Roots of Peoples United Methodist Church
Part 58 Celebration as the Millenium Approaches
With the change in pastoral leadership in 1996 the members of Peoples Church found it difficult to make adjustments to new pastoral leadership after 17 years with Lin Arnold. As was said in the last episode, Bill Schuster, was elated at having been appointed to Peoples and he indicated this in his opening sermons and statements before the boards. He indicated he would not rush to seek change, but would serve as the Lord indicated he should and would seek to meet the needs of the congregation with them.
On January 4, 1998 a celebration was held honoring the 50th anniversary of the opening of the sanctuary at 310 Broadway. The booklet, prepared for this event, was dedicated to H. Travers Smith who was the pastor at Peoples at the time of the move. The Remembrance also found in the bulletin was dedicated to Dr. Malcolm Cass and his wife, Hillie for their long years of dedicated service to Peoples.
Within the celebration booklet was the printing of the original formal bulletin. Reverend
Lester L. Boobar, the District Superintendent, and the Bishop of the Boston area, Lewis O. Hartman had participated in that first service. Fifty years later the festivities were presided over by Pastor Bill Schuster. Also participating in the event were former pastors; Lin Arnold, 1979-1996, William Chamberlain, 1957-1963, Blake Ellis, 1963-1971, and Irvin Koelker, 1971-1979. Katherine "Kit" Smith, the widow of Travers Smith was also in attendance and offered recollections of her time spent as the "First Lady" of Peoples with her husband.
A capacity gathering filled the Sanctuary for the celebration service and later Ellis Hall
for a meal and some celebratory presentations. Art Tordoff served as the Master of Ceremonies. Llewelyn "Tuck" McGouldrick, George "Jimmy" Darling, Gary Chamberlain and Nancy Tordoff Olson all gave presentations recollecting the significance of activities at Peoples on their young lives. Three of the four had spent time in ministry in their adult years and the other had become extremely active with their family in other churches. Their messages all reflected on how Peoples church and the membership had played meaningful roles in their early years. Each of the Pastors who had participated in the church service prior to the celebration spent some time adding to the memories of all by expressing thoughts about the role that Peoples people had played in their lives among their ministerial appointments. Two of those pastors had gone on to serve as District Superintendents.
Peoples Church has celebrated its existence on several occasions. Time passage has often been the trigger that has led to celebration. Those celebrations, such as the one above, however, allow to surface the real reasons for celebration, not just the longevity of its existence. These are celebrations of how Peoples has provided a spiritual home for its members and friends. It has been a training ground for young folks in teaching and learning about the application in life of Biblical principles and moral growth. Peoples has provided opportunities for individual, small groups and the church as a whole to serve each other, the community that we live in and the nation and world that we are but a small minute speck of activity within. Celebrations such as the one above helps to renew and revive the spirit that has guided the church over its many generations of existence and life.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary on Broadway, the church was filled with parishioners and former parishioners and friends of Peoples. The attendance in itself was a testimony of what life and activity through Peoples has meant to a truly diverse group of individuals and families. Those continuing the celebration in Ellis Hall numbered hundreds. It was the last time that we would be able to share experiences with some of those attending yet the memories of that event and others serve to build strength in continuing to serve the Lord in the many ways that he would have us serve.