Part 16 Selling Pews no longer a practice
Another major change in church procedures that took place during the period of the Lords was that the practice of selling pews. This was not just a local option, this was a directive from the Maine Conference and the Methodist Episcopal hierarchy.
Selling of church pews had been a practice in many New England churches in particular and not simply a Methodist practice as long as churches had existed especially in New England.. Many older Congregational churches in New England still show by the configuration of their pews that pews had been family owned. When the change occurred at Peoples the end of the exclusive use of pews by individuals or families happened. One would also say that social-class differentiation also came to an end.
Originally in 1853 the practice of selling pews had been initiated as already stated. In that year there were 56 pews that were eventually sold. In 1888 the Trustees had voted to replace the pews that were rather crude and had been in place since 1853. The whole auditorium (sanctuary) was being refurbished, therefore, the pews would be changed as well. In the new configuration 85 saleable pews were purchased of which it appears that most were sold. There is a note in the records that shows that even the newly started Epworth League in the 1890’s purchased two pews for the use of their members. The annual fee for the rental of pews varied depending on location within the hall, but the average cost was $12.
On February 21, 1906 the trustees again voted on a reconfiguration and refurbishing of the sanctuary. This change was partially due to the aforementioned decree from the hierarchy disallowing the sale of pews. Part of the change again would be to change the pews and purchase semi-circular pews for the congregation, change the stage area and buy new chairs for the choir as well. Several bids were received and initially the bid was given to the American School Furniture Company for $600. When that company was notified they said that they had miscalculated and that it should be $100 more. Feeling that the company was acting in bad faith the committee of two, Pastor Lord and President Tilton and with the permission of the trustees retracted the offer and instead purchased new hardwood pews at a cost of $680 from the Cincinnati Seating Company. This figure proved to be fair and much less than any other bids submitted. The secretary of the Trustees was given authority to write a letter of thanks to the gentleman who had represented that company so fairly. The new “free seats” would allow any one free access to any of the seating available in this house of worship. As a note to the seating changes the Trustees purchased 32 chairs for the choir from of all places, the Portland YMCA at a total cost of $16 for all of them. Have prices changed?
Even though the selling of pews came to an end we can be assured that some pews even in the church of today are known as the pew for a particular family. Even today the ushers seem to know where people prefer to sit and, therefore, guide newcomers to seats away from those that one might think are reserved for church members of long standing.
Before the Lords moved on the fiftieth anniversary otherwise known as the semi-centennial of the Ferry Village Church occurred. A booklet describing history of the church to date was compiled along with a full description of church activities available at the time. Black and white photographs of some of the influential people in the church added to the booklet that was not published until 1905. The list of trustees included one woman, Mrs. Lucy F. Studley, widow of William F. Studley, among its 10 members.
Mrs. Studley’s preeminence among women in the church at this time may have been for a variety of reasons. Could it have been that her willingness to purchase the new furnace for the parish hall and all the new electrical fixtures throughout the building as well as the new carpets installed in the newly refurbished sanctuary had anything to do with her signifincant position on the boards of the church? The Board of Stewards included two women; Mrs. John E. Fisher who’s husband also served with the Stewards and Trustees and Mrs. James M. York. This body also consisted of 10 members. The elevation of women into roles of significance was beginning to increase. One would note that the impetus for the women’s movement on a national scale had a great deal of drive from woman who had gained leadership roles in the church.
The Ladies Circle, Home Guards (Girls), Epworth League (Mixed Youth), Queen Esther Circle (Missions), Knights of the Twentieth Century (Boys Group), Standard Bearer Company (Missions), and Little Light Bearers were all active organizations of the church with worldwide and conference affiliation during this time. Additionally we would assume that the choir, also took active role in the spiritual life of the church.
The world of Peoples sadly missed the Lords, but accepted the itinerant nature of the pastorate and welcomed Reverend Frank H. Hall in 1909. Reverend Hall served until 1912. It was during his pastorate that the church choir raised $800 to match a like amount given by Andrew Carnegie for the purchase of an Esty Pipe Organ. While it may place some information out of order the next, episode in this history of Peoples will concern itself with the history of the organs that have served Peoples Church.
Another major change in church procedures that took place during the period of the Lords was that the practice of selling pews. This was not just a local option, this was a directive from the Maine Conference and the Methodist Episcopal hierarchy.
Selling of church pews had been a practice in many New England churches in particular and not simply a Methodist practice as long as churches had existed especially in New England.. Many older Congregational churches in New England still show by the configuration of their pews that pews had been family owned. When the change occurred at Peoples the end of the exclusive use of pews by individuals or families happened. One would also say that social-class differentiation also came to an end.
Originally in 1853 the practice of selling pews had been initiated as already stated. In that year there were 56 pews that were eventually sold. In 1888 the Trustees had voted to replace the pews that were rather crude and had been in place since 1853. The whole auditorium (sanctuary) was being refurbished, therefore, the pews would be changed as well. In the new configuration 85 saleable pews were purchased of which it appears that most were sold. There is a note in the records that shows that even the newly started Epworth League in the 1890’s purchased two pews for the use of their members. The annual fee for the rental of pews varied depending on location within the hall, but the average cost was $12.
On February 21, 1906 the trustees again voted on a reconfiguration and refurbishing of the sanctuary. This change was partially due to the aforementioned decree from the hierarchy disallowing the sale of pews. Part of the change again would be to change the pews and purchase semi-circular pews for the congregation, change the stage area and buy new chairs for the choir as well. Several bids were received and initially the bid was given to the American School Furniture Company for $600. When that company was notified they said that they had miscalculated and that it should be $100 more. Feeling that the company was acting in bad faith the committee of two, Pastor Lord and President Tilton and with the permission of the trustees retracted the offer and instead purchased new hardwood pews at a cost of $680 from the Cincinnati Seating Company. This figure proved to be fair and much less than any other bids submitted. The secretary of the Trustees was given authority to write a letter of thanks to the gentleman who had represented that company so fairly. The new “free seats” would allow any one free access to any of the seating available in this house of worship. As a note to the seating changes the Trustees purchased 32 chairs for the choir from of all places, the Portland YMCA at a total cost of $16 for all of them. Have prices changed?
Even though the selling of pews came to an end we can be assured that some pews even in the church of today are known as the pew for a particular family. Even today the ushers seem to know where people prefer to sit and, therefore, guide newcomers to seats away from those that one might think are reserved for church members of long standing.
Before the Lords moved on the fiftieth anniversary otherwise known as the semi-centennial of the Ferry Village Church occurred. A booklet describing history of the church to date was compiled along with a full description of church activities available at the time. Black and white photographs of some of the influential people in the church added to the booklet that was not published until 1905. The list of trustees included one woman, Mrs. Lucy F. Studley, widow of William F. Studley, among its 10 members.
Mrs. Studley’s preeminence among women in the church at this time may have been for a variety of reasons. Could it have been that her willingness to purchase the new furnace for the parish hall and all the new electrical fixtures throughout the building as well as the new carpets installed in the newly refurbished sanctuary had anything to do with her signifincant position on the boards of the church? The Board of Stewards included two women; Mrs. John E. Fisher who’s husband also served with the Stewards and Trustees and Mrs. James M. York. This body also consisted of 10 members. The elevation of women into roles of significance was beginning to increase. One would note that the impetus for the women’s movement on a national scale had a great deal of drive from woman who had gained leadership roles in the church.
The Ladies Circle, Home Guards (Girls), Epworth League (Mixed Youth), Queen Esther Circle (Missions), Knights of the Twentieth Century (Boys Group), Standard Bearer Company (Missions), and Little Light Bearers were all active organizations of the church with worldwide and conference affiliation during this time. Additionally we would assume that the choir, also took active role in the spiritual life of the church.
The world of Peoples sadly missed the Lords, but accepted the itinerant nature of the pastorate and welcomed Reverend Frank H. Hall in 1909. Reverend Hall served until 1912. It was during his pastorate that the church choir raised $800 to match a like amount given by Andrew Carnegie for the purchase of an Esty Pipe Organ. While it may place some information out of order the next, episode in this history of Peoples will concern itself with the history of the organs that have served Peoples Church.
posted by Arthur Tordoff | 5:41 PM
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