Part 13: Sunday School vital in the life of the church

As has been mentioned earlier in this series the Sunday School of the Ferry Village Church was not long in coming after the doors to the new sanctuary opened on January 26, 1853. Officially the records indicate that Sunday School officially began on May 1, 1853. Over the next 10 years we have already indicated that the number of attendees grew to at least 230. Much of the success of this growth can be attributed to Steven Hubbard who we have already indicated was such a Saint for our church in so many ways. He remained as the superintendent or as a teacher in the organization of the Sunday School until the late 1870’s. Alfred Cleaves, John Ellingwood, G.W. Doughty, and James Willey spent some time as superintendent during the same period while it seems Mr. Hubbard took a break. When Mr. Hubbard eventually retired from the Superintendency in 1878 Charles A. Tilton who would serve with some interruption until 1892 succeeded him. Tilton is another name with a long tradition of service to Peoples. Mr. Tilton served for many years after holding this position as a Sunday School teacher. From a History of the Methodist Sunday School published as a local booklet in 1980 we read that Mr. Tilton, “ was well known for his musical instruction, especially during the Christmas and Children’s Day Concerts.” For a short period in the 1880’s the local apothecary and long time treasurer of the Board of Stewards, Albert Thurrell, served in the role of superintendent.

Zebulon C. Manter became the Superintendent for the first time in 1892 serving until 1896. He returned in that capacity in 1898 and served until 1904. John Merriman served in between Manter’s two terms. Z.C. as he was often called was much beloved as a teacher. Long after he had gone to his reward, Mr. Manter’s name remained a part of Peoples in the form of a Bible class, the Manter Class. The young ladies who had been members of Mr. Manter’s class continued to meet well into the 1950’s. John E. Fisher who in turn was succeeded by John B. Woodbury followed Mr. Manter. Between these two men nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the Peoples Sunday School had elapsed. For a short time in the 1930’s Oscar I. Emerson split the two terms of Mr. Woodbury.

One of the reasons for the major success and growth of the Peoples Sunday School was that for over 40 years in the 1800’s it was unrivalled by any other Christian Education programs in the area of. As was stated in the 50th anniversary booklet produced in 1905 and written by Emma Henley, “ It was Peoples Sunday School that all others in the area grew and learned from.” During the years of Mr. Woodbury’s Superintendency the Sunday School claimed to have nearly 600 members. Why wouldn’t other churches see the importance of raising the youth of their churches in spiritual matters designed for that age group when they could see the success of Peoples? In a quote from the 75th anniversary celebration booklet Mrs. Henley edited, “ When we think of our small and lowly beginnings and contemplate the good influence it has exerted, and its present flourishing condition today, surely we should be encouraged to redouble our labor and zeal, trusting that we may realize the richness of the Master’s promise, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” These are fitting words to leave as a lesson to us as we enter our second 150 years since 1853.