If you come on Sunday you will see some of the stuff and may even walk away impressed, but it will only be a partial display of what we have. Anyway today IO wanted to talk a bit about the Pastors and the congregations they served.
Number 10 - There isn't a lot written about R. K. Ashley. He served from 1861 - 1869 and the minutes of the meetings from his era gave us two things. First he was called in January of 1861 and he agreed to a salary of $700 for the year. It was also noted that his rent would be $150 for the year. It isn't clear whether he had to pay that or if it was part of the arrangements. His call came shortly after the Civil War broke out and you can imagine some of the issues that were part of church life. Several of our young men were called up to serve and gave their life in the defense of the their country. It was also a time of extreme religious practices. Much of the records of his day dealt with disciplining of the wayward members. There were prohibitions against attending balls, dancing and visiting theaters. (That is a theme that runs through the first eighty years of our life together.) On the other hand there was good growth and a sense of prosperity that ran through the records. Some of the faithful members during Ashley's tenure were George Cranston, James Carroll, Alburtus Stanton, Rufus Sherman Charles Peale and Dewey Bromley.
Number 9 - Vernon Price came to us in 1968 and served faithfully until 1976. He came to First Baptist at the end of a prosperous time. We had entertained student ministers from Yale, added to our property by buying an apartment building that became our education building and saw a large enrollment in our Sunday School and worship attendance. Of course change was coming in our society and it didn't bode well for any church across America. It was the age of the sexual revolution, anti war protests and race riots. Norwich was not exempt from such things. Church attendance began to cool off and Vernon did his best to guide us through these tumultuous times. He also was involved in the community.In the face of rising insecurity with inflation running rampant, we got involved in an elderly nutrition program and opened the doors of our church five days a week for a luncheon program. Vernon was also involved with the area clergy and the wider Connecticut Baptist family. Quite often we would be involved in regional or city wide events because of his leadership. Vernon was a great administrator and he loved serving God. Some of the prominent names during his ministry included Walter Macht, Charles P. Hamblen, Geri Diehl, Doris Royce, Louise Strouse, Donald Royce, Merv Leffingwell and Ellsworth Robinson.
Number 8 - George H. Strouse served eight years beginning in 1913. He was a former missionary who had aspirations of serving the Lord as an evangelist. It showed in his ministry. He was a much sought after speaker, mixing choice poems and passages from the Scriptures with eloquence and dramatic flair. He accepted every opportunity to preach that he was offered. You would find him in downtown Norwich preaching at the mills to the workers during their break as part of the YMCA's campaign. He preached nights and weekends as a guest preacher whenever he was asked. He also at the center of the movement that brought in speakers from all over for revival nights and weekends in town.World War I broke out in Europe while Rev. Strouse was here and his sermons brought great comfort to the families who had loved ones over seas. About that time the World wide Women's Guild was born and Mrs. Nellie Swan was encouraged by Mr, Strouse to organize the women for mission work. Others who worked with and support Rev. Strouse's ministry included Fred Wilson, Frank Lathrop, and Lemuel Park.
More to come...
Cal
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