Part 35 Who to call when you need it fixed

Many folks have dedicated much of their life to The Church and there is no exception when considering those who have dedicated themselves to Peoples. In researching church records and documents from the 1950’s through the early 1980’s a name that comes up many times was Bernard Bruce. Some times “Bunny” was working as a trustee and other times his company was the successful bidder on larger church projects. It is not hard to believe that a number of the activities that he engaged in at church were also on his own.

The first instances of where Mr. Bruce was involved was in the installation of the wood work around the Rose Window which in turn was followed by weather-stripping and installation of outside doors both at the church and the parsonage which then was located as stated earlier on Broadway. Not all tasks that Mr. Bruce took on were large. Mr. Bruce installed all the small cardholders found on the back of the pews in the late 1950’s.

In order to advertise church events group leaders would place their advertising on walls and doors with tape. In time the goo from the tape would become difficult to remove and become unsightly. Mr. Bruce suggested that bulletin boards be placed throughout the church at entranceways and in the vestry. The suggestion was accepted and Mr. Bruce again volunteered himself to create and then install them. Many of those bulletin boards are still in existence throughout the church building.

In 1959, the steeple on the church was painted. It appears that the job fell to the Bruce Company which was done at a reasonable price. One of the bonuses of that contract was that Bunny ascended into the Bell Room, checked the condition of the bell, changed the rope and oiled the Bell’s bearings. It may have been the last time that was done although it may have been done again in the 1970’s when the outside of the steeple was vinyl sided.

When the new parsonage on Beverly Street was moved into and the old parsonage was vacated it again was Bernard Bruce and company that helped convert the old parsonage into an education building. It was he and his company that built a large fire escape from the second floor, a necessary activity in order to make the building compliant for safety purposes. Radiators were installed in the basement and the entire interior of the building was refurbished with paint.

Every time something needed to be repaired it seems that Mr. Bruce was called to fix it. Alterations were made inside the education building to allow for egress to the fire escape, bulletin boards were installed, changing the sinks and countertops in the Beverly Street parsonage, preparing the lofts on either side of the chancel for the new organ and its pipes, and installing the organ chamber grill work after installation were all projects that Mr. Bruce’s versatility was engaged in. The first cracks that appeared in the vestry wall in 1959 called for Mr. Bruce also. The stage floor in the vestry, renovations in the parsonage and the pastor’s study all claimed the expertise of this master of repair and construction.
With Pastor Chamberlain and his family moving in to the Beverly Street parsonage, the trustees wondered whether it was necessary and feasible to build a garage next to this house. Bernard Bruce was charged with investigating this possibility. Estimates of the project were developed, but at this time, and for that matter, for any time in the future, it was decided that the church did not have the money to afford this project.

In 1963, Bernard Bruce was called on to replace the linoleum and refurbish the kitchen in the parsonage for a cost of $600. For another $900, Mr. Bruce painted the parsonage and redecorated the front bedroom in September of 1963. Combination windows were also installed at the Beverly Street parsonage at that time.

It fell to Bernard Bruce to do an inventory of needs in 1965 and again in 1966 of items that needed to be tended to in the parsonage and church. The lists were extensive with some of the items being easily taken care of by members of the trustees and church while others were to be taken care of by professionals when money permitted. The exterior of the church was ready for scraping, puttying and painting once again in 1966 and it was the Bruce Company that submitted the estimate that was accepted. Sometimes it seems that the church and trustees were not always ready immediately to pay for the projects that Mr. Bruce had contracted to do.

In 1969 a building committee was formed to begin a drive to build a new education building. Earl Nicholson was chosen as the Chairman of this committee. Wilbur Ingalls was chosen as the architect to design this new edifice and eventually Langford and Low Construction was chosen to erect what eventually would become known as Ellis Hall. The building to be erected was built with a flat roof over the center of the building with four blocks of rooms built extending beyond the main roof. Basically all of the piping was placed in the cement base pad. This building was constructed and in use by 1971. Among the first groups using the building shortly after completion was the Mary group of young women, the Sunday school and a meeting of the Southern Maine United Methodist Men. Neither Mr. Bruce nor his company was engaged in the original building of Ellis Hall. We mention this note here because within an 8 year period, the parishioners began having some major construction difficulties with the new building. Pipes began to break below the slab and major reconstruction needed to take place with the piping eventually reconstructed above the surface, much of which can be seen at nearly roof level. At nearly the same time the heavy weight of snow on the flat roof began to produce rivers of leaks. The amount of weight on the roof also began to press down on the roof preventing the separator panels in the main area of the Hall to buckle or not open. In order to correct at least the roof issue Bunny Bruce and his company again was hired at a considerable amount of money to correct the problem. It was decided that flat roofs don’t work exceptionally well in snowy areas of the globe. What Mr. Bruce did was to elevate the roof and build the replacement roof with a four-way pitch that would prevent snow and water from accumulating. To date the repairs that were made at that time seem to have corrected the problem and Ellis Hall since has been host to many a celebration both for members and those wishing to hire the hall for activities.

After the original completion of Ellis Hall, the trustees and others suggested that the main entrance to the church was not handicapped accessible. The family of Lou McGouldrick also was interested in purchasing and installing an elevator from the main entrance of the church to the level of the sanctuary. Others contributed to the fund as well. The result on the outside was the construction of a new bricked and cement entrance platform with an adjoining ramp for wheelchair accessibility. The project to construct, build and supervise the outside entrance was awarded to Mr. Bruce and company. It is obvious that this project was one of the pioneer projects for handicapped accessibility in a public building in Maine. From that time it took until 2001 to begin the upgrade that now allows the entire Peoples complex to be handicapped accessible.

The last major element of construction according to the available records that I have had that involved Mr. Bruce concerns itself with the preparation of the present parsonage for livability. When the home at 154 Mussy Street was put up for sale in the early 1990’s the trustees and the church thought it wise to negotiate its purchase. The house, built in 1910, was found to be of good construction and relatively ready for occupancy. Mr. Bruce was hired to modernize the kitchen, build a storage area to the back of the house, and to build a large deck. The Arnolds, the Schusters, the Nachbars and the Beddies have now lived in the home and all felt its comfort. Now the Arrisons; Gwyneth, Jamie, Faith and Dena reside in the house and all have Mr. Bernard Bruce and others who have worked on the house lovingly since for the convenience and beauty of the latest home to serve as a parsonage, the fifth parsonage in the history of Peoples United Methodist Church.

While there are many other individuals, men and women, who have contributed much to the history of Peoples, Bernard Bruce stands out as one of those major contributors, who’s dedication to God, Peoples’ United Methodist Church and to the people of the church and community is one for us all to emulate.

Little would anyone know that that little boy in the junior choir in the late 1920’s would have grown to have contributed so much to the Lord’s work.

Part 34 A Beehive of Activity

In the 1950’s, Peoples was a beehive of activity. The Boy Scouts had sponsored a troop since 1918. Originally it was number 3, meaning third in the nation. At some point the number designation became 23 which was the recognizable number at Jamborees, Camporees and camping experiences from the late 1940’s to the present day. Joining the longstanding troop were Cub Pack 23, and an Explorer Post in the 1950’s. Over 100 young men and their families were engaged in scouting experiences during that period of time. Not to be outdone the young women of the church and community joined a healthy growing organization of Girl Scouts, including Brownies for those not yet old enough for the older organization. It was always a pleasure to see large number of Scouts attending and with families participating in Scout Sundays for the males in February and the females in March. While Troop 23 continues to provide young men with skills development the strong feeder program of Cub Pack 23 ceased its operations in the 1990’s. One would assume that the reason for this was a lack of willingness to lead on the part of parents and the many other activities available to children in the local area. Beginning in the 1920’s there was also a group of Campfire Girls that made their home at Peoples. According to Hillie Cass who was a member, Betty Ward was the leader of that group. Ms. Ward in the 1940’s to late 1950’s was also the leader of the Junior Department of the Sunday School. One of those memorable experiences that members of the Junior Department were fortunate to experience was the annual picnic held at the Ward cottage on Long Island during the summer months. This writer cannot recall when that event was held in any weather other than the most beautiful conditions a Maine coastal outing could experience.

This also was an era when the Epworth League became the Methodist Youth Fellowship for high school age youth. Ruth Allen was the long time advisor of the Senior Youth. Under the leadership of Mr. John Tordoff and Josephine Wood an Intermediate Fellowship was also organized and thrived. These organizations helped to augment the Christian education program of the Sunday school. Sunday morning Sunday School attendance during this time averaged 330 children and staff. Conditions were unbelievably crowded at a time when Ellis Hall didn’t exist. It was the overcrowded conditions that prompted the Trustees and other leaders to convert the parsonage next to the church into an Education Building. A new parsonage was purchased on Beverly Street. Until that time, the Senior High Sunday classes were often held in the sanctuary since there was no where else that wasn’t inhabited by either the Primary or the Junior Department. Some who can still remember the divided wall, remnants of which can still be seen in the vestry, served as the division between being a child and being a maturer worldly 10-13 year old.

The Maine conference had purchased a camp on Lake Narrows in Winthrop, which opened in the early 50’s. Many young folks of school age took advantage of the camp for weeks at a time. What a beautiful location and how inspirational it was to have a campfire under the tall pines, looking up at the stars and singing, “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder.” Monies left in the Walter Campbell Fund were used to provide scholarships for Peoples kids to go to Camp Mechuana. Later the Hahn family added to the scholarship fund and over the years perhaps 100 young members of this parish have enjoyed the beauty of that spot, a place to meet with other young people from all over the state. Equally important to the teens meeting as a Youth Fellowship, were the opportunities made available to attend youth rallies all over the state and to enjoy the company of others at joint youth fellowship meetings.

Fellowship in the form of socializing for the adult members of the church community were not neglected either. The Kouples Klub took care of the socializing needs of a large group of young to middle age couples. Later because the organization wanted to be open to all adults the organization changed its name to Saturday Niters. Originally the organization met to eat, talk, dance, watch films and play games once a month. As the group aged it met four times a year. Usually the fall meeting was a lobster/clam bake, at Christmas the members met at someone’s home and had a gift swap and carol sing. In the spring the entertainment might be a speaker, musical group or a game competition, but whatever the plan food was a part of the package. In May or early June the “Niters” met for a Progressive supper. Hors d’ouvres were served at one or two houses, the main course at someone else’s home and finally dessert at a third or back at the church for an evening of continuing entertainment. Alas interest waned, primarily in the desire to lead and the group ceased to function in the early 1990’s.

An active men’s club developed during this period of time at Peoples. In 1957 one of the projects that the men’s club engaged in was the painting the parsonage exterior. There was a question of liability if someone was hurt by falling from the ladders. Ernie Blackinton was put in charge of seeing if this would be a problem. The church insurance apparently would cover this kind of activity so the men got their ladders, paint buckets, brushes and scrapers and proceeded to do the outside of the parsonage next to the church. The men’s club was responsible for not only doing the job, but paying for the supplies as well. There had been talk in trustees that if the men had not done this project and a professional had to be hired that the trustees would have to remortgage the parsonage in order to afford the project. The Men can claim several other projects in this era. One such project was the purchase of the American Flag and the Christian Flag that would be properly displayed in the Chancel of the Sanctuary. Another was that in 1958 the men purchased two directional signs, one being near the present library on Broadway and the other on the corner of Mt. Pleasant cemetery. These signs gave direction to Peoples Church. Another project that was proposed by Walter Winchenbach was to plant ivy along the Broadway side of the church. After consulting plant growers and masons it was decided not to do this as ivy fully grown was discovered to do great damage to mortar and brick construction.

During the first 10 years that the sanctuary was used flooring was simply two-colored brown tile. In 1958 bids were taken on carpeting the sanctuary aisles. Several bids were received and Gulian’s Carpet Company was chosen for the project. Carpet would be extended into the aisle area between the two choir lofts. A muted red was the chosen color. Gulian’s said that if the trustees could make a decision by the following Monday they would install the carpet for $1700. While the trustees delayed a little that bid was chosen and accepted by the carpet company. The other two bids were for $2400 and $2800. The decision obviously was quite good at the prices for that period of time. Carpet has graced the aisles ever since.

In looking at membership of the trustees during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s you will note that the entire membership was male. Walter Winchenbach, Granville Nickerson, Irvin Willey, Malcolm Cass (President) John Robinson, Victor Green, Armand Hahn and Bernard Bruce were the primary members with Harvey Woodbury also serving as Custodian of Legal Documents. It would not be for several more years before a woman was chosen to serve on this significant committee of the church. Bill Chamberlain was the pastor at this time. In the next episode of this continuing saga of the church the writer would like to single out one member of this group that often is overlooked in his gifts to Peoples church, that being Bernard Bruce. All of these men played significant roles in church life over a number of years, but when it came to repair, patching and full time construction of the property, Mr. Bruce is the example that others since have emulated.

Part 33 Sunnyside Up or Was It?

Another activity that became very popular in the late 50’s was the annual Sunnyside Minstrels. Not uncommon from the 20’s through the first few years of the 60’s, the Minstrel Show served primarily to entertain local audiences that grew in size each year the Minstrel Shows were held. The Shows also brought out the talent of members of the congregation, in some cases, never before known or for that matter never seen again! There was comedy performed mostly by the Endmen, individual singing, vaudeville type skits and tableaus, choral extravaganzas and good plain fun. Endmen carried on conversations in the form of corny jokes, sang a solo and/or danced, played musical instruments all in black face. Those who can remember those days might recall the antics of Earl Nicholson, Ernie Arey, Phil Allen, John Eastman, Red Timms, Normy Jewett and John Tordoff. Who could forget the song stylists like Hillie Cass, Dottie Blackinton, the Allen kids and little Davey Swanson. Then there was the Minstrel chorus that perhaps engaged as many as 20 folks of all ages. All of the musical pieces involved the inimitable piano impresario, our own Dr. Malcolm Cass. Lest we forget the whole show was held together by Mr. Interlocutor, Bert Farnum, Kevin Malcom’s grandfather. The message of what was intended was wrapped up in the words of the theme song, “Sunnyside Up”. It was an age of innocence when considering the black face of the endmen and the jokes that were made. It was also an age when those involved were proud to sing the meaningful and moving lyrics of a Negro Spiritual or a patriotic American song such as, “When the Saints Go Marching in” or “God Bless America” with gusto.

The above was not uncommon throughout New England, but times change and people grew to realize that what is fun for some can be misery for others, namely those that appear to be made fun of. The issue of Minstrel Shows in New England and specifically Maine became a human relations issue of the Maine Conference with a lengthy statement made and agreed to in 1962. The following is from the Maine Conference Journal of 1962.
“We resolve that the Methodist Church discourage the demonstration and execution
of any type of activity inclined to reflect unfavorably upon any racial or national
group. Of especial concern to Methodists should be the cessation of minstrel
shows and like entertainment which perpetuates a stereotype of the Negro as an
amoral, vagrant, and non-contributory member of society. We refer you to the
following statement prepared by the Rev. M. Ronald Beinema, Sixth Street
Congregational Church, Auburn, Maine, for the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People.
Minstrel Shows in New England
In most New England towns the Minstrel Show is not looked upon the same as it is in
southern, or even some midwestern towns. Here the Minstrel Show is considered by most
people to be only a vehicle for the presentation of a “variety show” with jokes (often
without dialect), stunts and music performed by amateurs. Even the music is often
“modern” and not of the “Old Black Joe” variety. Without that it is not thought to be a
Minstrel.
Also, the number of Negroes (remember this was in 1962) in a typical New England town
is so small—or non-existent—that the idea of a Minstrel Show that embodies the use of
“black face”, Negro dialect—jokes and songs could be offensive to anyone is considered
absurd. People ask: “Who does it hurt?”

In addition, most New England Minstrel Shows do not tell Negro jokes but rather blackface and dialect as one might use a mask to portray a character on stage. The jokes themselves are almost always “told on” the assembled audience. The ridiculous costumes, dialect, blackfaces, etc., are all merely vehicles for what is otherwise a straight variety show. (Blackface and minstrel numbers had become nationally well known through two well-known actors of the 1920-1940 period, Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor.)

What then is wrong with this typical New England Minstrel Show, and why should we be concerned with it? Perhaps the best way to get at the answer is to state some of the misconceptions about New England Minstrel Shows and answer them one by one.

First, it is often said that the Minstrel Show is a way to elevate Negro music for which the American Negro should be proud and grateful. This assumption that the music used in a Minstrel Show is Negro music is a common misconception. Minstrel music is not Negro music but “song and dance pieces which more or less caricature the primitive Negro.” They are for the most part composed by white men and though they dealt with the more obvious traits of the untutored Negro, they were by no means Negro music.

Secondly, it is often said that the Minstrel Show is not designed to caricature the Negro, but merely to serve as a vehicle for telling jokes on the assembled crowd. Be that as it may, whether by design or by accident, the Minstrel Show nevertheless does present a distorted caricature of the American Negro, which is neither healthy nor American. And the presence or absence of Negroes in a given community does not minimize the disservice that is being done to the American Negro! In fact, where no Negroes live in the community, the caricature that the Minstrel Show perpetrates is even more insidious since there is no standard readily available to contradict the impression made. Children and young people especially, are given the idea that all Negroes are like the ones enacted on the state of the local town hall or community club. And the Negro caricature that is most often portrayed there, is one in which the Negro is made to appear stupid, unfaithful, unreliable, lazy, awkward, loud and a drunkard. This is not done maliciously, but in a “caricaturish” fashion, which in many ways makes more of an impression than any direct, frontal assault could do.

Third, it is said that if the Minstrel Show, is objectionable because it uses dialect jokes and caricatures racial characteristics, then this sort of sensitivity in its ultimate would make all humor based upon national or racial characteristics impossible. To this we say, not true! Caricatures of national characteristics such as Scottish, Irish, English, etc., are not the same category. These groups are secure, and therefore, fair game—within bounds. But groups that are struggling for legal rights and equality in a society are not fair game—especially not if the “game” is perpetuating the very stereotypes and misinformation which every sensitive non-prejudiced person is seeking to correct. The American Negro is not unlike the “Handicapped” person, about whom no one makes jokes with impunity (At least according to the preparer of this statement and we agree this should not be done.) And more than this, jokes and caricatures of the Scottish, Irish and English are basically “good” stereotypes, in that they take what are otherwise admirable qualities (thrift for the Scottish, tenacity and pride for the Irish, reserve and propriety for the English.) and taking these, caricature them. Something very different is involved in the caricaturing of the American Negro. None of the fine and noble qualities of Negroes are caricatured; only the unflattering and ignoble ones.
Let us finally come to the recognition that the typical New England Minstrel Show is just
as much a blight upon the nation as “Little Rock”. Let us recognize this, and with mutual
understanding and vigor, do all we can do to undercut the “Acceptability” of this practice
in our New England towns and cities.”

Thus the end of an era came. “Variety Show” headlined the marquis of local community groups including Peoples Methodist Church. Gone were the endmen, the blackface, the dialectical telling of jokes. No longer was there a Mr. Interlocutor, but instead an Emcee. Many of the same songs were sung and the chorus still dressed in frilly dresses and white shirt, bow tie and black pants. The show would go on, but America and we at Peoples had learned much during the 1950’s about our Black brothers and the struggles they had been going through. We needed to do our part in recognizing that all men, women and children should be treated equally and have equal opportunities including common courtesies that were increasingly less obviously reflected in the Minstrel Show.

Editorial Afterword: Sometimes a part of an institution’s history may raise issues when looking at that issue from the perspective of a period of time removed from the era that is illustrated. The above inclusion is just one of those subjects that raises issues. It is hoped that by reading the entire episode the reader can feel that nothing happens in isolation. It is hoped that those who read this history might sense the innocence of participating in a minstrel show in the 1920’s through 1950’s. Time, and sometimes a very short amount of time, changes that feeling and we as Christian brothers and sisters accept that as past and have our eyes opened to a better way of developing brother and sisterhood.

Part 32 One Hundred Years and Growing

1953 was the year that Peoples Methodist Church celebrated 100 years since the church was built in Cape Ferry. A celebration was planned and the committee was made up of Mrs. John B. Tordoff, Mrs. Granville Nickerson, Henry A. Nelson, Mrs. George Robinson, Mrs. Walter Winchenbach, Mrs. Irvin Willey, and Harvey D. Woodbury. Some of the leaders of this celebration group were representing families that had been a part of the church for many years while others rather recently had joined the church. The celebration in that year was to be a Friday evening dinner. The pastor at the time of the celebration was Lawrence Porter who would be leaving the Peoples pastorate in this year and becoming the District Superintendent.

Members of the planning committee represented some interesting and varied backgrounds. Mr. Nelson was a tobacco company salesman, Mrs. Tordoff was married to a meatpacker, and Mrs. Nickerson’s husband worked for the Maine Central Railroad. Mrs. Robinson had been one of the first women to serve in the Maine legislature among a variety of other activities including the responsibility of developing the first welfare program to be found in South Portland. Mrs. Winchenbach’s husband had been one of the founders of the Portland Rubber Company. Mrs. Willey, a housewife and mother, like many of the other women on this panel was married to a very successful gasoline station operator. Mr. Woodbury, like his father before him, had served in the administration of the Maine Steel Company that was followed by the Portland Copper Works. We mention the backgrounds of members of such committees to show how the congregations’ membership had changed from primarily the farmers and fishermen that had originally come together one hundred years before to start the Cape Ferry church. Certainly a large percentage of the church membership had also worked in fish processing with several sardine canneries to be found along the shore on Front Street.

At the same time that the church was celebrating its 100th year since establishment at Cape Ferry it was also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Peoples Methodist Choir. Celebrating with a concert, the choir, under the direction of Mrs. Albert Tilton included Mrs. Emma Hamilton, Norman Jewett, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winchenbach, and Mrs. John Woodbury. The resident organist was Dr. Malcolm Cass. Many more members of the choir participated in this event. Music has always played a significant role in the life of Peoples Church.

During the late 50’s, as mentioned in Part 18 a fund drive began to replace the old organ and to purchase the organ that graces the sanctuary today. Other elements of the fund drive at that time were to convert the parsonage next door to the church into an education building. Additionally since the parsonage was to be used for other purposes it was necessary to search for a new one. Eventually a home on Beverley Street, a few blocks distant from the church, was purchased and our pastors lived there until the 90-year-old home at 154 Mussey Street was purchased and the Beverley Street home was sold to the Douglas Greers who were members of the church.

At the time that the side stained glass windows in the sanctuary were dedicated the cost of placing the three windows in the back of the church was considered to be too much for the congregation to support. Since the mortgage was not paid off some of the conservative members of the church felt that the church should concentrate on reducing the existing debt before taking on any more. It wasn’t that the leadership wasn’t interested because the trustees were allowed to go ahead and find out what the cost of the three windows would be. Trustees and the church membership had been pleased with the stained glass work and installation of the story windows on either side of the sanctuary. Whittimore Associates of Boston, Massachusetts had also created the Rose window in the chancel. The trustees negotiated again with this company to create and eventually install the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension with proper symbolism at the base. After representatives from the company measured and on paper created the designs for each a letter in 1952 indicated that the cost would be $3500. It was actually another four years before the trustees felt that they could launch a memorial campaign that in time would pay for the windows. By that time and making sure that the windows would be double casement with double steel ventilators incorporated in the two side windows the trustees were ready to hear another cost figure. The new figure was $4150.00. An agreed to down payment of $1384.00 on the windows was made and the rest would be raised through contributions and paid annually over the next two years. Can you imagine the cost of such quality artwork today? Certainly those cautious handlers of funds in the 1950’s had found a way to provide long lasting beauty for years to come. More importantly their love of the Lord, Jesus Christ and his ever present Spirit remain with us and surround us every time we worship, pray and become Spirit-filled in this sanctuary.

The 1950’s was a busy time at Peoples. At the same time that the stained glass windows project was nearing completion the last payment on the church mortgage was made to the Division of National Missions of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church in the amount of $1318.17. Albert S. Adams who was the director of this Methodist Division wrote:
“ Please convey our best wishes and thanks to your church people for the fine
way this loan was cared for. I know it will be a day of gratification and rejoicing
when you celebrate this financial victory, and trust that it will lead to many such
victories both financial and spiritual in the future.”
Mr. Adams also said:
“ If you are planning a mortgage burning ceremony please do not burn the
original documents but some substitute. It would be well if the original
Mortgage Deeds be retained in the archives of your church, probably in your
safety deposit box.”
This certainly was fair warning for those that might have thought that the true burning of a mortgage meant the real deeds.

Dedications of a new church cannot be completed before a mortgage is fully paid off. The Dedication Ceremony of the church officially took place on February 2, 1958, which was just ten years and one month after the opening of the full church building. From the forward of the booklet prepared for that celebration:
“ Many things could be said about a book which is published at the time of the dedication of the church. The dedication time is a time of great rejoicing. It is a time of success. It is the culmination of years of hoping, praying, planning, building and responding to obligations. We are a privileged people as we come to participate in the dedication of The Peoples Methodist Church.”
And:
“As we see the work of Christ in the life of our church, may we, in faith and assurance, dedicate not only our church but our very lives to the service of the Master.”

These powerful words should be as important to us in 2005 as it was for the members of Peoples in 1958.

Significant leaders of the church were involved in the dedicatory service on Sunday, February 2, 1958 including Bishop John Wesley Lord, District Superintendent Lawrence D. Porter, Pastor of Peoples from 1949-53 and Reverend William Chamberlain, Minister of Peoples at that time. Later in Reverend Chamberlain’s career he would also serve as District Superintendent.
A Dedication Banquet had been held on the previous evening with the Reverend Travis Smith as guest speaker. On the evening of the second of February, a Family Fellowship was held with Box Lunch supper, informal hymn sing and a display of church mementos.