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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 11 |
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: April 1961 Volume 11 Number 3, Pages 50–55 Recent history of the first Presbyterian church of Paoli 1949 to 1961 Time changes all things, and it is because of this that we thought it a good idea to review the history of the Paoli Presbyterian Church and see what changes, if any, had taken place. As early as 1945 the officers of the Church took note of the increase in the population of Paoli and the prospect of several new building developments, and decided it was time to think of enlarging the church to keep up with this progress. A building committee was appointed with representatives from the Board of Trustees and from the Session, as well as several members-at-large from the congregation to serve on this project. The plans for the enlargement of the church were presented to the members at a congregational meeting in November, 1945, and the Committee was authorized to proceed with collecting funds towards the $45,000 estimated cost. This seemed like a monumental task, but Mr. William R. Nicholson, Jr., a Philadelphia realtor, and a resident of Paoli, presented $10,000 as a memorial to his mother Anna J. Nicholson. This gave the canvassers a lot of hope and courage and they collected $7,000 in advance gifts and over $13,000 in pledges. Mounting labor costs and unexpectedly high bids forced a revision of the plans, but finally in December, 1948, the congregation voted to accept the bid of G. Paul Cook, a Philadelphia contractor, for the work. Ground was broken for the new building (the Education Building), December, 1948, in the midst of a swirling snowstorm. The first shovelful of earth was removed by George Hammond, Superintendent of the Sunday School, followed by Raymond Burns, Clerk of Sessions; H. Fred Miller, President of the Board of Trustees; and Mr. Hammonds, Chairman of the Building Committee. The new building is a classroom building situated directly in back of the church and connected to it. It has three large sunny rooms on the first floor for a nursery, kindergarten, and a Primary Department. On the main floor are the Anna Nicholson Memorial Chapel, a choir room, twelve classrooms, and a study for the minister. Sound-proof ceiling tile and light woodwork and walls make it an ideal setting for Sunday School instruction.
New Sunday School The physical aspect of the church itself was changed, the old steeple, with its pointed top, was removed and a square tower-like structure erected. The church auditorium was enlarged to take care of the growth of the Church. It was equipped with new pews, which are marked with memorial plates indicating both the donor and the person in whose memory the pew was presented. The men of the church repainted the auditorium. The pulpit was moved from the east to the north side of the auditorium. A painting of the Ascension, executed by one of the members, John J. Bischoff, was presented by the Spellman family and placed in the church. A special gift of chimes, with tower amplification, and for the rebuilding and enlarging of the organ was made by Mrs. Edna S. Matthews in memory of her husband Walter T. Matthews, former Superintendent of the Sunday School and Trustee of the Church, and of Harry H. Matthews, for many years Treasurer of the Church. The total cost of this new building project, including furniture, organ, architect's fees and other expenses, was approximately $70,000. The members of the Building Committee included Miss Helen Curry, Harry Schory, Casper Tollinger, Frank McFaden, George Hammond, Raymond Burns, H. Fred Miller, Clifford Evens, Harry Matthews and Frank Zepp. Both Mr. Zepp and Mr. Matthews passed away while the program was in the planning stages. In the Presbyterian Church the Session is the ruling body of the Church, charged with maintaining the spiritual life of its members, and the peace, unity and purity of the Church. These persons are ordained for life to the position of Ruling Elder, but at present their period of active service on the Session is limited to one term of three years, after which at least one year must elapse before they can be re-elected to the Session. At present the following members of the Church are on the Session:
Class of 1962
Class of 1963
Class of 1964 The Trustees are charged with the care of the church property and the business-like handling of the financial affairs of the congregation. They are elected for a three year term after which one year must pass before they are eligible to re-election to the Board. At present the following members of the Church are the Trustees :
Class of 1962
Class of 1963 Trustees continued
Class of 1964 Deacons.
Class of 1962
Harold T. Barr, Jr.
Class of 1963
Class of 1964 Since the opening of the new addition to the Sunday Church School its membership has increased to 565, and the congregation has now passed the 1000 mark. The General Superintendent of the Sunday Church School is Joseph O. Fulton, Jr. The present Director of Music is Mrs. Robert E. Keehn. She has under her leadership choirs for all ages from Primary to Adult. Also the latest addition is a Junior High Bell Choir which is not yet a year old and is becoming well known in surrounding communities for its excellent work. Music has always had a prominent place in the life of the Church, and among the various organists who have served from time to time are Mabel Connor, May English, Harry Stroh, Harry Davis, Irene Trainer, Iva Todd, Mrs. Robert Graham, Mildred Poulton, Mildred Hall, and the present organist Mrs. Anna McCann Stroh. There have been many choir directors also. Mrs. C. W. Wager was the first official Choir Director; after her the following have served from time to time: Mary Clark McCullough, William Wason, Mrs. Leora Evans, S. Jones, Mrs. J. B. Kester, Miss Doris Kratz, H. Fred Miller, and Miss Doris DeLanoy. There are many active societies in the Church, including the Women's Association, Mrs. Theodore Schmitt, President; Paoli Chapter United Presbyterian Men, George A. Borden, President; United Presbyterian Youth, Larry C. Haack, Senior High Moderator; Couple's Club, College and Career Group. All of these contribute to the interests of the members and the growth of the church life. Miss Joreen Jarrell has been Director of Christian Education since 1956, and Miss Helen Burwell has been full time Church Secretary since 1957. The following ministers have served since 1953:
Charles W. Young, Jr. 1954 - 1957 In addition to two services on Sundays the Church has weekly Healing Service and Intercessory Prayer groups. Now as time moves on we come to another important milestone for the Church. It is about to move from its present location to the junction of South Valley and Waynesborough Roads. In fact ground-breaking ceremonies took place March 5, 1961, and that, we hope, will begin another chapter in this interesting history. The material for this article was obtained through the courtesy of Kenneth A. Fegley, Mrs. J. Garfield Matthews, Miss Helen Burwell. Data were also taken from a copy of the booklet for the Golden Anniversary of the Church, the current Church Bulletin for May 21, 1961,and the sketch of the new church from the December "Newsletter" of the Paoli Presbyterian Church.
New church, 1949 and Architects' sketch of the new Church, 1961 |
