The Pulpit Committee chosen on September 12, 1897, (William Nightingale, Chairman, Mrs. Jennie Curtis and Guilbert Tripp) led the search for a new Pastor. They turned again to the Hamilton Theological Seminary for a candidate. In the fall of 1897
Ernest E. Ford, a Seminary student, may have filled the pulpit on a part time basis or at least preached a sermon or two as a candidate. On Sunday, January 9, 1898, during a business meeting after the Church Service, the Congregation voted to extend him a call to serve as Pastor. Reverend Ford accepted the call. Reverend Ford lived in Hamilton, while he was completing his Seminary studies, and he commuted to Manlius to accomplish his pastoral work here on the weekends. According to the 1915 Church history written by Yettie Harris, Reverend Ford moved his family to Manlius and into the new parsonage (which would not have been ready until the late summer or fall of 1900.) On Sunday, March 6, 1898, Reverend and Mrs. Ford were accepted as members from the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In our letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association Meeting of September, 1898, the Clerk William Nightingale lamented the loss of our Shepherd, James H. Benedict, but now know our prayers have been answered for we have a faithful, earnest, and loving Pastor (Ernest Ford) and wife to lead us on to greater victories.
Reverend Ford was the pastor mentioned by Mary Avery Woodworth when she had the old parsonage prophesy, "with a Pastor filled with the spirit, consecrated to his work, able to Ford you over all of the difficulties of your Church life and a boy preacher, your success will be assured."
In 1898 one of Reverend Ford's earliest duties was to conduct a Baptism for nine candidates on Sunday, May 8. Although cool May weather had not deterred previous ministers and candidates from a trip to Limestone Creek, the Deacons and Reverend Ford decided to use instead the inside baptistry of the Fayetteville Baptist Church. The Manlius delegation must have been impressed for within the year the Manlius Baptists built their own inside baptistry.
(Ernest E. Ford was born in Newark Valley, New York, on August 27, 1865. At the age of 28 he entered Kalamazoo College in Michigan (1893-1897). He graduated with a Ph.B. (Bachelor of Philosophy) in 1897. He was associated with the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo at least part of this time as he was ordained by that Church in July 1897. Graduation and ordination have frequently been followed by marriage for several of our young Pastors, and with Ernest E. Ford there was no exception. He married Kathryn Bissell in 1897. Although already an ordained minister, he entered the Hamilton Theological Seminary in the fall of 1897, and from there became associated with the Manlius Baptist Church. He graduated from the seminary in the early summer of 1900. In the same year a son was born, Robert M. Ford.)
The Trustees met on August 15, 1898, and discussed the possibility of installing electricity in the church. Frank Barton, Herbert Ransier, and William Nightingale were chosen a Committee to get the lowest figures from Mr. Phillips for its installation. (The church was electrified in 1903.) At the same meeting the Trustees voted to recommend to the Church the building of a new parsonage.
While the Church was busy planning and building, many other important things were happening. On November 25, 1898, Reverend Ford and an Advisory Committee (Sisters Allen and Harris, Brothers Perkins and Nightingale) put into place a plan to divide the village into five areas each to be headed by an appointed brother and two sisters (plus the outlying areas of Eagle Village, Watervale and Oran.) Presumably the appointees were to watch over the Baptists in their assigned areas. This was the first of several plans that have been instituted during the second hundred years of the Church.
The phonograph, invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison and still a curiosity to most people, was exhibited by Reverend Ford at the church on 4 P.M. Saturday, April 7, 1899. A ten cent tea was served at the close of the entertainment.
After much study the Trustees made their recommendation to the Congregation on August 22, 1899 to build a new parsonage. The Church voted to use money in the bank and the "Bond" to partially finance the project and to raise the balance by subscription. The Trustee Board was named the Building Committee and was given "full power" to build a parsonage, the cost not to exceed $1500.00. Light refreshments were served after the business had been transacted.
In September of 1899, Reverend and Mrs. Ford and son returned to his school duties at Hamilton. They commuted to Manlius on the weekends.
On October 6, 1899, the Trustees nominated Frank Barton a Committee of one to sell the old parsonage and barn. W. W. Cheney bought the buildings for the lumber, which he intended to use for repairs on his farm in Oran. There is a photograph of the partly demolished building in the Onondaga Historical Society file on Manlius Baptist Church.
While busy with the work of planning for and supervising the building of a parsonage, the men continued their tradition and prepared a fourth annual Men's Supper to be served to the public at the local Opera house on November 19, 1899. It was pronounced a decided success, both socially and financially. The net proceeds were approximately $150.00.
Reverend Ford apparently was favored with a good singing voice (tenor). During the late 1890s the second Sunday of each month was devoted to a special music program instead of the usual preaching service. Among the choir members (eight) were Yettie Harris and her sister Mrs. F. H. Broadfield (sopranos), Reverend E. E. Ford and Mr. F. H. Broadfield (tenors) and William Nightingale (basso). They performed on December 5, 1899 and on many other occasions.
The Spanish American War, fought in 1898, was still in the minds of the American people (we were still trying to pacify the Philippines) and on December 17, 1898, the Evening Service was devoted to a talk by Reverend Mr. Hyde on YMCA missionary work during the war in Puerto Rico.
A new century began on January 1, 1900, but there was no information given that the Church recognized this event or celebrated it in any manner. In January of 1900 the Church voted to pay Reverend Ford $10.00 per week until July 1, and at that time to increase the amount to $12.00 per week or $624.00 per year, and provide a parsonage or equivalent. (Elder Morton was getting $550 a year and a parsonage in 1838.) The extra money apparently coincided with Reverend Ford's start as a full-time pastor in Manlius. In the letter to the Association Meeting in Baldwinsville on September 27-28, 1900, the Clerk, William Nightingale reported that "the Pastor has completed his studies and will henceforth devote his entire time to building the kingdom in our midst."
On January 18, 1900, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, William Nightingale, was authorized to use his judgment in purchasing a book of plans for the new parsonage to be submitted to the next meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Early in 1900 Pastor Ford sent out a letter inviting Fellow Christians to the Fourth Annual Roll- Call of the Manlius Baptist Church to be held Friday, March 2, 1900, and Sunday, March 4, 1900. Reverend Barber was called back to participate. With a "Roll-Call" the Church hoped to bring in most of the members of the Church to answer the "Call", and renew their acceptance of the Church Covenant.
The Trustees were concerned about paying for the new parsonage, and at their meeting on May 16, 1900, decided to sponsor a Strawberry and Ice Cream Festival for the Church and community. The Trustees did not report on the amount of the proceeds but we can be assured that a good time was had by all who participated.
The Trustee's Building Committee was working diligently and on July 2, 1900, its report was presented to the Church. Then the Trustees resigned as the Building Committee and a new Committee consisting of H. E. Ransier, Chairman, Frank Pervis and F.A. Barton was chosen. They were commissioned to draft plans, seek estimates, and report to the Church within two weeks. On July 24, 1900, plans for the parsonage were submitted. Two bids of $1700.00 and $1750.00 were received. We do not know which bid was accepted, but on July 31, 1900, the Trustees were authorized to borrow $500.00 so that the Building Committee could contract a party to build the parsonage.
Our letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association Meeting of September 28-29, 1900, stated that "the Pastor (Ford) having finished his studies is constantly with us." In another version, "The Pastor has completed his studies and will henceforth devote his time to building the kingdom in our midst." The Clerk did not report on the exact time that the Parsonage was ready, or if there was some kind of dedication or open house but it appears that the Fords moved in sometime in the fall of 1900.
On April 25, 1901, the Church elected two new Deacons to replace Deacons Perkins and Dunham, who recently died. The new Deacons were Frank Barton and William Nightingale.
On May 8, 1901, The Trustees voted for a second mortgage on the property to be assigned to the Trustees of the Horatio Chapman estate to secure said Trustees' loan for the $500.00 advanced by the estate to help pay for the parsonage. The mortgage was due in ten years.
On October 10, 1901, Mr. William Nightingale resigned his office of Clerk. Mrs. Yettie Harris was appointed to take his place. On December 9, 1901, the Trustees resolved to ask the Supreme Court to allow them to mortgage the parsonage property to H. E. Ransier, Treasurer, to secure a loan of $500.00 to aid in paying for the new parsonage.
In December of 1901 the envelope system was introduced for collecting money and the Church voted its adoption. No samples of envelopes have survived but they were likely much like the present day variety with numbers to identify the giver and spaces to record the amounts given for the different needs of the Church.
On December 8, 1901, after the morning sermon, the Clerk, Mrs. Yettie Harris, was called to read to the stunned Congregation a communication from Reverend Ford announcing his resignation:
To the Manlius Baptist Church and Society.
My dear people.Four years ago you called me, under the direction of God, to become your Pastor. I feel that my coming to you was not your doings or mine, but His alone. He has blessed our union in the saving of souls and I trust in the strengthening of some Christian lives. The years have been freighted with many blessings to me. They have been the happiest, brightest best years of my life thus far. Twice I have had the opportunity to go elsewhere to larger fields, each time I refused because I did not hear the voice of God. This call comes as did the other two, without the slightest effort on my part. I have never wished to go from you. I do not now. My own heart says stay, but if my Master calls, I must obey. I therefore with heavy heart, resign my honored place as pastor of this Church, asking that I be released at the close of this year. I pray that our Father may send you an undershepherd who shall lead you wisely and be more worthy in every way to be Pastor of so loyal a people. Rejoicing that I have for four years been and am now your Pastor.
E.E.Ford
On December 15, 1901, after the morning sermon the Pulpit Committee made a report to the Congregation.
Last Sunday (December 8, 1901) immediately after learning of Brother Ford's resignation as Pastor, this Pulpit Committee held a meeting to discuss the matter and decide upon plans. A Conference was arranged to be held after the evening service at which Brother Ford and all the Committee were present. We regret to report that after conferring at some length that we saw no way of retaining him as Pastor, for he was called by a large (335 members) and wealthy Church, which is able to offer inducements quite beyond the ability of our own Church. Therefore, we are committed to recommend to the Church and Society that his recommendation be accepted.
W.H. Nightingale
H.E. Ransier
G.H. Tripp
The report was read and accepted. Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Moore and Mr. George Butts were appointed a committee to draw up a suitable resolution. The resolutions were read and adopted at a Church Meeting on December 22, 1901:
Manlius would only be the beginning of Rev. Ford's ministry. From 1901-1906, he served in Interlaken, New York, and then started work around the country. His responsibilities included: Associate Pastor, San Diego, California (1906-7) Pastor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1907-9) State Secretary of BYPU, Oklahoma (1909-11) (Baptist Young Peoples Union) Pastor, Escondido, California (1912-15) Pastor, Los Angeles, California (1916-19) Pastor- First Baptist, Glendale, California (1919-27) Associate Secretary, Los Angeles Baptist and City Missionary Society (1927-29) Pastor, Chevy Chase Baptist Church, Glendale, California (1929-36) On February 13, 1933, Reverend Ford received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater, Kalamazoo College, during its Centennial Celebration. He died in Glendale, California, February 3, 1938, at age 72. (It is noted in his seminary alumni record that he had been a member of the Glendale California Rotary Club and Chevy Chase Golf Club.)
It has seemed best to our Pastor, the Rev. E.E. Ford, to sever the pleasant relations existing for four years between himself and the Church. Therefore, be it so.
Resolved: That his going from us is not of our doing nor according to our desires and not without sorrow do we contemplate the parting of Pastor from people,
Resolved: That we bear joyful testimony to his ability in this pulpit as an eloquent and gifted preacher of the Word; that we are witnesses to his zeal in all good works; to his fearless words denouncing all manner of evil among us; and that we recognize the uniform love and respect he has won among us and in the community as a minister of Christ.
Resolved: That a copy of these resolutions be presented our Pastor and also spread upon the Church records.
Reverend Ford led his last Covenant Meeting on January 2, 1902, and talked on a timely subject, "Go Forward." There were 35 members present. After prayer and testimony Mr. Barton was called to the chair. Reverend Ford asked for letters for Mrs. Ford and himself to unite with the Baptist Church of Farmer, NY. The letters were granted and it was voted that the Deacons have charge of the Prayer Meetings until this Church secure a Pastor.
The September letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association reported that we bade farewell to our Pastor Rev. E. E. Ford with heavy hearts. Concerning the parsonage "it had been painted, the grounds graded and a fine lawn adds beauty to the place."
The search that brought Reverend Burton to our pulpit in the spring of 1902 began on December 15, 1901, when a Pulpit Committee (W. N. Nightingale, H. E. Ransier, and G. H, Tripp) was nominated and undertook an extraordinary effort to find a suitable Pastor for the Manlius Baptist Church. It was a far cry from a few years earlier, when the Clerk was lamenting a shortage of eligible Pastors (and the money to pay for one.) The exact order of events in securing a Pastor was confused because of conflicting reports. The Pulpit Committee found eight candidates and by March 16, 1902, all had been heard. The Congregation voted that they had heard enough candidates. The Pulpit Committee recommended Reverends Usher, Bailey and Burton as the best of the lot. The congregation asked to hear Elder C. J. Burton again, and as a result, on March 23, 1902, in a business meeting after the evening service , voted 39 yes, 3 no and one "spoiled" to call Reverend Burton. The call was made unanimous. On March 25, 1902, the Trustees voted to pay Reverend Burton $520.00 a year and an unspecified yearly donation. The Trustees also endorsed the call of the Church to Reverend Burton.
On April 17, 1902, Prayer Meeting Night, Reverend Burton was received by letter from the Baptist Church (Oxford and Greene), Brisben, New York. Mrs. Burton was received by letter from a Church in Gilbert's Mills on April 6, 1904. In her August 21, 1902, letter to the September 1902 meeting of the Onondaga Baptist Association, Yettie Harris, Clerk, reported "after three months candidating our present Pastor, Rev. Charles J. Burton, was sent us and he is already proving himself a wise leader, winning the respect of the community and the love of the Church. We are united in all good works and full of courage for the future." She also noted that "our new parsonage had been painted, the grounds graded and a fine lawn added...Thus in things spiritual and temporal the Lord has been with us."
At a Trustee meeting called for December 10, 1902, the chair of the Finance Committee was asked to investigate the probability of getting ladies to act on the Finance Committee. On January 6, 1903, Mrs. Jennie Curtis was appointed the new chair of the Finance Committee and was given the power to appoint her assistants. We do not know who she chose for the 1903 or 1904 committees (she was the chairman for both) but the 1905 members were Miss Louise Davis (of the Davis Baking Powder Family), Mrs. G. H. Tripp, Mrs. Kate Ransier, Mrs. Allen Patrick with Mr. William Nightingale, Chairman. (For 1906 the committee consisted of five men; the experiment was over for a time.) On February 20, 1903, a donation of $80.00 was given to Pastor Burton as promised, and, in 1904, $100.00, and in 1905, $57.00.
Yettie Harris, Clerk, in her July 30, 1903, letter to the Onondaga Association Meeting of September 1903, reported, "Our pastor has been actively at work. In addition to the regular work of the Church, he has often preached Sunday afternoons at Eagle Village, two miles out." She also reported that the Church was delighted with its electricity.
An important event occurred in 1903 with the publication of our first known newsletter, The Church Reporter, Volume 00, No. 0, November l, 1903, cost 10 cents. The editor was H. E. Ransier, Church Treasurer, whose main purpose was to bring the congregation's attention to the state of the Church finances for the first nine months of the year. He made some interesting comments about the many repairs and improvements made or in progress in the Church. He inquired, "How do you like the new electric lighting of the Church?" and answered his own question by writing that "our visitors say it is as near perfection as they have seen." He reported that redecoration of the Church caused a cancellation of services on October 25, 1903, and a relocation on November 1, 1903, when services were held in Smith Hall next door. Seventy five attended Church services and Sunday School. The prayer room was being papered and new curtains hung. "It presents a very pretty appearance." "A piece of carpet from the main room will be laid soon." Mr. Ransier also mentioned that the stove may be placed in a pit under the floor. The room would be "cleaner, more roomy, and more comfortable for the leaders and those in the `amen' corner."
Mr. Ransier told of how the canvas for Electric Lighting raised the whole amount needed. "Then the ladies thought that a new carpet was needed so they proceeded to see what could be done to secure one." "When the people had been seen, they had the whole amount necessary in cash. Others said that with the new lights and carpets, the old paper would look out of place, so they began soliciting funds with decided success. So that the work has been started and will be finished soon, possibly this week."
| Cost of light | $113.29 |
| Cost of paper | $80.57 |
| Cost of carpet | $131.00 |
The Church got a rebate for paying cash for the carpet; all improvements paid for. Mr. Ransier concluded with the plea, "Is it not within our ability and reasonable that a hearty effort be made to close this year (with) a clean record and a Jubilee? Unfortunately for us, this was Mr. Ransier's first and last known attempt at a newsletter.
It was "within the Church's ability" and a "hearty (and a successful effort) was made" and on February 1904 the Finance Committee chaired by Mrs. Jennie Curtis was appointed to arrange for a Jubilee Social. This was to celebrate what Yettie Harris called in her 1904 letter to the Association "a unique experience- every obligation (except for the parsonage mortgage) met, and a balance in the Treasury. A Jubilee was held and `not a few brethren from other places rejoiced with us.'"
1903 also saw the start of a new women's organization or club, comprised of the members of a ladies' Sunday School Class. The object was to promote the growth of the class, raise funds for the support of any or all projects of the Church now existing or to be undertaken, and to have a social time together at meetings, at homes, during the week with devotions, business, games, skits, music (and always delicious refreshments). The group kept a record of these activities up to June 10, 1906, skipped a page in its journal, and began the record again nineteen years later. The ladies voted to call themselves the Trojans, meaning workers. The motto selected was "My Father worketh hitherto and I work." The group organized by selecting officers and appointing committees (visiting, social and press, the latter look after the newspaper notices of the club). The group voted to retain 1/3 of the Sunday School offering collected from the class on Sunday to enhance its treasury.
Charles Jewell Burton was born in Westville, N. Y. on June 21, 1869. He entered the Hamilton Seminary as a special student in 1896 and graduated in 1901. His first pastorate was in Brisben, New York (1900-1902), where he was ordained on June 27, 1901, shortly after graduation. Charles Burton was married. His wife's name was Lydia Hollenbeck Burton.
In the August 15, 1905, letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association, Yettie Harris, Clerk, reported on a February, 1905, two week evangelical meeting conducted by Reverend Burton assisted by neighboring pastors with results so encouraging that the three churches (Presbyterian, Methodist & Baptist) held more union meetings conducted by the Evangelist Rev. W.L. Markland of Chicago. "Also at about this time, a number of Italians of the Waldenesian faith came from Sicily, one of whom preached to his countrymen in the Baptist Church, Sunday afternoons. Another, a young man (Francesio DeBartolo) was baptized by Pastor Burton and was to go to Colgate in the fall to prepare himself for work among his people either in this country or across the sea." In this letter of August 15, 1905, Yettie Harris praised the Pastor and his wife as "zealous workers much loved."
The Waldenses were a Christian religious body that believed in following the example of Jesus in the simple lifestyle, but they were most famous for their efforts to oppose and purify the Roman Catholic Church. By the 1800s they were strongest in Italy.
The Protestant Churches of Manlius continued their cooperative efforts by scheduling at times joint Sunday Evening Services. In December 1905 the Baptists and Methodists planned to hold union services the last four nights of 1905 for prayer, confessions and consultation , concluding with a watch night service on December 31, 1905.
In the Spring of 1906 Yettie Harris told of the Chapman Meeting, another series of evangelical services held in the Church. Eight were baptized and two members joined as a result of the meetings.
In 1905 the Church was 108 years old and already owned old things. The Congregation voted to send a tankard and two cups of the old communion service to the Baptist Church in Crest Bend, Kansas. On April 23, 1905, Laura Harris, daughter of Yettie and the late Reverend Charles Harris, was baptized. Laura was ten years old.
In 1904 and 1905 the last recorded removal of members for misbehavior occurred with the expulsion of a woman "who was no longer worthy of her place among us" and a man " whose conduct and language were unbecoming a Christian." This was a great change from earlier times when it appears that a major portion of time and effort of the Church was to make sure all of its members toed the straight and narrow line in all of their endeavors and much of their meeting time was devoted to that purpose.
The pastorate of Reverend Burton with the Baptists in Manlius, New York, was coming to an end. Rev. Burton's resignation was tendered to the Board of Trustees and read at the close of the Sunday Evening service April 15, 1906. At the Board of Trustees meeting on April 17, the presiding officer of the Board asked what should be done with or about the resignation of Rev. C. J. Burton. After due consideration it was voted that "in view of the fact that in all appearances a much broader field appears open and in need of his work, that the Trustees recommend to the Church and Congregation that his resignation be accepted- the same to take effect with the close of the service May 6, 1906."
On April 22, 1906, as recommended by the Board of Trustees, Rev. Burton's resignation was accepted by the Congregation. Yettie Harris wrote that Rev. Burton was "leaving for a larger field of usefulness." On May 3, 1906, letters were granted to Rev. and Mrs. C .J. Burton to unite with the Baptist Church in Catskill, New York. His resignation from his duties in Manlius took effect at the close of the service on the first Sunday in May, 1906.
Reverend Burton went from Manlius to the Catskill, New York, Baptist Church. From Catskill Reverend Burton was called to the Stroughton Street Church in Boston Massachusetts (1913-1918/19). During his pastorate in Boston, Mrs. Burton died on July 11, 1913. Reverend Burton was married to Ethel Sandell in 1915. There were two children from his second marriage, Charles J. Burton, Jr. (also to become a Hamilton Seminary Graduate) and Malcolm S. Reverend Burton's last charge was the South Street Church in Worcester, Massachusetts (1919-1937). He died there on January 5, 1937 at the age of 67.
Reverend R. Jay Roberts is another one of our pastors we know little about. He came from the Buffalo area. He was pastor of the Candersport Baptist Church in Pennsylvania before he came to Manlius. We have no information concerning his birthplace or birth date, where he went to school or whether he was ordained, or if he had a career in preaching after he left Manlius.
The Clerk, Mrs. Yettie Harris, wrote in the September, 1906, letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association that "the Church listened to candidates and supplies for two months and then extended a unanimous call to Reverend R. Jay Roberts of Buffalo, which he accepted. His pastorate began on the first Sunday of August, 1906. It was hoped that much good may result from this union of pastor and people." On August 30, 1906, Reverend and Mrs. Roberts were received as members on their letters from the First Baptist Church of Candersport. In the fall letter to the Association, Mrs. Harris noted that the parsonage debt had been paid.
One of Reverend Roberts' earliest efforts was to organize the Church. The minutes of the October 4, 1906, Business Meeting indicated that he appointed various Committees for Church work. The Clerk left a blank space, however, and we will never know his plan for organization or who was appointed to carry it out.
Reverend Roberts' talents as a dynamic speaker were appreciated. On November 1, 1906, a motion was made and carried to hold a series of evangelistic meetings. Reverend Roberts was to be the speaker, assisted by some other pastors from local Churches or the Association and by a singer. The time was to be determined by Pastor Roberts. The Church also signified its willingness to allow Pastor Roberts to assist some other Church in such meetings should the occasion arise. The possibility of holding Cottage Meetings was discussed. There was no further report on any of these activities.
The boys and girls of the Church were meeting together in the popular and worldwide Christian Endeavour movement. The need for a special group for girls only must have become evident. In 1906 a Farther Lights Society was organized and a "good interest was manifested. The Misses Ella Chapman and Florence Carr have given the girls interesting and helpful evenings." The Society took as its motto, "The light that shines brightest shines farthest from home." Like Christian Endeavour and the Philathea-Baraca Sunday School Program, the Farther Lights was nation-wide and interdenominational. A program originally for girls, it developed later into a Missionary Society for business women of all ages.
It was still not thought proper for anyone to leave the Baptist Church for any otherdenomination. In August 1907 two of our members wished to join the Presbyterian Church in Manlius. Although the two Churches cooperated in matters of use of the Sanctuary and in joint services, the two ladies were told that it is contrary to Baptist Church usage to grant letters to other denominations. They would have to join the Presbyterian Church; then the Baptists would remove their names from the roll.
In 1907 the Church recognized the need for a Music Committee, but instead of choosing musicians, it turned to the Board of Trustees. This was probably because the Church was in the process of financing and purchasing a pipe organ. There was no record of a discussion concerning choosing the organ or paying for the organ, nor was there a record of a vote for an organ. Nevertheless, an Esty Pipe Organ was installed in 1907. Mary Avery Woodworth was instrumental in the purchase of and payment for the organ. Mrs. Yettie Harris, organist as well as Clerk, wrote that "she made the new pipe organ possible with her liberal gifts. They were an incentive and an assurance of the future. The organ is a constant reminder of the loyalty of some gone before, as well as those who remain." In addition to Mary Avery Woodworth's contribution, the organ was financed by selling "shares" to other members of the congregation. The shares sold for $5.00 (or multiples of $5.00) for which the giver received a "stock" certificate. By December 7, 1908, the Church still owed $653.00 on the organ. (One of the certificates survived and is reproduced in this section of history.)
Pastor Roberts' preaching continued to please the Congregation. In her September 1907 letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association, Mrs. Yettie Harris wrote that "the preaching of our pastor is a spiritual force not lightly esteemed. He preaches at Eagle Village and held special meetings there in the spring when several professed conversions." Mrs. Roberts was Superintendent of the Primary Department of the Sunday School and "both pastor and wife are earnest workers among the young people of whom we have a goodly number." Mrs. Harris added a melancholy note to her letter. "It is something to have held our own in these days when the Churches in small country towns are continually giving of their best to enrich the Churches in the cities." She was referring to the migration to Syracuse from the villages and Country surrounding the city. In E. A. Hill's Centennial History of the Onondaga Baptist Association- 1825-1925 he noted that from 1825 to 1875 the work of the Association was principally in rural districts and outlying villages. After 1875, however, as Mrs. Harris lamented, the great movement was cityward, which made it difficult for many of the smaller country Churches to continue.
Pastor R. Jay Roberts resigned suddenly at a meeting on October 6, 1907. The Church Clerk read the resignation letter. We do not have a copy. The Clerk did mention that it was impossible for a Pastor and his family to live on the salary this Church can pay. There was no record of the Church attempting to help Pastor Roberts with his financial problem. Reverend Roberts' pastorate ended Sunday, October 28, 1907. The Roberts' letters were transferred to Buffalo (no Church mentioned) on October 23, 1908. The Church has no information of the further life of Pastor Roberts.
There is no doubt that many of the men and women of our early Church were outstanding members of the Congregation and Community and would have been appropriate subjects for a written appreciation of their lives. Unfortunately, information for such tributes is not generally available in our Church records or elsewhere. From the late 1800s to the present, however, this situation has improved markedly, for we have much better Church records and more sources of information. Therefore, as the history of the last 100 years unfolds, we will take time to pay tribute to some of those outstanding members who made our Church a 200 year survivor, rather than one of the many Churches that gave up and closed their doors to the future.
Mary Avery Woodworth was one of those members who made her presence a special one. She died on August 17, 1907, at the age of 65. Mary Avery was married to Alvah Woodworth by Rev. Charles Harris on January 2, 1878. She wrote the history of the Parsonage and the tribute to Mrs. Ella Barber (and perhaps many other things for which we do not have copies). Yettie Harris, Church Clerk, wrote that "she was identified with every good work for many years. She was the first president of the Associational Women's Missionary Society and always tried to arouse among us a deeper missionary interest." She attended many meetings of the Onondaga Baptist Association as a delegate and was very active in the Ladies Aid Society, The Trojans Sunday School Class, The Women's Foreign Missionary Society, and served on several important Church Committees. Her last interest was in the purchase of a new organ as reported earlier. Unfortunately, she may not have lived to see or hear the new organ played in the Church.
After Reverend R. Jay Robert's rapid departure on October 28, 1907, the Church Services for three Sundays were conducted by candidates or supplies, one of whom, Reverend Elbert Henry Conrad, seemed interested in serving in either capacity. Reverend Conrad turned to farming in Bridgeport for a short time after concluding his Pastorate at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Syracuse. After three Sundays the Church voted 28 yes, 2 no, to call Reverend Conrad to come on trial as a supply pastor for two months beginning November 24, 1907. We do not know how well Reverend Conrad did as a farmer. Serving as a supply, especially during the winter months, could have been helpful for him as well as the Church. If perhaps a season of farming made the ministry more desirable, then serving full-time as preacher for the Manlius Church could have been an attractive choice.
The Church was experiencing its usual financial problems in the fall of 1907 and the Trustees calculated that $204.23 would be required to pay all outstanding bills by January 1, 1908. The Trustees voted to sponsor an oyster supper in Smith Hall to help defray the deficit. F. B. Perry was appointed Chairman of the Supper Committee and the Ladies Aid, the Junior and Senior Christian Endeavors and all the Societies of the Church were asked to unite to make the supper a success in every way. Public suppers were held frequently as a relatively painless way of raising money for the Church. The Congregation and the village enjoyed the fellowship and the profits were helpful in paying Church bills.
The Annual Meeting of the Church was held on December 8, 1907. The Trustees were called to a special meeting on December 18, 1907. In those days the State Law required a Trustee's Meeting to be held within ten days after the election of a new Trustee.
On January 2, 1908, before a public decision had been reached on his future status as Pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church, Reverend Elbert Henry Conrad, wife Carlotta, and children, Paul and Carlotta, transferred their letters from the Immanuel Baptist Church to the Manlius Baptist Church.
On January 19, 1908, the Church and Pastor reached an understanding and Reverend Conrad was unanimously called to the Pastorate of the Church for an indefinite time with three months notice of change to be given by either the Pastor or the Church. Reverend Conrad left his farm and moved his family into the parsonage on April 1, 1908, and from then on gave the Church his full time (but not for long).
Isaac Newton Loomis, Jr. (his name was always written I. N. Loomis, Jr.) died on January 30, 1908, and was another of the pillars of the Church whose presence was greatly missed.) Mr. Loomis was the brother of Mary Broadfield and of Yettie Harris.) According to the obituary in a local paper (the Church has the clipping in its historical files), "Manlius has lost another old landmark." (We would call have called him a pillar of the church, a pioneer, a senior statesman, or a wise leader and reserve old landmark for ancient buildings.) Mr. I. N. Loomis Jr. was born on June 3, 1818. He graduated from Madison University (now Colgate) in 1845 and taught in several schools in Tennessee and Pennsylvania. He joined the Manlius Baptist Church in 1836 and was a member for 72 years (most of the first 24 in absentia). After returning to Manlius to take care of his parents in 1860, he became a Deacon, Church Clerk for 20 years, Superintendent of the Sunday School for an equal time and a member of the choir.
In the spring of 1908 the Church decided to purchase some real estate. It was a lot with a house and large hitching barn located on Franklin Street, at the rear of the Church and behind the house on 105 North Street, former home of Lawyer and Manlius Historian Henry Van Schaack. No reason was given for the Church's purchase, but the availability of the large hitching barn on the premises for sheltering Baptist horses on Sunday may have been an important factor. The possibility of using land for further church expansion was not mentioned. The Church bought the property from Bert Van Brocklin, and it was known in our records as the Van Brocklin property.
Reverend Elbert Henry Conrad was born in Farmersville, Michigan, on December 19, 1861. He attended Kalamazoo College in the years 1883-85, 1886-88, 1891-92. He was ordained in Reading, Michigan, on October 11, 1888. He was listed as a graduate of the Hamilton Seminary in 1898. Before coming to Manlius he preached in several Baptist Churches, i.e.,Watervliet, NY ,1898-1900; Arcade, NY, 1900-1901; Newark, NY, 1901-1904; Syracuse, NY, (Immanuel Baptist) 1904-1907. He was a farmer in Bridgeport, NY, when he came to preach at the Manlius Baptist Church in the fall of 1907.
After the purchase, William Nightingale and E.H. Baldwin, agents for the Church and parties of the First Part, and M. E. Reed, prospective Janitor and party of the Second Part, drew up an agreement for its management. Mr. Reed was to be our Janitor for one year from April 1, 1908. His duties were janitorial work and keeping the lawn and driveway in good shape, and for this he would be paid $1.50/week if furnace fires were required and $1.00 if they were not. An additional task for Mr. Reed was to take charge of renting the hitching barn and for this he would receive 1/2 of all revenues. The Church would pay the cost of advertising the hitching accommodations and reserved the rights to the manure and took the responsibility for having it
drawn away as often as necessary. Church members attending Church were to have free hitching privileges. The venture was a short one for some unexplained reason (perhaps no one wanted to serve on the Manure Removal Committee). Burt Van Brocklin bought the house and barn back on December 4, 1909, and was to have possession of the premises after January 1, 1910. After the fact, the Church empowered the Trustees to dispose of the Van Brocklin property on January 17, 1910. The Church has in its files the original agreement between the Church and the custodian, and the account book in which the record of transactions concerning the house and barn were kept.
The trend in the late 1800s was to establish branches of nationwide (and sometimes worldwide) Sunday School and Youth organizations in local Protestant Churches, regardless of denominations. The Christian Endeavour and Farther Lights Society were examples already mentioned. It was during the pastorate of Reverend Conrad that the Church also started a Young Women's Philathea Sunday School Class which was organized by Mr. Conrad and "from which we hope much good will result." Philathea was the female counterpart of Baraca, an international Sunday School Class for men which originated in the First Baptist Church of Syracuse in 1890. It was reported that from that Class between 1890 and 1914, 500 men joined the First Baptist church of Syracuse.
The Philathea Class also originated in the First Baptist Church of Syracuse in 1893. By 1914 there were over 500,000 Philatheans registered nationally, in a union with the Baracas called the Worldwide Baraca and Philathea Union, Inc., with a total of over one million participants. The headquarters of the group was for a time in Syracuse, New York. Philathea meant "lovers of truth" and their motto was "we do things." (Baraca meant blessed.) Emphasis was on the Bible, having a strong organization, and "intense" class spirit, an enthusiastic social life and a deep spiritual work.
The Baraca men's group was started in our Church later. We know that the two groups met together monthly for social meetings (on two occasions the groups were photographed together.) One photograph was of 16 men and 24 women, a second of 23 men and 35 women. We do not know if the groups met together on Sunday morning. It was normal in most of the first half of the 20th century for men and women and boys and girls to meet in separate Sunday School Classes.
According to the Trustees' Meeting notes, it was generally understood that Reverend Conrad was to be paid $800.00 per year (approximately $15.00 per week) by January 1, 1909. However, on August 30, 1908, the Trustees reported being able to pay him only $9.50 per week, $2.50 short of the $12.00 he had usually been paid, and $5.50 less than promised. On November 2, 1908, the Trustees decided it was not possible to raise $800.00 yearly for a Pastor's salary, and a Committee was appointed to confer with Reverend Conrad. It appeared that Reverend Conrad was not willing to accept a lower salary and on January 1, 1909, resigned as Pastor (but consented to act as a supply until June 1, 1909.) On May 27, 1909, letters of dismission were granted for Reverend Conrad and his family, but not to any specific Church as is the usual procedure.
Early in the spring of 1909 the Church held another series of evangelistic meetings. This time Association Evangelist, Reverend H. Clay Poland, soon to be Pastor of the Fayetteville Baptist Church, led the meetings and they were "productive of good" to the Church.
During the winter of 1908-1909 heating the church had been a problem. Early in June 1909 the Trustees met to inspect the church property with reference to heating requirements. The Trustees decided to buy two furnaces for the church. Bids were invited and five were received. The Syracuse Heating Company was the low bidder at $172.09. The low bid was accepted and the furnaces installed for the winter of 1909-1910.
The Trustees apparently believed in putting things in writing and in late 1908 had 1000 pledge cards printed for less than 100 members. This was followed by the purchase of 500 letter heads and envelopes and 100 circular letters printed with the name of the Church. No samples of the Church stationery have survived.
After leaving Manlius, Reverend Conrad preached to a large number of churches, never staying very long at any one place. His first call was to preach for six months in the First Baptist Church of Binghamton, New York, during the absence of the regular pastor who was on a six month sabbatical. In South Edmeston and Utica he established new Baptist Churches.
*Churches organized by Reverend Conrad
Reverend Conrad died in 1942, a resident of Watertown, NY.
Acting Pastor Binghamton, NY 1909-1910 Field Secretary Cook Academy Binghamton, NY 1910-1913 Pastor Jamestown, NY 1913-1914 Pastor Susquehanna, Pa 1915-1916 Pastor Berwick, Pa. 1916-1919 Pastor Factoryville, Pa 1919-1920
Acting Pastor Binghamton, NY 1921-1921 Pastor * South Edmeston, NY 1922-1923 Pastor Meridian, NY 1923-1926 Pastor Three Mile Bay, NY 1926-1927 Pastor * East Utica Baptist
(later Albany St. Baptist Church)1927-?
Reverend Conrad closed his pastorate in Manlius on Sunday, May 30, 1909. The Church made full use of this last Sunday with the ordinance of baptism administered in the inside Baptistry after the morning sermon, and again at 3:30 o'clock in the creek near the lower bridge. A short vesper service was held at the Church at 4:45 and the Right Hand of Fellowship was given to the new members. It was not mentioned if Reverend Conrad was also asked to preach at the Evening Service. Reverend Conrad temporarily moved his family from the parsonage into a home on Pleasant St. and they left there on November 16, 1909 for their new home in Binghamton.
Concerning the early loss of Reverend Conrad, the Clerk, Yettie Harris, states the year just past "1909" has been one of joys and sorrows. She laments "we desire a pastor, but it seem to be impossible for us to give a salary sufficiently large to secure one, although we have a good parsonage." She explains that "while in numbers we have grown, many are too young to contribute largely to the support of the Church (24 members are non-resident and 36 under 21 years of age, our of a total membership of 152). "However," she says, "we are not discouraged but are hoping that we may soon be led to a right decision as to the one who shall be in all things spiritual our leader." E. E. Clemons, local historian, commented that in his short stay Reverend Conrad made many friends and took an active part in the welfare of the community.
On June 15, 1909, the prospects of filling the Manlius Baptist Church pastorate and the parsonage promptly were apparently not hopeful, and the Church voted 22 yes, 1 no, to give the Trustees power to rent the parsonage for one year. On August 22, 1909, a special Church Meeting was called to give the Pulpit Committee directions for future conduct. Mr. H. E Ransier spoke favorably of the work of Reverend C. M. Tower. Reverend Tower was well known in the Syracuse area. He was a District Missionary of the Baptist Missionary Convention and had led two week long meetings with the Immanuel Baptist Church in 1891 and 1905. The Congregation voted to call Reverend Tower as a candidate. Reverend Tower preached to the Congregation and on September 12, 1909, a meeting was held to consider a call to Reverend Tower to serve as pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church. Reverend Tower, for reasons not explained, was emphatically rejected. The vote was 30 no, 1 yes, and 2 blank. The Congregation may have rejected Reverend Tower at least partially for economic reasons. Reverend Tower would have been a full time pastor in need of a house and the Trustees were concluding that the Church needed to collect house rent on the parsonage to make ends meet, and that meant engaging another part-time pastor from the Colgate Seminary.
On September 26, 1909, Mr. Daniel John Bloxham from the Colgate Seminary preached to the congregation. The Church promptly voted to engage Mr. Bloxham as a supply pastor during his studies at the Seminary or "until relations with him are severed." The informal vote (women voting?) was 38 yes, 1 no and 1 blank. The formal or legal vote was 25 yes, 2 blank and was declared to be a unanimous vote.
Daniel John Bloxham was born in Derby, New York on January 14, 1884. He received an AB degree from Colgate University in 1907, was secretary of an organized charities society in New Rochelle, NY from 1907 to 1908 and studied in the Colgate Seminary from 1908 to 1910. Mr. Bloxham did not graduate from the Seminary nor was he ever ordained. Mr. Bloxham was married and had two children.
Mr. Bloxham's salary was to be $12.00 per week and his "entertainment over Sunday," which meant lodging and meals for Mr. and Mrs. Bloxham, at a cost to him not to exceed $2.00 each weekend. His services were to continue during the remaining two years of his time in Colgate and perhaps after, but to be terminated by either the Church or himself if so desired with a notice of one month. He was to arrive each weekend in Manlius on Saturday night and leave Monday, giving two sermons and other work that is possible " consistent with his strength." Every fourth week he was to come on Friday to conduct the Friday Night Prayer Meeting and Covenant Meeting. The other Weekly Prayer Meetings were to be led by "our brother, Deacon E. H. Hilts." The Parsonage was rented out to help meet "the heavy indebtedness of last year."
It was the general policy of the Baptist Church that only ordained ministers were allowed to administer the Sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Some of the old Baptist leaders may have turned over in their graves when on November 5, 1909, the Church authorized Mr. Bloxham to administer the Lord's Supper.
At the Annual Meeting on December 6, 1909, the Church voted to accept the offer of the American Baptist Publication Society to furnish envelopes for 1910 giving (with the understanding that the Church would make a canvas to secure pledges for weekly offerings for missions.) This became known as the Duplex Envelope System. No examples have survived. A later version was two-sided with one side for Benevolence giving and the other side for Church expenses. The offer of free envelopes has long since expired.
Before the invention of methods of reproducing printed material easily and inexpensively in the Church office, and even before we had a Church office, the Church relied on the local printing shop to make needed copies. The Church has an example of a printed bulletin used when Rev. D. J. Bloxham was pastor. It was a standardized version, i.e., the same one would be used every Sunday. There were no dates, hymn numbers, special notices, etc., but it gave the worshippers the order of service, the general times of Church activities and the names of the Church Officers. The Doxology and the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" were sung every Sunday. There were notices read, offerings taken, a selection by the choir, and a sermon. Today's worshippers would not be uncomfortable if the same order of service were used.
Church was at 10:30 A.M.; Sunday School was at 12:00; Junior Christian Endeavor was at 4:00, Senior Christian Endeavor at 6:00, followed by the Evening Service at 7:00. (The Church had long since given up its afternoon service.) Every Thursday the members met for a Prayer Meeting and on the last Friday of the month before the first Sunday of the next month the Covenant Meeting was held. Communion was held on the first Sunday of alternate months. On the back page there was a list of the officers of the Church. The duplex envelope system for providing for the general expenses of the Church and Mission Offerings was explained, and a cordial welcome was extended to all to attend and participate in the services. The Bulletin is reproduced in the Appendix.
The purchase of the VanBrocklin property in 1908 was soon regretted. Perhaps the revenues from renting the house and the hitching barn were not as large as hoped and certainly there were expenses involved in keeping up the property and paying the mortgage. As early as May 1909 the Trustees were looking for buyers. B. W. VanBrocklin was asked to buy back the property, but he was not interested. The most promising offer was from F. Vasto, who owned property to the east of the Church on Seneca Street (later considered as a site for the new Church.) For some reason B. W. VanBrocklin objected strenuously to F. Vasto's purchase of the property. The Trustees felt that it would not be advisable to sell the property over the objections of B. W. VanBrocklin, who then changed his mind and bought back the property himself for $2200.00 in February, 1910.
The Janitor, Mr. Reed, lost his Church job of renting the horse barn, but was offered the job of Church janitor for another year (1910) at the salary of $1.50 a week and the use of a vacuum cleaner. (If necessary the Trustees were willing to offer as much as $1.75 per week.) The Church rented the shed for stabling horses in the winter until July 1923 at which time Mr. VanBrocklin desired to use it for other purposes.
On February 25, 1910, the Church again found itself out of debt (that was once as high as $1300.00), and fittingly celebrated its freedom with another Jubilee in the presence of a large and enthusiastic gathering at the Church. Papers representing the various sums aggregating the entire amount were burned by William Nightingale in behalf of the Church and Society. There was an entertaining musical and literary program followed by dainty refreshments served by the Baptist Church women.
At a March 1, 1910, Trustee meeting the Board resolved that "we adopt as our corporate seal a circular emblem bearing the words Baptist Church and Society in Pompey and Manlius." If this seal had actually been produced, it would have been our second. Azariah Smith procured a seal and presented it to Trustees at a January 23, 1829, meeting. The fate of both of the seals is unknown.
On March 6, 1910, the Church, apparently impressed with Mr. Bloxham's spiritual leadership, went a step further and authorized him to administer Baptisms. (Even though Mr. Bloxham was allowed to do everything an ordained minister could do, Mrs. Harris, Church Clerk, always referred to him as "Mr." Bloxham.)
On April 29, 1910. Pastor and Mrs. D. J. Bloxham were received by letter from the Salem Baptist Church in New Rochelle, New York. Mrs. Yettie R. Harris and Miss Rachel A. Harris were appointed delegates to the Northern Baptist Convention in Chicago, Illinois, May 6-13, 1910.
The Protestant Churches of Manlius joined forces again for their annual summer picnic outing, this time at Long Branch on July 20, 1910. All attendance and financial receipt records were broken. "Four crowded cars (trolley) left Manlius at 8:30 A.M. returning at 4.5 and 7 P.M. with no mishap of any kind to ruin the day's pleasure. "
The Church was apparently thriving under Reverend Bloxham's leadership, even if he was only present during the school year on weekends. He appeared to be a "very popular and respected leader." During the summer months, because of the heat, the Sunday Evening Services were shortened to 45 minutes duration (instead of the usual 60 minutes.)
In late July and August Rev. Bloxham was seriously ill with blood poisoning and was being taken care of at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Nightingale on Pleasant St. He recovered, but within the month, the Congregation was told of the death of the Bloxham infant son. Whether it was because of these misfortunes or other reasons, Reverend Bloxham decided to discontinue his studies at Colgate for the 1910-1911 academic year.
Apparently, Reverend Bloxham gave the Church his full attention for 1910-1911. One of the highlights was a Sunday Evening Union Service at which Reverend Bloxham gave an illustrated address (stereopticon slides- a first) on the subject "The Doctor."
The Sunday School Orchestra (4 violins, 3 cornets, 1 organ) was being drilled by Mrs. B. W. VanBrocklin. The Christmas Tree and Concert on December 17, 1910, was largely attended with Santa Claus as the leading feature. A local pharmacist, Herbert Ransier, delivered an illustrated lecture on the Crow Indian Mission to the Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor Society. William Nightingale (running unopposed) was voted a village Trustee on February 21, 1911.
In 1910 the Ladies Aid Society of the Manlius Baptist Church published a "Choice Collection" of recipes. In the preface the ladies wrote in part "we believe each recipe has been tried and found true. Hereunto do we put our names, and give to our friends. The books were sold to raise money for the Ladies Aid projects. The price was not mentioned. In the preface there was also printed a short poem (authorship not known) extolling the status of the cook:
We may live without poetry, music, or art;
We may live without conscience, we may live without heart;
We may live without friends, we may live without books;
But civilized man cannot live without cooks.
Among the contributors of the 560 recipes was Mrs. D.J. Bloxham, wife of the current Pastor. She specialized in Shepherd's Pie and Coffee Pudding. Other contributors were Mrs. Carlotta Conrad, wife of the pastor before Rev. Bloxham, Ella Barber, Yettie Harris, Rachel Harris, Mrs. I. N. Loomis, and Louise Davis. There were advertisements from local merchants as well as many from the city of Syracuse. The Church has two copies of the cookbook in its historical collection.
The Episcopal Church was being repaired and with the usual spirit of cooperation between Churches still intact, we extended an invitation to the Episcopalians to use our "house" during the month of August, 1910. On October 10, 1910, the Church, evidently pleased with the work of Mr. Bloxham, voted to increase his salary from $12.00 to $15.00 per week (plus rent). However, in order to be able to pay the extra money, a Committee of three was appointed to canvass members not now paying for the support of the Church to secure the extra money needed.
The purchase of new hymnbooks had been discussed earlier and set aside for lack of money, but at the October 10, 1910, meeting the Church resolved that a Committee of Rev. D. J. Bloxham, Mrs. Yettie Harris, F. B. Perry and H. E. Ransier be appointed to act in selecting and securing a supply of Church Hymnals.
The village fathers established a curfew and depended on using church bells to announce the time of withdrawal from the streets of the village. The ringing of the Baptist bell during the Sunday Evening Service annoyed the congregation. At the same October 10th meeting, the Church resolved that the Clerk of the session be appointed to wait on the Village President (now called Mayor) to determine if some other bell could be used for the curfew, or at least that the bell not be run during Sunday Evening Services.
The Trustees in their December 12, 1910, meeting notes published a budget for 1911:
| Pastor's Salary | $810.00 |
| Janitor | $84 |
| Lights (Kerosene) | $30 |
| Coal | $75 |
| Insurance | $31.36 |
| Water | $5 |
| Incidental | $50 |
| Total | $1,085.36 |
"From a careful estimate," the Trustees thought it probable that the Church would be short $85.00 at the end of 1910, unless some new pledges were made. At their January 30, 1911, meeting the Trustees reported pledges totaling $1020.29.
The village was trying to uphold its Sunday Blue Laws (no fishing within village limits on Sunday, no movies, and no sale of meat on Sundays.) The sale of groceries was prohibited after 10:00 A.M. (however, soft drinks, fruits, confectioneries and cigars could be sold all day long.
In the May 19, 1911, Fayetteville Bulletin an announcement was made of a special series of evangelistic tent services to be held for a duration of six weeks in the village of Manlius by Evangelist Ernest Crabill, starting on June 4, 1911. The Manlius Baptist Church Clerk was worried that the Church would not yet have secured the services of a new minister who would help to bring in new converts. The Crabill services were to be held in a large tent in the Manlius Village that would hold 700 people. For the week before the services a series of cottage prayer meetings was arranged with the Protestant Churches of Manlius to prepare the people for the crusade. Unfortunately, the tent was blown down in a serious storm that swept the area on Sunday Evening, June 4, 1911. The tent was "whipped to pieces" by the strong winds and driving rain. Undaunted, and determined to carry on his services, the Evangelist Crabill and his singer Mr. Moser directed the construction of a wooden tabernacle with the aid of 12 volunteer carpenters (with wood borrowed from S. Cheney and Son and returned to them after the meetings) in two days. (The Church has a picture of the interior of the wooden tabernacle.) To add to their difficulties, Reverend and Mrs. Crabill were called away at the beginning of the services because of the illness of his mother in Ohio.
The Meetings opened on Sunday, June 4, 1911, and closed on Monday, July 17. (On July 19 eight men razed the tabernacle to the ground, removed the nails from the lumber, completing the task in five hours.) There were nightly meetings for special groups: the Sunday School, Shopman's Night, Physicians night, Businessmen's night, a men only night, a Fraternal Organization night, and special afternoon meetings for women. A total of 123 converts signed cards for application for admission as members among the different village churches during the campaign. Thirteen of the converts were baptized in the Baptist Church, five were received by experience, and others were expected.
Although the success of his career as a Pastor seemed assured, Reverend Bloxham was not certain of what he wanted for his future and resigned as pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church effective June 1, 1911. He gave his reason as ill health. (On the same evening 30 Manlius Odd Fellows attended the Evening Service and listened to a forceful sermon by the Pastor on the "Good Samaritan." Rev. Bloxham's father was a leading member of the State Grand Lodge.)
Early in June, 1911, Reverend and Mrs. Bloxham and daughter Evelyn left for Angola, New York, where they were to spend the summer. In the fall Reverend Bloxham enrolled in the Cornell University Graduate School and became Principal of the Ovid High School.
From there he went to work for the Traveler's Insurance Company. This career was interrupted for one year in 1918 when he served as Executive Secretary of the Army YMCA. On April 18, 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Bloxham were given letters of dismissal, but no specific church was mentioned by the clerk. Manlius friends who remembered the Bloxhams were saddened to hear of the death of their daughter Evelyn at the age of 24. The Bloxhams were then residing in Rochester, NY. (noted in the Eagle Bulletin of December 12, 1935.)
Beginning July 23, 1911, Reverend Caldwell was acting pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church. One of his first duties was to help gather in those converted at the Crabill Evangelistic Meetings who were interested in joining the Baptist Church. He was preaching on Sundays, visiting among the Congregation and leading the Prayer Meetings. According to Yettie Harris, Clerk, "He has been of great assistance. We hope soon to settle a permanent pastor. We do not enjoy these short pastorates, but they seem forced upon us."
On October 19, 1911, a special business meeting was called after Prayer Meeting. G. H. Tripp, a member of the Pulpit Committee, stated that the object of the meeting was to consider calling a pastor. He stated that Reverend Caldwell, who had acted as supply since July, could be engaged as pastor for $15.00 a week and a parsonage. A motion was moved and carried that the Church take a vote to ascertain whether we engage Reverend Caldwell, providing we could raise the necessary finances. The vote was 33 positive, 2 blank. (This time there was no second legal or formal vote.) It was also moved and carried that the Church canvass the members to see if money could be raised. The canvassers were to report on Thursday evening so that Reverend Caldwell could receive his answer by the next Sunday. The canvass must have been successful since on October 26, 1911, a unanimous call was extended to Reverend Caldwell. On November 1, 1911 Reverend and Mrs Caldwell and their three sons Truman, Ellsworth and Ethan were received into Church membership by letter from the Tabernacle Church in Syracuse.
On November 12, 1911, Reverend Caldwell read the following at the morning service:
"I was duly advised of you action taken on Thursday, October 26, 1911, extending to me a hearty and unanimous invitation to become your pastor at a salary of $15.00 per week and parsonage. After much careful and prayerful consideration, I hereby announce by acceptance of your call, with the sincere desire and earnest prayer that this new relationship may be mutually helpful; and that, through the blessing of God and the hearty cooperation of the people, we may have large success in advancing our Master's Kingdom both at home and abroad. If it meets with your approval, I should like to have the beginning of my pastorate reckoned from Nov. 1, 1911, the increase in salary, however, not taking effect till the present time. Trusting that I shall at all times have your perfect confidence and that I shall be constantly sustained by your love, sympathy prayers and earnest endeavors, I am faithfully yours.
Manlius, Nov. 12, 1911 T. Byron Caldwell"
Reverend T. Byron Caldwell was born in Pitcairn, New York, (near Harrisville, NY) on June 1, 1855. A graduate of Colgate University (1884) and Hamilton Theological Seminary (1887), he came to Manlius at age 56 from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Syracuse (1907-1911. He brought with him his wife, Nellie North Caldwell, and three sons, Ethan, Truman and Ellsworth.
On February 1, 1912, Mrs. T. Byron Caldwell and Mrs. John Chappell were chosen to represent the Church on the Onondaga County Orphan Asylum Board. This was a task for women of most County Churches at this time and the Asylum or Home as it was called later was a favorite charity of the Church and Church groups through the 1940s.
On February 8, 1912, at a regular meeting of the Church, it was unanimously voted to unite with the Methodist Church in Manlius in a series of evangelical meetings to be conducted by their District Evangelist, Reverend H. D. Sheldon, beginning about the middle of March and continuing for two weeks, provided that the terms of such union meetings be agreeable to both the Methodist and Baptist Churches. The meetings were held. Yettie Harris, Clerk, in her 1912 letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association, reported "some have been baptized and some are waiting."
On Sunday, February 12, 1912, the temperature was very cold in Manlius. When the good townspeople woke up they found they had no water because, they supposed, the pipes had frozen. Attendance at Church was remarkably small that morning as many Church goers remained home to thaw out their pipes. One good Church member worked several houses with a torch and nearly melted his pipes. Then he went for a plumber. When the plumber told him that the water had been shut off at the main the night before, the churchman said things about water pipes that would not look well in print or sound well in Church. (From The Fayetteville Examiner of 2/16/1912.)
The winter weather, while vexing some, pleased others. Mrs. F. H. Broadfield hosted a sleigh ride party for her Sunday School Class and their wives at the Broadfield Farm on Friday, February 15, 1912. They enjoyed an elaborate supper and music and games. The members of the Christian Endeavor also enjoyed a sleigh ride to the home of Mr. & Mrs. Bull in Eagle Village.
In April 1912 following the Crabill and Sheldon Evangelistic Campaign, Reverend and Mrs. John H. Earle came to hold services, alternating between the Baptist and Methodist Churches, for four weeks starting on April 13, 1912. Reverend Earle was said to be a plain, forceful speaker and his wife a well trained soprano whose voice was remarkably sweet and powerful. The meetings were held every night (but Monday) and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons as well, alternating between the churches. Large choruses sang at each meeting which were said to have been attractive, effective and most stimulating. A goodly number of the unsaved were led to the public confession of faith in Christ. The Baptists did not report on membership gained during the campaign. The Fayetteville Recorder gave excellent publicity to both the Crabell and Earle Services.
The Congregation apparently felt that their eighty-four year old church needed to be redecorated and upgraded again. At a May 24, 1912, Trustee Meeting F. E. Perry was asked to get a paper ready to present to the Ladies Aid Society at their next meeting in regard to having a new carpet or a hardwood floor, new seats or repairs to the old ones, and whether or not the church interior should be repapered. The Ladies Aid was asked because they generally earned from their projects much of the money for church improvements. The Ladies, as would be expected, recommended an all-out effort in redecorating, i.e., install a new hardwood floor, buy new oak church seats, and repaper the whole interior.
On June 13, 1912, the Church Members gathered in Prayer Meeting and voted to give the Trustees authority to make the needed repairs. The Trustees then set up a Committee to get a list of prospects ready for a solicitation of funds on July 23, 1912. The members were William Nightingale, G. B. Perry and John Chappell. Another Committee was given the task of "looking up and finding costs of repairs." Duties were:
On December 18, 1912, the Trustees voted that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (William Nightingale) be instructed to borrow money not to exceed $600.00 to pay for the new seats, etc., for the church.
The church auditorium was closed for nearly four months. The location of Sunday Services during this time was not mentioned. Early in January 1913 the redecorating was completed and the Church planned five days of re-opening ceremonies to show off the new look to their members and friends and neighbors in Manlius. Starting on January 26, 1913, Sunday Morning Reverend Caldwell preached on “Delighting in God's House,” Monday Evening Service was interdenominational. All of the Protestant Churches in Manlius were invited and all of their pastors participated. Tuesday was Sunday School Night. Wednesday was a service featuring the Young People's Societies. Thursday was for homecoming and a Roll Call of past and present members. The last evening January 30, 1913, was reserved for praise, thanksgiving and prayer. (The Fayetteville Examiner reported that the changes made greatly added to the beauty, harmony and worshipful appearance of the auditorium.) The entire cost was $1281.22 with a considerable amount of the work having been done or donated by members of the Congregation. Only a small balance remained to be paid.
In 1912 a new group was established in the Church for young ladies called the Light Bearers. This was a successor to the Farthest Light Society, which was no longer mentioned. In 1920 both the Light Bearers and Farthest Light Society appear to have been replaced by the Worth While Girls group, then in 1925 by the World Wide Guild.
In 1912 the office of chief usher was mentioned for the first time. Mr. E. C. Hilts was appointed to the post with the power to choose his assistants.
On April 6, 1913, the Manlius Baptist Church sponsored a three week series of Evangelistic Meetings led by Evangelist J. W. Cooper and his wife who were said to be remarkably gifted gospel singer. It was reported in The Fayetteville Examiner that on some evenings the auditorium would not hold all the people that entered in. "Interest is deepening, the devil is waking up, people are getting mad, sin is being uncovered, the truth is striking home, while the worldly Church members are setting up a tremendous howl. The Evangelist only smiles and keeps right on giving them the word of God." There was no mention of the number of conversions made during the meetings.
In June (6/22/13) Reverend T. B. Caldwell preached the Baccalaureate Sermon to the ten members of the Manlius High School Graduating Class in the Baptist Church, which was said to have been “filled to the doors.” Reverend Caldwell spoke on “The Arithmetic of Life” and the two rules that need to be applied. Addition (add that which helps) and Subtraction (subtract that which hinders such an achievement.)
Summer came to Manlius and once again one of the major events was the Union Church Picnic, this year at Sylvan Beach. Six hundred tickets were sold for the excursion. A train of seven coaches left the West Shore Station at 8:28 on July 22, 1913, and made its way to the beach by way of Rippleton and the Lehigh Valley arriving at the beach by 11 o'clock. The excursionists were reported to have immediately sought the tables in the grove and unloaded their lunch baskets. After dinner the picnickers were said to have rushed to the water like ducks, with the Methodists and Presbyterians as much at home in the water as the Baptists. Some thought that Reverend Fry of the Methodist Church could make a bigger splash than Rev. Caldwell of the Baptist Church. It was a fine day, with no accidents and all the people returned home tired but happy.
In the fall of 1913 the Baptists were experimenting with union with the Methodists. Small Group Prayer Meetings were held in homes, followed each week by a Union Church Prayer Meeting. In early October six evangelists visited the village of Manlius. Some like Mrs. Rice, billed as "The Broadway Girl Evangelist" preached on the Manlius Street Corners. Mr. and Mrs. Ward Mosher conducted their services in the Methodist and Baptist Churches throughout the month of October.
October, 1913 was a time of sadness in the Baptist Church. Harold, the 14 year old son and only child of Mr. & Mrs. William Nightingale, died suddenly of rheumatic fever on October 8, 1913.
The Pastor of the Baptist Church Reverend T. Byron Caldwell spent some time in early December, 1913, in Zanesville, Ohio, where he had served as pastor of the Baptist Church for ten years. The Baptist Church there had been badly damaged by a serious flood, and Rev Caldwell encouraged his former friends and parishioners to give financial aid for needed repairs and additions.
A Go-to-Church Sunday in Manlius was planned for January 18, 1914. It was a combined effort on the part of the Protestant pastors and Church members to get everybody out to Church. The results were not encouraging, however. There were 60 Episcopalians, 125, Presbyterians, and 323 Baptists and Methodist (Union Service), a little over 1/3 of the total population of Manlius. The Fayetteville newspaper reported that the remaining 2/3 stayed in bed or sat by the fire and read the Sunday newspapers utterly regardless of their future fate.
On July 28, 1914, the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian Sunday Schools joined forces for another train excursion to Sylvan Beach. It appears that most of the population of Manlius took off for a day at the beach and amusement park. Most of the stores and many of the shops closed down for the day. The cost for adults was $1.00, children $.50. Eleven coaches and a baggage car were required to hold all the passengers and their belongings. Although rain threatened 556 tickets were sold.
On August 13, 1914, the Church voted not to have Church Services for the lat two Sundays in August. The Sunday School remained open, however.
While the Baptists did not have a gym at this time, basketball was an important sport and there was a Church League in which a Baptist Team was an active participant. The Baptist men's group, call the Baptist Brotherhood gathered on Friday evening, September 3, 1914, to lay a cement walk from the chapel to the street. It was said in the announcement that at former meetings we have had lots of talk; now for a little business.
On September 16, 1914, the Church was invited to unite with our neighboring Presbyterian Church for evangelistic services from September 21 to October 11. At the Annual Meeting of the Trustees on December 16, 1914, Reverend Conrad shared his expertise on money-raising with the Trustees. He “gave a good talk on finance and different ways other Churches raise their money.” the Trustees appointed a special Committee to make a canvass of all the members of the Church and Society (to raise money for 1915.) the Chair of the Committee and Reverend Caldwell were to “get out” a letter on the subject.
On September 23 and 24, 1915, the Church was no doubt proud to host the Onondaga Baptist Association for its annual meeting in the newly redecorated church. There were 225 people present. The weather was cool and the ladies of the Methodist Church served dinner and supper. Yettie Harris, Church Clerk, wrote a Church History to be read to the association. It was also copied in the Church Minute Book. In her summary of her history Mrs. Harris wrote of some of the struggles the early church faced and how faith in God always carried them through the hard times. "Never financially strong there have been few years when the Church has been pastorless and never a time when the doors have not been open and services held and the Sunday School kept alive. Sometimes a member read a sermon. For several years the State Convention came to our aid for it has at times been difficult to pay a living salary. There have been times when the faith of the members has been severely tested but never a time when it failed. We have given generously to other churches of our numbers; death has taken efficient and loyal hearts from us, but we are hopeful for the future, believing there is need of our existence in this community, where our influence is for good." The theme of the meeting was evangelism and with special reference to the work of the most prominent evangelist of the times, Billy Sunday. Billy Sunday was about to hold meetings in the Syracuse Tabernacle in November 1915. The preparation in Manlius was to divide the village into districts, in which prayer meetings were to be held until Mr. Sunday came to Syracuse.
On October 28, 1915, Reverend T. Byron Caldwell, William H. Nightingale, Frank B. Perry and J. Allen Patrick were elected to represent the Church for the ensuing year in "The Onondaga Baptist Social and Missionary Union," another name for the Onondaga Baptist Association. On March 20, 1916, the Church began a series of evangelical meetings with the Methodist Church.
In their November 16, 1916, meeting the Trustees voted to purchase a stove to heat water for the Baptistry, and on December 13, 1916, (certainly the proper time of year to be concerned)
brought up the question of installing an inside toilet. Each Trustee was expected to have a plan of his own for the toilet for the next meeting.
Sometime in the winter of 1916-17 the Board of Deacons committed an unpardonable sin by criticizing one of Pastor Caldwell's sons. We do not know which of Pastor Caldwell's three sons was criticized or the reason for the criticism. Reverend Caldwell apparently was angered and read his resignation as Pastor to the Manlius Baptists on December 31, 1916, to be effective on the first of March 1917. The resignation came as a surprise to most people in the Congregation. A petition was prepared asking the Pastor to withdraw his resignation, and it was thought that it would be signed by a large majority of Church members. The Baptist Church and Congregation met on January 15, 1917, to take action on the resignation of Reverend Caldwell and voted 56 to 11 against acceptance. The vote was made a unanimous one. To make sure that Reverend Caldwell and all Church members and Manlius citizens got the message, the results were published in The Fayetteville Recorder as a paid advertisement. It was felt, however, by some that Reverend Caldwell had stayed in Manlius six years which was about his average tenure at most of his charges and he might have been leaving soon, anyway.
On the next Sunday morning, February 25, 1917, Reverend Caldwell again presented his resignation, made it final , and requested that the Church act promptly and favorably on his request. Another special meeting was called for March 26, 1917, and it was moved and carried that the resignation of Reverend Caldwell be accepted, now effective on the last Sunday in March. On May 3, 1917, letters of dismission were granted to Reverend and Mrs. Caldwell to unite with the Clayton Baptist Church of Clayton, New York. Ethan and Ellsworth Caldwell were given letters to unite with the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, New York. (Truman Caldwell was given a letter earlier on August 17, 1916.)
Reverend Caldwell served as pastor for 47 years in seven churches in Michigan, Ohio and New York State. New York State Churches were in Syracuse (Tabernacle Baptist Church 1910-1911, Manlius 1911-1917, Clayton 1917-1918, and Rochester 1918-1925.) The Sunday School in the Market Street Baptist Church in Zaneville, Ohio, was the second largest Baptist Sunday School in Ohio. Reverend Caldwell died in Racine, Wisconsin, on July 30, 1928, a few months after suffering a paralytic stroke while conducting services at a church in Alto Pass, Illinois, where he had been serving as a supply pastor. He was said to have been "an excellent preacher and a faithful, devoted, sacrificing minister of Jesus Christ, one who endeared himself to the people wherever he labored and one who was privileged to lead many into the `way of life'."
On Friday evening the Young People's Society of the Baptist Church gave a "largely attended" farewell social and supper for Rev. and Mrs. Caldwell at the Baptist Church. The Caldwells left for Clayton, NY, where Mr. Caldwell opened his pastorate on Sunday.
While in Manlius, Reverend Caldwell was chaplain of the Military Lodge No. 93 F.& A.M. His son Ethan was also a member. Ethan was a cornet player and led the Manlius Village Band before leaving to serve his country in World War I. (From a 8/23/56 letter to The Eagle Bulletin from Ethan Caldwell.)
E. E. Clemons, a local historian in commenting on the resignation of Rev. Caldwell stated that "the church had lost one of its most faithful and hard-working preachers, and Manlius lost a citizen who took an active part in its affairs."
On April 18, 1917, in the same Church Meeting in which Reverend Royden N. Rand was called to the Pastorate of the Manlius Baptist Church, Reverend Charles Burton Allnatt was hired as a supply to fill the Pulpit until Reverend Rand assumed his duties in the fall of 1917. Reverend Allnatt was to be paid $15.00 weekly and was given the use of a few of the rooms in the parsonage, furnished by the ladies of the Church. (Mr. and Mrs. Balsley were renting the major part of the parsonage.) Reverend Allnatt’s letter was received from the First Baptist Church of Cherry Creek, New York on July 12, 1917. Other than his coming and dismission by letter, Reverend Allnatt was not mentioned in Church Records. According to the Fayetteville Weekly Bulletin, he was given a farewell reception on Saturday Evening, November 1, 1917, to which all members of the Congregation were invited. He must have made a very favorable impression in his seven months stay in Manlius, however as he was always included in the roster of the Manlius Baptist Church Elders and Preachers. Reverend Allnatt was dismissed by letter back to the Cherry Creek Baptist Church on April 25, 1918.
After serving many New York State Churches, one of which was the Baptist Church of Bainbridge, New York, where Reverend Whitt was Pastor before he came to Manlius in 1982, Reverend Allnatt and his wife retired in Lebanon, New York. A few years after Mrs. Allnatt died, Reverend Alnatt moved to live with his son and daughter-in-law in Little Falls, New York. He preached regularly as a supply until his 85th year and counted 188 churches in which he had conducted services during his long career. He was known for his memorable and moving sermons, often with nature themes; for the particular attention he gave to children; and as a minister who “always smiles.”
Charles Burton Allnatt was born in Sheridan, New York, on August 18, 1890. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Chataugua County, New York. He was said to have been interested in civil engineering, dairying, fruit growing and carpentry, but heeded what he remembered as a definite call to the ministry. He entered the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from there in 1915. “It’s what the Lord wanted,” he said, “ and I yielded.” He was ordained in 1918. He attended the Colgate Seminary. According to Seminary alumni records he was a member of the class of 1928. Other records indicate he graduated from the Seminary as a member of the Centennial Class of 1919. He married Honorine Watson Saunders in 1919. They had one child, Don Allnatt, who became a minister of the United Church of Christ.
The Manlius Baptist Church Records do not tell of any contacts with Reverend Allnatt after he left Manlius. However, in the Fall of 1990, when the Manlius Baptist Mission Board made its usual plea for donations to the American Baptist Missionary and Ministers (M&M) Offering, they asked for help for many of the retired men and women who “gave faithful and caring service on low salaries, lived in a succession of parsonages without the equity of owning their own homes, and gave unstintingly of themselves to enrich our spirits.” Nine upstate retired ABC ministers were to receive funds from the 1990 offering. The only one mentioned by name was Reverend Allnatt who at that time lived on Hatch Lake near Eaton, New York, with his son and daughter-in-law. Apparently the writer was not aware that Reverend Allnatt was a former pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church, so it was not mentioned that we would be helping one of our former ministers as well as many other deserving New York State ministers and missionaries and their wives.
Reverend Allnatt was 100 years old at the time of the M&M offering. He died in 1993 at the age of 102. It is unfortunate that the Manlius Baptists lost contact with Reverend Allnatt, especially since he lived so close to Manlius. He would have been a welcomed guest at any time, and especially during the 175th Church Anniversary Celebration.
Charles Burton was the Pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church from 1902-1906. It is not known if there is any significance in the duplication of names.
The Manlius Baptist Church moved quickly to replace Reverend Caldwell. On April 28, 1917, a meeting was held to decide on calling Reverend Royden Nelson Rand as Pastor. The Church minutes for 1917 do not mention his candidating for the position, but a vote was taken. Out of 37 votes cast, 37 were in favor of calling him. A second affirmative vote was taken on a motion which set his salary at $1000.00 a year, plus house rent. Reverend Rand accepted the call. He was in Manlius in May for a short time and preached at the morning and evening services on May 6, 1917. He was given a reception on May 12, 1917, in the church parlors (about 50 people attended.)
It is not clear how the Manlius Baptist Church knew that a Baptist Pastor in Prince Edward Island was interested in a New York State Pastorate. According to the Colgate Seminary records Pastor Rand was a student there in the fall of 1917. It is likely that the Manlius Church contacted the Seminary in early 1917 after Reverend Caldwell announced his resignation, either to find another Seminary student to preach on Sundays as a temporary solution, or to find someone to serve as full-time pastor. Rev. Charles Allnot of Cherry Creek, New York, a Seminary student, was hired as in interim pastor while Reverend Rand completed his studies. Reverend Rand was called to serve as full-time pastor later in the fall of 1917. It is believed that after his reception in Manlius and a farewell visit to Dundas, PEI, Reverend Rand took his family to Hamilton and studied at Colgate Seminary until November, 1917.
Reverend Royden Nelson Rand was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, on October 1, 1887. He attended high school there. It was reported that he postponed most of his higher education until he could be married to Elsie Sterrit. According to her niece, Beverly Sterrit Curr, a 50 year member of the First Baptist Church of Manlius, they met when he preached occasionally to the Sterrit Meeting House congregation in Grey’s Mills, New Brunswick, from 1910 to 1912. They were married in 1912 in St. Johns, New Brunswick. (Several generations of the Sterrit Family were instrumental in building the church in Grey’s Mills and in keeping it open. Colgate University Seminary Alumni records show that Reverend Rand attended Gordon College in 1912-1914 and spent time at the Colgate Seminary in 1916-1917 and 1918 -1920.
Although Reverend Rand was originally expected to arrive in Manlius with his family in October, they did not appear until late November, 1917. He was reported to have conducted his first Prayer Service in Manlius on November 30, 1917. (All were invited to come and give Rev. Rand a hearty welcome.) His first Sunday Service would have followed on December 1, 1917. On December 18, 1917, a second reception was given for the Rands to which all the friends in the various Churches of the village were invited to attend.
Reverend Royden Nelson Rand and Mrs. Elsie Sterrit Rand brought with them to Manlius three children:
A fourth child, Royden Nelson Rand, Jr., was born in 1925 in Albany, New York. Bessie Todd, then Bessie Miller and a member of the Manlius Baptist Church since 1916, remembers walking the carriage that carried the Rand’s boy and girl, which could have been Grenfell and Anne or Anne and Gordon.
Although there were no Church Bulletins or Newsletters and the minutes of Church Meetings reported only a minimum of information, the highlights of Reverend Rand’s pastorate were well documented, thanks to the information available in The Fayetteville Examiner. Some of the special Church programs were featured on the front page. News of Sunday School Class parties or vacationing pastors was often included in the Manlius Personal Columns. Almost every week a summary of past events and the program for the coming week was printed in the Manlius Churches’ Column. During Reverend Rand’s pastorate, full advantage was taken of the opportunity to publicize the Church and its activities.
In the Fall of 1917, according to an article in The Fayetteville Examiner , the Ladies Aid Society of the Manlius Baptist Church originated a new idea for making money to fund their Church projects: i. e., a curb market. In stands in front of the church on Seneca Street, they sold vegetables, fruits, buttermilk from the Burt farm, and baked goods, including appetizers and pumpkin pies from the Baptist ladies pantries. Potatoes and apples sold for $1.00 a bushel; green tomatoes were 25 cents a bushel. The curb market was a yearly event until 1926.
There was very little mention in the Church Record of the terrible World War being fought in Europe from 1914-1917. A number of Manlius Baptist young men were involved, but their names were not mentioned. Fortunately none of them lost their lives. On November 17, 1917, a special collection was taken by the Ladies Aid Society to buy a service flag for L. E. Randall. Ethan L Caldwell, son of Reverend T. Byron Caldwell, a member of the Church until 1917, also served. After the war was over the Church raised money to relieve some of the suffering in Europe.
On January 14, 1918, Reverend Rand, a Canadian citizen, spoke to the Christian Brotherhood in the Church about Canada’s part in the World War. On April 12, 1918, he gave an illustrated lecture on “England, Our Ally in the World War” before a well- filled house at the Baptist Church. His lecture was condensed and published in The Fayetteville Examiner.
Reverend Rand was found to be an outspoken person who would never be reticent about what he wanted the Church to accomplish in the way of attendance and giving, and equally insistent that the Church provide for him a salary adequate for the needs of his family and himself. (He was continually being called to serve other larger Churches that could afford higher salaries for their pastors.)
Times were indeed changing rapidly. It was just a few years earlier that Mrs. Harris was lamenting the fact that the Church could not pay enough money to attract a full time pastor. Reverend Caldwell was getting only $15.00 per week and he was an experienced man in his fifties. Now, only a year later, the Church was able to pay double that amount.
On April 26, 1918, Reverend Rand called a special meeting of the Church to consider his salary. He told the Congregation that he was offered a more substantial salary elsewhere, that $1000.00 per year (plus house) was barely enough to meet his expenses . He thought he ought to be paid $1400.00 yearly if he stayed. He stated that he was satisfied with the Church and spoke very highly of the cooperation he had received on the part of the members. Reverend Rand retired from the meeting and Mr. Nightingale and Mr. Perry told of the discussions they had had with Reverend Rand concerning his salary. Mr. Nightingale also related some of the changes in times in just the year since Reverend Rand was hired. The Church agreed with Reverend Rand and Mr. Nightingale and voted to increase Reverend Rand’s salary to $1500.00 per year, effective immediately. A Committee was appointed to canvass the Congregation for increases in their support of the Church.
On July 5, 1918, Reverend Rand’s thoughts turned to organization. With the approval of the Church, he appointed an Advisory Board and Baptism and Evangelistic Committees to oversee some of the work of the Church. (Keep in mind there were Deacons and Trustees, both all male, but no Mission or Christian Education Boards at this time.) The Advisory Board was to include the four Deacons, the Church Clerk, the Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and the Choir Director. (The Assistant Sunday School Superintendent was probably added because the Superintendent, W. M. Nightingale, was also eligible as a Deacon.) The Evangelistic Committee was made up of 6 men and 5 women, and the Baptism Committee of 7 men and 5 women. There was no mention of meetings of their Boards, advisors, or Committees in Church minutes, however.
| Evangelist Committee | Baptism Committee |
|---|---|
|
|
In 1918 there was another village-wide effort to promote Go-To-Church Sunday- November 3, 1918. This time, at least in the Baptist Church, it was reported by Reverend Rand to have been a tremendous success with large congregations (morning and night) and “delightful and encouraging” new faces.
Earlier preachers had been hired on a year to year basis. Toward the end of Reverend Barber’s stay, the custom changed or at least yearly negotiations were not reported. With Reverend Rand, however, the practice again was to negotiate annually. On December 8, 1919, the Church voted to call Pastor Rand for 1920 (and to release him from attending prayer meetings on Friday and Saturday for a month.) On October 7, 1920, the Church voted to call Pastor Rand for 1921 at a salary of $2000 per year and a 2 week vacation. On December 5, 1921, the Church voted to call Pastor Rand for 1922. On December 3, 1922, the Church voted to call Pastor Rand for 1923, with 3 months notice to be given for any change by Church or Pastor.
It was during the pastorate of Reverend Rand that more meaningful and relatively complete financial reports became available. For example, the report for the financial year of 1918 (Dec. 1, 1917 to Nov. 30, 1918) for the Operating Fund Budget was as follows:
| Receipts: Received from Financial Secretary | $1709.28 | |
| Received from Other Sources | 184.22 | |
| Received from Loans | 200.00 | |
| $2093.50 | ||
| Disbursements | Budgeted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Pastor | $1000.00 | $1328.00 |
| Janitor | 90.00 | 94.00 |
| Water | 10.00 | 9.46 |
| Light | 50.00 | 39.16 |
| Fuel | 100.00 | 74.57 |
| Misc. | 250.00 | 385.79 |
| Loans | 0 | 150.00 |
| 1500.00 | 2045.98 | |
| Balance | $47.52 |
The Missions Budget was included separately but did not give specific information on where the money was sent.
| Receipts: Received from Financial Secretary | $266.41 |
| Disbursements: Paid to Missions | $238.75 |
| Balance | $27.62 |
Financial Reports were also included from the Trojan Sunday School Class, the Brotherhood, Junior and Senior Christian Endeavor and the Ladies Aid Society.
In 1918 Reverend Rand, always ready to try something new, ran advertisements in The Fayetteville Examiner for seven weeks. Messages like “God gave Himself for You: What have you given for Him?”; “Don’t Pray for the War to end and then dishonor God by never going to Church”; or “Sunday is God’s day, dare you use it as your own?” were used to encourage readers to attend the Baptist Church. Several of the advertisements are reproduced in the appendix.
Ex -president Theodore Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919, at the age of 60. On January 19, 1919, the Manlius Baptist Church hosted a “solemn and impressive: memorial service for the much-loved and respected former President. Reverend Rand spoke on “Lessons from the life of Theodore Roosevelt” and described him as “one who was beloved by all who believe in and hold to the truest principles of democracy and equality, the adored of those who worship at the shrine of fearlessness and truth, known wherever the language of civilization is spoken, a man whom posterity will call the Great American.”
A few days later on January 26, 1919, there was a Union Service to commemorate the passing of the infamous fictitious John Barleycorn, and this time the atmosphere was one of joy and jubilation. The Prohibition Amendment had been ratified by the states. The various speakers told of their satisfaction with the passing of the curse that had blighted homes throughout the centuries, of the benefits for businesses when wages would be used for food and clothing instead of booze. Reverend Rand said preachers would miss talking against the use and sale of liquor. Reverend Williams paid a tribute to those who fought against the “ vile” liquor traffic.
The WTCU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) was a prime force for prohibition in Manlius. Many Baptist women supported the non-sectarian group and they often met in the Baptist Church. (The “Reachabites,” a men’s organization who fought against the use of liquor in the late 1800s, had long ceased to function as an organization in Manlius.)
On January 29, 1919, an impressive article appeared in one of the Syracuse newspapers with a picture of the Seneca Street Church and its Pastor, Reverend R. N. Rand. The text included a history of the church including its construction, changes and improvements over the years, as well as a listing of the current programs of the Church. There was only one problem, but it must have been a rather embarrassing one. The headline read “MANLIUS BAPTIST CHURCH 200 YEARS OLD, AT PEAK OF VARIED ACTIVITIES.” The Church was said to have been organized in 1719. The correct date was 1797. In 1919 the Church was only 121 years old. There were no settlers in the area in 1719. The article is reproduced in the appendix.
Missions giving increased substantially during Reverend Rand’s pastorate. The support for Missions grew from $266.41 in 1918 to $2,485.06 in 1924, an increase of 932.8% in six years. There was no reason given for this very substantial improvement, nor was it recognized in the Church Minutes. The introduction of the duplex envelope system and the agreement to canvass for benevolences as well as for the regular Church expenses must have helped. The income for Church expenses (salaries, heat, repairs, etc.) increased a modest 45% during the same time. In 1918 the Church was giving 11.3% of its income to Missions, in 1924, 45%. This was to be a percentage of total income never reached again. The dollar amount ($2485.06) would not be realized until 1953. The following table of giving for 1918=1924 shows how giving progressed during 6 years.
| Missions* | Building and Salaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Spent | Balance | ||
| 1918 | 266.41 | 2093.50 | 2045.98 | 47.52 |
| 1919 | 643.44 | 2661.09 | 2533.11 | 127.98 |
| 1920 | 1468.01 | 2364.16 | 2256.01 | 108.15 |
| 1921 | 1834.28 | 3865.57 | 3711.09 | 154.48 |
| 1922 | 1885.95 | 4095.22 | 3842.53 | 252.69 |
| 1923 | 2368.35 | 3079.03 | 2966.35 | 112.68 |
| 1924 | 2485.06 | 3038.17 | 2924.75 | 113.42 |
*Other groups (Sunday School, Sunday School Classes, Ladies Aid, Missionary Societies, etc.) gave money to Mission Projects and that is not included.
In the Spring of 1919 the Methodists and Baptists conducted two weeks of union evangelistic services, one week in the Methodist Church with the Methodist preacher delivering strong impressive sermons and the second week in the Baptist Church with Reverend Rand making an urgent, insistent appeal for the Higher Life. Reverend Rand (who apparently had an excellent solo voice) led the singing. It was said that there were no spectacular conversions but that many voices were heard for the first time in the praise of God and many lives were rededicated to God’s service. One of the important results was said to have been the splendid and earnest spirit of mutual interest and brotherly love which came to exist between the Methodist and Baptist Churches.
Reverend Rand never tired of trying new varieties of Church Services and finding different ways to attract old and new members to Church, especially for the Evening Services. In September, 1919, he presented a series of “songalogues.” The whole evening was “carried through” by the choir. On September 15, 1919, the subject was the “Life of Joseph” and on September 22, 1919, “Jacob.”
In 1919 the first of a series of Capital Fund Campaigns on the national level that the New York State Baptist Convention participated in was the New World Movement. The national goal was $100,000,000 and the state goal was $17,000,000 to be collected over a five year period. The money was to be used for assisting Baptist Churches in their building programs.. The Manlius Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Rand, entered into the program enthusiastically. The campaign started on November 16, 1919, with a Sunday night appeal by Mrs. H. E. Ransier on the “Vision of a Great Task,” a talk illustrated with stereopticon slides.
The World War was over on November 18, 1919, and Manlius welcomed its soldiers and sailors home in a “cordial manner.” There was a dinner for the 35 men, a parade (the streets were decorated), a mass meeting in Fowler Hall, and speeches of welcome and appreciation. Ice cream and cake were served to 800 people.
From late in the Fall of 1919 to the Spring of 1920 Reverend and Mrs. Rand spent time in Hamilton, New York, where both were to take special courses at Colgate. Reverend Rand came back to Manlius for the weekends to carry out his duties for the Baptist Church (and more often if the occasion required). The horse had been replaced by the automobile and travel between Hamilton and Manlius was much easier. Prayer meetings were scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights. The parsonage was rented out for the winter to Harry Fillmore. Reverend Rand moved his family back into the parsonage in April, 1920.
Most of the information concerning the Baptist Church and its members found in newspaper articles or recorded in the Church minutes is about sermons and meetings and building and mission projects and members gained and dollars given. The Church is made up of human beings, however, and sometimes they do things that are sad or foolish or funny or memorable or possibly delightful and these stories may be handed down from person to person or from one generation to another but are rarely recorded and eventually forgotten. One humorous story about a Baptist gentleman was recorded for posterity in the Fayetteville Weekly Recorder for April 9, 1920, entitled “Twas a Chill Easter Morn” and subtitled “Water Superintendent will accept a Faith without Baptism.”
“There is a vague rumor afloat that Water Superintendent George Deyo has forsaken the Baptist faith and has announced his intention of expounding any faith but one which upholds Baptism by immersion. The water superintendent’s change of faith is said to be all on account of a little untoward incident which occurred at 10:04 o’clock- at least that is the time that his watch stopped last Sunday morning.
At 10 o’clock on that eventful day George was looking forward to making the day a joyous one for the congregation of the Baptist Church and all mankind. He had busied himself all the morning in arranging the plants and flowers about the platform of the edifice. His good taste in the blending of colors had led to his being selected for the task by the exacting women of the congregation. He viewed his work with the air of a satisfied artist and then stepped upon the platform for still another view of the harmony of colors which his hand had wrought. The organist rehearsing at the organ, softly played that touching Easter anthem, “An angels came by night and rolled the top away.” Perhaps George was so engrossed with the scene of beauty that he didn’t sense the warning the music implied or that there was a large baptismal font filled with icy water four feet deep back of him. But George stepped back. Just then the organ pealed forth, in double fortissimo, “Alleluia! Alleluia.” The organist suddenly stopped. Strange sounds were coming from the icy depths. She put her fingers in her ears and ran to the door calling for help. Just then a dripping form emerged from the tank and hastily donning an overcoat ran rapidly up Washington Street.”
The pledge “drive” for the New World Movement was held during the week of April 23-29, 1920. “Minutemen” chosen to canvass the Congregation gave four minute speeches supporting the drive for several Sundays preceding the canvass. Reverend Rand had called for a general barrage to be laid down before the Congregation in the interest of the “Movement.” He told the Congregation, “If you are a Baptist and begin that word with a capital letter, then you will gladly hear these pointed messages.” The Church reached its goal in just five hours and raised $2000.00 in pledges over its quota (never specifically mentioned but must have been approximately $6500) for a total of $8560.00. This was an impressive sum for a Church whose giving for Missions in 1920 was $1468.01. There was no information on how well the Manlius Baptists honored their pledges. On the national level it was reported that although the pledging was successful, there was a tremendous shrinkage in actual payments. However, the money actually received was said to “have done much good in assisting Churches in their building projects.”
In July 1920, the Union Sunday School (now only made up of Baptists and Methodists) Picnic was held again, this time at Long Branch with transportation via the Long Branch Railroad. Interest was declining and only 200 attended.
The year 1920 was a leap year and in July the Women’s Missionary Society held a leap year party. Each member was to invite a gentleman friend (usually her husband) to accompany her on an auto trip to the home of Mr. and Mr. Fillmore on the Jamesville Road for a picnic dinner.
On September 30, 1920, the Church met for a special business meeting. Reverend Rand’s year had expired (his third). The Church had to decide if they wanted Reverend Rand for a fourth year. The Church was still hiring its pastors for one year at a time. There was no question about the desire of the Church to engage Reverend Rand for another year, and the Church was doing so well financially that they could afford to raise his salary to $2000.00 as he requested. The weather was bad, a quorum was not present and the meeting was postponed to October 7, 1920, at which time Reverend Rand’s requests were granted.
Reverend Rand continued to fight valiantly to keep up interest in the Sunday Evening Services. It was no longer possible to expect large Congregations with the usual type of sermon. Reverend Rand had the knack of devising special programs to bring the people out on Sunday evenings. (Later he wrote short plays to be given at Sunday Evening Services.) The attempt at Sunday Evening “entertainments” was criticized by some New York Baptist Leaders, who felt that the Congregations should be satisfied with a good sermon.
In 1920 several Sunday Evening Church Services were entitled “Books Which Live.” The talks were illustrated with images from slides projected on a screen. In the newspaper notices for the series, the prospective audiences were promised that a large number of slides would be used each evening and that “altogether the service will be very attractive” Three of the books discussed were In His Steps with 50 slides, Ben Hur with 100+ slides and The Other Wiseman with 60 slides.
Daylight Saving Time was enacted during World War I to save energy. Many people objected to changing from Standard Time (often called God’s Time). The farmers especially were upset. It was necessary to warn church members in the fall of 1920, as it still is eighty years later, to “remember to turn your timepiece back one hour next Saturday night, otherwise you will be an hour late for the service on Sunday morning.” The farmers in New York were delighted when the New York Legislature repealed the Daylight Saving Law in early 1921. To confuse things, however, cities of the state could opt for Daylight Saving if they wished. The local paper was pleased, noting that “cows do not respond to natural calls by clock, nor does the dew dry when the clock says it is time to.”
On January 9, 1921, Reverend Rand presented “The Better American Illustrated Lecture Series,” sponsored by the Men’s Booster Brotherhood of the Manlius Church, for five Sunday evenings. Among the topics were “Sanctity of Property as the Logical Influence from the Sanctity of Life,” and “Bolshevism in Russia” (it works ruin wherever tried.)
On January 18, 1921, The Sunday School teachers, the officers of the Church and officers of every society of the Church met at supper for a round table discussion of ways and means to increased the efficiency of their Church works. On Sunday, January 23, 1921, Marguerite Randall, on behalf of the Worthwhile Girls’ Society, presented the Church with a “beautifully” framed picture of “The Boy Christ” by Hoffman. The girls won the picture by successfully completing a prescribed Reading Course. Over one thousand societies engaged in the competition and only sixteen in the United States won the picture. (The picture with a note on the back is kept in the Historical Room of the Church.)
It was “revival” time again in the First Baptist Church. From February 27 until March 12, 1921, Reverend Rand preached every night and also led the singing. (Mrs. Rand played the piano.) The members were said to have been “most faithful in attendance and energetic in personal work and the result was nothing short of marvelous.” The Church reported more than fifty-five converts, thirty-nine baptisms, and the Hand of Fellowship was given to sixty. It was said to have been an inspiring sight to see when the sixty converts moved forward at the close of the morning service to receive the Hand of Fellowship. “Stretching across the entire front of the church in a double line, the new Christians listened to the words of instruction from the Pastor and then in turn received the hand clasp of welcome.” A total of one hundred persons had been received into the fellowship of the Church thus far during Reverend Rand’s pastorate.
In the Spring of 1921 the Church held its Semi-Annual Fellowship Banquet. More than 150 people attended and enjoyed the food, festivities, songs and speech making.
In 1921 the New York Baptist Convention was made aware of a lack of food in some areas of war-torn Europe and sponsored a special offering for The Relief of Starving Children. The Manlius Baptists contributed $305.00 for the Fund.
The Sunday Evening Service for June 5, 1921, was to be a Union Service. Each of the Protestant pastors was to have a part in the program. The subject was “The Kind of People Manlius Can Get Along Without.” Everybody was wondering who the pastors would decide should remain.
In June 1921 Reverend Rand attended the annual meeting of the Northern Baptist Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, as a delegate from the Manlius Church. All of his expenses were paid by the Church. In July Reverend Rand and his family motored to Gray’s Mills, N.B., where they spent their vacation.
In the Fall of 1921 Reverend Rand presented a series of Sunday Evening Sermons entitled “Road Signs on the Highway of Life.” Some of the individual titles were: “Slow Down to 15 mph;” “Dangerous Curve Ahead;” “Stop, Look and Listen;” and “Dangerous Detour.” Prayer Meetings were resumed. They were conducted by the Pastor in open forum style. Discussion was welcomed.
On Sunday, November 20, 1921, the Sunday Schools of Manlius united for a march through Manlius in the interests of peace. There was a Conference on Armaments meeting in Washington, D. C., called by President Harding. The Sunday schools sent a resolution to the President, assuring him of their heartfelt interest and prayers in connection with his great undertaking in the calling of the Conference. The Sunday Schools suggested that God should be recognized by starting each of the sessions with prayer and that the United States should set the example by lessening and limiting our own armaments.
The Onondaga Orphans’ Home and its children were a special interest of most of the Churches in the area. Our Baptist women continually worked with the management, serving on the Board of Directors, providing clothing for the children and periodically bringing a group of the children to the church for food and fellowship. The children often reciprocated with programs for the Manlius Baptists.
Easter Sunday Services on April 16, 1922, were reported to have been attended by the largest Congregations since Reverend Rand began his pastorate in Manlius. In May 1922 the indefatigable Reverend Rand, in addition to his duties in the Manlius Church, accepted the Pastorate of the Baptist Church in Delphi, New York. The Delphi Church changed their worship service time to 2:45 in the afternoon and held their prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings.
Children’s Day in 1922 was celebrated on June 11. For the evening service the Baptist children prepared a program of songs, recitations and exercises. Several children from the Orphans’ Home also attended and took part in the program. A film of the Home’s activities was shown to the Congregation. Offerings for the day ($110.00) were given to the Home.
The Church was apparently closed for several weeks in the summer of 1922. It was announced in the August 18, 1922 edition of The Fayetteville Examiner that the Baptist Church would reopen for services next Sunday morning (August 27, 1922) and that Reverend Rand would be home from his vacation.
The use of the automobile was, of course, in the ascendancy. This explains why group trolley excursions were less popular. On September 24, 1922, the Sunday School conducted a “sociability run” to the Delphi Baptist Church where Reverend Rand was preaching on Sunday afternoons. The cars were to leave the church at 6:00 and later. The folks were to eat supper at the Delphi Church and then the run would begin homewards. A secret time was to be set, and the owner of the car whose time was the closest would be given a valuable prize.
In the Spring of 1923 Reverend Rand started a Sunday School Teachers’ Class which met at the close of the Thursday night village prayer meetings (apparently the Protestant Churches were now holding group prayer meetings.) All village Sunday School teachers were invited to attend the class each week.
Although the Congregation was kept very busy attending prayer meetings, Sunday morning and evening services, and at times special evening revival meetings, there were a great many other opportunities for smaller groups to meet for work, for inspiration and for fun and fellowship. The younger children met Sunday afternoons in the Junior Christian Endeavor (changed to the Baptist Program of the Crusaders for a time and then back to Junior Christian Endeavor.) It was reported that “57 units of human activity and wiggle” attended the December 12, 1919 meeting and 65 on December 19, 1919. The older youth met sporadically in a group. Under previous pastorates the Senior Christian Endeavor had been an extremely active group. For part of Reverend Rand’s pastorate it was called the Young People’s Society. This group must not have been one of Reverend Rand’s priorities. The girls also met separately as the World Wide Guild, at times with a group for the younger girls, and a group for the older girls.
The women who wanted to work (selling fruits and vegetables, handsewn items, baked goods) were members of the Ladies Aid Society. They were very helpful in raising money for church repairs and improvements. Those women interested in missions belonged to the Women’s Missionary Society. They met afternoons to study, support and pray for the missions that the Church was involved with (some local projects, others in the United States and abroad as carried out by the Northern Baptist Association). Most women were part of both groups.
The men reorganized from time to time. During the Rand years they were the Baptist Booster Brotherhood. They met evenings, put on suppers, worked on special projects and sponsored Baptist athletic teams.
Many Sunday School classes were organized as well. Some met socially; others would have serious programs and undertake special projects to benefit the Church. These were the Baracca Class (female) the Philathea Class (male), and the Trojan Class (older women). Many of the younger classes also took on names and met for picnics and parties and recreation. There were enough Church related activities besides the regularly scheduled services and prayer meetings to keep a Church family fully occupied in their spare time away from work and school.
On May 13, 1923, the inevitable happened. Reverend Rand after the morning service read the following letter to the Congregation:
Dear Brethren: One of the hardest and most exacting duties of my life confronts me at this time. We have been joined together in a loving fellowship and service for the past five and one-half years, and with the speeding months have learned to love and to understand each other. The road of service for us has not been easy, but it has been joyous. The blessing of Almighty God has crowned our efforts together. I can truly say that my stay with you has constituted one of the happiest periods of my life, and I can never forget the eager and willing and sacrificial way in which you have responded to your pastor’s appeals. Under God’s hand I feel that we have come to the hour when we must say good-bye. The call which has come to me from the Fulton Church is so strong, and so manifestly the call of God to new service, that I dare not disobey it. As I came to you, so I go to them, believing that God’s hand is directing our affairs.
Believe me, my brethren, I would that our happy fellowship could go on forever, but for the present I must go on in the path of new light and service. Therefore, I ask you to please accept my resignation as pastor of this Church, same to take effect on June 10, 1923.
May the Lord Jesus bless you in all your future activities, and my prayer is that the new pastor who shall come to you, may be accorded the same hearty and unanimous support you have given me.
Signed: Reverend Royden Rand
The members of the Church voted unanimously to reject the resignation and asked Reverend Rand to reconsider. At a Prayer Meeting on May 17, 1923, they bowed to the inevitable and accepted his resignation. A new Pulpit Committee consisting of the combined Boards of Deacons and Trustees (all men) was selected by vote.
Later in May Reverend Rand attended the annual meeting of the Northern Baptist Association at Atlantic City as the guest- delegate for the Manlius Baptist Church. (In 1923 the Association represented more than ten-thousand Baptist Churches with a membership of nearly 1,500,000 Church members.)
Mrs. Yettie Harris traveled a great deal in her lifetime. In the summer of 1923 she and Miss Louise Davis of Los Angeles and Cazenovia set sail for a six week tour of Europe. They were to visit all of the principal cities and attend the International Baptist Convention in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sunday, June 17, 1923, was a full day for the members of the Manlius Baptist Church. It was to be a sad day for Reverend Rand would preach his farewell sermon at the evening service and a hopeful day as Reverend James Macpherson of West Henrietta, New York, was to preach as a candidate at the morning service.
Reverend Rand thanked the members of the Church and Congregation for their splendid spirit of friendship, fellowship and cooperation, and for their personal friendship. He felt that gigantic things had been accomplished during this period. The budget itself with its increase from $1500.00 to nearly $7000.00 was a noteworthy feat. He said that all that had been done is directly traceable to the fine cooperative spirit of the people and their willingness to follow their leader.
On June 28, 1923, Reverend and Mrs. Rand said good-bye to their many friends in Manlius and left for their new field of labor in Fulton, New York. Their membership was transferred to the First Baptist Church of Fulton on November 8, 1923.
While in Manlius, Reverend Rand was involved in a controversy concerning football. Specifically, he was accused of stealing signals from the local St. John’s School (a military academy) and passing them along to the Colgate University Freshman Football team, an accusation which Reverend Rand denied. The controversy was written up in The Observer Dispatch in Utica, New York. The thought that it would be unethical to study a future opponents team in action would, of course, be laughable today. The article is reprinted in this volume of Church History.
Reverend Rand left Fulton in 1925 and became Pastor of the Memorial Baptist Church in Albany until 1932 when he resigned to devote full time to radio broadcasting. Reverend Rand’s interest in radio began when he produced a series of his own Biblical Dramas over Radio Station WGY in Albany. Biblical Dramas were his answer for the problem of rapidly dwindling interest in Sunday Night Church Services. He wrote a book, It Happened This Way, on the subject with a collection of his plays and advice on how to produce them. In 1932 Reverend Rand took on the full time position of continuity director for stations WOKO and WABT and became a beloved radio voice known as “Doc” Rand to thousands of admirers in and around the Albany area. He became Father Knickerbocker, the Quick Quiz Conductor, Santa Claus, and announced baseball and bowling. Behind the scenes, he wrote and produce scripts.
It is hard to understand how a man who gave so much of himself to the cause of Christ would suddenly give it all up to become a radio personality. It may have been partly due to reasons of health. “Doc” Rand, only 50 years old, died suddenly of heart disease on December 18, 1937. His death was announced in two columns (with his picture) on the front page of the December 18, 1937, Albany Times-Union. The loss of “Doc” Rand, three hours before he was to play the role of Santa Claus, “a role which the jovial personality of the former clergyman had supplied to his radio public in a year-round way,” shocked and saddened the Albany area.
“Doc” Rand’s children had taken parts in his various radio productions. He had trained them so well that it was expected that the oldest son, Grenfeld, would take over his father’s duties in their entirety.
When the Trustees learned of Reverend Rand’s decision to end his pastorate, they met with the Deacons on June 4, 1923, and decided that they would act together as a Pulpit Committee to fill the vacancy. There was a question as to whether Reverend Rand would be able to pay his local bills before leaving and Mr. Nightingale was appointed to investigate the situation. The Pulpit Committee met again on June 11, 1923, and voted to give Reverend Rand $95.00 for a vacation and took care of the “great deal of correspondence” necessary to arrange for Reverend Macpherson, pastor of the West Henrietta Baptist Church, to preach as a candidate on June 16, 1923. Mr. Burt and Mr. Fillmore were put in charge of Prayer Meetings in the interim. Mr. Van Brocklin and Mr. Reeves were in charge “in full” of visiting pastors. Mr. Broadfield and Mr. Reeves were appointed to get estimates for repairing the roof and redecorating the interior of the parsonage.
After Reverend Macpherson preached to the Congregation on June 16, 1923, the Church met and voted unanimously to call him as pastor. He accepted the call and wrote (in part): “Your unanimity of spirit in extending the call has compelled me to believe that there is a great Kingdom work awaiting our united effort and I come with the firm conviction that in the future undertakings of the Church for the extension of that Kingdom among men, I shall have your whole-hearted and loyal support. May the years ahead see a notable and worthy expansion of the cause of Christ through our cooperation with Him.”
Reverend James Macpherson was a graduate of the Dennison University of Ohio and the Rochester Theological Seminary. He served one and one-half years in the army during World War I. He was interested in YMCA work and at one time acted as a student secretary of the YMCA at the Universityof Idaho. He and his wife Dorothy Jean were the parents of two children, Jimmie and Ronald.
In the interim between Pastors Rand and Macpherson, a Congregational Meeting was called by the Board of Trustees (September, 1923) to consider buying the Vasto Block property which adjoined that of the church (on the West). Combined with the land already owned this would have possibly been an adequate site for a new church. This is the first time that a need or desire for a new church building was mentioned in the available Church records. Reverend Macpherson in his history wrote that “the achievement of building the new Baptist church had its birth in a dream. It would be hard to discover who it was that first dreamed and beheld the vision of a new church for the Baptists of Manlius. The dream may have come to some loyal Baptist heart ten or even twenty years ago. No one will ever know. But dreams, if they picture a worthy ideal, have somehow a strange way of finding expression. The soul who dreamed must have told it to another, and another, and yet another. And while Baptists forgathered to worship, and to work, this dream , like the leaven of our Lord’s parable, soon leavened the whole lump. Soon it became a topic of conversation in the home, the street, the market-place, the Church.”
The September 7, 1923, The Fayetteville Bulletin reported that the Vasto Block was “the scene of a recent double murder, a place of many fires and domestic difficulties, but that it might yet become a place for saving souls.” The brick building was two stories high with two living apartments below and a half-dozen apartments above.
The minutes of the September Congregation Meeting read in part as follows: “The Chairman Mr. Nightingale explained that the Vasto property was to be sold and he thought it could be bought by the Church from Mr. Harley Crane, attorney for the Vasto Estate, if the Congregation was in favor of the same. A motion was made and carried that the Trustees be empowered to investigate and purchase the Vasto Block at a reasonable figure. A second motion was made and carried that the Board of Trustees be empowered to finance the above proposition. The Board of Trustees met and Mr. Nightingale and Mr. Broadfield were elected to represent the Board in purchase of said Vasto Block.” (Signed) B.W. Van Brocklin, Clerk.
Reverend Macpherson began his pastorate on October 11, 1923. The story of the Reverend James Macpherson’s pastorate at Manlius Baptist Church and the story of the building of the new Pleasant Street Church are one. He served the Church during the planning and building process as General Secretary for the Building Committee. In that capacity he attended all meetings, took excellent notes (all typed by Reverend Macpherson- there was no Church secretary at the time), wrote and typed all of the correspondence to architects and contractors, wrote and sent publicity to the newspapers, and was responsible for communications concerning fund raising and invitations to the various dedication ceremonies. When he was finished he wrote a history of the whole endeavor to be included in the collection of material to be placed in a steel box in the cornerstone of the new church. He kept carbon copies of almost everything. We have more than 200 pages documenting the entire process. During the whole time of planning and construction the regular programs of the Church continued as before.
In addition to the materials prepared by Reverend Macpherson, the Church has the original copies of most of the correspondence sent to the Church at that time and the programs for all of the ceremonies (dedication of the site, cornerstone laying and dedication of the finished building), and copies of many of the blueprints showing the development of ideas that led to the final plans.
In October 1923 the four Protestant Ministers of Manlius, now including Reverend Macpherson, formed an association which they hoped would result in a closer fellowship and more efficient cooperation of community service. Apparently the church bells were being rung too enthusiastically and at the same time with an “unpleasant intermingling and clashing of tolling.” The Ministers agreed that five minutes of tolling previous to the opening of the services ought to be sufficient.
Attendance in the Baptist Sunday School in October 1923 was good with the total number of scholars being 144 ( the goal was 150.) The local Strand Movie Theater requested permission from the Manlius Village Board to show movies on Sunday evenings, and in deference to the Churches of Manlius, only after the evening Church services were concluded. At this point in time the Village Board turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the owners of the Strand and passed an ordinance prohibiting the showing of moving pictures on Sundays. Any infraction of the ordinance would have resulted in a $20 fine.
On February 10, 1924, Reverend Macpherson recognized the impending celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and preached on “The Gospel according to Abraham Lincoln.” A Junior Christian Endeavor meeting was cancelled because of a smallpox epidemic.
A great deal of Fayetteville newspaper publicity was given to a new Young People’s Society being formed in the Church. Previously, the older Baptist Youth Groups had been affiliated with the Christian Endeavor Society and according to all reports, it was a very successful program which attracted large numbers of young people. During Reverend Rand’s pastorate the Christian Endeavor affiliation was dropped, and much of the time there appeared to be no youth group at all. Now the Christian Endeavor banner was adopted again as the “Good Ship” Christian Endeavor. Fifty youth attended its first meeting on April 1, 1924, and enjoyed a “sumptuous” meal, contrary to expectations that some prankster might have celebrated the day by emptying the pepperpot in the meat pie or by flavoring the desert with vinegar. The youth then planned to begin a series of more serious meetings at which delegations of Christian Endeavorers from nearby Churches were to be welcomed as guests and to be invited to participate in the programs.
In June 1924, Miss Laura Cornelia Harris, daughter of Mrs. Yettie Harris was the only woman to receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the nine women studying in that college. She then began her services as an intern in the Syracuse Memorial Hospital.
Reverend Macpherson reported in his history of the building of the new church that “the months passed without any report from the Committee. Legal matters pertaining to the property under investigation had not been settled. Finally during the summer of 1924, the Committee was notified to attend a public auction at which the Vasto Block was to be sold to the highest bidder. The price at the auction soared above the limits which the representatives of the Church felt to be its value, approximately $7500, and they did not secure it. The sentiment of the Church was that the Committee had acted wisely. This first failure to secure a site merely intensified the desire of the members for a new church. The Committee was asked to continue its search for a desirable location and in the beginning of September 1924, one year after its appointment, the Pastor was notified that it was ready to make an report.
In almost every phase of the planning and building of the church, Reverend Macpherson anticipated the needs of the Church and Building Committee and wrote “unofficially” before being asked.
On September 10, 1924, seven days before the Church was to meet to hear the report of the Search Committee, Reverend Macpherson contacted Mr. Emery B. Jackson of the Northern Baptist convention who had written an article for “The Baptist” for January 5, 1924, on “How to Avoid Blunders in Building a Church.” Reverend Macpherson stated that he was writing unofficially that “we (the Manlius Baptist Church) are seriously contemplating a new plant here and have already appointed a site committee. It is likely that in the near future a site will be settled upon and we will proceed to study plans and take the necessary steps for building.” Reverend Macpherson wrote that he was keenly anxious to stimulate interest in the project and wanted to know if a stereopticon slide study or book study was available to help in visualizing our needs in Manlius. He also asked for material to help in outlining the functions of a Building Committee and its responsibilities.
Reverend Macpherson told Mr. Jackson that the population of Manlius was about 1500, that there were four Protestant Churches with the Methodists being the largest (350 members) and the Baptist second largest (200 members). Reverend Macpherson felt that we have a greater capacity for growth than the others. The Catholics had just built a $35,000 church and the Methodists were building their gymnasium. As was mentioned before, the biggest need was for more room for religious education and related activities. Reverend Macpherson said he was committed to the program as our Church School enrollment was over 250 and “we expect great growth in this branch of work.”
Mrs. Yettie Harris, Church Clerk, explained the need in the Church Letter from the Manlius Baptist Church to the Onondaga Baptist Association for 1925: “ For some years we have felt hampered through lack of room and facilities with which to work, particularly in the Sunday School and Young People’s Departments. Much inconvenience resulted, and additional effort was required to accomplish results. This we hope to remedy and we have at last launched our building project.”
At the time crowding in the sanctuary for Church Services was apparently not a problem since all of the pews (purchased in 1913 and relatively new) were to be moved to the new church Special pains were taken in planning the new building to ensure that the pews would fit properly and therefore save the expense of buying new ones.
The letter to Mr. Jackson was answered by George Earnest Merrill on September 16, 1924. He was Architect-Secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies Department of Architecture located in New York City, New York. He enclosed leaflets or information sheets:
Mr. Merrill recommended the book Planning the Church Building by Henry E. Tralle and offered to send a stereopticon lecture on the matter of housing the Church School. He also sent a book entitled Department of Architecture which explained the purpose of the Department and how it functioned. George Merrill worked with the Church for several months in developing the plans so that when the Building Committee was ready to hire a local architect they knew exactly what they wanted in a church building.
Reverend Macpherson wrote in his history: “Wednesday evening September 17th at 8:00 o’clock in the Church Parlor, the Committee made two suggestions: the first- the remodeling of the church on its present site with the possibility of building to the rear; the second- building on the site of the parsonage at the corner of North and Pleasant Streets, already owned by the Church. The parsonage lot appealed most strongly to the meeting. Approximately 100 by 144 feet it was thought that ample space would be available for both church and parsonage if the latter were moved to the south line of the lot, leaving the corner for the church. The old church site measured only some 77 by 67 feet.”
After considerable discussion it was decided to utilize the parsonage lot which would give an attractive corner for the church. The Church, at first, decided not to relinquish the present site but to remodel it to meet developing social, recreational and religious needs of an American village community. The meeting was very harmonious. The Committee was thanked for its labors and retired.
At the same meeting nominations were made for the nucleus of a general Building Committee:
and these gentlemen were subsequently elected to the task.
On September 29, 1924, a meeting of the Building Committee nucleus was called together by Reverend Macpherson for the purpose of electing a chairman. Mr. Nightingale was elected General Chairman, and taking steps to launch the new building project, appointment was made of the following sub-committees:
To help fill out the Committee, the Pastor read the membership roll of the Church and Society to insure consideration of every name. Each Chairman was to ask the members chosen to serve and all accepted.
Program Committee:
Construction Committee:
Financial and Subscription Committee:
Publicity and Collection Committee:
The membership of the General Building Committee included 26 members, counting Reverend Macpherson, who was chosen to serve as the General Secretary
In order to start work the Committee felt it should have some funds available. Mr. Reeves, who was chairman for Finance and Subscriptions, announced to the delight and gratification of all present that a check for $1000 had been received by him for the new project. The donor was Mrs. Yettie Harris.
Mr. Nightingale asked Mr. Broadfield and his Program Committee to fill out a questionnaire provided by the Baptist Home Missionary Society Department of Architecture to help the Church define its needs. The General Committee was to act on the completed survey before final delivery to Mr. Merrill (Baptist Architect.) The Pastor suggested securing the stereopticon lectures from the Baptist Department of Architecture to give the Building Committee some suggestions for church plans. He was delegated to secure them and present them to the Church. The first meeting of the General Building Committee was scheduled for Friday, October 10, 1924. The full Committee seldom met, and while the sub-committees met at times separately, there were no minutes of these meetings. What is constantly referred to as the Building Committee is made up of five Chairmen of the sub-committees, Mr. Nightingale, Chairman and Reverend Macpherson, Secretary.
On October 3, 1924, Reverend Macpherson wrote Mr. Merrill asking him to send the stereopticon lecture, five each of the leaflets mentioned earlier and asked Mr. Merrill to visit the Church for discussion. (He hoped Mr. Merrill would have another engagement in the vicinity so that the expenses could be “cut down a little.”)
On October 7, 1924, a colleague of Mr. Merrill wired Reverend Macpherson with the news that Mr. Merrill was returning from the West and would be able to stop at Manlius on the 10th of October and hold a conference and give the stereopticon talk if desired, all for $30 ($25 for the conference and $5 for expenses.) Reverend Macpherson wired back, “Gladly accept Mr. Merrill’s proposition for Friday the tenth.”
On October 10, 1924, at 8:00 P.M. (Baptists in the twenties started meetings late and stayed late- this one adjourned “about” 10:45 P.M.) the General Committee met ( 18 of 26 members.) The filling out of the questionnaire was progressing. An accurate survey of the parsonage was required and Mr. Broadfield was entrusted with the responsibility of getting it done. Mr. Merrill showed the stereopticon slides illustrating the development of a modern church especially as it related to religious education.
On October 24, 1924, the five chairmen of the Building Committees met to take final action on the questionnaire. A motion was made by Mr. Chappell that the committee state the sum of $40,000-$50,000 on the questionnaire as the approximate cost of the new building. The plans of the present parsonage and a survey of the lot, along with the questionnaire were sent to Mr. Merrill by the Pastor.
On October 29, 1924, Reverend Macpherson in a letter to Mr. Merrill wrote that it was difficult to come to a decision concerning some of the questions asked and that we would be amenable to professional suggestions from the Department of Architecture “in which we have entire confidence.” He enumerated some important points:
The planning for the seating capacity of the sanctuary was based on the use of the existing pews in the Seneca Street Church. According to the blueprints prepared by our architect, Mr. Hallenbeck, twenty-two single pews and ten double pews were to be placed in the new sanctuary, the remainder in the balcony (supplemented by chairs,) somewhat less than earlier plans suggested. With 5 adults per pew (sometimes one too many for 1998 size people) the capacity would have been 210 for the sanctuary and approximately 50 for the balcony. Actual numbers would depend on the ratio of adults to children. (Attendance figures quoted also count choir members and children and workers in the nursery.)
George S. Merrill wrote that he would be agreeable to base the one percent fee for sketch plan study services on $40,000 and sent the proper agreement form to be filled out and returned. With the completed survey prepared by the Building Committee Chairmen in their hands, the American Baptist Architects promptly prepared sketches of Schemes “A” and “B.” Schemes “A” and “B” (and later “C” and “D”) showed the building housing the sanctuary much as we know it today. The style was early American, featuring a high steeple and a portico with four tall pillars. The sanctuary was to hold approximately 250-270 people including 70-80 in a balcony. This part of the church plan never seemed to be in question and there was no recorded discussion of alternative designs.
The Educational Wing was, of course, very important since adequate space for the Sunday School and Church Organizations was the major reason for building a new Church home. Again, there seemed to be little difference of opinion. The Church adopted the Departmental Plan for the Sunday School which was strongly recommended by the Baptist Architects. The Sunday School would be divided into four areas, one for each Department (Beginners, Intermediates, Juniors, and Seniors.) Adults were to meet in other areas of the church. Each area consisted of three small class rooms and one larger meeting room where each Department would have its own Departmental Meetings. Later plans differed in how the church and parsonage were to be arranged on the lot, and whether or not a social-recreational hall and a chapel or meeting room for the Ladies Societies could be provided.
The Building Committee Chairmen had hoped that Schemes “A” and “B” would be available for presentation to the Annual Meeting on December 8, 1924, but the plans arrived too late. (The Building Committee Chairmen and Reverend Macpherson made an outstanding effort to keep the Congregation informed and in doing so were in turn informed as well concerning the sentiments of the Church Members. This sharing of information and ideas surely had a great deal to do with the success of the financial campaign which was to begin in the Spring of 1925.)
We do not have a blueprint or any information on Scheme “A.” Scheme “B” was somewhat ahead of current Manlius thinking in that the parsonage and church were not shown on the same lot. The plans also included a large one-story social room which would have been attached to the rear of the educational wing, and which could have been added later if funds were not available at that time. The American Baptist Architects tried to show what they thought would be the best plan for the new church and hoped to influence the Church to build the best building possible, even if they had to raise more money to pay for it.
The Building Committee Chairmen at the moment were not convinced. They met on December 16, 1924, to consider Schemes “A” and “B.” There was a general discussion but no action.
While the planning process was of great concern and interest to all members of the Church, the other activities continued unabated. In the fall of 1924 the Klu Klux Klan came into the news in the Fulton area. The incident was also newsworthy in the Fayetteville-Manlius area because it involved the former pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church, Reverend Royden Rand. He preached to his Sunday Congregation in Fulton (November 20, 1924) on “A Challenge to the Klu Klux Klan.” He raised some eyebrows (or hackles) by flaying the methods of those who opposed the Klan, and he did not accept the conclusions of those who decried it. He challenged the Klan, however, to live up to the standards of high principles published and enunciated as being the basic quality of the organization. Apparently, there was a growing difference between what was written and how the Klan behaved in many parts of the country. The Klan was mentioned in several Fayetteville Bulletins in 1925, which reported that one thousand auto loads of Klansmen had attended a meeting on Klu Klux Hill, one hundred and twenty at a meeting at Fullmore Corners, and finally a “watch” meeting in the stone School House in Manlius on New Years Eve, where it was reported than an interesting sermon was delivered by a noted but unnamed speaker.
On January 5, 1925, the Building Committee met again and after three hours of deliberation decided to ask the Baptist Architects for some revisions. Reverend Macpherson conveyed the opinion of the Committee Chairmen to Mr. Merrill in a lengthy letter on January 7, 1925. They wanted a sketch showing the church and parsonage on the present parsonage lot. Land to the south of the lot (on North Street) was not available, and the Committee Chairmen did not want to consider land to the east of Pleasant Street for economic reasons. They also wanted the cost not to exceed $60,000, the parsonage to face North Street, the church set further back on North Street, and an excavation under the auditorium. (They argued that since the parsonage had a full basement, the expense for an additional excavation for a full basement under the auditorium would not be much more.) They wanted to use the basement for Church Suppers and other social functions. Mr. Merrill graciously reported that making the alteration would be “a bit difficult” but agreed to make a study to see what could be done.
The Baptist Architects, led by George Merrill, had definite ideas about church architecture, especially concerning the design of church interiors, and were able to influence the plans of many American Baptist Churches, including ours, until the group was disbanded a few years later. Their ideas were presented in a pamphlet Seven Deadly Sins in Church Architecture by Harold E. Luccock which is reprinted in the appendix. The author felt that Satan himself in his travels on earth may have been responsible for some of the design and construction of certain churches which contain examples of his “Seven Sins.” The “sins” which the Baptist Architects were hoping to save us from committing were: 1. The Basement Sunday School: The author felt that using a church basement for Sunday School was almost an unforgivable sin (against light, against health, and against beauty.) Some of the basement rooms he had seen reminded him of the pit in which his brothers threw the young Joseph. 2. The second sin was the sin of Akron, Ohio, for this was where the sin of abandoning the Departmental Plan for the Sunday School started. The Akron plan was to have individual classrooms, adjoining a much larger room or auditorium where the whole Sunday School could meet occasionally. (If this sounds familiar, this is the way we operate our Sunday School today.) The Departmental Plan divided the space up into individual Departments (Beginners, Intermediate, Juniors, Seniors.) We followed this American Baptist Architects’ plan with no recorded opposition, although in his final letter of thanks to Mr. Merrill, Reverend Macpherson wrote that “your wise planning becomes more evident as the days go by” and “the light is gradually trickling into the minds of many who were either hostile to a Departmental program (for the Sunday School) or ignorant entirely of its meaning for the development of church life.” 3. The third sin to be avoided was to have a square sanctuary (which in itself was permissible) with the pulpit backed in a corner. (“Results are very distressing. the most uplifting worship does not proceed from a corner.”) Our sanctuary was to be rectangular, and we were not tempted to put the pulpit into a corner. 4. Another possible sin was for us to have displayed our brass organ pipes. Photographs of the Seneca Street church show them in all their glory. In the new church the organ pipes were hidden in the organ loft behind a wooden lattice. There was no recorded discussion of this arrangement and it is not known if there was any difference of opinion. 5. Sliding doors in the architects’ eyes made for a “rambling disjointed church with a loose sense of unity.” We were apparently not tempted by this sin. 6-7. These sins involved punishment in the pew and lack of air. The architects felt that some uncomfortable pews with high straight backs and narrow seats were the “devil’s masterpiece.” Our pews are more comfortable than that, especially since they were padded in 1987 and Church Services were somewhat reduced in time and in number per Sunday. (Before padding some of the pews had taken to sinning on their own. They had developed cracks and pinched a few people where they sat down.) The architects also felt that “in conduct of worship there abideth three things: art, music and air (but the greatest of these is air.) Neither the best art or preaching is any match for carbon dioxide.” The architects made sure that our sanctuary windows could be opened. The author felt that if his “faltering works” should come to the attention of Church Building Committees and they should be led to consult with the Baptist Architects in an effort to avoid these sins (ecclesiastical tragedies,) his efforts would be worthwhile.
The Building Committee Chairmen and Reverend Macpherson presented to the Congregation Sunday evening, January 11, 1925, a program of stereopticon slides illustrating a modern church building program and special slides of the current Manlius Church Schemes “A” and “B,” as furnished by Mr. Merrill (but not including any alterations.)
While the Building Committee Chairmen and Reverend Macpherson were mulling over the various building schemes, they took time out on January 16, 1924, for the Baptist Brotherhood Annual Chicken Pie Supper and served over two hundred people. The chickens were “well cooked” and the trimmings “most complete.”
The answer of Mr. Merrill to requests for changes in Schemes “A” and “B” was Scheme “C,” three copies of which were sent to us on January 26, 1925. This time the Associate Architect, Emery B. Jackson, author of How to Avoid Blunders in Building a Church, wrote the letter explaining the new plan. The parsonage was to be in the present parsonage lot (with the new church) and facing North Street. The church was set back a good distance from North Street. There was a large social hall on the main floor (according to Mr. Jackson, a severe critic of any basement room, “more attractive and inviting than any basement room could be.”) He felt that the cost would be close to $60,000, within the financial capabilities of the Church. (Drawings of the new church were included and copies have been included in the appendix.)
Mr. Jackson did not add the cost of excavating under the church auditorium. According to him, “Such space is very expensive when the psychological effect of a dark, damp, musty room is contrasted with a sunny well ventilated room above ground. The excavation under the parsonage can be disregarded. The expense of a basement is not in the excavation but in carrying down the walls and supporting the floor above with girders.”
On January 28, 1925, Mr. George Merrill visited with the Manlius Baptist Building Committee Chairmen for the last time in person and discussed Scheme “C” with them. In a letter of February 5, 1925, to Reverend Macpherson, he, as a check up on the Building Committee wishes, listed the items that he understood they wanted looked into concerning Scheme “C”:
On February 7, 1925, Reverend Macpherson replied to Mr. Merrill’s checkup with his own, and to the second item added - including excavation under the auditorium. (The Manlius Baptists were just as stubborn about including a basement under the auditorium as the Baptist Architects were about excluding one.) He also solicited advice on Syracuse area architects but Mr. Merrill was not able to suggest one. On February 12, 1925, the Building Committee decided to present sketches of Scheme “C” to the Church at the morning service on Sunday, February 15. All of the members of the Building Committee sat together on the platform and Mr. Nightingale presented a summary of the Committee’s work to date and Mr. Broadfield explained the main features of Scheme “C.” The Pastor provided a brief word on the spiritual approach. After the presentation the question was put to the Congregation by the Pastor concerning whether the Committee should proceed on the basis of the plans submitted. A motion was made by Mr. G. H. Tripp, seconded and carried (no vote tally was given) to authorize the Committee to proceed on the basis suggested by Scheme “C,” and have plans perfected for a final vote by the Church.
On February 18, 1925, George E. Merrill completed the required revision showing the excavation under the church auditorium, leaving an unfinished basement. He suggested that the Building Committee Chairmen now secure estimates from competent contractors.
In a letter of February 29, 1925, Reverend Macpherson thanked Mr. Merrill and praised the current plan highly. “Personally, I am delighted with the proposed composition. It embodies so beautifully our rich American Heritage and perpetuates in a dignified and worthy way the finest tradition of our godly forefathers. Such a structure would be a tremendous asset to this community inspiring its people to the loftiest idealism, teaching them by its mere presence reverence for God and love of country and best of all, furnishing a noble instrumentality for the healthy growth and expression of the Christian life.”
Proceeding as authorized by a vote of the Church meant looking for a local architect, hiring a contractor and raising money. Later in February, Mr. Broadfield, Mr. Chappell and their wives were enjoying the warm weather in St. Petersburg, Florida. In order to keep the process moving, and to involve the Florida Chairmen of the Building Committee, Reverend Macpherson wrote them to elicit their opinions. He included the latest Scheme “C” revisions, a copy of Mr. Merrill’s letter of February 18, 1925, (and Reverend Macpherson’s reply of February 29, 1925) and requested the names of some authorities on building costs “in order to give us a fairly concrete idea as to the goal we should aim our financial campaign.”
Mr. Broadfield replied on March 5, 1925, with some suggestions concerning the plans and included the names of some Syracuse contractors. Apparently, Mr. Yettie Harris, sister of Mr. Broadfield, was visiting at the time and Mr. Broadfield shared the plans with her, Mrs. Broadfield and Mr. Chappell, all members of the General Committee.
From March 1925 to June 1925, the development of the building plans had to take a back seat to the financial drive led by Dr. F. H. Divine, a hard taskmaster who insisted on nothing less than the full cooperation of and backing of the leadership of the Church in his intensive seven day financial campaign.
April 13, 1925, was Easter Sunday and the Protestant Churches cooperated in a Go To Church Easter Sunday Campaign. It was reported that over 1000 Protestants attended church (2 services) on Easter Sunday. The Baptist Church counted 200 in the morning, 125 in the evening. The Baptists dedicated their new Pulpit Bible which was opened and placed in a basket of flowers. Colored lights were focused upon it. Four girls enacted a beautiful ceremony while two others sang “My Mother’s Bible.” In May 1925 the Church was beginning to plan again for its Daily Vacation Bible School for the Church and general community.
On May 6, 1925, Reverend Macpherson submitted two names of local architects who were supposed to have wide experience in church work to Mr. Merrill for his advice: Professor Earl Hallenbeck, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., and Merrick and Randall, Syracuse, N.Y.. On June 10, 1925, Mr. Merrill reported to Reverend Macpherson that he had written to Mr. Hallenbeck and believed that “he is worth looking up in a serious way as a possible architect for your building project.”
Reverend Divine was no stranger to the Syracuse area. He spoke at many meetings of the Onondaga Baptist Association when he was working for the American Baptist Home Mission Society in New York State. Later he started the Big Brother Financial Agency to fulfill his desire to be a Big Brother to pastors and churches with difficult financial problems. This was his personal aim for the remaining years of his ministry. He had recently conducted a successful campaign for the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Syracuse and some of the Manlius Baptists wintering in Florida had observed him in action in St. Petersburg and spoke highly of his “masterful genius.” The Manlius Baptist campaign would be his 305th, making a total of $17,000,000 raised.
Early in the Spring of 1925 Reverend Macpherson and the Building Committee Chairmen felt that the building plans had progressed to the point that it was time to start the financial drive. Reverend Macpherson contacted Reverend F. H. Divine of the Big Brother Financial Agency about the possibility of his coming to Manlius to take charge of our financial campaign. Reverend Divine answered promptly. He wrote that raising $60,000 would require a 6-7 day campaign, climaxing on a Sunday, and would cost $250 and necessary expenses (his traveling and hotel costs.) He would be glad to serve the Manlius Church if a date could be arranged. He sent folders which he said would answer most questions if read with care.
Reverend Macpherson was instructed by the Building Chairmen to find out the earliest time that Dr. Divine could come. On April 18, 1925, Dr. Divine announced that he was able to offer the Church June 1-7, 1925. Reverend Macpherson did not waste any time and sent an acceptance to Dr. Divine by night letter. Dr. Divine sent two folders with suggestions for preparation (“very important in every point.”) He asked the Church to do its best to get people out to meetings since “all hinges there.” He asked for a special afternoon for a “women only” meeting. He asked to meet, after the first night session, with 5-7 of the best men for foundation work. He sent more folders to pass out to people to promoter confidence and sent a sample copy sheet. On a personal note, he wanted to know if Manlius had a comfortable hotel or should he go to a private family.
Reverend Macpherson reported to Dr. Divine that at a meeting of April 28, 1925, a group of seventeen Church Leaders representing every department of the Church met and everyone present gave a personal testimony pledging himself and herself to work and pray for the success of the building campaign from June 1-7, 1925. He continued “you are to witness a spirit of loyalty on the part of the Manlius Baptist Congregation that cannot but promote abounding success.” The Ladies Aid Society was reported to be approaching the $1000 or more as a result of its splendid effort to make money.
The Church agreed to the following requests by Dr. Divine:
Dr. Divine was still interested in his accommodations for the week. He said, “I have to have comfort at night.” Reverend Macpherson regarded accommodations in Manlius as being of mediocre quality and Dr. Divine stayed at a private home, possibly at the Van Brocklin’s, because Mr. Van Brocklin was in charge of entertainment which we assume included a place to sleep as well.
Another concern of Reverend Macpherson was the program for the last night, Sunday, June 7, 1925. June 7 was the first Sunday in the month and on that Sunday night the Protestants met together, and, as he noted, the Sunday Evening Church attendance habit is not very pronounced in the Manlius Churches generally (as noted earlier by Reverend Rand.) He asked Dr. Divine if he needed both services for Sunday, June 7, 1925. The answer came back immediately and forcefully as well. “Of course I must have the Sunday night service. It will be very vital to the campaign..” He suggested that the other Churches give up their evening service and come in and “watch you people go over the top. Even if your people are not strong in support of an evening service they should see the importance of making June 7 an exception to their habit.”
On May 26, 1925, on a Tuesday evening, a Baptist Booster Building Banquet was held in the Methodist gym in Manlius. The supper was prepared by the Methodists and cost 35 cents for adults, 25 cents for children under 14. Dr. Farrier of the State Convention spoke and “brought a fine message appropriate of the occasion.” On Sunday morning, June 1, 1925, Reverend Benjamin Starr, Stewardship Secretary of the State Convention, spoke to prepare the way further.
Although Reverend Macpherson mentions the “Christian Messenger” as having been also used other Sundays, unfortunately, we have no copies in the Church Archives.
Reverend Macpherson reported to Dr. Divine that he had prepared a special edition of the “Church Messenger” (the Church Bulletin) for Sunday and sent them out to all members and constituents beforehand. He said “the spirit continues to grow and I am sure that you are going to have a right royal welcome next Monday Evening.” (June 1, 1925.)
From here on the results of each evenings service are reported in letters which Reverend Macpherson wrote and sent to non-resident members and friends (along with pledge cards and stamped return envelopes) hoping that some of the excitement of the campaign would reach them and inspire their participation. Unfortunately, no one recorded for us an eye-witness account of what took place at the meetings. All we know is the total amount pledged at each meeting. The first meeting (June 2) with Dr. Divine resulted in $26,475.00 being subscribed. ($10,000.00 in pledges was conditioned on the Church receiving the whole $60,000.) Reverend Macpherson was so interested in positive responses from those to whom he was writing that he advised people to “wire their pledge at my expense if for any reason you fear that the mail will not reach us Saturday.” He prayed for each recipient that “God’s richest blessing be on you and yours today as you think of the Home Church and pledge your interest in its future usefulness in the Kingdom of God.”
After June 3, 1925, he reported to Mrs. Guilford of White Plains, New York, that on the second evening “the total was pushed a little over the $30,000.00 mark,” and he gave her a few samples of members and their pledges. This was apparently a second letter because he told Mrs. Guilford that he was writing again “not only because I know that you will rejoice with us to know the facts but because I also know that your affection for the old Church and memories prompt you and your husband to send a love offering for the campaign to be announced next Sunday, June 8.”
June 3, 1925, was also Ladies Day and it was carried out as planned. Mrs. Macpherson and Mrs. Harris had prepared the ladies of the Women’s Missionary Society at the May 6, 1925, meeting for the coming of Dr. Divine and the ladies agreed to give up their regular June meeting and meet with Dr. Divine at 3:00 P.M. on June 3, 1925. Twenty-one members of the Society and several guests listened to what was described in the Ladies Aid minutes as “a very interesting and instructive talk by Dr. Divine. Am sure that each one felt well repaid for going out into the sweltering heat.”
The total for Thursday was $33,000.00, for Friday $40,000.00, for Sunday morning for $51,000.00 and for Sunday evening a victorious $60,207.00. (We don’t know how many came from neighboring Churches to see us “go over the top.”)
The steeple bell was tolled at the close of the Sunday Evening Service to announce the victory to the community at large. The red ribbon on the huge thermometer on the platform had steadily climbed to the $51,000.00 mark by the end of the Sunday Morning Service. Leaving nothing to chance seven teams of two members each went out Sunday afternoon to canvas those of the Church membership and constituency who had not yet subscribed. The Fayetteville Bulletin reported that enthusiasm ran high at the evening service and many added to their already generous gifts. Then Mrs. Broadfield announced an additional gift of $2000.00 in memory of her parents Mr. and Mr. I. N. Loomis and the goal was assured. Reverend Macpherson wrote,” A fine spirit of determination and loyalty marked the entire campaign. Participation by practically one hundred percent of the resident membership has shown that the Baptists of the village are united and eager for a worthy advance program.” After the campaign was over H. Clarke Colebrook, General Director of the Baptist Missionary Convention, wrote that he had received a card from Dr. Divine stating that $60,207.00 was raised. He congratulated Reverend Macpherson and concerning Dr. Divine said “I felt sure that if anybody could raise the money, Dr. Divine could do it.”
After the excitement and euphoria of a victorious campaign came the challenge of collecting the money. Reverend Macpherson sent each of the pledgers a letter thanking them for making the victory possible, and suggested how their payment could be made (in special envelopes provided for their convenience.)
The collection of money was well documented. The Church still has the pledge cards, the ledger books used to record the payments, and even some of the adding machine tapes used to obtain the total of the contributions.
On June 12, 1925, the Building Committee Chairmen met to transact business relating to the recent financial campaign. Mrs. Lena Randall was appointed secretary to record all payments of the pledges, send out statements and keep the books up to date. The Finance Committee of the General Building Committee was asked to assume the responsibility of meeting at least one a quarter to review the progress of the fund and take necessary action to assure its successful completion. The group voted to pay Mrs. Randall $100.00 per year.
Included in the appendix are:
In the annual report of the church to the Onondaga Baptist Association, Yettie Harris, Clerk, wrote that “we can recommend him (Dr. Divine) in the highest terms. Not only was the $60,000 goal reached but our hearts were opened and uplifted by the gospel message from his lips.”
Dr. Divine’s campaign for the Manlius Baptists was his 305th. In eleven years, he raised over $17,000,000. He declared the Manlius Campaign to be one of the most unique in his entire experience. He felt that it would be hard to find another country village church with 200 members in the eastern part of the United States that could do what the Manlius Church had done. He gave credit to the splendid Christian devotion and generous spirit of two fine women. (He was referring to the Loomis sisters, Mrs. Yettie Harris and Mrs. Frank Broadfield.) The specific contributions of specific people are not generally publicly commented on in Church Minutes. In this case , however, it was generally known that the “two fine women” contributed 25-30% of the entire goal. (The Church and community got an idea of the resources of the two Loomis sisters when Mrs. Broadfield died on May 16, 1928, after an illness of one year. The Eagle Bulletin reported on its front page that Mrs. Broadfield left to her husband an estate in excess of $600,000.)
There seemed to be some question about the mortgage. H. E. Ransier could not find his copy and apparently the Church could not find its copy either. H. E. Ransier obtained a new copy from the County Clerk and wrote on an attached piece of paper “this will convince the skeptics.”
The campaign was successfully completed and on June 16, 1925. The Building Committee Chairmen met to consider the mechanics of recording pledges and payments. The pledge cards were so highly regarded that they were “deposited” in the bank for safekeeping. At the same meeting the mortgage held against the parsonage by H. E. Ransier in 1901 was paid, twenty-four years later.
The Building Committee Chairmen then returned to their responsibilities in planning for the new building. The successful campaign helped to change the minds of the Congregation and the Building Committee concerning the use of the old church and restricting the new church and parsonage to the confines of the parsonage lot. The current consensus was that the old church should be sold (to help pay for the new church) and that there was not enough room on the parsonage lot for the church and parsonage. The Committee discussed the possibility of securing additional property on Pleasant Street east of the parsonage lot, and a sub-committee of Mr. Nightingale and Mr. Broadfield was asked to interview Mr. W. W. Cheney and Mr. T. McManus with a view to “giving the church the best possible setting in this corner.”
On July 27, 1925, the Building Committee Chairmen met to hear the report of the Committee. At some time between June 16, 1925, and July 27, 1925, the scope of the Search Committee must have been expanded. Mr. Nightingale and Mr. Broadfield not
only interviewed owners of adjoining property but purchased land and houses. This included land on the south side of the parsonage lot (but not on North Street) as well as on Pleasant Street. The properties investigated were:
Now that adequate land was available, the Construction Sub-Committee (Mr. Chappell, Chairman) was empowered to proceed with the moving of the parsonage “as soon as possible.” Necessary arrangements were to be made to enlarge the kitchen.
On September 11, 1925, the Ladies Aid Society continued raising money to meet their $2000.00 pledge to the Building Fund with their annual Curb Market Sale of baked “stuff,” fruits and vegetables.
On September 21, 1925, the Building Committee Chairmen met. Some difficulties were reported. Clearing of the Cheney property (removing the house to another lot) would cost $1,600.00. The McManus property acquisition was still not completed. There had been no search done on the property and the previous owners had failed to pay their taxes. The Randall property acquisition was completed.
In a letter to Mr. Merrill of October 13, 1925, Reverend Macpherson reported that problems in clearing the Cheney Property would delay moving the parsonage until the Spring of 1926. He noted that the decisions to buy more property and move the parsonage would enable modification of the Scheme “C” plan. The Committee requested:
Sunday School that would hold 40 people or “thereabouts.” The Committee also wanted a kitchen and, if possible, toilet accommodations in the basement.
On October 15, 1925, Emery Jackson replied to Reverend Macpherson’s request, but argued against a recreation room under the church. He said that “it seems rather incongruous to put your recreation building under the church when you have acquired additional property which makes this unnecessary.”
Mr. Merrill replied later, on November 18, 1925, that the Baptist Architects had revised Scheme “C” to include a recreation room under the church auditorium, but, he informed the Committee, it would be too short for basketball games. He also drew attention to the heavy additional cost of providing three auditoriums. He couldn’t resist one more blast at underground rooms and said that “as I go about over the country, I find many deep basements under church auditoriums, no one of which have I ever found to be sweet and wholesome after they had been in use for a period of two or more years.”
Then he gave the Church Scheme “D.” It included a social room for recreation large enough and with a high ceiling for basketball, entirely above ground and a church parlor/chapel which would seat 75 people and could be a meeting room for women’s groups and Adult Sunday School Classes. Scheme “D” was drawn without a basement under the auditorium.
Mr. Merrill apologized in a way for his continued fight against underground rooms and asked the Church “not to look at us (the architects) as being overly persistent but to understand that we take our work very seriously and to be true to our calling we must give you in a positive way the benefits we have discovered by others in their buildings in the past. Every Baptist Church will do as it pleased, but we will at least have discharged our responsibility by thus politely, if vigorously, calling the situation to the attention of your Church.” He further championed Scheme “D” over “C” with a basement by saying that in Scheme “C” with a basement under the church, it would look as if the building were set up on stilts.
The Building Committee met on November 30, 1925, and discussed Scheme “D.” No definite action was taken that evening except to appoint the General Chairman William Nightingale to make a report of the Committee’s progress during 1925 at the Annual Meeting on December 7, 1925. This Meeting was reported to have been one of the best in recent years. The finances were reported to have been in a healthy condition with $400.00 in the Current Expense Fund and $8000 paid into the Building Fund. The major focus was, of course, on the building plans for the new church.
On January 19,. 1926, the Building Committee Chairmen met again. There was concern that Scheme “D” called for a flat roof with a balustrade over the church parlor. Some thought that a hipped roof would be more practical in the winter, but the flat roof prevailed at least for a time. Surprisingly, the group accepted, also for the moment, the
judgment of the Baptist Architects concerning a basement under the auditorium. The Committee also discussed the question of hiring a local architect to prepare inspections and oversee the construction of the building. (The Baptist Architects work ended with the planning stage.) Reverend Macpherson was requested to contact Mr. Hallenbeck and ask him to confer with the Committee on possible arrangements for further work on plans and specifications. January 19, 1926, was also the day that the WCTU celebrated the sixth anniversary of the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution (The Dry Amendment) with Sunday Evening Services in the Baptist Church.
On January 26, 1926, an informal conference was held with Mr. Hallenbeck. There was no record of the Committee choosing between Schemes “C” and “D.” Perhaps there was no contest between “a church appearing to be built on stilts” as Mr. Merrill described Scheme “C” (including a basketball court with a low ceiling under the auditorium) with a full size gymnasium on the surface under the educational wing. Nor was there any record of the Church accepting Scheme “D.” (They had already approved Scheme “C.”) There was no record of a further discussion concerning a basement under the auditorium or a flat roof over the parlors, but both the basement and hipped roof were part of the final plans, apparently with Mr. Hallenbeck’s approval.
A letter from Mr. Merrill to the Building Chairmen was read. Included was a bill for the final work done by the American Baptist Home Missionary Society Department of Architecture. Mr. Merrill wanted it understood, however, that his department was still keenly interested in the project and would consider it an honor to be called on for any service which was in their power to render (no further payment would be required.)
On February 8,1926, the Building Committee Chairmen met at the home of William Nightingale. Mr. Hallenbeck was there to discuss modifications and materials. The group approved of Mr. Hallenbeck and voted to engage him as architect for the new church and school. His fee was to be 4% of the cost of the building. (It would ordinarily have been 5%, but the Baptist Architects were paid 1% for their preliminary work.) He was requested to proceed immediately with the work of completing details and specifications for the new church, and although it was not mentioned in the minutes, he was to take the information to several area contractors and solicit bids for the construction work (exclusive of heating, lighting and plumbing).
On April 29. 1926, a contract was awarded to Mr. Steele to move both the parsonage and garage to their new location for $935.00. Reverend Macpherson and his family needed temporary headquarters, and the Committee in charge had just 10 days to find something suitable (where they stayed, and it must have been for several months, was not reported).
On May 14, 1926, the Building Committee Chairmen met to discuss the parsonage problem and hear the report of Mr. Hallenbeck on bids from six general
contractors. They ranged from $53,850.00 from Valentine and Purchase to $88,175.00 from Heuber Bros. The Committee took no action on the bids that evening but instructed Mr. Hallenbeck to keep in touch with Valentine and Purchase as a possible contractor for the work.
On May 25, 1926, the Baptists had their Second Annual Building Banquet in the Methodist gym. It was served by the Ladies Aid and “was enjoyed by a large gathering of young and old.” Mr. Nightingale reported on the progress of work on the new church and Mr. Reeves reported about the financial situation. The gathering was told that in order to begin actual work on the church $25,000.00 must be in hand.
Professor Hallenbeck spoke on the modern requirements of a church building, elaborating on beauty, durability and economy. Apparently the colonial type of architecture was criticized along these lines but the Professor said the colonial architecture lent itself most admirably to best results from all these stand points. De. H. C. Colehook, general director of the New York State Baptist Convention, analyzed the local situation and pleaded for quick action in getting the building project started. It would, he said, be the means of conserving to the church its fine group of growing youth.
Another informational session for Church Members was held on Tuesday, June 15, 1926, at 8:00 P.M. in the Seneca St. Church. The various sub-committees met in a rare general session to inform the Congregation of what had been accomplished thus far, and to answer any questions they might have in connection with the planning and construction.
The Fayetteville Bulletin reported that William Nightingale, the Building Committee Chairman, told the Congregation that “owing to the inability to get the work started in the season (1926) as desired, the Committee has decided to postpone the erection of the new church until next season”(1927) . The delay was caused by difficulty in planning and the time required to move the parsonage.
From the start of the building to the completion, progress was marked by three significant ceremonies. The first was the dedication of the site to the Service of the Almighty God on Sunday Morning, October 3, 1926. In an impressive ceremony the boys and girls of the Beginners and Primary Departments of the Church School removed soil with small trowels and placed it in a basket to be preserved and used for the growing of plants in the interior of the new church. Unlike the following ceremonies (Cornerstone Laying and Church Dedication) where many visitors were invited to participate, this was mainly a Congregational ceremony, conducted near the empty cellar of the removed parsonage and followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in the church. The program is reproduced in the appendix.
At a meeting of the Building Committee Chairmen on November 29, 1926, the main business was to consider how to finance the new church building. It was evident from the figures submitted by the Financial Secretary and Treasurer that if construction were to begin in spring of 1927 a special effort would be needed to be under taken to encourage subscribers to pay up their pledges in full by the end of the third year (summer of 1928). Many of the pledges were for five years. Although it was agreed that this would be impossible for some, the sentiment prevailed that a meeting should be held to give publicity to the need and the plans as soon as possible.
The meeting scheduled for December 13, 1926, was to be an all male affair (surprising since most of the pledges were from, Mr. & Mrs. and the largest of all came from a woman). It was to be a dinner meeting and the Ladies Aid (who pledged $2000.00 to the campaign) agreed to furnish a free supper.
A mimeographed statement (the first mention of a mimeograph machine- from now on the members would be informed with a deluge of information, only to be surpassed with the later invention of the Xerox machine) prepared by Mr. F. H. Broadfield gave the results of those who had pledged to complete their pledges in three years. (Mr. Nightingale and Mr. Broadfield had been asked to canvass as many subscribers as they could before the meeting with a view to securing definite pledges to report to the men, thus stimulating further action at the meeting.) With these receipts and money from other sources, including a $15,000.00 mortgage, $4,533,78 remained to be provided. The Pastor hoped that the yet to be provided amount would be subscribed at an early date so that the building could proceed. This was not to be the end of financial problems, however, and more pleas would have to be made to keep the contractors paid as the building of the church progressed.
The Building Committee Chairmen met with Mr. Hallenbeck on February 22, 1927, to discuss letting the contract for constructing the new church. They had in hand six bids ranging from Valentine and Purchase’s bid of $53,850.00 to Heuber Brothers bid of $88,175.00. These had been submitted in the spring of 1926, however, and there was some doubt that the bids were still valid. The architect felt that prices of building materials had, in general, advanced since last spring. Of course, the Committee was interested in the lowest bid and was pleased when Mr. Hallenbeck gave the firm of Valentine and Purchase an unqualified endorsement.
The Committee felt it would be wise to accept the bid of Valentine and Purchase and voted to do so, pending the approval of two members, Mr. Frank Broadfield and Mr. John Chappell. They were, as usual, enjoying the warm weather of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the winter months.
Reverend Macpherson wrote them a long letter the next day, February, 23 ,1927, and urged them to vote, even though the motion to hire Valentine and Purchase could have been considered passed with three affirmative votes (William Nightingale, George Reeves and Bert Van Brocklin). In his letter he wrote, “Your vote is necessary and if it is possible to have it in the affirmative the morale of the whole Church will be strengthened that much more.”
The Florida Building Committee Chairmen did not respond immediately. On March 1, 1927, Reverend Macpherson sent an urgent telegram. He wired Mr. Broadfield and Mr. Chappell, “Owing to advance on original prices quoted for steel and mill work, Valentine and Purchases hesitant about contract. Firm’s possible acceptance of more building will be influential in (not ) withdrawing bid. Architect suggests prompt action. Wire endorsement of Committee’s action noted in minutes and Chairman will sign.” Reverend James Macpherson.
On March 1, 1927, the Florida Committee Chairmen sent a letter to Reverend Macpherson stating their positions (dictated by Mr. Broadfield, and written by Mrs. Broadfield). Mr. Broadfield and Mr. Chappell reminded Reverend Macpherson that they were in the construction business also and felt that construction material prices were lower than last year and therefore they would not consider it wise to accept last year’s bids. Mr. Broadfield thought that if the contract for the base building (exclusive of plumbing, lighting and heating expenses) could be lowered to the right figure, the whole cost could be brought within our budget. He also suggested that the Committee contact Jenks-Vinton as another possible contractor.
In a March 2, 1927, telegram, Mr. Broadfield rejected again Reverend Macpherson’s request to approve the bid of Valentine and Purchase and made a counter proposal. “We suggest other bids for new church unless heating, plumbing and wiring complete are provided for in the fifty-seven thousand dollar budget.”
In a long meeting on March 7, 1927, the three Building Committee Chairmen left in Manlius and Reverend Macpherson discussed the contracts again. Mr. Hallenbeck had been asked to compare the prices of building materials with those of a year ago and found that most had increased in price (cement, brick, pine and wire nails). Structural steel was an exception. Wages for carpenters had increased from $1.00 to $1.15/hr., painters’ wages had increased 10% and millworkers were also paid more. Valentine and Purchase had accordingly increased their bid by $600.00. The second lowest bidder found it impossible to lower his bid. (This was still the “Roaring Twenties” and in Syracuse the building boom was expected to be the greatest in years.)
The latest information on costs was sent to F. H. Broadfield in Florida on March 8, 1927, in a long night letter (telegram) that cost $3.07, Reverend Macpherson explained again that most building materials were more costly. He reported that Jenks-Vinton, the firm suggested by Mr. Broadfield, refused to bid. He warned them that cutting final costs would involve revising plans and specifications already accepted by the Committee and the Church and contracted for with the architect. He concluded that postponement would cost more later and that the sentiment among our people was for action now. He closed by asking for Divine Guidance. The night letter was signed by William Nightingale, George Reeves, Bert Van Brocklin and Reverend Macpherson.
With this final plea, and perhaps with the help of some of that Divine Guidance Reverend Macpherson was praying for, the Florida Committee Chairmen succumbed and wired their reply on March 9, 1927. “We regret necessity of larger budget. Provide full basement under auditorium. Approve Valentine- Purchase bid. Broadfield and Chappell.”
The contract was signed with Valentine and Purchase, Inc. just three days later on March 12, 1927, for the erection of the building at the cost of $53,700.00 ($150.00 less than the original bid of $53,850.00). The contract did not include heating, lighting, and plumbing. The first load of material was hauled to the site on March 21, 1927. On April 11, 1927, the excavation for the foundation was completed and on May 7, 1927, the pouring of concrete for the foundation walls was completed. The first steel was set up on May 25, 1927, and on June 3, 1927, the first brick was laid on the south-east corner of the social hall.
The rapid progress led the Church to the second significant service, the laying of the cornerstone. This was scheduled for Sunday afternoon on June 12, 1927. The cornerstone was discussed at several meetings of the Committee Chairmen. The architect, Mr. Hallenbeck, agreed to have the cornerstone ready in time. Reverend Macpherson began collecting materials for the cornerstone box which Mr. George Fowler of the Fowler Hardware Co. made of copper and gave to the Church. The dimensions were 10”x 5”x 4”. The contents of the Cornerstone Box are listed in the appendix. They include copies of historical documents, pictures of the old church, pictures showing the progress in building the new church, lists of organizations of the church and their leaders, newspaper clippings related to the progress of the church building, and much more. Reverend Macpherson cut short his History of the Building Project in order for it to be included and collaborated with the Publicity Committee (led by Chairman Bert Van Brocklin) to prepare the program.
While the church construction was proceeding rapidly and plans were being made for the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony, the Church was meeting for a Third Building Supper in the Methodist Church Gymnasium on May 21, 1927. The Building Committee Chairmen and Reverend Macpherson reported on the various phases of the building situation. The architect, Mr. Hallenbeck, was present and answered questions from the Congregation.
The Laying of the Cornerstone Ceremony was held as scheduled on Sunday, June 12, 1927, at 3:30 in the afternoon. Reverend W. S. Turell, President of the State Pastors’ Conference and of Syracuse Ministers’ Association , Reverend H. Clark Colebrook D.D, Executive Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Convention of the State of New York, and Reverend James Macpherson, addressed the gathering, which was held out-of-doors near the actual cornerstone of the church. The program is reproduced in the appendix and the event was covered in local newspapers. Reverend Macpherson had requested that The Journal American (Syracuse) send out a photographer. The newspaper’s reply in part was “ it is a policy of the Journal to work its camera men all hours of the night and day through the week but Sunday is their holiday. Only on very exceptional occasions are they called out, so unless you set the village on fire or rob all the banks between Syracuse and Chittenango, I see no possibility of having photos made.” The Church had some photographs of its own taken, however, and the paper was willing to use them with its accounts of the ceremony.
The other important contracts were soon let. The plumbing contract went to Mr. Nightingale (General Chairman) and Mr. N. L. Fowler (also a church member) for $13, 775.00, the heating contract to William J. Goff for $420.00 and the electrical contract to Harold Dye for $500.00.
Though the major decisions had been made, the responsibilities of the Committee Chairmen were in no way diminished. The construction proceeded rapidly and at every meeting (approximately every two weeks) there were new decisions to be made, i.e., steam versus vapor for the heating system (steam was chosen); heavier wire for areas where a kitchen range might be installed or heaters needed for an assembly room (heavier conduit was put in where needed if in the future heavier wiring would be required); asbestos shingles vs. Flintkote (asbestos was chosen); whether to brace the steel work of the steeple to keep it stable in high winds until the brick work was high enough to permit inserting the lateral I beams (the Committee Chairmen chose to be cautious and provided for the extra support); how to install the bell from the old church in the new church (which was more difficult than expected); buying insurance (the Committee wanted $10,000.00 in coverage “right away”); the height of the stair risers; the hearth construction for the fireplace in the chapel; and the installation of lightning rods.
There were also decisions concerning moving the organ, installing a buzzer system for the Church School, floodlighting the tower, and screening the open lantern of the tower to keep birds out. By September interior work was far enough along to consider colors for the woodwork (cream color on the body of the woodwork with a walnut trim). There was grading to be done, sidewalks to be laid, and many, many small problems too numerous to mention.
In the later part of the 1920-1930 decade the Editor of The Fayetteville Bulletin wrote articles called “Through the Mirror,” which profiled some of the important people of the Town of Manlius. The September 1, 1927, column featured the life of Frank H. Broadfield, husband of Mary Loomis Broadfield and brother-in-law of Yettie Loomis Harris. The Editor told of Mr. Broadfield’s farm life, of his services to the Town of Pompey and to the Baptist Church of Manlius, and of his winters spent in Florida where he enjoyed the mild weather and busied himself in the home construction business.
He was erroneously called the General Chairman of the Building Committee, a job held by William Nightingale.
The Editor wrote that “the experience gained in his building activities is proving to be a valuable asset in connection with his part in the construction of the new Manlius Baptist Church.” As Chairman of the Building Program Committee “he was a leading factor in getting the project underway and is now actively engaged in supervising the completion of the structure. The Church is his hobby and his fellow Church members say that, with the exception of the Pastor, to Mr. Broadfield, more than any one man, is due the erection of this beautiful edifice.”
As construction progressed, the need for money increased. The payments to Valentine and Purchase (and probably the other major contractors also) were to be paid in installments as parts of the work were completed. On May 10, 1927, the Building Committee Chairmen met to discuss the financial problems. Payments in June and July would be especially heavy as they would involve the greater part of the church structure. They decided to have Mr. Reeves’s finance sub-committee ask subscribers who promised to pay their subscriptions in full December 1, 1927 (or before) to pay 50% by June or July. As many others as possible were to be induced to do likewise. The Building Committee Chairmen apparently had the authority to borrow money as needed and in August, 1927, borrowed $8,000.00 from the bank to meet the September 1st payment on the general contract. At this time the Committee decided that $25,000.00 would be needed to complete the work, $36,000.00 having already been paid to Valentine and Purchase. On September 22, 1927, at a special meeting of the Church after Prayer Meeting, the Congregation voted to give the Trustees the authority to dispose of the old church property, the proceeds to be applied to the new church. On September 27, 1927, another special meeting was called to give the Trustees authority to mortgage the new church for at least $15,000.00, so as to enable the Building Committee Chairmen to take care of paying the remains of the contractor bills on completion of the building.
Another financial communication to the Congregation from Reverend Macpherson was a letter dated November 16, 1927, stating that the new church was almost completed. He congratulated the members for their loyalty and devotion thus far and informed them that the cost of the building and furnishings would be approximately $62,000.00. The pledges added up to a little over $60,000.00. The building was erected because some subscribers were willing to pay their entire pledge by December 1, 1927, and the Trustees were working to arrange for a $15,000.00 mortgage on the new building to be held by Mr. Frank Broadfield and Mrs. Yettie Harris. The bad news was that $10,000.00 more was required to finish paying the contractors. He asked the people “where shall it come from, how will we secure it?” and then gave the people a way out of the dilemma. “Pay all of the unpaid pledges. If they are not paid we will have to borrow a like amount.” He asked “Shall we permit the members of the Church to pay interest on unpaid subscriptions?” He invited all of the members to the Annual Meeting on December 5, 1927, and promised it would be an “historic” evening.
The December 5, 1927, Annual Meeting was an important one. The Congregation didn’t know it as yet, but it would be Reverend Macpherson’s last in the Manlius Church. Reverend Macpherson expressed his appreciation for the way the Church and Congregation stood back of him in the past year, and for the loyalty and cooperation shown by each one in construction of the new edifice. Them he spoke of the Loomis family and their connection with the Manlius Baptist Church for the past 90 years, 1837-1927. He spoke of Mr. Isaac Loomis, father of Mrs. Yettie Harris and Mrs. Broadfield, and how Mr. Loomis would read sermons and conduct the services on Sunday when the Church was without a pastor. He spoke of how Mrs. Broadfield taught Sunday School for years and how Mrs. Harris played the organ (she resigned as organist on December 6, 1926). (He didn’t mention it but Mr. Broadfield was a chorister and had also resigned at the same time, but his resignation was not accepted and Mr. Earl Kane was named as a substitute.) Because of the loyalty of the Loomis Family to the Church he suggested that the social hall (and gymnasium) be called the Loomis Memorial Social Hall of the Manlius Baptist Church. A motion to that effect was made, seconded and carried. The name was to be bestowed on the Hall at the time of the new church dedication.
At the meeting, Mr. Shulte brought up the question of a Constitution and By-Laws for the Church. (The Church abided by various rules and regulations, but had had no written Constitution and By-Laws.) He suggested they call a meeting and select a Committee to prepare the same. Reverend Macpherson was also in favor of a constitution, and suggested that this would also be a good time to change the name of the Church. (“The Baptist Church and Society in Manlius and Pompey” was seldom used as a name for the Church except legally and for the Annual Meeting Notes, and had been in practice replaced by “The Manlius Baptist Church.”) A motion was made and carried that the Reverend Macpherson be empowered to appoint a committee to draft a Constitution and By-Laws and to report on a date he might set. There was no mention of action on either the constitution or a name change, however, during the few months left of the Macpherson pastorate.
At the December 6, 1927, meeting of the Building Committee Chairmen, Mr. Purchase of Valentine and Purchase came to ask the Committee to formally accept the building from the contractors as all of their work, with the exception of a few details which would be taken care of before the end of the week, was completed. The Committee agreed that pending the completion of some projects to vote to accept the building. At this point Valentine and Purchase had been paid $45,000.00. $1,918.00 was due to make the payments 85% of the contract price (and an additional amount of $1,673.00 for extra work.)
On December 18, 1927, the Congregation bade farewell to the old Seneca Street church building with what The Fayetteville Bulletin called “a delightful farewell party.”
The parlors were filled to their capacity and a splendid program was given. The “Spirit of Christmas” was exemplified by everyone present and also by absent members. Many beautiful Christmas Baskets were to be carried to shut-ins as a result of the service.
Reverend Macpherson reported to Baptist architect W. E. Merrill on January 18, 1928, that we moved up from the Church of the Holy Acorn (his description of the old church steeple) on the Thursday before Christmas. The Church School attendance increased 75% after the move. The transition was not complete until April 1, 1928, however. The social hall (gymnasium) was used for a Christmas (1927) entertainment and for a play presented by the Women’s Missionary Society. The first service in the sanctuary was a prayer service on December 22, 1927. The organ installation had not been completed, however, and regular services were deferred until April 1, 1928, when the Baptistry was also used for the first time.
On January 3, 1928, the Building Committee Chairmen met. This was the last meeting for which we have Reverend Macpherson’s notes and may have been the Committee’s last meeting. The mortgage arrangement with Mr. Broadfield still had not been settled but was to be taken care of early in February. 1928.
On January 18, 1928, the County Court with the Honorable William L. Barnum, County Judge, presiding, gave the Baptist Church and Society in Pompey and Manlius permission to mortgage its real property for the sum of $15,000.00. Terms were that the rate of interest should not exceed 6% per annum and that the proceeds of the said mortgage be used to complete the payments of the said new church edifice described in said petition; to complete the equipment and furnishing thereof and the alteration and repairs to the parsonage therein. Signed William L. Barnum.
A Bond was drawn up in which the Baptist Church and Society in Pompey and Manlius was held and firmly bound with Frank H. Broadfield and Yettie Harris. The condition was that the Church pay Frank H. Broadfield and Yettie R. Harris $15,000.00 with interest at 6% until the whole of the said principle sum and interest was fully paid.
On February 6, 1928, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Manlius Baptist Church, it was resolved that the Church borrow of the Fayetteville Commercial Bank of Fayetteville, New York, a sum not to exceed $9,000.00 and interest. Be it further resolved that the Manlius Baptist Church execute a note payable on demand for $9,000.00 and the said Manlius Baptist Church and the President of the Board of Trustees of the Church are hereby authorized to execute the said note. Signed Harold Goodfellow. By October 1, 1929, the note was almost paid up. There was an unpaid balance of $250.00. A copy of the note signed by all of the Trustees can be found in the Appendix.
On March 18, 1928 a month before the Dedication of the new church building, Reverend Macpherson, Pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church since October 10, 1921,
submitted his resignation to the Church effective the first Sunday in May 1928. What was he like as a pastor of the Baptist Church of Manlius? His work as secretary of the Building Committee and unofficially the prime mover of the whole process is well documented because he kept excellent records. Very little is written in Church Minutes about the life of the Church during this period, although the activities of the Church as chronicled in The Fayetteville Bulletin, proceeded as usual.
Mrs. Harris, in her annual letters (as Church Clerk) to the Onondaga Baptist Association, described Reverend Macpherson as a preacher and a leader:
1924: “The new pastor is a good preacher, a wise leader, and has taken up the work with earnestness and enthusiasm.”
1925: “Seldom listened to better preaching nor received better pastoral care.”
1926: “Our pastor (is) a good Bible student and our prayer meetings are helpful to a good understanding of the word, while the sermons we hear are stimulating to a better living.”
1927: ‘Pastor Macpherson has been our guide and inspiration.” (She noted that the Seneca Street Church construction was started 100 years previously.)
Reverend Macpherson was able to take time out to attend as a delegate the Northern Baptist Convention in Washing ton DC from May 25-30, 1928.
Mr. Merrill (Baptist Architect) seemed to realize that Reverend Macpherson had thoughts of leaving Manlius and perhaps hoped to change his mind. In his last letter of January 21, 1928, to Reverend Macpherson, he wrote “You are going to have a great time as you go on with your work in the new building, and I hope you see your way clear to remain there for a considerable time" and thus demonstrate what a difference a satisfactory building makes in strengthening a Church from the smallest tot to the oldest member.” This was not to be, however. In his letter of resignation dated March 11, 1928, Reverend Macpherson stated that he had come to Manlius to build a church and now that it was completed he felt that “If the time for a change in leadership has ever come to the Church, I feel that that time is now.” (The entire letter is reproduced in the appendix.) In his letter to Reverend John Willis, pastor, First Methodist Church, Homer, New York (formerly pastor of the Methodist Church in Manlius), inviting Reverend Willis to return to Manlius to take part in the Dedication Services, Reverend Macpherson explained his resignation. He wrote “doubtless you have heard of our going to Lincoln, Nebraska. My last service will be on April 29th. It’s hard to leave this fine edifice with its opportunities for a developing program, but I feel we are doing the right thing. The Lincoln work is attractive in many ways not the least of which is the great educational institutions there with an aggregate of ten-thousand students. (Lincoln, Nebraska, was the home of Nebraska Wesleyan as well as Nebraska State University.)
Final ceremonies for the Dedication of the new church were held from April 7 to April 22, 1928. It was an ambitious undertaking with five different events scheduled. (The program for all of the events is reproduced in the Appendix.) The first event on Tuesday, April 17 was Community Night. All of the Protestant Manlius Church Pastors participated, and Reverend John H. Willis, former pastor of the Manlius Methodist Church spoke on “Community Religion.”
Wednesday (April 18) was Educational Night. Professor F. O. Erb, Ph.D., from the Rochester Theological Seminary and Chairman of the Commission on Religious Education at the Baptist State Convention, spoke on Religious Education and the local Church. The Church School was open for inspection. Dr. Erb was supposed to dine at the Macpherson home before the program, but because a case of mumps had developed in Reverend Macpherson’s family, other arrangements were made.
It was apparently a bad night in other respects for in his letter of thanks to Dr. Erb, Reverend Macpherson apologized for “the miserably small representation of the people.” He felt that the non-attendance was a result of a “smallpox scare,” which he thought was “abating somewhat,” but feared it would affect other services.
Thursday (April 19) was Building Night. The members and guests met in the gymnasium-social hall for a supper served by the Ladies Aid Society. This was the fourth (and final) building supper. The social hall was dedicated as the Loomis Memorial Social Hall. Reverend George H. Hobart, pastor of the Eastwood Baptist Church, spoke on “Bricks and Character.” Mr. Hallenbeck and the Building Contractors were invited as guests to this occasion.
On Friday and Saturday (April 20 & 21) the Congregation was allowed to rest. Sunday, April 22, 1928, was Dedication Day. The Dedication Sermon was entitled “The House of Prayer” and was given by Reverend Macpherson. The Building Committee symbolized the end of its work by presenting the keys of the church to the Board of Trustees. At 12:00 special dedication exercises of the Church School were held in each department in their assembly rooms.
On Sunday evening, April 22, 1928, the regular Union Evening service for the village was held with the local Churches participating. Reverend Albert Sears, D.D., of Syracuse spoke on “The Local Church and the World Field.”
Some of the joy and satisfaction in the completion and dedication of the new church must have been dampened by the year long illness and death of Mary Louise Loomis Broadfield on May 16, 1928. She and her sister, Yettie R. Harris, were said to have made the new church possible by their generosity. Mrs. Broadfield had for many years been a loyal and active member of the Church. She was recognized in 1925 as the only living active member who had been connected to the Church for 50 consecutive years. She sang in the choir and taught a men’s Bible class for a time (and other classes as well.)
On April 29, 1928, Reverend Macpherson preached his last sermon and shortly thereafter left with his family for Lincoln, Nebraska. Reverend and Mrs. Macpherson’s letters were voted to be transferred to the Second Baptist Church of that city.
After Reverend Macpherson left, the Manlius Baptists turned to Dr. Albert Sears, a retired minister from Syracuse, to fill the pulpit until a new pastor could be found. (The Church was closed during the month of August.) There is no record of the number of candidates who preached to the Manlius Church, but apparently when the Church heard Reverend Derwood L. Smith of Malone, New York, the Congregation had found its candidate of choice. On October 29, 1928, at a special meeting, the Congregation met to take some action in regard to calling Rev. Smith. Mr. Nightingale, Chairman of the Pulpit Committee, explained to the Congregation that Reverend Smith would have to give thirty days notice to his Congregation in Malone, and that his salary there was approximately $2000.00 per year. After a question and answer period, a motion was made, seconded and carried to call Reverend Smith. His salary was to be $2000.00 per year with parsonage, garage, vacation and $100.00 for moving expenses. Reverend Smith wrote the Congregation accepting the call. The letter is reproduced in the Appendix.
Reverend Smith began his pastorate in Manlius on December 9, 1928, one day before his 30th birthday. Reverend Smith and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) were received by letter from the Malone Baptist Church on December 20, 1928. The Church in Malone, New York, regretted the loss of the Smiths. He left their Church “in good condition financially and (with) a harmonious spirit pervading. His work with the young people had been a marked success.”
Reverend Derwood Lester Smith (our second pastor named Smith) was born in Ballston Spa, New York, on December 10, 1898. He graduated from High School at the Troy Conference Academy of Poultney, Vermont, and received his Bachelor of Theology Degree from, the Colgate Theological Seminary in 1925.
Reverend Smith, like Reverend Macpherson, was not the showman that Reverend Rand was. There was only one series of meetings led by an outside evangelist. These special services appeared to have lost their appeal for the Churches. Evening Services were now mainly shorter versions of the Morning Services. There were no more slide or movie shows or special series of topics.
The midweek Devotional Services continued (Prayer Meetings). Morning Services were at 10:30 followed by Sunday School at 12:00. the Senior Christian Endeavor Society was strong and active. (There was no mention of Junior Christian Endeavor Meetings in 1928.) The girls were active in the World Wide Guild (a successor to Worthwhile Girls). The women divided their time between the Ladies Aid Society and the Women’s Missionary Society, and the men joined the “Brotherhood” (long before the days of the Mafia.) The Trojan Class for older women,. the Baraca-0Philathea Class for men and women, (which met separately on Sunday, but together for social times,) the Round Table Class (whose students met around a round table), and the Busy Bees were some of the Sunday School Classes available in 1929. The men and women still met separately.
During Holy Week in 1919, the Protestant Churches of Manlius joined for special observances on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Communion) and Friday. On Easter Sunday the Christian Endeavor Society took charge of a Sunrise Prayer Service held at 7:15 in the Church auditorium. After the service breakfast was served. Sixty-five CE members were present.
Reverend Smith enjoyed acting and when the Baraca Class (men) of the Sunday School entertained the Philathea Class (women) at a business and social meeting, they presented a short play,” The District School.” Reverend Smith portrayed a red-headed school marm and the men from the class played the scholars, four girls and four boys. Not to be outdone, the Busy Bee Class of the Sunday School (young people) later presented a comedy, “The Voice of Authority,” to an audience of the Congregation and Towns People and raised over $45.00.
As usual the Children’s Day Exercises were a major highlight of the year and the children of the Onondaga Home (orphans) were again invited to attend and participate in the program. A collection was taken for the benefit of the Home.
The Daily Vacation Bible School originated with the Epiphany Baptist Church of New York City in July, 1898.
The newest development in Christian Education was the Vacation Bible School. The Fayetteville Protestant Churches were organizing their first for 1929 as were the Churches in Manlius. The teachers were trained at a Vacation Bible Training Institute in Oneida on June 28, 1929. The Vacation Bible School opened at the Baptist (classes for children) and Methodist (Kindergarten sessions) Churches on July 8, 1929, for a two week session with over 100 children regularly attending. The classes for older children involved lessons in crafts (chair caning, basket weaving, coping saw work, painting, soap modeling, paper cutting, etc.) The craft work was said to benefit the children in that it taught them to think for themselves and work out each problem as they came to it. “They instill in the minds of the pupil habits of building and improvement which hold them in good stead later in life.” In the study of the Bible every Protestant denomination was represented in the teachers’ group. It was carefully pointed out that the subjects selected for the children’s discussions were not contradictory or offensive to any denomination. It was not all work. There was supervised play on the church grounds, story-telling, flag salutes, music, drills, marches, etc. The children were kept all day and the younger children were served lunch.
In June the Church sent Reverend Smith on a two week trip to Denver, Colorado, to attend the yearly meeting of the Northern Baptist Convention. he gave an “excellent” report to a “large and appreciative” Congregation on Sunday, June 23, 1929, that “warmly greeted him” on his return.
Sometimes the advertisers used the names of local people in their front page ads in The Fayetteville Bulletin. In the August 22, 1929 edition, the ad involved Reverend Smith: “Speaking about beverages, the Reverend Derwood L. Smith, pastor of the local Baptist Church, when officiating at a funeral up in the north country got to a place in the service where he announced: `We will now pass the bier!’ Chairs and tables were overturned and several were trampled on in the rush of thirsty mourners.” The advertiser went on to extol the virtues of the need for pure water in plentiful supply which could be furnished in the home or barn with a Meyers electric automatic water pressure system from Couden’s Hardware in Manlius. There was no recorded comment on Reverend Smith’s reaction to the advertisement. It is not known if Reverend Smith was amused or offended.
On July 24, 1929, the Baptists and Methodists enjoyed their annual Union Sunday School Picnic at Scott Noose Park on Oneida Lake. Trucks were provided for those who needed transportation but most people now had their own cars. (People were advised to go by way of Minoa to avoid very poor roads elsewhere.) Picnicking, swimming, organized games and fellowship were to be the activities of the day. About 300 members and friends. attended.
The Church was closed for one month in August while Reverend Smith and his family were on vacation. All of the Church activities resumed in the fall. The Church marked the beginning of the Manlius Public School year by inviting the Faculty of the Manlius High School to a reception on September 17, 1929, in Loomis Hall (decorated with lamps, rugs, easy chairs and flowers for the occasion.) “A general good time” and games to get acquainted followed, after which ice cram and cake were served.
The week of October 8, 1929, was Convocation or Rally Week in the Church with a program each night given by various Church Societies, a Church School Supper on Friday night, culminating on October 13, 1929, with special services on Rally Sunday.
In the October 8, 1929, newspaper the headline read, “Methodist and Baptist Men in Joint Meeting.” The Methodist men were to be the guests of the Baptist Brotherhood in Loomis Hall. A feature of the evening was to be a volleyball contest between picked teams from each Brotherhood. (The week before the Baptists, handicapped with two members crippled physically and two crippled mentally- all in jest, of course- defeated the Methodist, who were anxious to wipe out the stain on their reputation.) Games of “water polo” (in which contestants with water on the brain played polo), checkers, and quoits were played, also.
In November, Reverend Smith began a series of Fireside Sermons in the Sunday Evening Services. “is Love blind?,” “Chips from the Old Block,” “Till Death Do Us Part,” and “Journey’s End” were among the subjects on which he preached. Every month, one Sunday evening was devoted to a Union Service with the Methodist Church. The Union services were found to be very satisfactory with capacity audiences.
The 132nd Annual Meeting was held on December 2, 1929. It was reported that t the $15,000.00 mortgage held by Mrs. Harris and her brother-in-law, F. H. Broadfield, had been reduced by them to $7500.00. It was customary to praise the Pastor at the Annual Meeting and Louise Davis made the comment that “the name Smith means work and the Church could not help but advance under his (Reverend Smith’s) leadership.” It was noted by Mrs. Hefti and Reverend Smith that June 1, 1930, would mark the end of the five year building fund campaign program. Mrs. Hefti hoped the Church could have a dinner and at that time unveil the tablet that was to designate the Social Hall as the Loomis Memorial Hall.
On December 10, 1929, the Brotherhood of the Church sponsored a Father and Son Banquet to which 70 men and boys attended. They were entertained by the Church orchestra and “appropriate” songs were sung. Alfred Smith (no relation to the famous Al Smith or to Rev. Smith) was President of the Society for 1929.
Christmas in 1929 was celebrated “as was the first Christmas” with a glorious outburst of song. On Sunday evening, December 21, 1929, the 20 member choir sang and Reverend Smith told the Baptists stories of some of the well known Christmas hymns. On Monday the Sunday School held its Christmas Program and on Christmas Eve the young people went carol singing.
An inter-denominational Pulpit Exchange was in its third year in the Syracuse area. On Sunday, January 26, 1930, Reverend Smith preached in the Lafayette Avenue Church and the Manlius Baptists heard Reverend John R. Woodcock, Pastor of the Genesee Street Church.
On June 12, 1930, Mrs. Hefti’s hopes were fulfilled when a Fellowship Banquet was enjoyed by the Congregation in Loomis Hall. Five years after the laying of the cornerstone, a tablet was installed in memory of the Loomis Family, who had done so much for the Church for many years. The Treasurer reported that $90,000.00 had been paid to the Building Fund during the five years and that there was only a small debt left. (A newspaper account of the ceremony is reproduced in the Appendix.)
On September 25-26, 1930, the 105th session of the Onondaga Association of Baptist Churches met in the Manlius Baptist Church. The Church was proud to show the Association its new building. Mrs. Hefti described the meetings as “unusually good” and stated that our Church “responded in every way” to make the meeting a success. The Ladies Aid served all the meals and earned over $100.00 for their projects.
Radio was becoming an important means of disseminating information and entertaining its listeners. Reverend Smith was an enthusiastic participant in radio broadcasts of religious material. On November 6, 1930, he was in charge of a devotional broadcast from WSYR.
At the Annual Business Meeting on December 8, 1930, the Treasurer noted that while the mortgage had been paid, $6859.00 in pledges for the new Church remained outstanding. Some of them were probably never paid for the “Great Depression” hit the country in 1929 . Many people in Manlius were affected as well.
Jessie Hefti, Church Clerk, in her Annual Report to the Onondaga Baptist Association for the 1931-1932 Associational Year mentioned the hard times. She wrote “although we hear the word `Depression’ on every side, it has no place in our Church. The work has been carried on with gratifying results. The Church is in good condition financially.”
In January, 1931, one hundred Bibles were placed in the pews of the Church. On Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931, the Choir appeared for the first time as a vested Choir.
Sports were a very important factor in the Baptist Youth Program, made possible in part by the building of Loomis Hall. In March of 1931 the Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Catholic Churches got together for a Basketball Tournament. The admission to the games was ten cents per person. The outcome of the League play was not available. The games were played in the Methodist and Baptist Church gyms.
In 1931 the Protestant Churches were h olding monthly Sunday Evening Union Services. In May 1931 the Baraca-Philathea Chasses cooperated with the Manlius Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to beautify the Village of Manlius with attractive flower gardens. A plant and food sale was held on May 16, 1931, where plants were placed on sale at reasonable prices.
On May 28, 1931, the Masons met in the old Baptist Church on Seneca Street for their annual meeting and supper. On June 15, 1931, the 50th Semi-Annual Meeting of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Onondaga Baptist Association was hosted by the Manlius Baptist Women.
In 1931 it was still proper for public high schools to sponsor Baccalaureate Services for graduating classes and on June 21, 1931, Reverend Smith delivered the sermon to the Manlius High School graduating class and their parents and friends in the Manlius Baptist Church. On July 17, 1931, the first wedding in the new Baptist Church occurred when Leora Van Brocklin and Harold Wright were married by Reverend Smith. The wedding supper was served in Loomis Hall.
In July 1931 the Manlius Baptists held their third Vacation Bible School. It was said to have been the most successful so far with over 100 children enrolled. It is not clear if it was sponsored by all of the Protestant Churches or just the Baptist Church, but, of course, all children were welcome. July 24, 1931, was the day set for the annual Union Sunday School Picnic at Scott Noose Park, now attended only by Baptists and Methodists. About 225 people sat down to the picnic dinner, but an unexpected rainstorm dampened the afternoon activities.
September 27, 1931, was Rally Day at the Baptist Sunday School. A special program featured songs and recitations by the students, music by the Church orchestra, and remarks by Pastor Smith.
In 1931 the old church building on Seneca Street still belonged to the Baptists. The Masons in Manlius had been interested but apparently could not raise the money needed. The Manlius Chamber of Commerce and the Library Board were investigating the possible rental of the old church for a library. William H. Nightingale speaking for the Church told the Chamber that the Church would be willing to make several improvements to the old church building: i.e., two coats of paint, a lowered ceiling in the main room and adequate heating and toilet facilities. The library would only be charged a nominal rent, enough to defray the expense of the improvements and fixed charges such as fire insurance, etc. Nothing further was reported concerning the Chamber’s response.
In the November 11, 1931, issue of The Weekly Recorder, it was reported that the Manlius Baptist Church won second prize of $15 in a contest in which judges from “The Baptist,” the denominational paper of the Northern Baptist Convention, picked the most attractive Baptist Church in communities of less than 2000 population. First prize went to the First Baptist Church of Groton, New York. The contest was created to quicken interest in the beautification of small town churches.
The effects of the Depression were now being felt by many people in small villages like Fayetteville and Manlius. Apparently the people in small towns and villages had to help themselves. In Manlius, Mayor Nightingale, in 1931 appointed a Committee to raise money for the distressed and unemployed in the village. They were also to direct the collection of clothing, food and fuel and to assume charge of its disposition. The Committee met every Sunday afternoon in the Baptist Church. One of the early projects was to sponsor a benefit performance in the local Seville Theater.
On March 24, 1932, H. E. Ransier, from the Manlius Baptist Church, gave one of his illustrated Travel Talks to the community in the high school auditorium. Attendees were asked to make a donation to the Welfare Committee for funds to aid families in need. Reverend Smith took part in the appeal. The Committee had helped over 40 families whose heads were still unemployed or working only part time.
The summer of 1932 was made complete with the annual Vacation Bible School, running for eight days with enrollment of 125 children, and the Union Sunday School picnic held July 29, 1932, as usual, at Scott Noose Park on Lake Oneida with transportation in trucks and cars. The Church was closed, as usual, for the month of August. Reverend Smith and his family enjoyed their vacation.
In the fall of 1932, the Manlius Library had apparently decided against the Baptist offer to use their old church. The American Legion became interested and at a special meeting voted to acquire the old church as a permanent club-house. They intended using the Sunday School rooms as the actual club room and the main hall for meeting, dances, parties and large assemblies.
Earlier we reported on Reverend Smith’s name being used in an advertisement for beer. In the September 8, 1932, Fayetteville Bulletin the readers were told, “Next time you go by the Manlius Baptist Church take particular notice of the white paint on it. We want you to notice that this paint is just as glossy as glass and as white as the driven snow..... This paint was furnished by Paint Headquarters, which is Couden’s Hardware, Manlius....”
In the Fayetteville Bulletin for September 29, 1932, it was reported that “Legion Closes Deal for Clubhouse” and that the lease was already signed. The Baptist Church Trustees were relieved, but only for a short time. The Legionaires did accomplish the renovation of the kitchen and the lavatories, rewired the building and installed a new furnace. The Legion offered to make the rooms available for community affairs at very reasonable rates.
The Curb Market run by the Ladies Aid Society seems to have been replaced by a “Harvest Supper,” which was served every year as a major source of money for their causes. The 1932 dinner was held on October 11.
In November of 1932 the Presbyterian Church Body in Manlius dissolved as ordered by the Syracuse Presbytery. The 117-year old Congregation passed into oblivion. “Unable to support the expenses of an active existence, the old church has been dormant since last spring.” This was a sad time for the Manlius Baptists. The two Congregations had always worked closely together, at times joining together for Sunday Evening Services, Prayer Meetings, youth meetings and picnics. The possibility that the “magnificent old colonial building may be destroyed has spread consternation in the village.” There was also concern about the “fine old clock in the steeple tower which has served for many years as the village criterion of the passing of time (although on occasion it has been known to disagree with itself on its several faces.)” While the Presbyterian Church was lost to Manlius, the Baptist Church remained strong and on December 7, 1932, celebrated it 135th anniversary with special services and events.
On Sunday morning, December 4, 1932, the Reverend John W. Smith DD, Secretary of the New York Baptist Convention, was the guest preacher. In the evening the Reverend Derwood Smith preached his fourth Annual Anniversary Sermon. On Monday, December 5, 1932, the Church members gathered in Loomis Memorial Hall for its 135th annual business meeting. Reports were read and the 99 present responded to a Roll Call of Members. Many out-of-town members responded with letters of well wishes. Reverend Rand came back from Albany to give the major address of the evening. “His talk proved very interesting and brought back memories of his previous service here. Then were letters read from former Pastors E. E. Ford, C. J. Barton, E. H. Conrad, D. J. Bloxham and J. Macpherson commemorating the occasion.” The letters apparently were not saved.
The year 1933 was, as usual, a busy time for the Church. The Manlius Baptist Church held its fifth annual Vacation Bible School with Reverend Smith in charge, assisted by 18 teachers and helpers for two weeks in july. There were 110 children from all local churches registered. Reverend and Mrs. Derwood L. Smith entertained a group of friends at the parsonage on July 4, 1933. Among the guests were Reverend and Mrs. Lawrence A. Wheaton and family and children of Oneida ( Reverend Wheaton was to be our next pastor after Rev. Smith in 1938.) The Summer Baptist and Methodist Sunday School Picnic was held locally this time in Green Lakes Park on August 23, 1933, Wednesday afternoon and evening. The dinner was held this year in the evening, which meant working adults could participate.
One of the major events of 1933 took place at the Annual Meeting of the Church on December 4th. Reports were read, new officers selected, and the treasurer, Mr. George Reeves, announced that through the generous gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Broadfield and Mrs. Y. R. Harris, the mortgage on the new church had been paid, leaving the Church free from debt. Following the business session, Pastor Reverend Derwood L. Smith presided over the program in recognition of the generous donors. The mortgage was burned and the people sang the Doxology and a prayer of thanksgiving was offered. William Nightingale delivered a brief history of the building of the new church, speaking in behalf of the men. Mrs. H. E. Ransier spoke for the women of the character and friendship of the three donors. Leslie Burt spoke for the youth. He acknowledged the great debt the youth owed those who made the new church possible. The Pastor spoke of the privilege that had been his for the past five years of working in such a beautiful church with people whose faith in the future was so far reaching.
In the Fall Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ransier took over the reorganized Junior Christian Endeavor (now called the Junior League) and conducted the meetings every Sunday afternoon. Their Christmas program featured children bringing gifts, not for each other but for the children of the Bethany Sunday School in Syracuse. There were dolls, toys and games of every kind in perfect condition from over 50 children.
In May of 1934 Reverend and Mrs. Derwood L Smith, Charles Bowman, Florence Burt, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hale and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fillmore attended the Northern Convention in Rochester, New York. July 9, 1934, was opening day for the Sixth Annual Vacation Church School. In August the Church was closed as usual and the pastor took his vacation.
On Sunday, December 9, 1934, the Church commemorated the end of Pastor Smith’s sixth year as pastor. He was said to have served his Church well, that his sermons were always spiritual and showed careful preparation and study. He was also to celebrate his 36th birthday the next day and the Church presented him with 36 beautiful roses. He responded with the information that during those six years he had made 550 house call, conducted 50 funerals, 35 weddings, and baptized 65 people (12 more joined by letter). At the December 10, 1934, annual meeting, Clerk Jessie Hefti presented her history of the Church for the record. The reports showed the Church free of all debts.
In early 1935 the topic for discussion in the Village of Manlius was the fate of the Presbyterian Church property. The Village Board scheduled a poll of the taxpayers for February 5, 1935, to ascertain whether or not the village should buy the property for use as the site for a firehouse, village hall or library. There was no more talk of the loss of an historic old building which would later be razed to build the Municipal Building. The Eagle Bulletin urged everyone eligible to vote “yes” for the proposition with no reservations and apprehensions for the welfare of the community after doing so. The vote on February 5, 1935, was 51 for and 22 against.
Children’s Day was celebrated on June 9, 1935, with a group from the Onondaga Orphans’ Home assisting. The Baptists and Methodists joined forces again on July 29, 1935, for the annual Church Picnic, this year back at Scott Noose Park on Oneida Lake. The Seventh Annual Vacation Bible School was held at the Church from July 8-19 with a closing picnic on July 20th. The enrollment was 110 children. The Church was closed for the Pastor’s vacation again in the month of August.
In September of 1935, the Church was saddened by the death of Frank B. Fillmore. He was born 81 years earlier on the farm on which he died. He and Mrs. Fillmore left the Fayetteville Baptist Church when it joined with the Presbyterian Church. He had been a Deacon of the Manlius Church since 1919. In an impressive and moving service on November 23, 1935, Harry Fillmore, the son of Frank, was installed as Deacon to take his father’s place.
In the Fall of 1935 Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ransier took charge of the Children’s Hour, later known as Junior Church. The children of the Congregation were allowed to leave the regular Church service following the Pastor’s Children’s Sermon to meet with the Ransiers where Biblical instruction by means of Pictures, stories, and songs was given and many valuable lessens were learned.
Rally Day in 1935 was planned for September 29th. Mrs. Derwood L. Smith was the director of the program. Parts in the program were taken by the Pastor, members of the Church School with music furnished by the Junior Choir.
In October 1935 the Baptist notes, as printed in The Fayetteville Bulletin, indicated that the Third Annual School of Missions would begin and continue for six consecutive Thursday evenings. Each evening a covered dish supper was followed by a devotional period and mission study. (Although this was the third annual school, there was nothing in the records available that indicate two previous schools.) Mrs. Derwood Smith and Mrs. Thomas Cleveland had charge of the Mission Study Books for the adult and young people’s classes. Attendance was nearly 100 at each meeting.
In 1935 the Church seemed to have largely abandoned the Sunday Evening Services. On October 24, 1935, it was announced that the Church was inaugurating a special Sunday Evening Service once a month, the first to be a Candle Light Communion Service.
On October 22, 1935, Miss Sarah H. White died at the age of 83. She was the oldest member of the Manlius Baptist Church. A small headline in the November 20, 1935, Fayetteville Bulletin read, “Manlius Church is Willed large Sum.” Miss White bequeathed $500.00 to the Manlius Baptist Church, $200.00 to the Oran Church and $5.00 to the Pompey Center Cemetery.
In a November 14, 1935, Church Meeting some members voiced a concern for elderly people who might want to join the Church but were physically unable to be baptized into full membership. It was proposed that they would be considered under the watchcare of the Church, but not members of the Church. On January 9, 1936, Mary Smith was voted to be accepted under the watchcare of the Church.
The 138th Annual Meeting was held on December 2, 1935. (In early days the meeting was held on December 8th to commemorate the beginning of the Church on December 8, 1797, regardless of the day of the week. In the 1900s the Church began to meet on the Monday after the first Sunday in December.) Everyone coming to the Annual Meeting was asked to bring a penny for each year of his age as a building offering. the gifts would be used to purchase a name plate for the outside of the building. $228.08 was collected.
To close the year 1935, the Manlius Baptist Church planned a watch night celebration for Tuesday night, December 31st beginning at 8:30 P. M. and lasting until midnight. The events opened with a program of music and drama provided by the young people. the Round Table Class presented “The Coming of Light,” a drama commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Miles Coverdale Bible. There were games to play, refreshments and at 11:30 Reverend Derwood Smith spoke on “A Spirited New Year” at the devotional service in the chapel (now the library).
The yer 1936 was a relatively quiet year with no new events planned. All of the Church organizations, i.e. Christian Endeavors, Baracas, Philatheas, World Wide Guild, Round Table Class, Ladies Aid, missionary Society, were active and meeting. There were Senior Choirs and a Junior Choir, Junior Church and Prayer Meetings. The Sunday Evening Service was mostly defunct and seemed to be the major casualty of the Church program. In retrospect it appears that Reverend Smith was winding down his leadership of the the Church.
Special Evangelistic meetings, although not as prevalent as they once had been, were being held occasionally and a series of six meetings with out-of-town speakers was held prior to Easter of 1936. “These meetings were well attended and a spiritual help to the Church.”
In 1936 our Church became a Forward Fund Church, which meant we had over subscribed our quota for mission-giving. In 1935-36 our quota was $1100.00. The Church gave $1300.00.
In the summer of 1936 the Church decided to put into effect the Unified Church Service and Sunday School Plan of the Baptists. It would start on Children’s Day, June 14th, and continue to Rally Day in September with the Church closed as usual in August. There was to be a combination of worship and study by the adults and the children. The sermon and the Sunday School lesson would be based on the same subject and material. The worship service was to start at 10:30. The children were to be dismissed for Junior Church after the Children’s Story at 11:00. Preaching would be for one half hour. At 11:30 the Congregation would proceed directly to their Sunday School classes for the study of the lesson. All classes would be dismissed at 12:15. (The usual schedule was 10:30-12:00 Church, 12:00-1:00, Sunday School.) The Eighth Annual Vacation Bible School was held in July and was, as always, very successful with 132 children enrolled in the program.
The Annual Union Sunday School Picnic with the Methodist was held on July 29, 1936, at Scott Noose Park. Trucks with fitted seats were provided for those without means of transportation.
In August Reverend and Mrs. Derwood Smith and daughter Ruth (and Mrs. Jessie Hefti) left by motor for Washington D. C. for a sightseeing trip of three weeks. the remainder of their vacation was spent at Lake George.
The beginning of the Fall Church Season was celebrated with Home Coming day on Sunday, September 27, 1936. Mrs. Charles Stark was a member of the Program Committee in charge. Although there was a member of the Program Committee in charge. Although there was no attempt a reviving the Sunday Evening Services, the Church planned for monthly Vesper Services to be held at 5:30. This would be a special music service with a short sermon by the Pastor.
On Tuesday, November 10, 1936, the Ladies Aid served their annual Harvest Supper to the public. It was advertised that the ladies had made their price so very reasonable that all can afford to attend. “Everyone is invited.”
On Tuesday, November 17, 1936, the Men’s Council (a new name for the men’s organization) met at the home of Harry Fillmore. The speaker was Reverend Lawrence Wheaton, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Oneida. Reverend Wheaton (our next pastor) was becoming well acquainted with many members of the Manlius Church.
In an unusual move Reverend Smith arranged a “beautiful” service for Christmas Day, December 25, 1936, at 6:00 P.M. in the church auditorium to which the entire community was invited. The object of the service on Christmas Day was to exemplify the real spirit of Christmas, that of seeking new blessings and power from the radiance of the Christ Child message, “Glory to God in the Highest, on Earth Peace, Good Will towards Men.”
The Church year of 1937 was a typical year to expect under the leadership of Rev. Derwood L. Smith. In general all of the Church programs that had worked well for several years were continued. The two week daily Vacation Bible School was in its ninth year with Reverend Smith still the general superintendent. There were 35 teachers and 135 children taking part. The annual Union Sunday School picnic with the Methodists was held on July 29 in Madison Lake, said to be an admirable place for bathing with an excellent beach. In the fall Reverend Smith organized a Boy’s Chub for boys 11 years and up. The girls had enjoyed their own organizations for years (World Wide Guild) and now the young men had one of their own.
On Sunday, December 5, 1937, Reverend Smith read his resignation to the Congregation. He announced that he had felt called to a larger field and accepted the call to the First Baptist Church of Vineland, New Jersey. The Annual Meeting was held on December 6, 1937. A motion was made, seconded and carried at that meeting to accept Reverend Smith’s resignation with regret. Reverend Smith replied to the acceptance with “words of comfort and encouragement to us all.”
The Junior Church was still going strong. In their report to the Annual Meeting the group represented by one of its members, Norma J. Richburg, mentioned that the Junior Church was in it third year and that the average attendance was 45. The group took part in the School of Missions and gave $45.00 to the Church. She invited “you older folks to come upstairs and visit our Junior church when you get tired of sitting through the preaching service down stairs and we will give you an interesting program.” The group had a new picture machine that “we are all enjoying” and wanted to share with the adults.
One of the last duties of Reverend Smith as pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church was to baptize his daughter, Ruth Frances Smith, along with ten other people on December 26, 1937. On Sunday evening, January 9, 1938, Reverend Smith preached his farewell sermon. It was a special union service and all of the Baptist Choirs sang. “Many voiced regrets at their leaving and yet all wished them success in their new field of labor.”
At a Prayer Meeting February 4, 1938, the Church voted to grant letters to Reverend Smith, Mrs. Smith and their daughter Ruth from the Church to unite with the First Baptist Church of Vineland, New Jersey. The Smiths left on January 12, 1938, for their new home in New Jersey. (On January 24, 1938, Reverend Smith rushed back to Manlius to officiate at the funeral of Mrs. Gertrude Ferguson who died suddenly.)
After Reverend Derwood Smith preached his farewell sermon on January 9, 1938, a Pulpit Committee (Mr. Leslie Burt, Mr. William Nightingale and Mr. Harry Fillmore) was chosen to secure new leadership for the Church. Some or all of these men had opportunities to meet Reverend Wheaton in his visits to Manlius and made up their minds quickly to present him to the Church as their candidate. Reverend Wheaton was invited to preach to the Manlius Congregation on January 23, 1938. A special Church Meeting was called after the morning service to hear the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee. Mr. Leslie Burt was elected chairman. He explained the purpose of the meeting and then asked the members of the Committee to give their versions of the character and abilities of Reverend Wheaton. Mr. Nightingale, Mr. Burt and Mr. Fillmore gave very favorable reports of their visit to the Oneida Baptist Church. Mrs. Ransier, although not on the Committee, knew Reverend Wheaton and spoke of the wonderful way in which he carried on his work. She also told of the abilities of Mrs. Wheaton. A motion was made by Mrs. Ransier, seconded by Mr. Randall that the Church accept the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee and extend a call to Reverend Wheaton. The call was made unanimous “upon a vote of uplifted hands.” Reverend Delos A. Abrams was hired for $120.00 to preach for six Sundays during the interim.
The Reverend Lawrence Albert Wheaton was born on December 31, 1896, in North Eaton, Massachusetts. He graduated from the Springfield, Massachusetts High School in 1915. After working three years as a public accountant, he entered the Coastal Artillery Corps, Co. A, 61st Ammunition Train, Boston, Mass. After leaving the Army he served as chief clerk of the Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. He then entered the Colgate Theological Seminary. In his Junior year at Colgate he was given Phi Beta Kappa honors. He received the degree of Bachelor of Theology in 1923 and on July 3, 1923, was ordained to the ministry from the Park Memorial Baptist Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. During his senior year at Colgate, he gained practical experience by serving as Pastor for the Madison Baptist Church in Madison, New York. He received a M.A. degree from the Seminary in 1924, and in 1925 he was called to the Pastorate of the Hoosick Falls Baptist Church. During his Pastorate there the Church acquired a new parsonage, built an educational plant and installed a new organ. From Hoosick Falls he went to Oneida, New York, where he served the Baptist Church until 1938. The Church in Oneida reported that Reverend Wheaton had led in outstanding achievements, materially and spiritually. Mrs. Louise Wheaton was a graduate of Normal School and taught commercial subjects for several years. The Wheatons had two children, Hazel Janet and Howard Harvey.
On January 30, 1938, during the Sunday Morning Service, a letter was read in which Reverend Wheaton accepted the call from the Manlius Baptist Church. We do not have a copy of this acceptance letter, but on February 28, 1938, he sent another message to the Congregation. He wrote, in part: “You have been gracious to call me to the Pastorate of your Church. I thank you for your thought of me and desire your prayers that our fellowship together may be for the spiritual enrichment of many lives. The Lenten and Easter seasons are times of great worth in the life of every Church and we should make an effort this year to gather of their goodness. Be sure that whatever a brother’s fellowship, a friend’s comradeship, and a Pastor’ sincere devotion can do, I shall seek to enrich your life and enlarge your field of Christian Service.”
Reverend Wheaton began his Pastorate on March 11, 1938. On Sunday, March 14, 1938, a large Congregation greeted the new Pastor and his family. Reverend Lawrence A. Wheaton, Mrs. Louise Wheaton and their daughter Hazel Janet, were received into Church membership. (Their son Howard Harvey was too young for Church membership.)
On Tuesday, March 16, 1938, a special program of addresses, greetings and special music was presented in honor of the Wheatons in the Church Sanctuary after which twenty young people of the Round Table Class served ice cream and cake to 250 members and guests in Loomis Hall. The Manlius Thrift News described the reception as “one of the most successful events of its kind ever held in Manlius, and the most largely attended of any held in the Baptist Church.” The Reception Committee members were Mrs. H. E. Ransier, Chairman, Mr. Harry J. Fillmore, Mrs. Thomas Cleveland, and Mr. William Nightingale.
While Reverend Smith’s Pastorate was a time of consolidation and relatively few changes after the tremendous effort made in building the new church, it was during the Pastorate of Reverend Wheaton that the major transitions from the old Church organization to the new Church that we know today were made. During Reverend Wheaton’s Pastorate the Church was to have its first Constitution and By-Laws. The Diaconate was opened up to women, and the members were elected for three year terms instead of for life.
We are fortunate to have nine of his Bulletins in the Archives, 8 for the spring of 1938 and one for February 1, 1942.
For the Sunday Service on March 20, 1938, Reverend Wheaton prepared his first weekly bulletin for the Congregation. It was entitled simply “The Manlius Baptist Church Bulletin” and contained the usual information concerning the morning service and news of coming events. There was no Church secretary at the time and Reverend Wheaton (or perhaps Mrs. Wheaton) typed the Bulletins and mimeographed copies of them for the Congregation. In the first Bulletins it was mentioned that Reverend Wheaton was to attend a meeting on a Model Church Constitution in Syracuse and that the Philathea-Baraca, the Loyal Followers and Mrs. Perry’s Sunday School Classes were to have social meetings in March of 1938.
On March 29, 1938, an interesting and unusual meeting of the Deacons and Trustees was called by Reverend Wheaton. The two groups met at the Parsonage and their wives were also invited to meet separately with Mrs. Wheaton. The Deacons and Trustees organized themselves into an Official Board to keep an oversight of all Committees of the Church, and appointed three Committees to accomplish specific tasks:
In the April 3, 1938, Bulletin there was important news from the Ladies Aid Society. They announced their officers and circle leaders for the next year. Ladies Aid meetings were mostly for working on projects. The ladies sold produce in the fall, made quilts and handiwork for sale and cooked and served suppers. They were very effective in raising money for special Church projects (especially for remodeling the old church and building the new church.) When the Missionary Society and later the Baptist Women’s Fellowship divided their groups into circles, they gave them names in memory of ladies who had unselfishly served the Church; later names of outstanding (and upstanding) women of the Bible. The Ladies Aid Group named their circles W, O, R, K, and in 1938 they were led by Mrs. Towne, Mrs. Everingham, Mrs. Goodfellow and Mrs. Fowler.
On April 12, 1938, the Women’s Missionary Society held a supper in commemoration of its 60th anniversary of promoting interest in Missions. The Society left minutes of their meetings from 1918- 1927 and 1940-1951. A typical meeting included prayer, the singing of hymns, a study of one or more of the missionary fields, sometimes a skit or a short play, special music and “delicious” refreshments. Occasionally there would be an all day meeting and the women would do White Cross work or make garments for the children in the Onondaga Children’s Home. (In 1924 the women furnished a room in the Home.) There were membership lists given for only a few of the total years the group was in existence. (In 1920 there were 31 active ladies; in 1924 there were 40.) Most of the women were also members of the Ladies Aid Society. (There was a hint of changing life styles when in 1937 the Women’s Missionary Society decided to try having evening meetings in the future. Evidently more women were working and not able to meet during the day.)
On Good Friday, April 15, 1938, the Community Chorus presented a Cantata, “The Crucifixion” by John Stainer, in the Baptist Church. A series of Union Lenten Services preceded Easter. On Easter Morning the Baptist Youth, led by Sid Mawson, arranged for a Sunrise Service at the church and served a breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, donuts, and coffee (all for 20 cents) to those who attended.
The Membership Committee of the Church was active in preparing an accurate list of the members. From April 1938 to the end of the year, 27 people were removed from the Church roll with the permission of the people affected. The Rules Committee prepared a Constitution and By-Laws which were to be presented to the December 3, 1938, annual meeting for approval of the Congregation.
On Sunday morning, April 24, 1938, Reverend Wheaton arranged for the Church a “beautiful service” to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the building of the Manlius Baptist Church. The theme was “The Gate of Heaven.” The hymns were the same as sung ten years previously.
The Baptist College Course (School of Missions), organized by the Christian Education Committee, was convened on April 28, 1938, and continued for five additional weekly sessions. The evenings began with a fellowship supper (of the usual covered dish variety.) There were four study sessions:
This educational program was continued for every year of Reverend Wheaton’s Pastorate.
In the May 1, 1938 Mother’s Day Bulletin, Reverend Wheaton inserted an appreciation of the work Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ransier were doing for the Church:
“This Church is very grateful for having in her fellowship, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ransier, pilots and god-parents of the Junior Church. For many years Mr. Ransier has been an able leader and teacher of our youth. We like to claim Mrs. Ransier as our own missionary-at-large as she visits many Churches and groups to relate her experiences and to show the remarkable pictures which she and Mr. Ransier have taken and prepared for showing.
They close the third year as leaders of the Junior Church the last of this month. We have rejoiced to see this group grow under their watch and care. We appreciate this splendid contribution to our work. We hope the Ransiers will be able and happy to continue this work in the fall.
Mrs. Ransier is the President of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Onondaga Baptist Association. We are happy to compliment her on her recent election in Buffalo to the office of Western Promotional Vice-President of the Woman’s Baptist Mission Society of the State of New York.”
In the summer the ninth annual Vacation Bible School was convened with Reverend Lawrence A. Wheaton taking Rev. Smith’s place as general supervisor. He was aided by the new Christian Education Committee. The School in 1938 averaged 120 children daily and ended with a parade and a picnic on the last Friday and a public exhibition and exercise the following Sunday Evening. The Vacation Bible School was continued for every year of Reverend Wheaton’s Pastorate.
In the Fall Reverend Wheaton announced to the Congregation that on Sunday, September 11, 1938, the church bell would not be rung and that the young women would have to serve as ushers. He wanted all of the men to attend the Laymen’s Conference to be held on the Colgate Campus from Saturday, September 10, to Sunday, September 11, 1938.
The Official Board was invited to meet at the Summer Home of Reverend and Mrs. Wheaton at Friendship Corner in Vernon Center on September 14, 1938. They enjoyed a basket supper and made plans for the fall and winter Church programs.
In September 1938 Reverend Wheaton started a new Men’s Sunday School Class. The men were advised that they could reach the classroom (the Church Parlors) without going through the auditorium by using the Pleasant St. entrance. Dennison Richburg was elected President. They named themselves “Everyman’s Baraca Class.”
On October 19, 1938, the Ladies of the Church served a chicken pie supper. Family tickets were sold for $1.00 , which would admit both parents and all of their children under 12 years of age. (Individual tickets were 35 cents.) The Deacons were planning their annual visitation of the membership with Mr. William H. Nightingale in charge of the calling lists. The home visitors were to leave special invitations to a Church social to be held at the church from, 7:30-9:30 on Saturday Evening, October 29, 1938. A “grand good time” was promised with games, programs and refreshments.
Deacons already elected for life would be allowed to maintain their status. William Nightingale was made an honorary Deacon emeritus.
The Official Board met on Monday Evening, November 21, 1938, and appointed a Nominating Committee to report on a slate of officers at the annual meeting. With the help of Reverend Saunders of the Baptist Missionary Convention, the proposed Constitution was examined and found ready for a one-year trial by the Church. At the 141st Annual Meeting on December 5, 1938, new officers were elected. Mr. George Reeves was recognized for serving 21 years as Church Treasurer, and William Nightingale for 20 years as Sunday School Teacher, 40 years as a Deacon, and 45 years as a choir member, besides holding many other important offices in the church. The Moderator explained the new Constitution and Bylaws and the Church voted its acceptance, qualified by specifying a one year trial. Several changes had to be made right away, the most revolutionary of which was to the Office of Deacon. Prior to the new Bylaws and according to the custom which was prevalent in most Baptist churches, Deacons were men and elected for life. There was no indication that they had acted as a Board before (no minutes, no reports, no reported chairman, no referrals, no pronouncements, etc.) Now under the new scheme of things, Deacons would be elected for set terms. They would also be expected to meet regularly and make annual reports to the Church. An even greater change, and one that would not have been possible 100 years previously, was the establishment of the office of Deaconess and the election of six women to fill that office. For a few years the Board would consist of six men and six women, assuring that men and women would be always equally represented on the Board.
In the new Bylaws there was no distinction between the duties of Deacons and Deaconesses. The Bylaws read, “They shall advise and cooperate with the Pastor in the spiritual activities of the Church and shall assist in the administration of the ordinances.” In practice, however, it would be many years before Deaconesses would be allowed to serve Communion.
The first Deaconesses were:
The Deacons were:
* Denotes Lifetime Deacons
Another major change was the establishment of a revised Official Board, which was to consist of the Pastor (as Moderator), Deacons and Deaconesses, Trustees, Church Officers and Heads of Committees and Organizations. Their duty was to have general advisory oversight of all matters pertaining to the life of the Church. At this time Christian Education and Missionary activities were taken care of by Committees. Therefore, only the Chairmen of these Committees were part of the Official Board.
The relative independence of the Sunday School with its own constitution and control over its curriculum and finances was normal for Baptist Sunday Schools in the early 1900s. Later, Churches elected Boards of Christian Education which operated through the Sunday School Superintendent a Sunday School as part of a wide program of education for the Church. (The Manlius Church elected its first Board of Christian Education in 1956.) See The Third Fifty Years, The New York State Convention 1907-1957 by Glen Blackmer Ewell (specifically the Christian Education Story 1907-1957 by the Reverend Albert W. Sheckells.).
The Sunday School was a separate organization known as the Manlius Baptist Church School. The School elected its own officers (except for the Superintendent who was nominated by the Church School and elected by the Church at the annual meeting) and was governed by its own constitution and by a Church School Council consisting of all of the officers and teachers of the School. Classes of the Sunday School were allowed to organize with a name and officers, subject to the approval of the Council. Presidents of these classes were allowed to sit with the General Superintendent on the Official Board of the Church.
Pastor Macpherson had suggested that the Church needed new name. The old “The Baptist Church and Society in Pompey and Manlius” was cumbersome, out of date, and seldom used except in writing minutes of the annual meetings. In the new Constitution the name was changed to The Baptist Church of Manlius. This was not a legal change, however, and in all legal papers the older name was required to be used.
In 1958 the name was changed legally to “The First Baptist Church of Manlius.”
In late 1938 the Methodists and the Baptists planned for a joint Evangelistic Campaign beginning on January 30, 1939, and running for three weeks. The leaders were to be Reverend and Mrs. Virgil P. Brock (“The Musical Brocks”), who were at that time leading the singing and doing children’s work in the Elmwood Presbyterian Church in Syracuse. The campaign was thoroughly planned with special committees and a special chorus. There was no report given on the number of converts gained by either Church.
On February 2, 1939, the women of the Church were organized into three different groups or circles under the direction of the Board of Deaconesses. They chose to name the circles after women who had been outstanding leaders in the church, i.e., Louise Davis (still alive at about 83 years of age), Mary Broadfield, and Mary Woodworth. The Deaconesses sponsored three luncheon meetings to promote the new fellowships and by the 1939 annual meeting each group had met five times. The Ladies Aid group continued its activities as did the Women’s Missionary Society, which met for monthly meetings.
In March 1939 Reverend Wheaton was invited to conduct a Preaching Mission in the Chittenango Baptist Church, beginning on Sunday Evening March 19 and continuing through Sunday, March 26 (with the exception of Saturday, March 25.) This joint venture with the Chittenango Baptist and Methodist Churches cooperating. The Manlius mid-week service was held with the Baptists in Chittenango.
On Sunday, June 11, 1939, there was a Special Evening Service. Children from the Onondaga Orphan’s Home were guests of the Church and participated in special exercises. This had been an annual event for many years.
In the summer of 1939 from July 30- August 5 the Round Table Sunday School Class enjoyed a delightful vacation on DeRuyter Lake. Reverend and Mrs. Derwood Smith and daughter Ruth of Vineland, N.J., were guests for dinner on Friday, August 4. The class motored to Lake George on Saturday, August 5, and stayed overnight there as guests of the Smiths. The Church was closed for Sunday Services from August 7- September 3, 1939, while Pastor Wheaton and his family took their vacation.
In 1939 President Roosevelt, with his New Deal legislation being enacted by Congress, was still making revolutionary changes in the lives of people and one of the most recent was the introduction of the Social Security Act. The Trustees were upset, and, in one of the rare instances where a Church Board would be concerned enough to write letters to Washington, a motion was made and carried to send a message to our Senators and Congressman, and to Robert D. Daughton, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, asking them to oppose the Social Security Act and to exempt religious bodies from taxation for old age pensions, and for unemployment compensation. Needless to say, their plea was not successful. (The New York State Baptist Convention in recognizing the problems of the aging supported Social Security.)
In 1939 The Diaconate Board reported a revision of the Church Covenant. The Church has a copy of the previous Covenant which was published as part of a pamphlet previously given to new members of the Church during Reverend T. Byron Caldwell’s pastorate and of the new Covenant which was published in Fellowship, A Year Book of the Manlius Baptist Church (mimeographed at the parsonage as a token to bear Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to the Fellowship, which is the Church) and given to the members in the 1941 Christmas season. Both versions are printed in the appendix. One of the major changes was that the new version leaves out the admonition against tattling, back-biting and excessive anger and abstention from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage.
At the annual meeting of the Church on December 4, 1939, the Constitution and Bylaws, by then in effect for one year, were accepted. There were no dissenting votes.
On Sunday, December, 31, 1939, during the Church Service, the Deacons presented Reverend Wheaton with a bouquet of rose buds. At the close of the official Board Meeting on Sunday Evening, the members brought out a birthday cake with a full complement of lighted candles (43).
In March of 1940 the new Evangelistic Committee campaigned for the Renewal of the Covenant. They got 128 of 268 members to sign the Covenant. The Committee stated that “in carrying our the campaign it looked up to God to see what to do, out to see
what was needed to be done and in to the heart to see what was the matter with the individual.” In the Spring of 1940 a beautiful table was given to the Church for the vestibule by Mrs. Rosa Martino in memory of her son Matthew, who died on June 1, 1936. (In 2004 the table is still beautiful and used constantly in the Narthex.)
Reverend Wheaton was Chairman of the local committee to place New York City children in homes in Manlius for two weeks in the summer under the auspices of the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. He urged the homemakers of Manlius and vicinity to consider inviting a small boy or girl.
In the Summer of 1940 it was the turn of the World Wide Guild Girls to enjoy a week long house party at Friendship Corner, the Wheaton’s summer home. There were morning classes daily in Guild Background and personal Christian Living, but afternoons were free for recreation or special events.
In August Rev. and Mrs. Derwood L Smith and daughter Ruth visited Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cathers and preached at the Manlius Baptist Church to a large gathering of friends. The Church was then closed until the first Sunday in September.
Sunday, September 29, 1940, was “Homecoming Day” for the Baptists. A special dinner was served the Congregation. Over 100 people attended. The Sunday School was now publishing its own newspaper and a special edition was distributed. (No copies were saved for the Church Archives.)
Released time religious instruction was available to sixth grades of the public schools (they needed consent cards signed by their parents) on Tuesday afternoons. On Wednesday afternoon Rev. Wheaton was the leader for the High School students who had permission to attend.
For the 1940 Annual Meeting there was a great improvement in the presentation of annual reports. There was a typed report from the pastor (the first), a typed order of the business of the annual meeting, a typed page of the Church Officials, a typed Treasurer’s Report and a suggested budget for 1941.
On Sunday, December 29, 1940, the Congregation was pleased to welcome Reverend Paul Conrad as guest minister. Paul was the son of Reverend Elbert Henry Conrad, pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church from 1907-1909. At that time he was the “boy” of the Parsonage.
Santa Claus was very much in evidence at the 1940 Manlius Baptist Christmas Party. Two hundred members and friends ate supper together, sang Christmas Carols, and watched Santa Claus come tumbling in through an open window “bringing merriment and glee to all who saw him.” He was said to have been in “fine fettle” as he distributed scores of gifts. His aerial blitz of candy boxes brought the audience to an uproar. Gifts included a beautiful coffee table, given by the Church to Reverend and Mrs. Wheaton.
Roller skating was becoming a popular indoor sport for young people. The Baptist gym was open for skating each Friday after school. The Church charged each skater 10 cents and had eight pairs of skates available for those who did not own a pair. The Methodist gym was also open for skating but only for members. Reverend Wheaton estimated that over 1000 hours of roller skating were enjoyed by individuals and groups in the Baptist gym in 1940.
For the Lenten season in 1941 the Sunday Evening Services were revived and alternated between the Methodist and Baptist Churches. For the Easter Evening Services a Pageant “The Altar and the Cross” was presented by a group of young Church ladies.
At a Trustee Meeting on November 10, 1941, it was reported that the Eagle Rock Wall Insulation Company offered to insulate the church for $597.00. They estimated that the Church would save 10 tons of coal yearly (annual use approximately 35 tons per year at $7 - $10 per ton. ) At their December meeting, the Trustees voted for the insulation of the church and parsonage for $766.00.
The Annual Meeting for 1941 was held on December 8, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the news overshadowed all else at that time. Reverend Wheaton wrote, “We meet on a historic day marking the outbreak of war with Japan. The confusion of the world is reflected in our lives, but God is faithful and just and we must keep out faith pure and hold steadfast in our trust as we labor for the Master in the coming year.” At the meeting the Congregation voted to name the Prayer Room the Yettie Harris Memorial Chapel in recognition of the helpfulness and inspiration of Mrs. Harris to the Church through many years. A vote of appreciation was also given to Mr. Clarence Pease, who was redecorating the Chapel at the time. The Congregation concurred with the Trustees’ decision to insulate the church and parsonage, not only to save fuel but to protect the church roof from icicles and to save the interior from water and sweat marks, which had disfigured the plaster . (When John Baker arrived he thought the walls had never been painted, because they looked so discolored.)
In January 1942 the Women’s Fellowship entertained their husbands at supper. Nearly 100 people attended to hear Mr. Fix-it (Mr. Charles Macks in real life) of radio fame tell about his experiences and problems in carrying out his most helpful assistance to the needy in Syracuse.
In February of 1942 a new silk Service Flag was unveiled in the general assembly of the Manlius Baptist Sunday School. Mrs. Charles Cathers, youth counselor in charge of the service and maker of the flag, read the names of the soldiers from an Honor Roll:
A red rose was presented each serviceman’s mother who was present. (By the time the war was over there would be 40 stars, only one in gold.) One star was for former pastor Lt. Derwood Smith, who served as a chaplain stationed at the Laurinburg Maxton Army Base in Maxton, North Carolina, another for nurse Letitia Robbins.
A tribute to Mrs. Yettie Harris and a history of her life (thus far) was written for the occasion by Reverend Wheaton and printed in the February 1, 1942, Bulletin. (A copy is printed in the appendix.) Mrs. Harris , although 87 year old, was still active in the Church.
In the summer of 1942 it was decided to hold Union Services with the Methodists instead of closing the Church during the Pastor’s vacation. The Services on July 28 and August 2 and 9 were held in the Baptist Church; those on August 16, 23, and 30 were in the Methodist Church.
July 13, 1942, was the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. & Mrs. William Nightingale. All of the Deacons, Deaconesses and Trustees of the Church met to help them observe the occasion. “A history of the Church was read and many pictures of the past were brought to light, names, faces, places, and events being called to mind with interest.”
The Manlius School Campus was the site for the Ninth Annual Baptist Laymen’s Conference from September 12-13, 1942. Over 250 Baptist men attended. During 1942 and until the war was over the women were especially busy with scheduled White Cross Meetings. Because of the war, there was a huge demand for bandages.
The Church at this time did not have an elected Moderator who would lead the business meetings for a full year. The usual practice was for the Clerk to open a meeting and preside over the election of a Moderator for the evening only. The Moderator usually would be a prominent male member of the Church or the Pastor. For the December 7, 1942 , it was neither, as Mrs. Thomas Cleveland was elected Moderator, the first woman to hold that position..
On April 11, 1943, the Church showed its appreciation to a member who was approaching his 59th year of continuous membership in the Church which would be a record for the time. (He made the record having lived until November 29, 1943.) Herbert E. Ransier led the Junior Christian Endeavour for 30 years, the Junior Church for 5 years, was Church Treasurer for 17 years and taught a Sunday School Class for 30 years. (See the appendix for “An Appreciation” which tells of his “most useful and helpful life” and assures him of our appreciation of his Christian ‘service to his Church, his community and the world.) Fortunately, Mr. Ransier was honored in April, 1943. He died suddenly of a heart attack in his home on Smith Street in Manlius on November 29, 1943. He did complete his 59th year as a member, which was a record for its time.
We are fortunate to have the memories of one of our Church members who enjoyed Mr. Ransier as a youth leader. Rev. Paul Bailey talked with Bessie Todd Miller on March 18, 1997, and this is what Rev. Bailey shares from that meeting:
We are indebted to Mr. Ransier for sharing with the Church his talents as a photographer. We have many excellent pictures of both the Seneca Street and the Pleasant Street Churches and activities therein which he took developed, printed and gave to the Church.
Mr. Ransier played a very important role in the Church, as well as in Bessie’s life. He ran a drugstore in town, but was also a great naturalist and photographer. He led the JCES at 4:00 P.M. on Sundays. The program would include singing, a Bible lesson, prayer, and an activity. Ransier was known for his many slides, movies, and stereography of places around the world. For many years he kept a pet woodchuck in the store. He frequently played the coronet. A favorite event was when he would lead the 20-30 young people to the trolley. Ransier would carry his coronet and a bunch of red bananas. Bessie would carry the songbooks. They would stop at Cherry Springs near the orchard (near Sherbrook Drive), have an outdoor meeting and afterwards catch the trolley back to the Church on its return from Syracuse. Ransier was a bachelor most of his life, but married Anna Nelson in 1918. Anna helped out in the meetings. She had been a missionary to the Hopi Indians and was most remembered for her pictures and stories of the couple’s trip to Alaska. One day the radiator on their car ran out of water and they had to use juice from canned pineapple to keep going. Reverend Wheaton wrote of Mr. Ransier, “In things seen and unseen, in lives, in offerings, in interest and in many good works, he stands among the men who have done the most for this Church.”
During the 1943 Memorial Day services, Reverend Lawrence Wheaton was awarded the American Legion Medal of Honor for civic service in recognition of many services outside the profession, which he rendered to the community. Of special mention was designing and carrying through the building of Service Men’s rolls of honor. He also lead in the collection of old records, served as an observer at the aircraft observation port, was chaplain of the special police, served as emergency mail carrier during the holidays, and for several years headed the Tribune Fresh Air Program in Manlius.
In his report to the December 6, 1943, Annual Meeting, Pastor Wheaton reported writing a December 1942 Christmas Letter to Soldiers and Sailors and over 100 letters to them throughout the year. He found the times “troublesome” and “urged each one to make a special effort with extra patience to prosper the Church and Christ’s Kingdom.” He specifically commended the Choir, the Missionary Society, the Fellowship Groups, the Deacons and the Trustees for making splendid progress in face of unusual problems brought about by unusual times.
On April 4, 1944, Howard H. Wheaton, son of Reverend and Mrs. Wheaton, was baptized and became a member of the Baptist Church of Manlius. On December 4, 1944, in his 7th annual meeting with the Church, Reverend Wheaton submitted a typed report as usual. He had continued writing letters to “our people” in the armed services, averaging fifty a month. The mid-week prayer services were still held and were well attended. The Church Vacation School and the Church College were both very successful. The Junior Church program was continuing and young people were still enjoying rollerskating in the Social Hall. In a reference to the times, he again used the opportunity of his report to thank the Diaconate, Trustees, Church Choir and officials who have helped carry the burden in trying times when helping hands had been few. At this annual meeting the Diaconate suggested an amendment to the Constitution “relative to setting up Associate Memberships.” Any person already a member of some other Church and desiring to associate themselves with this Church and worship may do so by approval of the Diaconate and the vote of the Church, it being understood that such Associate Members shall not serve on the Diaconate or vote on matters pertaining to the settlement of a pastor. This amendment was accepted by the Church (but has been altered since). Seven people immediately joined the Church as Associate Members.
On December 17, 1944, Reverend Lawrence A. Wheaton, pastor for nearly seven years, read his resignation to accept the call to the Hyde Park Baptist Church of Cincinnati, Ohio. (His letter is reproduced in the Appendix). His resignation was accepted on December 31, 1944, to be effective after January 29, 1945. Although Reverend Wheaton planned to leave Manlius for Cincinnati very soon after January 29, 1945, Mrs. Wheaton became ill and was hospitalized for several days. She returned to her home on Tuesday, February 6, 1945. The Family then planned to leave for Ohio on February 20, 1945. Reverend Wheaton closed his ministry with a farewell sermon on February 18, 1945. Fuel (coal) must have been in short supply in February of 1945. In Reverend Wheaton’s Baptist Church column for the February 9, 1945, edition of The Eagle Bulletin, he announced that the weekly program of the Church would be determined by the fuel supply and would be announced in the Weekly Bulletin.
On March 8, 1945, the Church voted to dismiss Reverend and Mrs. Wheaton and son Howard to unite with the Hyde Park Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Janet Wheaton was dismissed by letter to the Baptist Church of Wytheville, Virginia, on August 15, 1948.
After Reverend Wheaton and his family left for the Hyde Park Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, the people of the Village of Manlius and the Baptist Church did an unusual thing which indicated that Reverend Wheaton’s relationship with the people of Manlius as well as the Church must have been an unusually strong and warm one. They sent a message to the Hyde Park Church which was read at a reception for the Reverend Wheaton and his family in the Hyde Park Church parlor. The message read in part:
“After seven years of distinguished service to our people as pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church and fellow citizen during which he has earned the respect and friendship of all, the time has come for us to say good-bye to our pastor and friend and to commend him to you” and was signed by over two hundred people. (The total message from The Eagle Bulletin Newspaper, March 16, 1945, is reproduced in the appendix.)
A list of his works in the community and in the local and state Baptist organizations as reported in the Syracuse newspaper is as follows:
1. He was cited two times by the Archie Van Patten Post of the American Legion with the Legion Citizenship award for unusual service to the community outside of one’s profession.
2. President of the NYS Baptist Conference
3. Local Chairman- New York Tribune Fresh Air Committee
4. Chaplain- American Legion
5. President- Manlius Youth Council
6. Leader in collection of old records and waste paper for the war effort
7. Scout Leader
8. Supervised the construction of honor rolls in seven villages in addition to Manlius
9. President of Onondaga County Baptist Pastor’s Association
10. Member of Evangelistic Commission of the Baptist Missionary Convention.
Some financial and membership statistics for Church years 1937-1945 are given
in the Appendix.
Paying the bills was difficult during the years following the depression. It was quite common for the Treasurer to visit the Bank of Manlius after the bills had been presented at the Trustee meeting to take out a note, add to a note or extend payment on a note. For some examples, on June 20, 1938, the balance on hand in the General Fund (our operating fund) was $39.53; on December 12, 1938, the balance was $63.51 but with $214.75 owed. In October of 1941 there was $119.56 in the General Fund with $444.00 owed (for wallpaper, paint, a note with the bank, etc.) By 1943 times in the country were better and so were Church finances. In June 1942 the Treasurer reported a balance of $256.53 with all bills paid.
| Church Membership: | December 6, 1937 | 276 |
|---|---|---|
| December 4, 1944 | 288 | |
| Average Sunday School Attendance: | 1941 | 112 |
| 1943 | 88 | |
| Operating Fund Budget: | Dec. 1937- Dec. 1938 | Dec. 1943- Dec. 1944 |
| Pastor’s Salary | $2000.00 | $2080.00 |
| Janitor’s Salary | 432.00 | 520.00 |
| Fuel (Coal) | 400.00 | 500.00 |
| Lights, Water | 125.00 | 125.00 |
| Organist, Music | 165.00 | 200.00 |
| Insurance | 150.00 | 150.00 |
| Repairs & Supplies | 228.00 | 550.00 |
| Parsonage Taxes | --- | 75.00 |
| Christian Education | --- | 200.00 |
| Totals | $3500.00 | $4400.00 |
| Mission Spending (no budget recorded for 1937-1938) | Dec. 1937- Dec. 1938 | Dec. 1943- Dec. 1944 |
| Northern Baptist Convention | $1429.32 | $1200.00 |
| Onondaga Orphan’s Home | 10.08 | 10.00 |
| Upstate Baptist Home | 13.50 | 25.00 |
| Onondaga Baptist Missionary | ||
| and Social Union | --- | 15.00 |
| White Cross Work | --- | 40.00 |
| World Emergency Fund | --- | 100.00 |
| Anti-Saloon League | --- | 10.00 |
| Totals | $1452.90 | $1400.00 |
John J. Baker was born on February 19, 1913, in Deer Valley, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Milton High School. In January 1933 he enrolled in the John Davis Practical Bible Training School in Binghamton, New York, and graduated in June 1935. He was ordained in June and married Lucy Skinner (also a graduate of the Bible School with a major in Christian Education.)
Reverend Baker was the pastor of four churches before coming to Manlius in 1945:
| Watervale Baptist Church | June - December 1935 (Supply) |
| Dale Baptist Church | 1936 - March 1937 |
| Marion Baptist Church | March 1937 - 1943 |
| Madison Baptist Church | 1943 - April 1945 (Student Pastorate) |
While serving the Madison Baptist Church, Reverend Baker attended Colgate University from which he graduated Cum Laude in February, 1945, having completed the four year course in 2 ½ years.
On December 31, 1944, after the congregation regretfully accepted Reverend Wheaton’s resignation, a Pulpit Committee was chosen to start the search for a replacement.
| Harry Fillmore | Diaconate |
| Dennison Richburg | Trustees |
| Annette Ferguson | Young People |
| Ann Ransier | Ladies of the Church |
For the first time the members of the committee were chosen as representatives of different groups in the church.
At the February 14, 1945, meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Trustees voted to buy the departing Reverend Wheaton’s mimeograph machine for $90.00. Edith Schoonmaker and Annette Ferguson volunteered to print bulletins. (There was no church secretary at this time ant there would be none until 1956.) The Trustees, limited in time, rushed to do the usual “between pastorate” sprucing up of the parsonage. Rooms were repapered or painted, the kitchen linoleum replaced and the furnace repaired.
The Pulpit Committee made its report on Sunday morning, April 15, 1945, after Reverend Baker preached to the congregation at the morning service. The church was pleased and a unanimous call was extended to Reverend Baker, who responded with a letter of acceptance, which was read at the Sunday Morning Service on April 22, 1945.
Reverend E. O. Jessup was the supply minister during the interim between the Wheaton and Baker pastorates. The Diaconate appointed Mrs. Richburg and Mrs. Trivelpiece to ask Mr. Ransier to present a gift from the church to Reverend Jessup and to say a few words of appreciation for his interest and service. Reverend Jessup was paid $20.00/per Sunday. The cost to move the Bakers was $56.65.
May 8, 1945, was V. E. Day and the congregation was thankful and relieved that the war in Europe was over, but, of course, still greatly concerned about the war with Japan. On May 20, 1945, Reverend Baker began his pastorate and preached his first sermon as Pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church. A reception and dinner were given for Reverend and Mrs. Baker and daughter Patricia Louise in Loomis Hall on May 24, 1945. More than 150 people attended, including the pastors and wives of the Episcopal and Methodist Churches.
June 24, 1945, the three Women’s Fellowship Circles (Louise Davis, Mary Woodworth and Mary Broadfield) joined for their annual group picnic at Bingley’s on Chittenango Road out of Cazenovia. Reverend Derwood Smith and his wife came from Herkimer, New York, to visit the ladies of the church. After the war Reverend Smith was discharged from his duties as Air Force Chaplain and became the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Herkimer, New York. On June 27, 1945, the letters of Reverend and Mrs. Baker were transferred from the Madison Baptist Church. On Sunday, July 1, 1945, the Bakers received the Right Hand of Fellowship from Deacon Emeritus William Nightingale.
On September 2, 1945, the war with Japan ended and soon members of the armed services would start coming home. One of our young men, Lt. Carl Alexander, was killed in action and memorial services were held for him on October 21, 1945. His was the only gold star out of 40 on the Service Flag.
In 1893, the youth of the church became part of the world-wide Christian Endeavor movement as were many of the youth in Baptist and other Protestant churches at that time. In 1893 there were 28 Baptist young people in the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor and eight leaders. Soon after the Junior Christian Endeavor was organized and in 1912 there were 25 members in Senior Christian Endeavor, 45 in Junior Christian Endeavor. In 1921, at the urging of the Onondaga Baptist Association, an effort was made to replace the Christian Endeavor with a Baptist organization called the Baptist Young People’s Union or BYPU. (It was upsetting Baptist leaders that the :Christian Endeavor World,” a magazine for youth, was in the hands of more Baptist young people than the corresponding Baptist periodicals.) The young children became members of the Crusader Society. According to pictures we have of the Crusaders, emphasis was on raising money for missionary causes. Christian Endeavor was brought back for the older youth in 1924 and Junior Christian Endeavor in 1925. The Onondaga Baptist Association admitted that the Baptist program had not been very widely accepted. (The BYPU was dropped by the denomination in 1941.) In 1945 the new Baptist Youth Fellowship program replaced Christian Endeavor in the Manlius Church and has been a part of our organization ever since. Reverend Baker reported that the newly organized Baptist Youth Fellowship “promises to be one of the most active and enthusiastic of its kind in the county.”
Reverend Baker’s first Annual Meeting with the Manlius church was on December 3, 1945, after a little more than five months of his pastorate. In a typed Annual Report, he reported on the two week Vacation Bible School and the reorganization of the Baptist Youth from a Christian Endeavor based program to the Baptist Youth Fellowship. Reverend Baker believed in visiting members and prospective members in their homes “to provide mutual understanding and cooperative effort.” He reported having visited the majority of the homes represented in the church in his first five months. (Reverend Baker remembers that he and Mrs. Baker “devoted many of their afternoons to what was called ‘drop in calling’.” The Bakers would visit home of members and prospects unannounced. There would usually be some member of the family at home Conversations usually centered around the church and the family’s participation in it.)
At the meeting, Mr. William Nightingale was honored and made a Life Honorary Trustee in recognition of his 51 uninterrupted years of service, many of them as Chairman of the Board. He is the only member to have been given this honor as well as having been made a Deacon Emeritus.
In December 1945, a custom was started that has lasted to his day. The Board of Trustees was asked to have one Trustee help the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer open the envelopes and count the collection after the Morning Service. As the collection grew so did the number of Trustees needed to help. Until recently, most Trustees gathered every Sunday around the counting table and it became a good time to talk about urgent business and the progress being made on various projects as well as to count money.
During January and February of 1946, the Christian Life Crusade Institute was the program for mid-week services. The Institute was conducted each Thursday evening for five weeks and designed to study the six major phases of church life and to re-emphasize their importance in building a strong spiritual church family (average attendance 53). An organized laymen’s calling program was conceived and called the Andrew League. The Institute was followed by four weeks of the Annual Church College (School of Missions). (Schools of Missions and Vacation Bible Schools were staples of our program during these years and will not be mentioned each time they happened.)
During World War II the church contributed to the Northern Baptist Convention’s World Emergency Fund. After the war, the denomination found a tremendous need for rehabilitation work in the Mission Fields around the world and set a goal of $15,000,000.00 for the USA toward the World Mission Crusade. The Manlius Church was given a quota of $7,500.00 and it was accepted by the church at the December 3, 1946, Annual Meeting. This was an ambitious goal for a church with an Operating Fund budget for 1946-1947 of $4,710.00. The Annual Reports for 1946-1947 and 1947-1948 indicated that the church was able to raise $4,135.88.
The Annual School of Missions was held in March and April of 1946 with an average of 65 people attending each evening. Easter of 1946 was a special time. The Church Clerk Mrs. Jessie Hefti declared Easter Sunday, April 21, 1946, “a day long to be remembered.” There were four services that Sunday with a total of 800 in attendance.
The wave of change that would later consolidate the women’s groups into the Baptist Women’s Fellowship and had already replaced the Christian Endeavor with the Baptist Youth Fellowship was also affecting the organized Sunday School classes. Organized classes had regularly scheduled social meetings in addition to the Sunday School sessions on Sunday morning. The Trojans (a women’s class organized in 1903) was able to muster 25 for a group picture in 1927 but was down to 8 members in 1948 and was not mentioned again. The Philathea Class was organized in 1907 or 1908, the Baraca Class later, and apparently at some time were combined. They posed for a group picture in 1924 with 16 men and 23 women, and in 1927 with 23 men and 35 women. In 1953 they were meeting for Sunday School in Harris Chapel (and socially as well.)
The Baraca-Philathea group was getting older and the JB Class for younger men and women was organized in 1946 or 1947. (Their teacher was John Baker.) The group had monthly fellowship meetings and were actively working on projects to improve the church. (In 1948 they sanded and refinished the gym floor, did several painting jobs, washed windows, bought supplies for the church and contributed to other groups in the church.) By 1952, the JB class members were also getting older and a new group was formed in April 1952 called the Kum Duble Klub. There were thirty active members in 1952. In December 1953, the group started the social year with a “fun-filled Folk Dance at the Odd Fellow’s Hall where the JB Class and the Kum Duble Klub “frolicked and fed until all were content.”
In November 1955, the Philathea and Baraca Class and the JB Class became on Sundays separate Men’s and Women’s Bible Classes. For fellowship meetings they called themselves temporarily the Adult Class Fellowship which was organized in November 1956. Later the Fellowship group became the Unity (Fellowship) Class. The new group voted to continue many of the projects of the late JB Class, i.e., sponsorship of the Young People’s Choir and Girl Scouts and providing transportation for children in the Westvale area to the Sunday School. The men contributed many hours of labor toward the renovation of the church parlor (to be used as Sunday School rooms.)
In 1956 the Kum-Duble Class became known as the Achaean Class (Achaean is the Greek work for builder.) The Achaean Class also met monthly for social meetings and continued the tradition of working and supporting projects to improve the church facilities. In 1957 the Unity Class was still divided on Sundays. The teachers were Esther Lamoreaux (women) and Carl Christensen (men). Ester Lamoreaux felt that she couldn’t continue teaching the women’s class. Carl taught the combined classes and that was probably the end of segregated Sunday School Classes in the Manlius Baptist Church.
The Church Sanctuary needed attention and according to the Eagle Bulletin of 8/2/46, the church was closed for the month of July during which the sanctuary was completely redecorated and the parsonage painted. The newspaper reported “this project makes a total of several thousand dollars that have been expended on property improvements during the year.” The Church School wing had been repainted during the winter months. On February 24, 1947, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees it was reported that the church had received a check for $19,283.09 from the Louise Davis Estate. The Trustees voted to set aside $2000.00 for a memorial and to buy government bonds with the rest. At the same time the Trustees voted to rent a lock box at the Manlius Bank in which to keep their bonds and valuable papers.
At the March 17, 1947, meeting the Board, however, it was reported that the check should have read $17,783.09 and had to be replaced. On March 27, 1947, the congregation endorsed the Trustees’ plan for the inheritance. The interest from the bonds was to be used to help support the church just as Louise Davis had done for many years.
At the Annual Meeting on December 1, 1947, the Memorial Committee reported that their choice was a set of Mass Cathedral Chimes, which would be amplified through the church tower and played from the organ console. The chimes were played for the first time on Communion Sunday, January 4, 1948, and “all felt the solemnity of the occasion.” The chimes were dedicated on January 25, 1948, and Reverend Derwood Smith came from Herkimer, New York, to be the principle speaker. The chimes are still in place but seldom used.
In the spring of 1947, Mrs. Jessie Hefti gave the church a pair of floor standard candelabra and they are still used for weddings and sometimes loaned as props for spooky theatrical productions. In the summer of 1947 the Trustees reported that the church exterior had been painted. Also in the summer (July) the annual Sunday School picnic with the Methodist was held in Highland Park with 200 people in attendance. For a time this was an annual occurrence.
The major discussion in the Diaconate Board in September, 1947, was what to do about the midweek Prayer Service. Attendance for special programs was good but for an ordinary Prayer Service it was often less than ten people. The Diaconate voted to recommend converting the Prayer Service to a monthly Family Night service for evangelism, hopefully to begin in October 1947. Later Cottage Prayer Meetings were tried.
At the September 8, 1947, Trustee’s Meeting, Reverend John Baker was asked to see about having a telephone installed in the church. This must have been one of the last buildings in the town without a telephone and surely there was one in the parsonage.
At their April 19, 1948, meeting, the Board of Trustees (as recommended by the Diaconate) voted to purchase card and pencil holders to be place on the back of the church pews. (The Trustees must have forgotten about the project. The Achaean Class, in their annual report for 1956, listed as one of their completed projects the purchase and installation of card holders for the church pews.)
On February 15, 1949, the Trustees discussed the need for a stairway from the Narthex down to the Parlors. It was built and has been very useful ever since. On July 20, 1949, the Trustees reported that the Board of Education of the Manlius Public Schools had asked to use Sunday School rooms for two First Grade sections for the Fall of 1949. Apparently, the schools were becoming crowded. The church voted against the proposition. In 1949 the church entertained the “Safari,” a state-wide program for Baptist young people organized in 1936. Eighty-five attended a banquet at the church.
At the 153rd Annual Meeting on December 5, 1949, the Ministers and Missionaries (M&M) Retirement Fund was explained to the congregation by the Trustees. In the beginning 10% of the minister’s salary was to be sent to the M&M Board of the Northern Baptist Association and invested for the Pastor’s retirement. The church paid 7.5%, the minister 2.5% of the minister’s salary. For the first year, December 1948-December 1949, the cost of M&M to the church was $276.00.
In their February 13, 1950, meeting the Trustees voted to permit mothers of nursery school children to hold a day nursery at the church one day a week. On March 5, 1950, Mrs. Jressie Hefti, Church Clerk for 21 years, died.* Her notes and records and comments (and excellent penmanship) have been a great help to all those interested in the history of the church. Reverend Baker said of Mrs. Hefti: “Her contributions which serve as a memorial to a consecrated Christian life have left us stronger and richer.”
In May 1950, the Bakers had completed five years with the Manlius Baptist Church. On May 15, 1950, a special service was held in the church and it noted that 105 new members had been added in those five years. In July 1950, Reverend and Mrs. John J. Baker attended the Baptist World Congress in Cleveland, Ohio, and in October 1950, the New York State Baptist Convention in Albany, New York.
The Guild Girls, a program for the young girls of the church, was considered part of the Youth Fellowship Program. An organization especially for girls had been in existence in the Manlius Baptist Church at various times since at least 1906 when the Farther Lights Society was organized. This was followed by the Light Bearers and in 1925 by the World Wide Guild. In September 1950, the girls of the church were again organized into the World Wide Guild, an American Baptist program. The leaders were Margaret Vermilya and Helen Bays. The purpose was to bring the missionary aspect of the church’s life directly to the attention of our young girls. Reverend Baker thought the Guild “a most significant enterprise; for the church will lose its own life if it fails to possess a world-wide vision of preaching the gospel to all people.”
Four sisters transferred their membership from the Church of Christ in Pompey, New York, to the Manlius Baptist Church on May 5, 1913; Addie Dunn (Cathers), Lulu Dunn (TenEyk), Bernice Dunn (Wilcox) and Jessie Dunn (Hefti).
In his Annual Report to the congregation on December 4, 1950, reverend Baker found the Korean Conflict and economic conditions in the United States causing these to be “anxious and uncertain days for all people.” He urged the members to “plan our course carefully and be prepared for any eventuality.” He recommended that the Trustees hold the line where possible in the budget for the new year (no budget increases except where necessary for repairs and improvements to the property.) He was also concerned about ministering to the spiritual needs of the young men who were expected to be called into the military and felt we should organize a carefully planned program “at once.” At the same meeting, Charles Cathers, the last of the “elected for life” Deacons, gave up his life-time status and was elected instead for a three year term.
On March 25, 1951, Doreta Chapman resigned as organist after 14 years of service. Helen Jenks became organist as well as choir director. In April 1951, a brass altar set (cross and candlesticks) was purchased for the church by the Louise Davis Circle in memory of Jesse Hefti, a charter member of the Circle and President at the time of her death. The altar set is now kept in the chapel.
In June of 1951, some of the young mothers of the church formed a Mother’s Club. Their purpose was to promote religious training in their homes. They met bi-monthly to discuss ways to answer children’s religious questions and promote the use of religious literature. In addition, they provided baby-sitting for Family Night Suppers. The last report of the Mother’s Club was to the December 6, 1954, Annual Meeting.
Reverend Paul Conrad was the son of Reverend Elbert Henry Conrad, Pastor of the Manlius Baptist Church from 1907-1909. The Conrad family lived in the new parsonage which was then situated across the street from Mrs. Harris. At that time, Paul was old enough to have been a church member.
On July 27, 1951, Yettie Harris died. She was 96 years old on July 20, 1951. The church also lost Fannie Nightingale and John S. Burt the same year. During Reverend Baker’s pastorate, Mrs. Harris was physically unable to attend church services and activities but was still very interested in the work of the church. She lived in part of what is now (1997) the Newell-Fay Funeral Home on Pleasant Street across from the church. (Dorothy Benor helped to take care of her in her later ears.) Her generous contribution to the building of the new church has been noted as well as her service as Church Clerk, Sunday School teacher, organist, keeper of the Fellowship Fund and leader of women’s groups. It also appeared that Mrs. Harris was responsible for a large portion of both the Current and Mission budgets each year, and when she died there was a concern about making up for her lost contributions. Reverend Baker reported that in addition to Mrs. Harris’ support of Missions through the local church, she also gave a direct gift to the Foreign Mission Board of the American Baptist Denomination each year. She would annually summon Reverend Paul Conrad*, who was associated with the American Baptist’s main headquarters in Valley Forge, to visit her at her home. She would reward him with a sizable check for the Foreign Missions Board. (It had to be Reverend Paul Conrad because she knew and trusted him.)
The Diaconate reinstituted the regular Thursday Night Prayer Services. Attendance was low and they decided not to continue the program in the fall of 1951. Instead the second Thursday of the month would be a Church Family Night with a fellowship supper followed by a program of interest to families. The fourth Thursday was to be more like the regular Prayer Meeting with a 7:30 service in the Harris Memorial Chapel.
The Diaconate became concerned about the benevolent contributions of the church. As reported earlier, Mrs. Harris; contributions were a significant part of the total. It was noted that of all recorded church givers only 35 gave to missions. Part of the problem was that there was no Mission Board at this time, but instead a Missionary Committee. Its members were not eligible to be part of the Official Board (only the Chairman) and had to be elected annually.. In some years the Committee was not active. Because of their concern the Diaconate Board established an internal committee to keep abreast of missionary activities within the church and report back to Diaconate Meetings.
The church in 1951 was heated with coal, but coal was on its way out as a source of fuel for heating homes and buildings. It was getting hard to get, it was dirty, ashes were a problem, and keeping the fire going required a lot of attention. At their May 14, 1951, meeting, the Trustees started to investigate the conversion to gas heat. They found that the present boiler was designed for soft coal and was in poor condition. On June 14, 1951, they accepted a bid from the John Fraser Co. of $3,408.98 for the installation of an automatic gas furnace and agreed to pay within ten days for a 2% discount. At their August 13, 1951, meeting Chairman Robert Parslow reported there would be a $20.00 charge for dismantling the old boiler. J. Meachem of the Cheney Foundry was interested in buying the 7000 estimated pounds of scrap iron and steel and it was sold to him for $189.20. The Trustees cleaned out a wood shed near the parlors and cleaned and painted the coal bin (the room south of the kitchen which became a crib room but now contains the boiler used to heat the educational annex.)
The last annual Harvest Dinner and Sale under the auspices of the Ladies Aid Society was held on November 8, 1951. Margaret Vermilya was the General Chairman. The group earned $607.28.
At the October 22, 1951, Official Board Meeting, George Reeves was made a Deacon Emeritus because poor health kept him from attending Diaconate meetings. He was the second Deacon to be honored in this way. At the Annual Meeting on December 3, 1951, the By-Laws were changed to allow the Trustees to increase their membership from 6 to 9.
In his report to the church on December 3, 1951, Reverend Baker told the congregation that it was almost impossible to transmit his work into facts and figures for a published report. But, he noted, a recent survey revealed that the average minister spent sixty hours weekly in activities directly related to his work, plus additional hours on indirectly related activities. Rev. Baker wrote “your minister has never made such a strict accounting of his efforts, but we are safe in saying that most of us like to be considered at least average in our field of endeavor.” He went on to pay tribute to the hours spent by his unofficial assistant, his wife, Lucy. Although she was “essentially a housewife with the same responsibilities and demands on her time that belong to every conscientious mother and home-maker, she often needed to accompany her husband in pastoral calling and engaged in the activities of all the women’s groups and organizations in the church.”
Also at the December 3, 19512, meeting, the Guild Girls reported having expanded into two groups, the Ann Ransier Guild (named for Mrs. Ransier out of respect to her as our own church missionary and her work among the Hopi Indians) and the Barbara Galaska Guild named after a Japanese missionary who was a friend of leader Mrs. Ada Phelps.
On December 10, 1951, at the Trustees meeting, the members discussed a request from the Fireman’s Association to borrow the church dining room tables for a Fireman’s Dinner. We don’t know what actually happened but Lloyd Slentz moved that the tables borrowed by the Rod and Gun Club and not returned to the church be loaned to the Fireman’s Association.
When the Diaconate Board met in January 1952, they elected officers for the coming year. Mr. F. D. Richburg made a motion that the chairman of the Diaconate could be either a Deacon or a Deaconess, and that he or she automatically would become chairman of either the Deacons or Deaconesses. The motion was seconded by Charles Cathers and carried. As a result, Mrs. Lynn (Emma) Mapstone became the first woman chairman of the Diaconate. The second and last for many years was Mrs. F. Dennison Richburg, who wads elected chairman in 1954.
| Deaconesses | Deacons |
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On May 9, 1952, the 71st Annual Meeting of the Onondaga Baptist Women’s Missionary Society was held in the church. One hundred forty women attended. It was not mentioned but this may have been the last meeting for the Society since Baptist Women’s groups were about to be consolidated into the Baptist Women’s Fellowship.
On May 18, 1952, the congregation honored Reverend and Mrs. Baker for seven years of faithful service to the church. Reverend Baker was presented a pulpit robe and roses and Mrs. Baker an orchid corsage. On June 15, 9152, a committee was chosen to the official Board to select new pulpit furniture, a gift from the Cleveland family in memory of Thomas and Hadassah Cleveland.
In 1952, the Trustees decided to install gas heat in the parsonage. The Ladies Aid Society, in one of their last good deeds before consolidation into the Baptist Women’s Fellowship, donated $200.00 to pay for the conversion. At their August 11, 1952, meeting the Trustees and Reverend Baker moved outdoors to fill in the trench for the gas line from the church to the parsonage. By September 8, 1952, the parsonage gas furnace was fully installed and ready for chilly fall weather.
At the September 8, 1952, Trustee meeting, Reverend Baker reported that he had been approached by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chittenango Baptist Church in regard to a loan of $7,000.00 to be used for an addition to their church. On October 13, 1952, the Trustees agreed to consult with Reverend Baker and if the Chittenango Baptists were still interested, a committee of Reverend Baker, Fred Hartman, Kenneth Jones, Comstock Lincoln and Robert Parslow was to meet with them and present their recommendation to our Official Board. No further action was reported.
In September 1952, to reflect what was happening at the State and National levels of the American Baptist Churches, the women’s organizations of the church (exclusive of the Sunday School) were consolidated. The Women’s Missionary Society (77 years in existence), the Ladies Aid Society (probably in existence in some form since the early days of the church) and the three United Fellowship Circles (The Louise Davis, Mary Broadfield and Mary Woodworth Circles, formed in 1939 under the leadership of the Deaconesses to support the Ladies Aid and to provide close Christian fellowship between the ladies of the church by meeting together and calling on one another) were combined to form a new Baptist Women’s Fellowship. An opening Banquet was held on September 16, 1952. Reverend Baker installed the following new officers:
The Circles were re-organized at this time and were named after important women of the Bible: Naomi, Miriam, Lois, Deborah and Martha. Although the changes were great with long standing institutions of the church discontinued, they were accepted with very little resentment or resistance, according to Reverend Baker.
The Ladies Aid Society was no longer in existence but the Baptist Women’s Fellowship carried on the harvest Dinner Tradition and on November 16, 1952, served 583 suppers for a total profit of $756.32 from the supper and sale.
On October 15, 1952, a third choir (the Cherub choir) was started for children from ages 7-10. Mrs. Shirley Radley was director. The church now had an Adult Choir directed by Mrs. Helen Jenks (also the organist,) a Youth Choir directed by Gertrude Mawson and the Cherub Choir. On December 18, 1952, television was first mentioned in the records of the church. Station WHEN in Syracuse televised a program of Christian music sung by our Youth Choir.
On December 27, 1952, the church made headlines in the Eagle Bulletin. They read:
In 1949 the Trustees had purchased fire extinguishers and these may have helped control the fire.
Vandals Start Fire in Manlius Church, Explosion Averted
Vandals entered the church late on Monday afternoon and started a fire in the rear hall which was discovered by Mrs. Helen Jenks before it could do extensive damage. They also turned on the electric stove and several jets on the gas stove but fortunately the main gas valve had been shut off. Mrs. Jenks and Reverend Baker extinguished the fire before it had done much damage.
In their January 12, 1953, meeting the Trustees took an early position against smoking in the church. The Girl Scouts had asked permission to use the kitchen and Loomis Hall for a banquet in March. The Board approved the request but subject to an announcement that smoking would be allowed in the Boiler Room only. By January 23, 1953, the new pulpit furnishings had been installed and were dedicated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland.
On February 1, 1953, forty-two church members cooperated with other churches in Manlius in taking a census of the entire community to determine the number in each family and their church affiliation. Also in February the Baptist Churches of Onondaga County were participating in a “Spiritual Life Crusade” for which Reverend John Baker was the general chairman. A rally was held in the First Baptist Church of Syracuse. On February 9, 10 and 12 the local Baptist churches were to do their part by calling on prospective members in their own neighborhoods. Reverend John Baker, in his 1953 annual message to the church, reported that forty-two calling teams from our church visited 132 persons and invited them into the fellowship of Christ and the membership of the church. The teams were fortified each evening with a dinner served by one of the women’s circles. According to Reverend Baker, he had already made contact at some time with each family. "Assignments were given with some assurance that the callers would be cordially received and that there would be some commonality for easy conversation."
That calling ministry proved to be what Reverend Baker described as “most fruitful.” On February 15, 1953, Declaration Sunday, our new church clerk, Helen Ives, reported that as a result of the “crusade” 44 persons came forward in the morning service to signify their intention of becoming active members of our church. She said “it was gratifying indeed.” There were eight more that wished to join the church but could not attend Declaration Sunday.
On March 1, 1953, at a candlelight Baptism Service, 15 of the 52 were baptized. Another 33 joined through membership transfer. On March 8, 1953, 46 men and women were given the Right hand of Fellowship and were received into the church. Reverend Baker called this “an inspiring experience not to be forgotten.” Reverend Baker gave much of the credit to Diaconate members who were working for this day as the climax of several months of organized calling. On the first two Tuesday evenings of the month, twelve laymen made friendship calls on behalf of the church, thereby cultivating the confidence and interest of the prospects.
The Diaconate made an important decision at their September 19653 meeting. They found it clear that for the spiritual welfare of the church “we must return to the weekly prayer service” and established the Thursday evening “Hour of Power,” a theme developed by the first Baptist Church of Syracuse and used in Manlius with their permission. The “Hour of Power” helped to revive the spirit of the mid-week prayer service. Reverend Baker reported “we come together and pray for very definite things and each other. Some speak of this as the most helpful and inspiring service of the church.”
The choirs were thriving. Helen Jenks reported 30 members in the adult choir, 28 members in the youth choir, 29 members in the Cherub Choir (and 20 men in a Men’s Choir, organized especially for Laymen’s Sunday). She was pleased that almost ¼ of the membership sang in a choir.
At the December 7, 1953, Annual Meeting the church discussed changing the fiscal year of the church from December 1-November30 to coincide with the calendar year, but didn’t come to a conclusion. The Treasurer reported that part of the balance for 1953 included a $5,000.00 legacy from the Yettie R. Harris Estate.
The Northern Baptist Convention launched a new financial campaign, their third, called the Churches for New Frontiers. The purpose of the fund was to raise money to assist in the building of new Baptist churches in growing areas (the suburbs) where there were none before. The program was discussed at the 1953 Annual Meeting and the decision to participate was left to the Diaconate and the Official Board.
The Trustees reported that the Seneca Street property had been sold on a quit-claim deed to the Community Council (of Manlius) for $3,000.00 and that $1,000.00 was donated to the Community Council and the remaining $2,000.00 was to be paid to the church in cash. The sale took an incredible 23 years to accomplish and is a story in itself which will be found in the appendix.
In 1953 the Trustees started the Manlius Baptist Church Improvement Fund to cover the cost of the larger improvements or repairs to the church and parsonage. (We now call it the Capital Fund.) The Trustees also established the boundary lines of the church. Cull-Smith Associates made a survey and necessary maps of the property and attorney H. Bendixen secured signed agreements from adjoining property holders giving us definite boundary lines.
In his annual report for 1953, Reverend John Baker felt that “God had smiled on us and blessed us in the year 1953 making it one of the most memorable in the hundred and fifty-six year history of our wonderful church. Certainly each of us must be proud to claim it as his own.” It wasn’t just the numerical growth, but “the effectiveness of the service” that counted. He wanted “growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be the motivating force back of our every effort” and for us to “strive to foster the moral integrity, mental health, spiritual and social well-being of everyone associated with us.” He felt we had learned that “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” and that we have been more of a praying church during 1953 than in any year of his eight year pastorate. Reverend Baker gave credit for this memorable year to the coordinated teamwork of a consecrated church family.
On November 30, 1953, at the end of the 1952-1953 fiscal year, the balances in the Church Treasury were as follows:
* $ 5,000.00 was from the Yettie Harris Estate
**$15,000.00 was from the Louise Davis Estate
| General Expense Account | $2,643.59 |
| Property Improvement Account | $1,162.00 |
| Savings Bank Account | $6,791.15* |
| Savings Bank | $16,025.00** |
Gone were the days when the Treasurer had to visit the bank after Trustee Meetings to borrow money to pay bills. Now the question was how to better invest some of the extra Money. On February 8, 1954, the Trustees discussed the alternatives and voted to take $6,000.00 from the Savings Bank Account and invest $2,000.00 each in common stocks of American Telephone and Telegraph, Boston Edison and Standard Oil of New Jersey. For some unrecorded reason the Board reversed its decision. The money in the Savings Account was still unspent according to the Treasurer’s Report of November 30, 1954.
At the first quarterly meeting of the Official Board on March 2, 1954, the Sunday School issued a report which must have started the church thinking about a future expansion of the Sunday School facilities. They reported a very good attendance and a need for more classrooms, chairs and clothes racks.
A discussion led by the Trustees concerning repair projects (new gym floor, new sidewalks, interior decorating, etc.) led to the fact that the $2,000.00 from the sale of the old church had not yet been put to use. The need for funds for “Churches for New Frontiers” was also discussed. The Board voted (10 yes, 8 no) to use $1,500.00 of the $2,000.00 for needed repairs and $500.00 for the “Churches for New Frontiers” campaign.
Leah Stark remembers that before there was an official church group, Francis and Sylvia Davison ( on Wednesday afternoons when the Barbershop was closed) with the help of church women would serve lunch to the “old folks” in the annex of the Seneca Street Church. The “Golden Age Group” grew rapidly and became the Christian Fellowship Society. Membership was extended to the Methodists and Episcopal Churches. Then the group became a non-sectarian community project sponsored by the Village of Manlius, and has been a huge success ever since.
At the second quarterly meeting of the Official Board on June 3, 1954, the Christian Education Committee, Esther Lamoreaux, chairman, reported on plans for the upcoming Vacation Church School and the “Golden Age Group,” established in 1953 “and already having proven its worth by the attendance of our old folks.” They also expressed the need for a Christian Education director and the responsibility for finding one was given to the Christian Education Committee.
The Missionary Committee reported that $1,000.00 had been sent to the American Baptist Association (the Northern Baptist Association had changed its name) for the Churches for New Frontiers campaign and that our church was listed on the Honor Roll for its contribution.
At the Fall Official Board meeting, September 6, 1954, the Trustees recommended that a committee be appointed to carry out the every member canvass and if possible “to run the canvass in conjunction with the other Protestant churches in the village in so far as a united appeal for Christian Stewardship can be made effective in this manner.” The Official Board approved and a committee with representatives from most of the major boards and committees of the church was appointed:
At the same fall meeting, the Religious Education Committee recommended that “release time from school be given to Baptist Sunday School children from grades 1-6 each Monday at 2:00 P.M. to attend religious teaching at the church.” The Board voted to accept the recommendation. The enrollment for fall 1954 was fifty children. Five women taught the classes.
The Missionary Committee reported that the New Frontier quota had been paid. Our goal was $3,200. In 1954 the church paid $2,187.32 and in 1955 $1,024.62, so that the goal was oversubscribed.
The church voted to pay a gym leader to be in charge of youth recreation in the gym on Saturdays (John Baker had been supervising and found that most of the children were not from the church.) The Annual Meeting for 12954 was held on December 6, 1954. The recommendations for a change to the calendar year (and with it a necessary change in the Annual Meeting date from December to January) was voted on favorably and would be implemented as soon as the Association changed its Fiscal Year. (This was done in 1955 and as a result there was no annual meeting in 1955 and officers whose terms would ordinarily expire on December 1, 1955, were asked to hold office until December 31, 1955, an extra month.)
1955 was designated by the American Baptist Association as the “Year of Baptist Achievement” to YBA. All phases of church life were given standards to meet and points were given for achieving goals. According to Sunday School Superintendent Jean Clausen, it was “a plan to help us accomplish what we should have been doing all the time.” Reverend Baker described the YBA as an organized program for deepening the roots of our faith. He wrote that “decisions for Christ, personal spiritual enrichment, more effective leadership, wider use of the Bible and a great community witness were a few of the pronounced overtones of the YBA program.” The Diaconate Board was reported as having been greatly overjoyed at the success of our YBA program.
Part of the emphasis was for churches to organize themselves so that every church organization contributed to the nurture of the people affected by it. Denominational leaders were concerned that organizations such as the Philathea and Baraca Sunday School classes and the Christian Endeavor and even Boy and Girl Scout Troops (groups part of a nationwide organization) would develop a loyalty to their parent organizations rather than to the church. None of the above organizations, except the Scout Troops, were part of the church after 1956.
In February of 1955, Reverend John Baker was honored at a party celebrating his 42nd birthday. The theme was “This is Your Life, John Baker.” Mrs. Robert Vermilya was in charge of the arrangements and was Master of Ceremonies. She followed Ralph Edwards’ Television Sow format in revealing Reverend Baker’s life story before 60 guest and church members in the Church Parlors.
Just as was done in the television program, all arrangements were kept a secret from Reverend Baker and he was hopefully completely surprised. Reverend Baker remembers being taken ice-fishing on the day of the party to divert his attention. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Baker of Allenwood, Pennsylvania; his brother and sister-in-law , Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Baker, also from Allenwood; Mrs. Baker’s mother, Mrs. Marie Skinner from Trumansburg, New York; and special friends from New York and Pennsylvania were brought into town secretly and housed in various church members; homes.
According to Reverend Baker “On the night of the program the surprise guests appeared one by one to reveal some secret (and some not so secret) happenings in my past.” Margaret Vermilya concluded the program by presenting the Bakers with the keys to a new set of luggage. Then she “recommended” that the Bakers “get out of town” for a winter vacation. The Bakers did what they were told and had their first family visit to Florida. After the presentations the guests were served a smorgasbord supper in Loomis Hall.
In 1955 the Pfohl property, a house and lot located directly south of the church on North Street in what is now the church parking lot, became available for purchase. The Trustees called for a special meeting of the Official Board on March 20, 1955. They hope to get a vote of approval to proceed with negotiations to purchase the property. The Official Board gave the Trustees their blessing and appointed Dennison Richburg and Howard Eckerlin to work with them in acquiring the property.
On April 21, 1955, the Official Board met again and authorized the Trustees to purchase the Pfohl property for $12,000.00. The money came partially from the Savings Account ($6,000.00, of which $5,000.00 was from the Harris Legacy) and the remainder from the Savings Bonds ($5,000 from the Davis Legacy and $1,000.00 from the White and Moore Funds.) Thirty-one of the thirty-five members present approved of the acquisition. No mention was made of a congregational vote. The extra property made it possible to expand the parking lot and to provide an exit on North Street, but gave the Trustees one more building to keep repaired, rents to collect, and tenants to keep satisfied. In the summer of 1955, the Trustees sold the old parsonage garage (for $250.00), and built a new one.
At the September 14, 1955, Official Board Meeting, a committee was appointed to “inquire and get information in regard to an Assistant Pastor.” Charles Cathers (Chairman) and Esther Lamoreaux and Charles Allen were chosen. The Official Board voted that the second Monday in January would be the date for the Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting was held on January 9,1956, ad voted. (The change to the second Monday in January was made official by a constitutional amendment.) Robert Parslow (Sunday School Superintendent) spoke about the increasing membership of our fast growing church and the need for thought about the enlargement of our facilities and the possibility of establishing a found for that purpose,. No action was taken. The church voted to accept the Official Board’s recommendation to purchase 200 new hymnals (Christian Worship, A Hymnal) at $1.75 reach to be paid for by personal solicitation.
A budget of $17,221.20 was accepted. In those days it was customary for the Trustees to present a budget to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting, where it could be approved if desired, and then accepted by vote. Then the financial campaign would start with budget sand pledge cards sent to the congregation. (The 1956 letter is reproduced in the appendix.) There were usuallly no budget adjustments made to fit the pledges.
On February 5, 1956, Reverend Russell Raker Jr., Mrs. Russell Raker (Elmina), Russell Raker III and Gilbert Raker were received by letter into the membership of the church. (Their daughter Margaret Elmina was received into the church by baptism on April 14, 1957.)
At the Official Board meeting of April 20, 1956, the head usher reported an average attendance of 273.7 for the first three months of 1956. The Church Clerk reported on another unusual period in the growth of the church. Twenty-eight people were received by letter, seventeen by baptism, a total of 45 new members.
A Future Planning Committee was proposed by the Diaconate to look into the future growth of the Community as well as into the expansion of the facilities of the church. Appointed were:
The Diaconate also announced that there would be two services on Sunday morning during May for a period of two weeks, one at 8:30 for 45 minutes followed by Sunday School, and then the regular 10:30 service. Because a number of people had expressed a desire for an early service, this would give the Diaconate an opportunity to observe how great the need was. There was no report on the experiment. They also reported that money had been received for 160 hymnals.
Reverend Baker spoke concerning the hiring of an assistant. The Committee appointed to look into hiring an assistant had not been able to find one. Reverend Baker felt that a full time janitor and secretary would relieve him of many responsibilities and would be more helpful at present than an Assistant Pastor. Robert Vermilya and Gordon Jackson were appointed a committee to look into Reverend Baker’s suggestions.
The church couldn’t have found a better person to explain the Sector Plan than Rev.Raker. He was a Field Counselor assigned by the American Baptist Convention to promote the raising of money for Missionary Programs in NYS Baptist Churches. He worked directly with the NYS Baptist Convention, whose headquarters were in Syracuse. In the 1940s there had been a growing insistence on the part of Baptist lay people as well as pastors for the Baptist denomination to come up with a financial program that would assist the churches in raising their own as well as benevolent budgets. The Convention came up with the Sector Plan, an eight-step Every Member Canvass. According to Rev. John Baker, the influencing factor that led the Manlius Church to accept the plan at this time was that the statewide director of the plan, Rev. Russell Raker, was a member of the Manlius Baptist Church. Before Reverend Raker joined the church, the Trustees rejected the Sector Plan. They voted on May 10, 1954, to purchase a Sector Plan workbook and after a discussion of the plan’s merits, voted unanimously to return the Sector Plan material.)
At the July 5, 1956, meeting of the Official Board, the Trustees reported that Workman’s Compensation had been taken out on all salaried employees of the church, and a special meeting of the Official Board was called August 16, 1956, to hear Reverend Raker* present the new Sector Plan, an eight step every-member canvass, designed by the American Baptist Convention to meet the financial needs of growing churches and expanding mission fields.
Except for the intense (and extremely successful) campaign led by Reverend Divine and Reverend Macpherson to raise money for building the new Pleasant Street Church,. The attitude of the congregation and pastors toward raising money was expressed the booklet The Manlius Baptist Church.
This Church has become noted for the absence of direct public financial appeals. Finance is seldom mentioned or discussed from the pulpit. Such discretion in these matters is highly appreciated by the worshippers who respond all the more generously and sacrificially. In fact the personally assumed obligations of all members of the church family is the thing that makes possible the continuation of this policy. It is our profound wish of all that our Church shall always be supported in the sound spirit of Christian Stewardship.
The letter accompanying the pledge cards for 1956 stated that “everyone agrees that the discussion of money matters in the Manlius Baptist Church is held to a minimum, not because they are unimportant but because when a need is presented you and others accept the challenges without necessitating endless pressures.” (Board of Trustees)
Despite these policies, there was felt a need for more money for programs, for assistance for the pastor, for more space for an expanding Sunday School, and for more support for growing Mission Fields.
At the August 16, 1956, meeting, Reverend Raker explained the Sector Plan but there were only 18 members present (out of a possible 36) and it was decided that such an important vote should involve more of the membership. A second meeting was scheduled for August 23, 1956, but only 15 members attended. After much discussion, Ray Heller moved that the Official Board adopt the Sector Plan and added an amendment stating that “every member of the Official Board will cast a ballot voting for or against the motion.” The motion was seconded and carried. The balloting was to bone by letter.
On September 9, 1956, at a BWF sponsored all-church picnic at Highland Park, the Official Board took time out from the festivities to hear a report that the Board had voted 26 to 8 in favor of adopting the Sector Plan for immediate use in planning for the church program and its objectives for 1957. A committee was appointed:
We don’t have a copy of the Sector Plan but the basic steps have been repeated thousands of times in fund drives for charitable institutions of every kind. The first step had to do with the determination of giving potential of the congregation. Time was taken from a Church Service to give adults a list of the church members. The members were asked to write down what they thought everyone (including themselves) might be able to give in light of their assessment of that persons ability to pay., Emphasis was on percentage giving with the hope that a tithe would be the standard. This step was supposed to encourage the members to reconsider their own thinking concerning their own contributions. The individual results were kept confidential but the total results were tabulated. Usually it was found that the giving potential as perceived by the congregation was much larger than everyone had thought. This step was probably the major reason the Sector Plan was somewhat unpopular. Some people thought that the assessment was an invasion of personal and private information and it was often deleted from the program for that reason.
With the figures of potential giving in mind, the next step was to ask the congregation in small groups (i.e., Boards, Committees, Circles, Sunday School Classes) to discuss the programs of the church and what they would like to see done in the future. The proposals would be put together in a proposed budget which would be presented to a congregational meeting for approval of all the members. With a budget that would echo many of the hopes and dreams of most of the members, and as determined by their calculations, one they felt the church could afford, the vote would be overwhelmingly positive. For the first few years of the Sector Plan, the budget was professionally printed in color and with photographs of the various activities of the church included. These were probably done with the aid of the New York State Baptist Association.
Now the time was ripe for the commitment phase. Callers were carefully chosen and trained. They had to be committed to the work of the church and the prepared budget, and ready to back their commitment generously with a percentage giving of their own resources. The total of their pledges combined with that of the pastor and leaders of the church would be announced to the church collectively as Advance Gifts, the amount of which should be impressive enough to encourage the rest of the congregation to follow suit.
After all kinds of positive publicity for the activities and programs of the church (present and future, especially those involving children), and for the advance gift total, the workers would be called together on a Sunday after church (designated as Pledge or Commitment Sunday), given a fine meal by the Baptist Women’s Fellowship, a pep talk and sent out in pairs to the home of the members to bring back the signed pledge cards. Again, the emphasis was to be on % giving.
The callers would report later in the afternoon to the church. The results would be tabulated and there would be a victory celebration at the next Sunday church service, with a follow up for those who escaped the pledging process.
Reverend Baker remembered the plan as a “bold new approach to the Stewardship emphasis of the church and its missions. While the plan generated considerable confusion and resistance for some, it ultimately came to be recognized as the method that transformed the approach to Christian Stewardship planning throughout the country.” As for our church, “in a very few years the Manlius Baptist Church budget was significantly increased and the church became one of the top mission giving churches among American Baptist Churches of New York State.”
This was probably the first year in which the church had two yearly budget campaigns. The normal campaign was run for the 1956 Budget in January 1956. The Budget was discussed and accepted at the January 9, 1956, Annual Meeting, where all the members had been invited to “ lend your voice in the matters of church planning and policy making for the year 1956.” The budget adopted was “an ambitious attempt on the part of our people to see before themselves a challenging goal of Christian stewardship.” A letter with a “personal enlistment” card (a new name for pledge cards) was sent to each member. Those who didn’t return the card could expect a visit from a Trustee. There was no further official adjustment of the budget to match the pledges.
The Sector Plan campaign for the 1957 Budget was carried out during the time we would do our Financial Campaign today with the preparation of the Budget and the drive for pledges in the fall of 1956. Trustees with input from all of the participating boards prepared an adjusted budget for presentation and adoption at the Annual Meeting of January, 1957.
The Budget for 1957 was very ambitious and included goals for Baptist World Missions as well as for the local church. A copy is reproduced in the appendix. This Budget was prepared before Reverend Baker’s resignation and was printed with his picture representing our Pastoral Ministry. The goal for the local church was an ambitious $27,675.55 and for Baptist World Missions (and local missions as well) was a modest $4,400.00. (In 1956 the actrual expenditure for the local church was $15,481.96 and for Missions was $4,241.32.) Little was said about the actual campaign in the church minutes but you can be sure it was properly done under the watchful eyes of the Reverends Baker and Raker.
In the Trustee’s meeting of September 10, 1956, pastoral assistance was again discussed with Reverend Baker. Previously Official Board discussion had centered on hiring a Christian Education Director or an Assistant Pastor (professionally trained persons.) Pastor Baker now asked the Trustees to waive these suggestions in favor of hiring a person with “ingrained dedication for church work and service.” He said “he had found such a person and she is available for half-time service.” The Trustees authorized Reverend Baker to hire a Pastor’s Assistant at a salary not to exceed $35.00/week. At the Official Board meeting November 1, 1956, it was reported by the Christian Education Committee that the Released Time School had a registration of 180 children. Reverend Baker told the Official Board that Margaret Vermilya had been hired as a Pastor’s Assisstant and was “a great help doing a fine job.”
On October 28, 1956, at the close of the church service, Reverend John J. Baker shocked the congregation by announcing his resignation to be effective December 31, 1956. He had accepted a call from the First Baptist Church of Rome, New York. The Rome church was a large church which listed 1,000 members and employed three full time Christian workers.
The Trustees met on November 2, 1956, and voted to buy folding doors to divide the Parlors into three Sunday School rooms. This was to provide more space for the growing Sunday School. On November 6, 1956, the question of children taking Communion was brought up. Reverend Baker stated that anyone who belongs to the Household of Faith is eligible for Communion, and that parents should use their discretion.
Reverend Baker’s was the third longest pastorate. Reverend Elias Barber served a little longer than 12 years and Elder Nathan Baker approximately 21 years (and perhaps longer.)
Later in the year the local newspapers (Post Standard, Herald Journal, Eagle Bulletin) all told of Reverend Baker’s leaving and of the various local and area capacities served during Reverend Baker’s nearly 12 years. He was moderator of the Onondaga Baptist Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Upstate Home for Children in Oneonta, New York, Secretary for three years to the New York State Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Adult Leader of the Onondaga Baptist Youth, President of the Manlius Chapter of Commerce for two years and Chaplain of the Masonic Military Lodge #93 for seven years.
After nearly twelve years of remarkable growth in the church, both in numbers and spirituality, and many more years of service to other Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Convention, Reverend Baker remembers that his time here was “a challenging yet wonderful time in the life and development of the Manlius Baptist Church” and that he was “proud to be a part of it.”