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.
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.
posted by Arthur Tordoff | 7:56 AM
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