The History of
Our Chruch Adult Groups
written by Dr. Raymond VanderWyk

During the years of our Church History, groups of church people with common interests and ages, sometimes gathered together in a more informal manner for a variety of reasons, and purposes. They were usually small groups of men and women, and usually functioned for only a short period of time. They submitted reports to the Steeplecock, from which information about their activities was obtained. The following groups will be considered chronologically..

The World Outlook Club 1917-1930
The Uni-Cons 1934-1936
The C-U Fellowship 1935-1936
Young Adults Club 1946-1947
Friday Nighters 1947-1950
Young Adults 1959-1960
The Young Couples Club 1975-1976
The Steeplecock Club 1979-1981
The Singles and Resingles 1979
The No-Name Group 1979
The Sociable Ones 1979-1981
The Church Alive Group

The Congregational Club is somewhat of a mystery organization. It was formed in 1898 solely for one purpose only, which was "to carry on the Annual Concert Courses". There is no record that it elected officers, or had any meetings, except when it presented a concert. None of the members are mentioned by name. A charge to attend was made for each concert, about four each year, and all income was used for the benefit of the church's music program. Examples of its generosity were to provide choir vestments, money for railings, and curtains for the altar, an electric blower for the organ, payment for a soloist on Sunday, and repairs to the organ. Its final Annual Report was recorded in 1925, after 27 years of activity. Coincidental^, that was the year of the great fire which destroyed the organ, and which resulted in the termination of any further musical concerts..

The World Outlook Club was organized on February 13, 1917. Its constitution stated that its object was to promote the missionary spirit among the women of the church, and to send the Gospel to the women and children of our own country, and non-Christian lands. There were 26 charter members. It also gave its members a feeling of personal contact with work being done in different parts of the world, and to become acquainted with the organization and development of mission, and charity . Annual dues were $.50. Harriet Flagg served as President for many years. Examples of their missionary work are, The Indian Famine Relief, the Sponsorship of Miss Ruby Viets, our Missionary in Spain, the Waltham Social Service League, and the Near East Relief fund. Locally, there was,

Our Church Missionary Fund, and The Walker Home in Auburndale; In 1931,there was no report of any activities. The membership had dropped to 25 members with an average meeting attendance of only 12. That same year, the Church By-Laws were changed to permit the formation of a Missionary Committee, and this action resulted in disbanding the Outlook Club after 13 years of faithful service "..,,. ",....,,....

The C U Fellowship consisted of a combined group of High School and College students from the First Congregational Church, and the Universalist Unitarian Church. It was formed in 1934, and met weekly on Sunday evening. The elected officers were: Grace Johnson, President, Chester Russell, Vice-President; Beatrice Whittier, Secretary; Elton Macfarlane, Treasurer. The first year's program began with a successful home party in Gloucester, where 30 members had "a glorious weekend at the Rockport Lodge. On Sunday evening a discussion about Crime, Sane Sex Living, Leisure Time, Civic Interests, Social Services, and Personal Religion was held. The visitation to Waltham's Social Service Agencies were carried out, and a Worship Service and Christmas Party was held at the City Home. There are no farther Annual Reports on record.

The Uni-Cons also received its name from a group of Universalist Unitarians and First Congregationalists. The members were generally of post-college ages however, who had drifted out of church life except, perhaps for the Sunday morning service .The 25 members.met on one Sunday Evening each month, at which time there was a speaker, or a group discussion on a subject of general interest. The Uni-Cons also sponsored one or more events of a recreational nature. Meetings were informal, and were usually held at the home of one of the members. The first and the only Secretary was Rachel Slayton, and there are no further Annual Reports on record.

The Young Adults Club was formed in October, 1946, recognizing the need for a mixed organization to bring together the church's young people who had "outgrown" the Senior Pilgrim Fellowship. They met on Sunday evenings, and featured speakers, motion pictures, and other programs of interest to the over 20 age group. The elected officers were: President, William Slayton; Vice-president, Helen Angle: Secretary, Priscilla Tyler: Treasurer, David Evans. There were 40 charter members. The Club met on two Sundays and held one Social gathering each month, with an average attendance of 40 young people. There are no reports of activities in 1947, and it is likely that the name was changed to Friday Nighters, by vote of the Executive Committee.(

Friday Nighters: In 1947, the Executive Committee of the Young Adults Club decided that Friday night was a good time to meet and relax after working, or studying all week long. So, they laid plans for a new organization, and named it "Friday Nighters". They met once each month on the third Friday for business considerations, and for planning.The officers that year were George Newsnap, President; and Mr. and Mrs. Don Johnston, Social Committee Chairmen. The purpose of the group was to support the Church, and all of its activities. Members were encouraged to attend Church, and to provide transportation for older members of the Church. They were a source of help to the Pastor whenever needed, or to drive a child, or ill person to the hospital. During the wintertime, they could be seen shoveling out the church drive way. Monthly dues were $.25 of which ten cents was set aside toward a "final fling" in June. The membership consisted mostly of college age students Examples of social events were: a Halloween Party, a square dance for all Church members, card parties, book reviews, a masquerade dance, covered dish suppers, skating parties, a barn dance, and a beach party. In 1949, mixed bowling was held at the Odd Fellows alleys with 18 bowlers. That year, the new officers were: Co-Presidents, Richard Olson and Phillip Janes; Co-Secretaries, Joan Turner and Jean Tewksbury; Treasurer, George Sangermano; Social Committee, Louise Toler, Priscilla Tyler, and David Hansen The Annual Report for 1950 was very brief, indicating that putting on a play had made $100.00, and hopes ^ . were high for making as much on a forthcoming card party. There is no record of any further activities in the Steeplecock, or in any of the Annual Reports of the church.

Young Adults: The Annual Report of the Church in!960 states: "A group of young adults 18 years of age and above, has been meeting regularly Sunday nights at the Parsonage on Greenwood Lane. We have enjoyed a varied program of informal discussions, various service projects, and enjoyable recreational outings". Some of the outstanding events were, a speaker from Africa, the making of blocks for blind children, painting a Sunday School room, entertaining children from the Metropolitan State Hospital, and climbing Mt Monadnock.". The only elected officer was Priscilla Qolter, President. This is the only Report of the Young Adults which could be found in the Archives of the Church.

Young Couples Club: was formed in 1974, and was made up of young married couples for the purpose of having fun and fellowship. It apparently was an effort to bring back the Merry Mates group, which had disbanded previously. The activities of the Young Couples Club included progressive suppers, a pool party, a Christmas party, and a bowling group. It took charge of the auction following the Steeplecock Dinner at Fair Time. An Annual Report for 1974 was submitted by Dick and Kitty Putnam. In 1976 the group attended a play at Brandeis University, the Boston Pops Concert, and it participated in a cookout, a hayride, and a Christmas Party. There were no reports in 1977 or in 1978, and apparently it disbanded after only three years of activity.

The New Women's Fellowship: The following notice appeared in an April, 1979 issue of the Steeplecock News. "Young women of the church are invited to attend a 'Rap-Around' on Tuesday Evening, April, 29, at 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The object is to become better acquainted, and to share mutual concerns, and ideas. Please call Mrs. Richard (Ruth) Flynn if you have any questions." As a result, a small group met and adopted the name, The New Womens Fellowship. It began to meet on a monthly basis, and was active in such programs as "money saving ideas", a barbecue at Ben and CeCe Potter's home to which husbands were invited, the publication of a cookbook at $3.50 each, the sponsoring of a children's room, other projects at Steeplecock Fair Time, and a bake sale. During this period there was a change in name. Apparently, the interest in working for the benefit of the Steeplecock Fair was the motive for renaming and forming The Steeplecock Club. There is no record of the date when the name actually became official.

The Steeplecock Club: This new women's organization, patterned after the New Women's Fellowship announced the following goals, "to gather together ideas which are important to us as women, and to involve our husbands and children in helping the church financially with our talents". The new group began with 10 members, electing Ruth Flynn, President and Claire Fraize, Secretary. Activities in 1980, included a Spring Fling Dance party, with Pauline Goode demonstrating dancing from the waltz to the hustle. The proceeds went toward the purchase of a sound system for Page Hall. New elected officers were: Michelle LeBon, President, Sandy Herring, Vice-president, Dianne Fournier, Treasurer, and Claire Fraize, Secretary. The members were especially involved in a successful Steeplecock Fair in 1980. It held a meeting at the home of Ruth Holden to discuss further plans, and as a result the Group volunteered to be chairpersons of the Steeplecock Gift Table. It also held several workshops in Page Hall on Sunday afternoons after church for the benefit of the Fair. There are no further reports of activities.

The Singles and Resingles Club: This group was founded over pancakes on a Sunday morning breakfast. The organizers were Joyce Krol and Ruth Holden. Plans to attend. A Boston Pops Concert, and the possibility of a mixed doubles Bowling League, as well as a trip to Newport, RI. A month later, the Group met under the title, No Name Group, for a cookout at Sally Robinson's. Plans were made for an evening cruise in Boston Harbor. It made plans to meet again, on the first and third Thursday of the month beginning I September. One meeting would be for R and R, the other meeting for the work of the church and Community. In a My meeting, a new name was finally decided upon, that of The Sociable Ones.

The Sociable Ones: The following notice appeared in the May Issue of the Steeplecock: To males, females, and singles of all descriptions, there will be a short get together over brunch which is planned for this Sunday, May 6. We will meet in the hall outside the Chapel after coffee hour, and journey to Waltham Motor Inn on Totten Pond Road. We will discuss the viability of getting this group started". The notice was signed by Linda Carpenter, and Ruth Holden. And so a new group was organized over pancakes. The Sociable Ones was somewhat different from other groups at that time in that the purpose was principally for fun, enjoyment, and social activities. The possibility of forming a mixed bowling league was discussed. In June, the new singles group chose the name "The Sociable Ones". Bill Anderson was chosen to be the Entertainment Chairman, and Ruth Holden for Publicity. Activities included: a beach party, a cookout, and a ham and bean supper. The proceeds were used to provide the present bulletin board in Page Hall. In September and October, the activities included: a brunch after church, a trip to the Boston Aquarium, a foliage tour, a costume Halloween Party, a potluck supper, a bowling party, and a trip to the Worcester Auditorium to hear Fred Waring and His Young Pennsylvanians. In November, 1979, it was decided that the group should have officers. Elected were: Ruth Holden, President, Ruth O'Donnell, Secretary/Treasurer, and Bill Anderson, Entertainment. A Christmas party was attended by 16 Sociable Ones at Sally Robinson's home. Some of the activities in 1980 were: the Ice Follies, a trip to the Science Museum, followed by a pizza party, a potluck supper followed by a panel discussion on the topic, "The Challenge of Living Alone" led by Rosemary Johnston, a trip to the JFK Library, a wine, cheese, and card party at the home of Martha Thompson, a walking tour of Boston, a trip to Sturbridge Village, and two cookouts at Ken Griffin's home in Arlington, The group went to see "Fiddler on the Roof, sponsored a Square Dance session at the Steeplecock Fair, and enjoyed a Halloween Party at the home of Jack Miller. In December, a potluck supper, and dance party was held jointly with The Merry Makers. On March 4,1981, nine Social Ones met at Ruth Holden's home for a pot luck supper to celebrate Helen Williams' birthday. The evening was enjoyable with a "real cut throat game of hearts". A "Spring Thing" was held in April, emphasizing the spirit of the members that "good food and sociability are the hallmarks of our events". This April event may have been the final activity. There are no records found in the Steeplecock to indicate otherwise.

Church Alive: "THE CALENDER OF EVENTS' in the March 5,1981 Edition of the Steeplecock stated, "A live group will meet at the Ram's on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.". It adopted the name "Church Alive", and held several unexplained meetings as to its membership and purpose at different homes, one of which was the Parsonage. It was not until March 29, that the group asserted its liveliness when it sponsored a "foolish follies breakfast" for all the families of the church to enjoy. The menu consisted of cuckoo eggs, silly sausages, merry muffins, foolish fruit cup, crazy coffee, and glee tea. The meal was followed by a film called. "The Mark of the Clown" from Corinthians 4:10, "Be a fool for Christ's sake". Ota a Saturday in June, Church Alive sponsored a Strawfeerry Festival-Ice Cream Social on the front lawn. Here we find who represented Church Alive. Pastor Jim Johnston prepared 2000 fliers, and Don Jenkins distributed them all over Waltham. Chris and Nancy Withbroe made posters, Lynda Withbroe was on the serving line, with Ruth Holden. Jim and Rosemary Johnston, and Karen Ram made the lemonade. Bill Anderson supplied paper cups and plates. A singing straw hat quartet featured Bill Anderson, the Rams, and Carly Stuckler. Ruth Anderson cashiered. A profit of $82 was realized. The affair was so successful that it was repeated the following year in June, and on Saturday, July 25,1982 the Group sponsored a chicken Bar-B-Que. Bill Stitt and Joan Turner were added to the Church Alive singing group. This event appears to be its final activity.

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Trinity Church
(First Congregational Church of Waltham)
730 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Copyright 2002