Memorials, Gifts and Dedications in the Chancel of the Sanctuary

The Sanctuary of Peoples UMC was used for the first official time on January 4, 1948 when the Bishop, Lewis Hartman was invited to preach. Local radio station WPOR carried the service over the air waves. Fully furnished the sanctuary was at that time enhanced by a number of items that were in fact dedicated to folks who had been members and instrumental in carrying out God’s message and service through Peoples. Other furnishings were provided through the raising of funds by groups within the church or by families that were active at Peoples.

 

 

 

The Altar which still graces the chancel of the sanctuary was dedicated to former pastor Charles A. Brooks. It was the Brooks Bible Class which provided the funds for the Altar.

The Pulpit from which every pastor has preached at Peoples since 1948 was dedicated to Reverend Walter H. Cass who had died while assigned to Peoples in 1942. He was the father of Dr. Malcolm Cass who had become the organist of Peoples and would serve in that capacity for over 60 years.

The lectern on the opposite side of the chancel where often a lay leader will serve in religious services was dedicated to another former pastor, Felix Powell. Reverend Powell for many years after serving at Peoples would serve as a Methodist evangelist around the country. His son, Alger remained a member of Peoples for a number of years and was quite active on a number of committees.

 

Also located in the chancel area are two flower stands that were dedicated to two former members of the Manter Class. The members the flower stands were dedicated to were Grace Cook Brown and Meta Tilton Keene. This group was named after a very active member in the earlier part of the 20^th century by the name of Zebulon Manter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hymn boards located to either side of the chancel were purchased by the Senior Choir in memory of Mrs. Lou V. Cole and Dr. Moses L. Stilphen, two former members of the choir. Dr. Stilphen was a homeopathic doctor whose residence and office were located at the corner of Preble Street and Broadway. At one time after his living at this location the property was turned into a nursing home and later it was purchased by SMCC as a residence for students.

The Chalice case located under the Hymn Board to the left as one faces the chancel was built by Harold Craigs, a long time parishioner of Peoples as one of his many gifts  to the church that will be mentioned in other locations of the church property. Originally it held a John Wesley Anniversary communion cup that had been given to the church by Lelia Moore. Mr. Craigs had been a master craftsman and woodcraft designer for Thomas P. Beals Furniture in Portland.

Perhaps the first thing that catches the eye of most people who are seated in the pews and facing the chancel beyond the Cross is the Rose Window that rises above the Altar. Outstanding features of the window would be the cross that can be found in the middle with an A on the left side of the cross’s arms and an O to the right. These are Greek letters that represent the beginning (Alpha) and the end (Omega) meaning that Jesus is both the beginning and end for all of us. The window was provided in honor of John B. Woodbury. Very active in the life of the church, Mr. Woodbury was noted especially for his years as Sunday school superintendent when there were many teachers at all levels of Christian education and even more students. Numbers recorded indicate that over 300 students were enrolled in classes.

 

 When the finishing touches were placed on the chancel by covering the organ pipes large wooden framed grillwork was erected and dedicated to John’s wife Leona. It was also the Woodbury family that completed the modern organ by purchasing the Carillon that is hidden behind the grillwork on the left side as you face the chancel.  TH      This picture was taken when the grill work was taken down for Organ Restoration in June of 2014.

 

 

 

 

 The organ console, the most obvious feature of the organs that have graced the sanctuary was given by the Senior Choir in memory of Fred S. Jewett. He had been a long time contributor to the music programs of Peoples Church. The original organ in the Broadway sanctuary had previously been in the Ferry Village Church since 1912. It was still serving the music ministry when the new sanctuary opened in 1948. It would not be until 1960-62 that the new organ would be installed and it would not be until 2015 when it was completely restored. Following the death of Dr. Cass the Reuter organ was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Malcolm Cass, who had served as organist at Peoples for over 60 years.

The traditional location inside the communion rail on the lower level of the chancel is where the baptismal font has been located. To coordinate with the rest of the sanctuary furniture, the font carries on its front the cross inside a circle. This can also be found on all of the ends or fronts of pews or all other major furnishings in the sanctuary. The font was dedicated also in 1948 to Mrs. Grace Starling. Mrs. Starling was one of the leading women of the first half of the 20^th century in church life.

While purchased and dedicated later, the offering plates that are used today were dedicated to Etta Robinson and gifted to the church by her family. Mrs. Robinson was responsible in her years for creating a clothes closet in her home for those that might be in need. No other form of welfare was available through government operations and therefore as “Mother” Robinson saw it, it was the responsibility of Peoples and she as a member to offer this service. Etta was also one of the first women elected to the state House of Representatives in Augusta. She was the mother of John Robinson and Belle Graney as well as George Robinson and Henrietta LaRou. This set of offering plates were used for the first time in the 1960s.

 

 

While not stored in the chancel or sanctuary a set of hand bells was gifted to the church by Janet Wallace Fifield and are heard when played from the chancel. The bells were gifted in honor of Janet’s mother, Betty Wallace. Janet was the first director of the hand bell choir. Later the choir was restored under Marita Gould, then again under Doug Greer. Today the choir again has been restored under music director Debbie Cole playing throughout the year and adding aspecial touch to our church services.

To the left of the picture the Advent Candle stand can be seen. This was given to Peoples many years ago by Lelia Moore in memory of her parents, The Sutherlands.

 The baby-grand piano that is located in the sanctuary below the Pulpit is often used when the choir sings from a location beside or above the piano. Given to the church in the late 1950's the giver or dedication is unknown to this writer. Perhaps there is someone who might read this and know the story that is associated with its becoming an integral part of Peoples church life.