CHAPTER VII
Trinity, 1940-19661
The year 1939-1940 was the year Trinity Church turned the century mark. Lila Zorn, Carl Anderson, Anthony Gilmour, H.V. Bamber and Fred Gollman were the officers of the Official Board that year. During the preceding three years, 95 new members joined the church. In November, Mr. William Smith and his committee arranged the Centennial Celebration of Trinity Church.
The Epworth League at that time was undoubtedly the strongest on the Island--perhaps in the district.
The Junior League always played its part. No one will ever forget Miss Searl and the Junior League. She never tired, never aged and never quit.
Dr. Blessing in his yearly report that year paid tribute to many who had contributed to the total achievements of the year. There was Harry Slack, William Smith and Clare Brown, assistant pastor in more ways than one. Frank Chappelle with his friendly greetings met all comers at every service. Dr. Lloyd Hunsdorfer, who was responsible for the publication of the church bulletin, Mrs. Lila Zorn, who was our indefatigable secretary, George Wade, our communion steward, William Atcheson, who took care of the accousticon and Miss Ruth Bamber who saw to it that the pulpit was provided with memorial flowers and Mrs. Gena Hendrickson, who watched over the physical needs of the church like a mother her brood, were among those who received special mention. George Thompson, Morrell Gibson and Walter Heap worked behind the scenes, but did much to keep the building in repair and Larry Hendrickson found time to rebuild the parsonage steps and do necessary work in the attic.
Year 1940 was a year of transition throughout Methodism. The most significant change was the merging of the three Women's Societies into the Women's Society of Christian Service. In September of that year, a new group was formed in Trinity with 110 charter members. Included in that number was Mrs. Simonson, who had been a charter member of the Foreign Missionary Society. Alma Brown was the first president.
Under the guidance of Miss Scanland and Miss Dole, no less than five choirs were trained for parts in the musical programs of the church.
In October of that year, the church mortgage was taken out of the regular budget and amortization certificates in denominations of $6.00 to $24.00 were sold.
An intermediate Epworth League was formed with Harry Kirkwood as president.
In April 1941, a new group arose, the Trinity Doubles Club, which was to last until the merger. The members consisted of young married couples whose combined ages did not exceed 81 years. However, as the couples grew older, the by-laws were changed and the number of years was increased. This club participated in a bi-weekly Bible Study Class led by Dr. James E. Egan. The first group of officers was Pearl and David Brown, president; Jeanne and Clare Brown, first vice president; Marian and Raymond Williams, secretary; Kay and Robert Skeele, treasurer; Barbara and Kenneth Filmer, study directors; and Shirley and Albert Pinkall, social directors.
The name Epworth League vanished and the Youth Fellowship arose in its place. Barbara Filmer was the first president of the group under its new name.
The year of 1942 found many of Trinity's young men in the service of our country. Sixty-nine names were on the Roll of Honor published in the yearly report. Practically all evening activities were eliminated because of the dim-outs and transportation difficulties. Many members were working around the calendar as well as the clock, and this cut into the church activities. During the war years, in addition to the regular program of the church, the church sponsored an Air Raid Haven, continuous classes in First Aid, and maintained a Red Cross Sewing Room.
In March, Bishop McConnell spoke at an Island-wide Service held at Trinity. He described it as "the greatest Methodist gathering I have seen in years". The combined choirs from the Methodist Churches of Staten Island numbering 150 voices were under the leadership of Miss Kathryn Scanland, while Harry L. Slack was responsible for arranging a buffet supper for 150 guests following the gathering.
During this year, Trinity Church freed itself from debt, raising almost $19,000.00. This practically cleared all old indebtedness and most of the church mortgage. The balance which was still due on the mortgage was all covered by pledges and was less than a thousand dollars.
Homecoming Sunday that year had an exquisite display of flowers from gardens of the District Superintendent Dr. Lloyd C. Wicke.
The Youth Fellowship under the leadership of Geraldine Seeger had a full program in spite of the fact that many young men were in service. On May 30, they held their annual outing at Lake Hopatcong and in June had their annual Rose Banquet. Rollerskating, Treasure Hunts and Scavenger Hunts were added parties enjoyed by all.
On December 3, 1942, the church became the sponser of Boy Scout Troop No. 31, which met at the church weekly. At that time, the troop consisted of 30 Scouts with Frederic Franzwick as Scoutmaster.
Year 1943 found 111 of our boys and girls in the Armed Services, and many more were enveloped in the war effort so that they too were prevented from participating in the normal work of the church.
The church mortgage was burned in the church on Sunday morning, March 21, 1943. A metal tray was arranged in the manner of an altar, flanked on either side by new national and church emblems which were dedicated at that service. Mr. Meurer from the S.I. Savings Bank congratulated Trinity Church on discharge of its obligation and then handed the cancelled mortgage to Mark W. Allen, president of the Board of Trustees, who turned it over to the chairman of the Mortgage Fund, Horace North. The same evening there was a great Rally of Methodists led by the combined choirs of Staten Island Methodists and addressed by Bishop McConnell. Miss Mary Jean Knorr was organist at that time.
Another important event that year was the presentation of the church chimes by former Senator Mark W. Allen in memory of Mrs. Fred Hillyer, who for more than 30 years was organist and choirmaster of the church.
For the first time in the history of the church, an advance payment was made on conference assessments.
The Wesleyan Service Guild was organized in 1945. Mrs. William Clouse was president of the Women's Society and Betty Gorton was the first president. The Guild sponsored the Sunday morning church nursery, which made it possible for many parents of young children to attend services of the church. The Guild's enthusiasm mothered a new organization for men and the result was formation of a Young Men's Club.
The Trinity Men's Club was formally organized with Kenneth Filmer as the president. Their first active participation in service to the church was to the church Fair. Under the direction of Austen Brown, the members made lawn ornaments and door stops. Dr. James Alderson was organist and choir director during this period.
In 1947, the Reconstruction Program brought about the remodeling of the heating plant, new water lines into the church, a completely redecorated and painted parsonage, newly piped with brass, and with modernized bathrooms, redecorated sanctuary, thorough renovation of the organ, beautiful new carpeting and freshly finished floor and harmonious new chancel fixtures and furnishing. The goal was $12,000 and it was fully covered by pledges. The Reconstruction Fund Chairman was Mr. Tracy Brown. November 12 was the 35th anniversary of the construction of the Delafield Avenue building.
For the first time in 1947, the profits from the fair went over the $1,000 mark.
Mrs. Ellen Ligon was minister of music and a special Christmas Cantata, The Story of Christmas was presented in 1948. An outstanding fair was held in November called "Toyland" with R.O. Hendrickson and Julia Riley as co-chairmaen. The profits were about $1,125.00
The church and the Women's Society lost two wonderful members that year, Mrs. Anna Gibson and Mrs. Gena Hendrickson. Five dinners and four luncheons were served during the year. The Doubles Club worked long and hard on artificial flowers for the fair, as well as did many other organizations.
The idea of a tri-church fellowship originated at the conclusion of one of the Youth Fellowship Rallies where a few members from Grace, Summerfield, and Trinity Churches were discussing the fact that they had outgrown in years the present program of the Youth Fellowship. As a result, they formed one group for the three churches, and the first meeting was on February 6, 1949. The officers were Ruth Rieger, Donald Randolph, Dorothy Ralph, Howard Parker, and Ruth Atcheson.
As the church went into 1950, all organizations in the church continued to move along. The Trinity Doubles Club continued to be a strong and stable group of men and women whose program had been built and maintained around three great interests; systematic study of the Bible and related subjects led by Dr. James Egan and Dr. J.M. Blessing, service rendered to and throughout the church, and a Christian medium of fellowship for all married couples. Many happy times at the covered dish dinners and the annual Christmas Party will be remembered by many.
The Youth Fellowship won many first prizes in table decorations at the annual banquet of the Staten Island Group of Youth Fellowships. A yearly trip was made to Stevens Lake at Johnsonburgh, New Jersey. Several trips were also made to Brown's Farm in Belle Meade, New Jersey.
The Sunday School was ably led by Mr. Clare H. Brown as superintendent, and Mrs. Kirby Holloway as the assistant. The children looked eagerly forward to the annual costume party each Thanksgiving. Mr. Robert Skeele served as the Sunday School treasurer for many years. Miss Lila Zorn was the secretary of both the Sunday School and the Official Board.
In 1950 Miss Marion Hillyer came to Trinity as choir director and organist. She served in that capacity until the merger. There were three organized choirs Senior, Junior and Chapel Choir, with about 55 members.
In 1952, the membership was 665 with 360 enrolled in the Sunday School, Released Time offered service to 44 children each week while the Doubles Club had a membership of 40. The W.S.C.S. had 93 members and the Men's Club had 25 members who launched upon the task of landscaping the church grounds.
During 1953, Dr. Blessing concluded a pastorate of 16 years moving on to Teaneck, New Jersey. When he began in 1937, there were 389 members. In 1937, the church had a debt of $12,000 and paid $155 on conference apportionment. The budget then was $8,000 and the pledges to the budget were about $2,700. In 1952, the church was free from debt and $31,351 had been spent for repairs and improvements. The budget was about $20,000 a year.
At the Quarterly Conference that year, the Official Board adopted the new Commission form of organization.
In November, the church held its 40th Anniversary of the Delafield Avenue building. The services extended through the week, were climaxed by the Anniversary Dinner at which Dr. Everett F. Hallock, who entered the ministry from Trinity Church, was the speaker. A mass meeting of all 12 of our Staten Island churches with their choirs took place on Sunday evening November 16. The speaker was Bishop Francis J. McConnell. The Annual Church Fair continued to be of tremendous social value regardless of its financial importance. It was started 16 years before 1952 and in that year netted the church $1,324.39.
The Rev. Fred Hubach became pastor of Trinity and was to serve until after the merger. Dr. Egan at this time moved to Clinton, New Jersey and Pastor Hubach completed the year for the Doubles Club with the topic, "Present Day Religions in the World". The Trinity Couples Club was organized in 1953 by Carolyn and Fred Hubach and was open to all who had been married less than 15 years. Gere and Norman Nelson were the first presidents.
The Men's Club continued to flourish with a very active program with many notable speakers during 1954. The present Boy Scout Troop No. 47 was sponsored by the Methodist Men's Club. Scott Jacobson and the Rev. Fred Hubach made the necessary arrangements with Scout Headquarters and George Adams served as Scoutmaster. In October, an Intermediate M.Y.F. got its start with Victor Castellucci serving as president for the first year.
In April, 1955 Pastor Hubach, Mrs. Jeanne Brown and a group of mothers met at the church. Their aim was to start a Brownie Unit for girls 7-10. Mrs. Elva Jacobson and Mrs. Florence Amy were chosen leaders.
The property commission was headed by I. Robert Skeele in 1956 and took on its main project of the refinishing of the exterior of the church. The total cost of the project was $11,000 and was done by Newman Co. of Orange, N.J.
Each Christmas a candlelight service was held at 4 P.M. preceding Christmas Sunday. The sermon was a beautiful story told by Carolyn Hubach. A coffee hour followed under the supervision of the Women's Society of Christian Service or the Wesleyan Service Guild. Intermediate Girl Scout Troop No. 122 started with 23 girls and 3 leaders. Betty Barnard was one of the leaders.
In 1957 the Women's Society of Christian Service inaugurated a Mother and Daughter Banquet which was to become an annual event. A five months membership drive introduced Trinity Guild work to a number of prospective members. The winning team (Red Team) was feted by the Green Team.
The Doubles Club and the Couples Club united to form one club of 32 couples. They had an interesting Round-a-Bout Theater Party, and outdoor picnic at the Dowler's and a Wives Dinner prepared by the husbands.
A three year building Fund program was completed in the year 1958. There had been an automatic gas heater installed, the floors in the Beginner and Primary Rooms refinished and a stainless steel sink installed in the kitchen.
In 1959 Mr. William Morris, who is still very active as the Scoutmaster took over the leadership of the Boy Scout Troop 47.
A Fashion Show and Mock Wedding were presented by the Trinity Methodist Men during 1960. The profits ere used for the installation of lockers for the storage of choir gowns and music supplies under the direction of Jack Cameron, president. The Commission on Missions headed by Dorothy Stickle sponsored an International Sunday Supper which was served to 150 people. The magazine Together was sent to all persons who gave to the support of the church. Mary Norris continued her fine work as Superintendent of the Released Time School.
In 1961 the Faith in Action Crusade of the Newark Conference was supported by members of Trinity. Part of this money was to go to purchase a Newark Conference campsite near Newton, New Jersey. The Doubles Club held their 20th Anniversary Dinner at the William Pitt Restaurant in New Jersey. Dr. and Mrs. Blessing, Dr. James Egan, the Rev. & Mrs. Hubach were guests of honor.
Pastor Hubach started "Mission Moments" in 1962. These talks gave our congregation an opportunity to become educated about every phase of the missionary enterprise. An Explorer Post was started with 7 boys.
On November 18, there was a church Anniversary Service, the 50th Anniversary of the Delafield Avenue building. Barbara & Ken Filmer presented a wonderful 50 years.
Diana Brown who was in charge of the Commission on Missions had a special program on February 16, 1963 called "Under 4 Flags". A missionary Miss Ruth Whiteford, who was on the staff of Isabella Thoburn College in India spoke to us. A fellowship supper preceded the meeting. The tables were decorated uniquely with flags of four countries. Marion Hillyer and Jeanne Brown had charge of the musical part of the program with the Junior Choir singing an Indian song. Jeanne Brown led everybody in singing Italian and Danish songs. The Weslyan Service Guild set up a wonderful display table of many interesting items of India, supervised by Madeline Parisi and Gere Nelson. The feature of the evening was an outstanding program presented by the Primary Department. The children located the countries on the map and told something about each country. Junior Troop 5-168 held its first meeting in September. It was for girls of ages 9 to 11. Beatrice Eberling was the chairman.
The Women's Society of Christian Service celebrated its 25th Anniversary with events that lasted through the year of 1964.
On December 6th, Bishop Wicke spoke on the 125th Anniversary of our church. The Women's Society held a coffee hour following. A banquet was served by the women of Woodrow Methodist Church on December 3. Former pastors spoke and a souvenir program was distributed.
In May a "Lilac Tea" was held at the home of Helen Bailey to which prospective members were invited.
The Methodist Youth Fellowship had a combined group with Trinity and Kingsley participating. George Cramer was the president.
The Wesleyan Service Guild celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 1965. The youth of Kingsley, Grace and Trinity joined together and had combined meetings. They went on a retreat to Riverside Camp where they met a group from Keepsville, N.Y. They elected officers and planned a program for the new year. The Men's Commission from Trinity, Grace, and Kingsley continued with their joint program.
At the regular meeting of the Trinity Official Board on April 5, 1966, it was resolved that the Official Board of Trinity Methodist Church indicate its general approval in principle of the merger of Trinity, Kingsley and Grace Churches into one congregation at a future date acceptable to all three congregations and only after appropriate action by the Quarterly Conference of Trinity Methodist Church and a majority vote of the congregation at a date to be fixed in the future.
Compiled by Marian Williams
Source Material:
Year Books of Trinity Methodist Church
Staten Island Advance clippings
Minutes of meetings
CHAPTER VIII
Grace1
The 35th anniversary of the dedication of Grace Church was observed from May 18 to May 22, 1902, with services conducted by Bishop Edward G. Andrews and by Dr. Henry Spellmeyer, later Bishop. In 1906, Rev. F.J. Hubach became the pastor. During his pastorate, the church at Graniteville was organized. Rev. Hubach took a deep interest in the organization of that church. In 1909, Charles Waldron was appointed pastor. His pastorate was a record-breaking one in two particulars, in length of service (up to that time) and in freeing the church from debt for the first time in its history. The Golden Jubilee of Grace Church was celebrated from January 7 to 14, 1917, with services conducted by Bishop Luther Wilson and Rev. Hubach. At the close of these services, the mortgage was burned, to the delight of the congregation. The debt had actually been cleared earlier, but the mortgage burning was delayed to coincide with the Jubilee.
In 1918 the Rev. William Judson Hampton, D.D. came to Grace Church from Butler, N.J. The church showed a healthy growth, even though something like 40 names were dropped from the roll of active members. On April 4, 1922 the pastor returned to Grace Church for the 5-year limit and the following Palm Sunday a class of 18 persons was welcomed into the church. Mrs. Jennie Davis, of 185 Dongan Street, West New Brighton, had the honor of becoming the five hundredth enrolled member and as the announcement of the fact was made, the congregation arose and sang heartily, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow".
The dedication of the new Sunday School building began with impressive services on Sunday, May 14, 1922. It was Mothers Day, an appropriate day for the dedication of a Sunday School temple. The 11:00 service found Bishop Luther B. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., of the New York Area, in the pulpit for the sermon of dedication. His text was taken from the story of the growing babe, Moses in his mothers arms; it was not only the physical care of the child that counted, but it was the mental and spiritual nurturing at the mothers knee, that counted most. At the conclusion of the sermon, Dr. Hampton introduced Capt. William A. Anderson, Pres. of the Board of Trustees, who in turn presented the building to the Bishop for dedication. Interesting exercises continued throughout the week, one of them being a reunion of former pastors and a happy social hour enjoyed as the guests of the Ladies Aid Society, of which Mrs. F.M. Beasley was president. After the former pastors and the present pastor of Trinity Methodist Church brought greetings, Dr. Hampton called to the platform, Horatio J. Sharrett, chairman of the building committee and presented him with a handsome gold watch. The pastor spoke as follows:
"Mr. Sharrett,--This beautiful gold watch which we present to you tonight, is only a slight token of our appreciation of the fine services you have rendered Grace Church as chairman of the Building Committee. No one knows but yourself and your God, how much time, though, energy and money you have put on this work. You saved the church the necessity of securing the services of an architect, to see that the specifications were duly carried out while the building was being constructed, thereby saving the church several hundred dollars. The church has profited under your supervision. You have spent time and money. The building committee has never received any bill for the voluminous correspondence you have carried on in the interest of the new building. You have freely given your time, which was spent so lavishly in the many personal interviews you had with prospective subscribers to the building fund. A trip was made to Paterson, for the purpose of hurrying matters along with the George Hardy Payne Art Studio, and on this trip your car broke down which necessitated hiring some one to tow the car home at an expense of thirteen dollars; no bill has ever been turned in by you. These are among your many labors, in season and out of season. We cannot repay you for your faithful service rendered. We can present you in behalf of the friends and Official Board of Grace Church this token of our heartfelt appreciation of the fine service you have rendered as the untiring chairman of our Building Committee."
Upon receiving this gift, Mr. Sharrett responded feelingly. As he resumed his seat, he was heartily applauded.
The week of dedication ended on Sunday, May 21, 1922 at the morning service, where the pastor delivered an historical sermon, covering the entire history of the church from the initial meeting held at the residence of Read Benedict, January 10, 1867.
During the pastorate of Dr. William J. Hampton several Evangelistic Services were held by outstanding evangelists. The most famous was Katherine Roth, a converted Shakespearian actress.
Lillian Olsen has fond and vivid memories of the active Sunday School during the pastorates of Rev. Hampton (1918-1923) and Rev. Maschman (1923-1930):
"Growing up as a child in Grace Sunday School was a wonderful memorable experience for me. My sisters and I attended sessions that were headed by Mrs. Charles Kinney, and I recall wanting to go to Sunday School every Sunday to be in Mrs. Kinney's class. I remember her as a warm, sweet loveable Bible teacher whose lessons were beautifully toldMiss Margaret McLarty was my next teacherMiss McLarty was in charge of the Children's Day and Christmas programs for many years, and the children loved to participate in these. Miss Rena Marr had a large class of young women of high school and college age. The sessions were always held with a gathering of all classes for opening exercises, singing, prayer and breaking up for classesreturning for closing exercisesThe song services with orchestral accompaniment were always outstanding."
There were always many people interested in the children and youth of Grace Church. Dr. Albert H. Owens, Sr. was one of those who assisted in the church school wherever he could best serve. He taught a class while attending college and for years thereafter. He was responsible for the formation of an orchestra which provided fine music for the church school sessions and at other times during the church year when exciting concerts were performed. Dr. Owens played the trumpet cornet and doubled as the director of this orchestra from 1919-1923. Other members were: Robert McKee, clarinet; Ralph Trisman, baritone clarinet; E. Cottrell, Arnold Garland, Frank Rebhan, and Richard Price, cornet; Wilber Trisman and Joseph Holzka, saxophone; Robert T. Humphrey, drums; Harold Nelson, piano; James Hampton and Harry Hoffman, trombone; and Virgil Grignon, violin. Dr. Owens also served as trustee for several terms, was president of the Methodist Men, and served as chairman of several fund-raising campaigns, which proved to be very successful.
Mr. Fred M. Beasley was director of a men's quartet in the 1920's, which quartet included Dr. A.H. Owens, Sr.; Joseph Meachem, and James White.
The name of Charles Hohenstein should be recorded here. Mr. Hohenstein served his church to the best of his ability in various and sundry jobs over a long period of years. He will best be remembered for his fine service to the church school as Sunday School Superintendent for a very long time.
In addition to the outstanding Sunday School program, several other youth groups were active during the period between the World Wars. The Epworth League of Grace Church grew, under the leadership of Vernon Hampton, from 1919 to 1923 until there were more than three hundred active members. More than 150 were frequently at the Sunday evening Epworth League Vespers; an attendance of 250 was the regular thing at the socials and activities. Group Rallies and District Rallies always saw the Grace Epworth League in the forefront. The community was touched by events such as participation with other North Shore churches in a train excursion to the New Jersey seashores. The North Shore Baby Parade was led by Vernon B. Hampton. It was later taken over by the Port Richmond Board of Trade. The Epworth League also held a "Tom Thumb Wedding" and several elaborate cantatas. The Grace Epworth League was the third largest in the United States at that time.
The Junior Epworth League was another group which reached a membership of over two hundred. It was organized as a week day church school and had an official staff of fourteen consecrated officers and teachers. It was probably an early example of the religious week day school, but was held after school hours, rather than as a released time endeavor. The Queen Esthers was another active youth group interested in missionary and community work.
During the early thirties, Philips Lord played the part of a radio character, Seth Parker, who would present an hour of hymn singing every Sunday evening. A Seth Parker Club was formed of Grace Church young people in 1932. After Epworth League on Sunday evenings, the club members would meet in homes for worship, hymn singing and social fellowship. The club produced an old fashioned minstrel show in 1935, had annual summer outings and made up food baskets for the needy families of the church. There were about 35 members in this first group that was outside the regular societies of the church.
There were three organizations of women during the twenties and thirties. The Ladies Aid Society had the largest membership and was the strongest of the three groups. During the thirties, this group raised money with peach and strawberry festivals, oyster stew dinners and food sales. The money raised through these means was used to furnish the parsonage, keep the parsonage in good repair and pay the taxes. The group supported the Building Fund and helped pay off the annex mortgage. The financial help of the Ladies Aid Society enabled Grace Church to survive the hard depression years.
The second strongest group was the Women's Home Missionary Society. These women raised their money with dues, collections, mite boxes and sales of articles. They provided the outreach of the church and supported the Conference Mission effort. They gave financial aid to an Appalachian School for orphans and provided funds for the support of the Deaconess Bureau. The King's Daughters belonged to the international and state organizations of this group. They raised their funds primarily by donations and dues from members. They provided church bulletins and flowers for the church. Support was given to Staten Island Social Services, Staten Island Hospital and the New York Travelers Aid Society.
The Oxford Men's Club raised their funds from socials and dues. These men supported special projects of the church and took part of the expense for church bulletins and flowers.
Grace Church has always been a musical church. During the pastorate of the Rev. Maschman, the musical program flourished under the direction of Mr. S.E. Eddy and organist L.C. Grimshaw. Mrs. Jessie Willshaw succeeded and became choir director and organist for the next ten years. She was succeeded by Dr. and Mrs. Anders Emile in 1937. Dr. Emile used the Grace Choir as the basic unit for the creation of a larger singing organization, the Staten Island Methodist Choir. Singers from the other choirs joined and this choir grew. Rehearsals were held weekly in Grace Church. At this time the organ console was at the rear of the choir loft. There were no reredos or parapet between the choir and the pulpit. A low removable curtain separated these two areas. The pulpit area could be extended to the altar railing. Hence, a platform could be made from the altar railing to the rear of the choir loft. This made for facile production of pageants and elaborate concerts. The Staten Island Methodist Choir gave concerts at Christmas and in the Spring. This choir sang at the 1939-40 World's Fair several times. This choir lived for 5 years and then was reorganized into the Richmond Choral Society.
After an outstanding eleven-year pastorate through the difficult years of the Great Depression, the Rev. Seaman Townsend exchanged pastorates with Dr. Benjamin W. Gilbert of Perth Amboy. Dr. Gilbert's 1941-45 pastorate were years filled with the sorrows and activities caused by World War II. Even before American entry into the war, the church answered appeals of the British Relief Fund. The church building was used by the Red Cross to teach first aid. There were tasks of getting ration tickets for church dinners, collecting scrap paper and metal and keeping in contact with church members who were in the Armed Forces. Several Grace members were casualties of the war. Clifford Wood was captured in North Africa and held in a German prison camp for 27 months. Arnim Taylor was severely wounded at Casa Blanca. Warren Reiger was killed in action in Holland and is buried there. Donald C. Charlton was another of our young men who made the supreme sacrifice.
The congregation of Grace Church welcomed the many Allied servicemen and women and merchant seamen who visited Staten Island into their church services and into their homes. In some instances, life long friendships were formed. The war wounded came to Halloran Hospital. Chaplain Wright, who ministered to these young men reported to the Grace Quarterly Conference. Grace Choir made frequent visits to the filled hospital wards.
It was in Dr. Gilbert's pastorate that an all time attendance record was established at Grace Church. On an Easter Sunday 550 people jammed the morning service with a repeat attendance record for the great Easter pageant in the evening. Mrs. Gilbert was instrumental in staging many pageants and dramas in Grace Church.
In 1945 Dr. Gilbert and Rev. A.L. Fretz exchanged pastorates. Rev. Fretz became very ill in 1946, and substitute pastors took over. When Rev. Fretz died in 1947, Rev. Wallace G. Sorenson began a pastorate that lasted until 1952.
During the war it had become imperative to replace the frequently repaired organ, but the project had to be delayed until after the war. In 1947 final plans were approved for installing the new church organ. This invlolved placing a reredos and parapet between the console and pulpit and installing the pipes in what had been the changing rooms for the choir. Although these structural changes made large pageants more difficult, they prevented a repeat of one of the very humorous anecdotes Mr. Merwyn Grill remembers:
"One Sunday, a guest preacher was telling about the greatness of God's love. He outstretched his arms, leaned backward and lost his balance. He fell out of the pulpit throught the curtain, into the choir loft. He then remarked that the pulpit of Grace Church wasn't large enough to demonstrate God's love."
Mrs. Emile took a sabbatical leave after the war and was replaced as choir director by Don Allured of Union Theological School. He did the research on the new organ installation and returned to Grace Church as guest organist for the dedication of the new organ in 1949. Mrs. Emile returned to direct the choir, and the extensive music program continued. In 1953 the choir was invited to sing on television. Good use was made of the dramatic and musical abilities of the choir by producing the operetta, "Old Vienna". The platform in the Sunday School hall was extended to the kitchen doors and extended forward to accommodate the forty or more people acting in the crowd scenes. Several years later this operetta was repeated at Sailors Snug Harbor with standing room only crowds for three nights.
Stephen Klyce became the minister of music in 1955. Following Mr. Klyce, Grace Church had a succession of choir directors: Mr. Maren, Mr. Petersen, Mr. Bostwick, Mr. Lake, Dr. Emile and Mrs. Dorothy Olsen. The Wesley Choir of Grace Church presented a musical program in the New York State Pavillion at the New York World's Fair on May 4, 1965, in honor of New York State and Richmond County Day. The choir was directed by Mrs. Olsen and was accompanied by piano and brass trio. The twenty member group presented a program of sacred music which included "Clap Your Hands", composed for the occasion by Dr. Anders Emile. The day was hot and sunny and one of the young people passed out from the heat. The young people later toured the World's Fair.
Grace Church assimilated into the personal evangelism efforts of the Newark Conference. Prospect lists were prepared of people who weren't members and with whom the church had contact--parents of Sunday School children, people married by the pastor, people who had children baptized, etc. Teams of two people called on the people of the prospect lists. This system of personal evangelism was successful. The winning of new members became increasingly important to replace the names of members who were inactive. Attempts were made to reactivate the interests of the inactive members by visitation. Grace Church represented the Newark Conference Evangelism Committee and had a voice in the plans of the Evangelistic Mission of 1953. The Evangelistic Mission effort closed with a great mass meeting of 8,000 held in Teaneck, New Jersey. Many of the Grace Choir members sang in the 800-voice choir, with an orchestra conducted by the pastor, Dr. James Richards. Grace Church had to maintain a very active evangelistic effort just to stand still. The membership turnover became almost 20% each year. Many of the people came to Staten Island for only a few years and then moved away. It became increasingly difficult to build organizations and develop leadership with so many people moving.
In the 1950's church attendance fell off in all Methodist Churches on Staten Island. A study by the Protestant Council indicated that churches were closing their doors. The North Shore area was beginning to be run-down and neglected. The Chamber of Commerce designated Port Richmond a poverty area. The North Shore Staten Island Rapid Transit shut down its service completely. The Rev. Dewart, pastor from 1959 to 1962 was greatly concerned. He suggested that the Official Board approve a study that would be done on the future of Methodism on Staten Island. The Metropolitan Planning Commission of the Methodist Church and the Planning and Research Department of the Protestant Council carried out this study. In the report it was clearly suggested that the three North Shore Methodist Churches should merge, build a new church on a new site where new members would be attracted, expenses and operating costs cut and adequate facilities could be built for the future.
The Verrazano Bridge was being built and it was logical that the Methodist Churches on Staten Island should belong to the New York Conference. The Staten Island churches had belonged to the Newark Conference since the days of Bishop Asbury. Dr. Vernon Hampton, Methodist historian for the Newark Conference was asked to propose a resolution pointing out the reasons for remaining in the Newark Conference. Proximity was given as the main reason. However, at the General Conference, Bishop Lloyd Wicke announced that we were to be the Metropolitan District of the New York Conference. And so in 1965, during the pastorate of the Rev. B.C. Sparkman, we became associated with New York.
Each congregation appointed members of the policy committee to meet regularly to study the future of the three churches. Planning meetings were held as far back as 1964 with Rev. Hubach, Rev. Sparkman and Rev. Kimmelman. Possible sites were studied, selling prices for each church were estimated. The New York Conference urged our three congregations to merge and proceed as outlined. The merger took place on June 6, 1966.
Through the almost 100 years in the life of Grace Methodist Church, there wee so many who gave so much. However, it must be mentioned here that Edgar A. Sleight served his church long and well for 45 of those 100 years. Due to his advancing years, he felt it necessary to resign active membership after serving as Asst. Superintendent and Superintendent of the Sunday School from 1921 to 1954 and also after having served as a Trustee for a number of years. Mr. Sleight, too, will be remembered for his avid interest in the history of his beloved Staten Island.
Several men have left from Grace to serve in the Christian ministry. According to our records, the earliest one to leave Staten Island for that purpose was Thomas W. Owens (1879-1926). He served for a time in the Newark Conference of the Methodist Church, and then he transferred to the New England Conference. A lengthy article appeared at the time of his death in the periodical Zion's Herald under the title "A Life of Worldwide Influence".
We have learned of others who left Grace church to enter ministerial work. Arthur H. Landmesser related to the Wyoming Conference of The Methodist Church in 1921 and became a member of the Troy Conference in 1927. William E. Coates was ordained deacon in 1950 in the Rock River Conference in Illinois. Eugene W. Foote and Herman A. Soderberg began work in the Newark Conference in the early 1960's. An Ernest Johns left the Methodist Church and entered the Episcopal ministry about that same time.
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