. At the May meeting, 1945, Mr. Hill himself made the motion that this mortgage be re- tired by October 1, 1947. A capable committee consisting of Truman Eastman, Mrs. Ralph Noble, Mrs. Clyde Fussell, Douglas Gray, A. LeRoy Smith, Glenn C. Carpenter, John Cook, Mrs. Mae Counter, Miss Mary Higgs, and Deane C. Davis, was appointed.
The mortgage now stood at approximately $4,300, and the estimated cost of redecorating the church brought the required sum to $6,600. To dramatize the raising of this money, a block of candles was set up in the chancel before the altar. Due to the wartime shortage of candles, the sister church, St. Monica's, on two occasions donated them to Hedding for this purpose. As each $100 was raised (and
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there were many memorial gifts of this sum) a candle was lighted, and interest in the project proved to be widespread and intense.
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A. LeRoy Smith Truman L. Fastman
Rev. Daniel T. Hill Glenn C. Carpenter
Burning of the Mortgage, Sunday morning, April 28, 1946
On Sunday morning April 28, 1946, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Eastman and Mr. Smith, members of the Mortgage Com- mittee, went to the chancel at the request of the pastor, and there Mr. Carpenter burned the mortgage in the presence of the other three and the large congregation. This took place a full year and five months before the deadline set by the pastor at the meeting the previous year, and was an occasion for real rejoicing.
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CHAPTER XII SESQUICENTENNIAL
When Eldon H. Martin came to Barre in May, 1946, he came not as a stranger but as one returning home. His associations with this vicinity were many. He had been born in Williamstown, Vermont, a relative of the Martin family which had so long been active and honored in Hedding affairs. He had served this church as district superinten- dent and in that capacity had presided at the hearing held here in 1937. Elected to preside at the historic first session of the Conference of 1939, he had been in the president's chair when the Vermont Conference ceased to exist under the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the rebirth of the Conference under the newly organized Methodist Church.
At the same time he received his appointment here, he was also appointed to serve as pastor of the Williamstown Methodist Church. It was apparent almost at once that this was not a feasible arrangement, as Hedding Church was of a size to require the full time services of a pastor. At the December meeting, the minister's salary was raised from $2,600 to $3,000 with the understanding he discontinue the work in Williamstown.
The retirement of the mortgage acted as a spur to the raising of the money needed for the redecoration of the church. Hedding members were anticipating the celebra- tion of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Methodism in Barre and felt a natural desire to have the church shine forth at its best for this important event. The parsonage also needed repairs estimated at $1,500.
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The candle-lighting project continued, and on one tense occasion a spark from a discarded match nearly set the whole block of candles afire! A year from the time the mortgage was burned, in April, 1947, Mr. Eastman, chairman of the Finance Committee, reported sufficient funds on hand to proceed with the redecoration program. This work pro- ceeded rapidly during the summer and was completed in August.
Among the items that had called for attention was the church roof, which for so many years had plagued the offic- ials. Expert advice was sought on this subject, and the method suggested was followed at an expense of about $600. The older members, certainly, breathed a hopeful sigh of relief and satisfaction when this particular repair work was finally completed.
A special Parsonage committee, headed by Mrs. Charles H. Wishart, spent $1,500 on the parsonage. The kitchen was completely renovated and streamlined, a new sink and electric stove installed, the downstairs redecorated, and the building itself painted.
Some one hundred fifty new chairs were purchased for Fellowship Hall in the fall, the Gamma Deltas contributing money for over seventy-five, the Woman's Society for about twenty-five, and the rest being paid for by individual dona- tions. Alice Bartlett had charge of this project.
The task of planning for the much anticipated sesqui- centennial of the founding of Methodism in Barre could not have fallen into more willing and capable hands than Dr. Martin's. A student by temperament, he has a real feeling for the historical significance of events and is especial- ly interested in Vermont church history. He found the church members more than willing to aid in this program, and when on occasion there was no one to undertake a cer- tain task, he did it himself.
Rather than condensing this one hundred fifty year cele- bration into one day or one week, Dr. Martin planned a program of events that carried through the fall and winter months to the end of the year 1947. This program offered Hedding members an opportunity to re-examine their rich
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past, to rejoice in its achievements, and to rededicate them- selves to the future.
The first event in the anniversary observance took place Sunday, September 14, when Bishop G. Bromley Ox- nam was present to address a large congregation of members and guests. The occasion was a dignified and impressive one, and the Bishop preached a powerful anniversary sermon based on a text from St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians.
The second event took place October 1 when one hun- dred fifty parishioners and guests gathered in Fellowship Hall. The women from the North Barre Community House put on a banquet and very fittingly gave to each guest as a memento a napkin marked: "North Barre Chapel Extends Congratulations, October 1, 1947." This called renewed attention to a fact that all members of Hedding appreciate,-that the North Barre work is one of the greatest achievements of Hedding's one hundred fifty year history. Greetings were brought from several former pastors and deaconesses. The high light of the occasion was the after dinner address given by Dr. Ralph F. Lowe, pastor of the church 1902-1906. Silver haired and frail but still keen of mind, his speech, equally compounded of humor, reminis- cence, and inspiration, was a masterpiece of its kind.
The third event of the sesquicentennial series was a well attended concert, sponsored by the Woman's Society of Christian Service, presenting the Ionian Singers of New York City, on October 14. Barre has rarely been privileged to hear so fine a performance. This quartet was of more than passing interest to Hedding Church people. Now of national reputation, it was organized some years ago by Hildreth Martin, a native of Barre who grew up within the shadow of Hedding's walls.
Open House was held at the church Sunday evening, November 2, 1947, and a large audience of members and friends gathered to celebrate the fourth event of the anni- versary celebration. Greetings and congratulations were extended from the chancel by pastors and representatives of several of the other churches. Deane C. Davis, trustee of the church, then presented a deed of the City Park to Mayor Chauncey M. Willey, calling attention as he did so
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to the fact that this title had never been surrendered by the Methodists who removed their earliest church from this piece of land, then known as the Common, in 1820.
A dramatic historical presentation in eight parts, writ- ten and directed by the pastor, was given by Hedding mem- bers. In a vivid way, these little sketches turned back the pages of history, and old time characters walked and talked
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Dr. Eldon H. Martin Pastor of Hedding Church during the Sesquicentennial.
once more on the stage of life. Jesse Lee, Isaac and Cather- ine Thompson, Nicholas Snethen, Jotham Carpenter, Elijah Hedding, Lucy Thompson, Jason Lee, Isaac McAnn, Father Sherburne, Dr. Lowe-these were among the figures of Hedding's past brought to mind again by the capable per- formance of the different groups. The last episode was a replica of a present day committee meeting, by a few of the church officials.
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The stage properties included an aged table from the log cabin home of Colonel Walker, where the first Methodist preaching service was held in 1796, and a saucer that had been used in the farm house that was built on this property later. Most of those taking part as well as the ushers were dressed in old-fashioned costumes.
Following this dramatic presentation, the audience went to Fellowship Hall where refreshments were served and where an interesting historical exhibit had been arranged over the fireplace. This Open House event was a conspicu- ous success and recalled to the minds of the older members a similar celebration held in 1897 when the centennial was observed. On that occasion a number of historical figures were present who could now be depicted only from memory.
On New Year's Eve of this same year, the celebration of the one hundred fifty years was climaxed when some one hundred fifty people attended the watch night service at the church where there was an informal program of group singing, speaking and the showing of Kodachrome pictures in Fellowship Hall. Toward the end of the evening a huge anniversary cake, surrounded by one hundred fifty candles, was cut by Mrs. Lucy Sowden and Miss Alice Beckley, the two oldest members present in point of years of member- ship. These two ladies belong to Hedding's honored Senior Class,-those now living who joined the church not later than 1900. This Class had just recently lost one of its most active and valued members when Mrs. E. M. Lyon, who joined the church with her husband, died December 1, 1947. The roll of this Class is as follows, with dates of membership:
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