Part Four
The Decade of the Merged Church
Chapter IX
Faith United Methodist Church1
1966-1976
"BE IT RESOLVED: that Grace, Kingsley, and Trinity churches be merged and that the Official Boards acting in joint session be given authority and power to move ahead in all the minute details involved--to immediately move ahead in the securing of a proper site for our united church--and to implement the working out of a fully merged program with the present ministers composing the staff.
FOR__X__ AGAINST_____
Indicate with an X your vote for or against -- fold once and place in Ballot Box."2
These important words represent but one aspect of the culmination of years of study and discussion concerning the status of Methodism on the North Shore of Staten Island. More importantly, for the members of the Kingsley, Trinity, and Grace congregations, they represent the crucial step towards a united future. However, before considering the early years of Faith, we should first remember some of the important preliminary activities, which took place during the planning stages.
In May 1962, a resolution was passed by the City Evangelization Union that all the Methodist churches on Staten Island enter into a self-study program. All twelve congregations agreed to the self-study, and shared the $800 cost among themselves. In September 1963, the report of this self-study was published, and one of its recommendations was the relocation of one, two, or all three of the above-mentioned congregations at one site (in other words, merger). However, it was not until September 1964, that joint activities began to be held, and the stumbling block to merger seemed to be the lack of a suitable site for the new congregation. Finally, in February 1966, permission for merger was granted by Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke, and, on June 6, 1966, merger was voted by the three congregations. The first meeting of the joint Official Boards took place on June 13, 1966. It was decided that Sunday worship and Church School would be conducted in the Grace church building, Port Richmond; the Church Office as well as Fellowship Hall activities, would be located in the Trinity building, West Brighton; and miscellaneous meetings would be held in the Kingsley building, Stapleton. The staff consisted of the three former pastors, the Reverends Dr. F Roderick Dail, frederick G. Hubach, and Billy C. Sparkman; secretary, Mrs. Gladys Kimmerer; and the organist-choir director, Mr. Steven Anderson.
The process of choosing a name for the new congregation was begun in the summer of 1966. Suggestions were received from members of the congregation, placed on a ballot, and mailed to all members. The final choice was FAITH, and the name was formally presented at the Charge Conference of September 16, 1966, District Superintendent Charles Warren presiding. Later in the year, on November 16, 1966, the Official Board approved a resolution stating "that the three congregations of Faith Methodist Church meet in the Grace church building beginning January 1 until Grace church is sold, but that all three churches be put on the market immediately."
The first child to be baptized in Faith Church was Jeffrey Shaw Feese, on April 30, 1967, by the Reverend Hubach. The first wedding took place on Saturday, March 18, 1967; Ruth Grill became the bride of Bruce Lake, and the officiating pastor was the Reverend Sparkman. Ruth is still an active member of Faith, as are her two sons, Michael and James, and Bruce serves as organist-choir director at Christ United Methodist Church, Graniteville. The members of the first Board of Trustees were Mr. Clare Brown, Jr., Mr. Carl Anderson, Dr. James P. Fields, Mr. Harry Hoglander, Mr. Fred Learned, Mr. Willard Oliver, Dr. John Snider, Mr. Kenneth Stanton, and Mr. Samuel Stickle, and the first chairperson of that body was Dr. John Snider. The first joint worship service of the new congregation was held on September 18, 1966, at Shelter Island, New York (Camp Quinipet) during a Senior High Youth Retreat.
At the time of the merger a Building Committee was immediately formed to seek out property and plans for a new building on a new site. However, it was not until March 8, 1967, that a Building Fund was established. As the years went by, many types of functions wee held to add funds to the Building Fund, including the annual Church Fair and a Fashion Show.
In the spring of 1967, in commemoration of Rev. Hubach's fortieth anniversary of entering the ministry, a program was held, entitled "This is Your Life in the Ministry". Such honored guests as Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke, and his wife, the Staten Island Methodist ministers, and Miss Ruth Hubach were present to offer their thoughts and remembrances about the forty years of service rendered by the Rev. Hubach and his wife, Carolyn. Music was provided by the Staten Island Warblers, Pastor Sparkman served as Master of Ceremonies, and Dr. Dail offered the Closing Prayer. A hymn, sung to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation" and with words relevant to the celebration, was sung, and the entire program was heartily enjoyed by all who attended.
After much consideration, it was decided that, in order to begin as a completely new entity, Faith Church should have a new pastor and a Director of Christian Education. On July 1, 1967, the three pastors went on to new assignments (Dr. Dail to West Hills, New York, Rev. Hubach to Flushing, New York, and Rev. Sparkman to Delhi, New York.) Rev. Hubach retired in 1969, and Faith received the Received the Reverend Austin H. Armitstead as new pastor. Pastor Armitstead came to Faith from the Bay Ridge Methodist Church, Brooklyn, New York. The pastor and his wife, Bianca, had three children, Nancy, Alan, and John, and the entire family moved into the Delafield Avenue parsonage. Ms. Miriam J. Crist was also hired at that time as Director of Christian Education. The Youth Groups, which had been presenting many fine programs before and after the merger under the direction of Mrs. Carole Sparkman, continued to prosper, and Ms. Crist was responsible for the creation of a Youth Council soon after her arrival. It was also with her help that, in January 1969, the long-awaited and long-planned Faith Methodist Pre-School Enrichment Program began operation with classes for three- and four-year-olds. The first teachers were Mrs. Jeanne Gaylor and Mrs. Vinnie Odelson, and the first director, Mrs. Faith Kibler. The school is still in operation, and serves both church families and others. The school year 1975-76 saw an enrollment of 48 children in three sessions, two for four-year-olds and one for three-year-olds.
On November 21, 1967, Faith Church's long search for a new site for its united mission ended with the purchase of two acres of land at 922 Clove Road, formerly the Moore Riding Academy, at the cost of $117,000. The property fronts on beautiful Clove Lakes Park, providing a lovely scenic view. When the owner vacated, one year after purchase, the stable at the rear of the property was renovated for use by church groups, and Boy Scout Troop 47, formerly of the Trinity unit, was also granted use of the Barn. The property also had an old house, near Clove Road, which was used for a time as the pastor's study, and for various meetings. Vandalism in later years forced its closure, and it was demolished in 1975. The new property was also used for other functions, including church picnics and a Peach Festival. The final payment on the Clove Road property mortgage was made in 1971.
Also in 1967, the first opportunity to sell one of the old buildings came to light. The Columbian club of Richmond County purchased the Cebra Avenue property (formerly Kingsley Church) for a total of $47,130. The stained glass windows were removed and crated for use at a later time, and the Allen electronic organ moved to the Castleton Avenue building. The sale was completed early in 1968, but the Columbian Club was unable to meet the mortgage payments. In 1969, the property was resold, to Gerard O'Regan and Robert Brand. They renovated the interior as a residence and artist's studio, and soon after the renovations were completed the beauty of the home was recognized by all. The Staten Island ADVANCE ran a full page story on the church-turned- homestead, and the lovely home was visited by a group of Staten Islanders on their annual tour of the island's most beautiful homes. The final payment on the mortgage was received in June, 1976.
The year 1967 also saw the presentation of the American and Christian flags which now hang from the porches on the front of the Castleton Avenue building. They were purchased as memorials to the Johnson sisters, Blance and Edith, who were active for many years in the former Grace Church. Between them, the Johnson sisters served in the Church School, as Financial Secretary, and in many other capacities over the years.
When the new staff began work in September 1967, they were joined by a new organist-choir-director. His name was John L. Rose, Jr., and upon his arrival he was but 19 years of age, a student at Wagner College, and an organ student of Virgil Fox. One year and many inspiring organ recitals later, John accepted the position of organist at the Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, making him, at age twenty, one of the youngest organists in the country to hold a major church position. He has since given recitals in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Manhattan, throughout Europe, and elsewhere, and his supreme skill and natural ability are sure to make him well-known in music circles everywhere. The overwhelming beauty of the music for Sunday morning worship provided by John and the choirs made his stay with Faith one of the highlights of its history. The music program of the church continued to provide inspiration as the years passed, and does so today as well.
In March 1968, a fashion show was held at the Delafield Avenue building, and the proceeds were placed in the Building Fund for the future construction at the 922 Clove Road site. Women from the congregation served on the committees, which planned all aspects of the program, and also as models, and local merchants provided fashions, accessories, and coiffures. This was to be the first of many successful efforts by members to raise funds for the constructions of the new building.
{This is through part of page 51 of 75 pages. More to come.}
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