1822 - 1900

Once again we must go back in time, actually to 1822, two years after the church was founded, to find the date when a Sunday School was begun. It is said to have been the first Sunday School in this area, a school having been organized in West Newton in 1820. The Reverend Sewall Harking was Pastor at the time, and the fifteen women who joined became the first Sunday School teachers. The first Superintendent was Abel Richardson, to be followed by thirteen others, until 1872. At that time, and because the Sunday School had a membership of 221, the feeling prevailed that better results could be brought about by an organized system of government. As a result, a Constitution and By-laws were written, and the name, "Congregational Sabbath School Association" was approved. The Preamble stated, "Recognizing, and heartedly accepting the divine command, Teed my Lambs', and in the desire of fulfilling to the best of our ability; believing that by the formation of an organization, the Sabbath School work of the Church can be most effectually prosecuted; we, therefore associated in this work, agree to be governed by the following

Constitution." The object of the Association was to promote the study and knowledge of God's Work, especially among the young, to the end that they may be brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus, and that they may be developed into intelligent children.

The constitutional officers elected by the Church were Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, Presenter, (one who leads the singing), and an Advisory Committee of eight, with the Pastor as ex officio member. The Superintendent directed the work of the Church, appointed teachers, and submitted an, Annual. Report. All persons of fourteen years of age and older, who were members of the Sabbath School, were eligible to vote at the election of officers.

The Fiftieth Anniversary of the original Sunday school was celebrated on May 12,1872, with the first elected Superintendent, Mr. E. A. Marsh conducting the ceremonies. He reported that the Sabbath School conducts 23 classes, with a total membership of 221, taught by 22 teachers, and that the Church had just purchased a new piano-forte.

Of special historical interest, a hymnbook containing only children's hymns called, "Infant Praises Song Book" has been discovered, and is now a part of our Memorabilia. It was tattered, torn, and well used, and contains 126 Sacred Songs for the Sabbath School. It Is a priceless treasure, certainly one which our present Sunday school and Choir would enjoy seeing.

A special Anniversary song was written for the occasion, by the newly elected Presenter, H. E. Skeele, and sung by the children. The music is not known, but the words are:

The Birthday of the Sabbath School
The ever welcome day
We hail once more its glad return
To mark us on our way
A fitting time it is for praise
A fitting time to pray

Chorus
On the birthday of the Sabbath School
This bright and happy day
This bright and happy day

Fond memories now are thronging back
With mingling smiles and tears
Of all we loved and all we lost
In happy by-gone years
Of friends once gathered with us here
Now dead or far away.

Chorus
On the birthday of the Sabbath School
This bright and happy day
This bright and happy day.

The Annual Reports of the Superintendents proved to very helpful in recording the history, and many activities of the Sabbath School. In 1885 Henry Whittemore was elected Superintendent. He was obviously a good educator, because the Whittemore Elementary School was named after him. The statistics of 1892 showed a membership of 459 children, more than double that of 20 years previously. In 1885 Fred Bearce became the organist until his retirement in 1954, having played for 69 years at the console. He was given the title, "Organist Emeritus". During all those years he missed but one Sunday, and that was because of the death of his son. In 1898,49 adult members of the church joined the Sabbath School by forming the "Home Department". Its purpose was to provide for church members to study the Bible, religious books, and lessons at home. During the second year its enrollment had increased to 75.

1900-1916

The Sabbath School entered the new century with 10 elected Officers, 50 teachers, and 515 children of all ages. A standard curriculum was adopted which included the following lessons: Bible stories, biographies, the history of pivotal Bible events, Books of the Bible, the life of Jesus, and Hebrew customs, laws, and religious practices. In 1903, Arthur Burke was elected Superintendent. He is well known to many of us, as he became Principal of the Waltham High School in the 1930's when I was a student. I remember him as a disciplinarian, and apparently he got his training in our Sabbath School. In one of his Annual Reports, he stated: "The standard for promotion should not be one of age, but one of attaining knowledge of the Bible. In the lower departments, the pupils now understand that they will not be promoted until they have completed a definite amount of presented work."

1906 was a busy year. The Trinitarian Congregational Church voted to abolish pew rentals, voted to dissolve, and to become incorporated as the First Congregational Church of Waltham, and voted to extend an invitation to the Reverend Frederick Harlan Page to become pastor, who served us for the next 20 years. He immediately saw the need for organizing the young men of the church in order to extend their religious education. In 1906, he founded the Baraca Class, in 1907 the Pastor's Class with 15 men as members, and in 1908, the Golden Rule Brotherhood came into being. The history of these groups will be discussed in future Steeplecocks.

At this point in history you might well be wondering how the burgeoning Sabbath School coped with the lack of sufficient space for so many classes, as well as in finding the number of teachers that were required. These were situations that were discussed In the Annual Reports of every superintendent. Several classes met in the "Auditorium" (present Sanctuary) at the same time the Philathea Class met in the "gallery" (present balcony), sheltered only by a hanging drape which did little to protect the members from the distractions (noise from several hundred children?) coming from the pews. Several groups met in the "Chapel", (present Page Hall, since Davis Chapel did not exist at the time). None of these locations had tables upon which the children could work. There were classes in the old dining hall when it was located beneath our present Page Hall. Unless the sun was shining, this room was very dark, because of a lack of windows. Electric lighting was yet in the future. The room was not well ventilated, and raised many complaints. The Pastor's Class, which by 1911 had increased to 35 members, met in the kitchen which was located adjacent to the old dining hall, where the seating must have been very crowded. Albert P. Williams, Superintendent in 1909 stated, "The work of finding good teachers has been the most important and complexing problem that has disturbed one superintendent after another". He suggested that the Church Committee (Diaconate) serve as an advisory committee that could-reach out more effectively to the church members. He recommended obtaining a trained professional to oversee the Sunday School. This was carried out, and Merril Gauntl, a student from Andover Seminary (now Andover Newton Theological School) was obtained to teach a class of boys on Sunday, and to meet with a boys group known as the Knights of King Arthur one evening a week. When war broke out in 1916, he volunteered for duty, joining a Red Cross Ambulance Unit. Tragically, he lost his life in France serving his country. It is written that "he was faithful unto death, and sleeps in peace amongst the awful carnage of war. Though he has left us, his influence lives on, and the noble example he set remains with us as a sacred memory, and a continued source of inspiration."

On the positive side, perhaps due to the influence of the Pastor's Class and the Baraca Class, men were volunteering as teachers. In 1914 there were 7 male teachers and 31 female teachers.

1916-1920

By now, the name of the Sabbath School had been changed once again to become the "Sunday School". In 1916, the year that our country entered World War I, the Sunday School census claimed 47 officers and teachers to teach 542 children. However, not all seemed to be just right, as was evidenced by the report of one of the Sunday School Superintendents at that time. He wrote about the seemly lack of responsibility by the parents in the matter of the Sunday School, saying, "beyond the kindergarten, no interest seems to be taken by parents. Here you are, not supporting your school as you ought, for when it comes to teaching a Sunday School class, most of those who are asked to teach, answer something like, 'what teach a Sunday School class, me'?, and beg to be excused. Parents can also help by impressing upon the children the distraction in throwing hats, or other movable objects, for the tipping over of chairs, and the heedless throwing around of books and kindred disturbances. How can we expect to teach the children devotion to the right, and reverence to the Word, and the house of God on Sunday, when they bring to the school antics that are only fit for the playground"? This chastising apparently bore fruit when Margaret L. Forbes was hired, and given the title of Church Assistant, followed In 1920 with the title of Education Director. This action was a first, as well as a milestone in the evolution and history of the Sunday School. Margaret devoted full time to the operation of the School except for one morning a week to her work at the College of Religious Education and Social Services at Boston University. She was given a salary of $1000 per year, and Immediately made several changes, among which were to establish a Committee of Religious Education, which included parents as well as teachers. This Committee met monthly to discuss and plan lessons. She recruited Professor Walter James from B.U. as an Instructor for the Philathea Class, formed a Sunday School Cradle Roll, instituted a public school grading system as a basis for promotion, planned a Rally Day Party for the children and the YPCES; established a two year training program for teachers and parents; brought In stereopticon slides as a teaching aid, and made 260 family house calls in cooperation with the Neighborhood Committee. The training of the youth of the church also was not overlooked. Within each Church School Department of older members, a Worship Committee was formed, which planned and presented a worship service each month during the assembly period, when all the children gathered at the same time. As a result of these ambitious endeavors, 14 new teachers were recruited, and 4 members were added to the Religious Education Committee. Sixteen substitute teachers also volunteered. In 1915, a "Go To Church Band" was formed for children and old or younger, and a Senior Deoartment for those 14 and older. The Incentive was to have perfect attendance at the 10:30 Sunday Service for the 18 Sundays from Feb. ito May 11 inclusive. Two absences were allowed for sickness. The 1920 Report of the Sunday School showed that 24 winners were given recognition pins on Children's Sunday, that the children were well behaved during the Church Worship, and were forming good habits. Among the winners were the Worth twins, Burton and Benjamin, who carried on their devotion into the future for many years to come.

Thus ended 100 years in the life of our Church and its Sunday School. Adolf Batchelder, Superintendent of the School at that time, speaking at the Annual Meeting said, "In the past century, workers in the Sunday School have either volunteered their services, impelled with a feeling of duty and loyalty, or by being reluctantly persuaded. In all things, there has been an ebb and flow in the tide of progress, but we think it is safe to say that the general movement through all the past has been onward.

1921 - 1925

In 1921, Sunday School Superintendent, Adolf Batchelder wrote these words in his Annual Report. "As we look back over the life of the Church, and think of the fathers and mothers who have conducted its affairs, and of the sons and daughters now active in its work, who have conducted its affairs, and of the sons and daughters now active in its work, and of the grandsons and granddaughters, who are now growing up under their influence, we look toward the future when these little children shall have become grandfathers and grandmothers, and this great Church shall be laying the foundations of Christ's Kingdom in the heads and lives of later generations".

Margaret Forbes, our first salaried Religious Education Director, continued to make her presence felt. The name Sunday School was changed to "The Church School" to reflect the broader influence, and the growth of adult Christian Education. A Loyalty Record was established in the Junior and Intermediate Departments. Records were kept of the children's punctuality, giving, home work, Church attendance, weekday meetings, and service activities. These records were sent home to parents in the form of appreciation notes. For High School boys, a group called "The Alpha Club was formed under the leadership of Mr. George Davis, a prominent lawyer in Waltham. A Young People's Council was constituted for leadership training by working with, and learning from, older leaders in developing policies and programs. About twenty of these young people attended the Community School of Religious Education in Newtonville. The name of the Home Department was changed to "Home Extension Department", and its work was divided up, and apportioned to four sub-departments, namely: Parents, Children, Bible Study, and Cradle Roll Departments.

By the end of 1922, the Church School had increased by 29 students with a total membership of 567, including adult classes which were taught by 54 teachers, officers, and the pastor. For the first time the Rally Week for the children included a Parent Rally Day. Again, most of these changes were made by the Director of Religious Education, Margaret Forbes, with the cooperation of the Superintendent, who expressed himself as "being most pleased." In 1924, Margaret completed her studies at Boston University School of Religious Education , and she left to become Religious Education Director at the Trinity Congregational Church in Lawrence MA. In her letter of resignation, she wrote, "I am grateful for the enriching experiences I have had with the people of this Church, who have proved themselves to be truly Christians in spirit as well as in name, and for the ties with the boys and girls, their teachers, parents, and friends. I commend all of the people of this Church to the gracious care of the father of us all. Hazel Lane,also a student at Boston University, was hired as Director of Religious Education. Her Annual Report showed a high level of Church School activity in all departments. Five young people attended a Summer Christian Education Camp at Lake Winnepesaukee. The Home Extension Department mailed lessons to every child not in attendance for the religious education. Four school departments met at Asbury Temple to relieve the paucity of space in the Church. The members of the High School Department put on a pageant, "The Messiah Comes", which was very well attended. In 1923, a Senior Young People's Department was organized with an average attendance of 50 students. Mr. Carleton Owen was elected as councillor.

The year 1925, was a memorable one in our history. On October 8, at about 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon, a fire broke out in the Choir Room. It was thought to have been caused by the janitor smoking his pipe. It quickly spread into the Sanctuary, destroying the organ before it crept up into the steeple. The Church received $38,635.61 from its insurance, but it was later necessary to borrow funds to complete the restoration. Dr. Page retired to become President of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. A Parish House was acquired in Piety Corner which served as a meeting place for many of our Church Organizations, especially those related to the Sunday School.

1926-1934

Upon the resignation of Dr. Frederick Harlan Page, the Reverend Walter Commons was called as Pastor. He moved into a newly purchased house, which became the parsonage, located at 28 Wellington St. It had been purchased from Alma Roy, at a cost of $10,701.00. The purchase required taking out a mortgage of $6,800. Repairs to the Church building, caused by the fire of 1925 were almost finished, except for obtaining a new organ. The Church borrowed $40,000.00, and a mortgage reduction Committee was formed, chaired by George Davis. During the construction of the Sanctuary, services were held at the First Baptist Church on Moody St., as well as in the newly named Page Hall, in remembrance of Dr. Page and his wife, Grace.

Hazel Lane continued her excellent work with the Church School until her retirement in 1927. Irma Steeves, who came from Maine, became Director of Religious Education, and she served until 1932, when she left to marry a minister. During this time several changes and additions were made in the Church School. A Church School Missionary Committee was formed, which worked out a plan for systematic giving in benevolences on a budget of $600.00. A Religious Education Committee was assembled consisting of the Departmental Supervisors, the Presidents of the Philothea and Mrs. Peugh Bible Class, the Chairman of the Church Missionary Committee, and the Pastor. Its first order of business was to hold monthly meetings of the Church School officers, teachers, and parents.

A Reading Club for Primary and Junior boys and girls was begun, and a plan to make contacts with every child in the Church School through home visitations was developed. This plan was carried out using 16 callers throughout the city. In 1926, a High School Department was formed from the Young Peoples' Department, and later on a union with the Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society was made to form the Young Peoples Social Hour. Richard Pontz was elected Treasurer, and Chairman of the Worship Committee.

A Junior Choir was begun under the direction of Mabelle Gray. Troop 13, Boy Scouts of America was organized by Canton Owen, and Deacon William Slayton, who later became Superintendent of the Waltham School System, was elected Leader. Richard Pontz was elected Scribe of the Troop.

When Erma Steeves resigned in 1932, it was decided not to hire a paid Director of Religious Education, due to the Church's large debt. Ruth Adams, a member of the Church, agreed to continue Erma's work on a part time volunteer basis. Dr. Commons resigned as Pastor in 1933, after seven years, to take up work among the mentally ill, and criminal classes. William Loos, a senior student at Andover Theological School, came to us as Associate Pastor, and the following year he became Pastor. Also engaged was Franlkin Bower, a student, as assistant to the Pastor, particularly to work with the Church School. Since the position of the Director of Religious Education had been terminated, the Church School continued its teachings under the direction of the Religious Education Committee, chaired by the Reverend Erwin Shaver, and led by Ruth Williams and Franklin Bower.

A report from the Church School in 1934 stated that joint activities among the young people of the Church and the Universalist Church had begun with the support of both pastors. The activities included Lenten Vespers, Sunday Evening Services, and a series of Socratic discussions on timely subjects. They called themselves "The C-U Fellowship. There was also a group of post-college age people from the two Churches who called themselves "The Uni-Cons". The Report also stated "relations between the two Churches were most cordial, and it is hoped that the two congregations would continue to cooperate to their mutual advantage". The name of the Missionary Committee was changed to Social Relations Committee in its consideration and interpretation of the social and racial problems of the day.

On an historical note, the Standing Committee was renamed the Executive Committee, and the work of the Church was assigned to committees with the Chairman of each Committee reporting to the Executive Committee much as we do today. The Committees were: Finance, Ways and Means, Music, Investment, Parish Work, Social Relations, and Religious Education.

At the end of 1935, the Statistics of the Church showed the following numbers:

Church Building Assessment -- $139,000.00
Parsonage Assessment -- $10,000.00
Debt -- $36,000.00
Male Members -- 250
Female Members -- 496
Church School members -- 367
Proposed Budget for 1936 -- $8,000.00
Trust Funds -- $7,210.00

1962- 1980

Winifred Kneisel became the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, and with the final wrap up of the Building Renovations Committee, the many activities of the Sunday School came into action in a big way, according to Winifred's Report for 1962. Other typical examples of activities included the following. There were two gatherings of parent get-togethers. In June and one in December for a Christmas workshop. Six teachers from our Church participated in Bible Vacation School. There were several educational workshops, and a group was formed to study a book with the title, "The Educational Mission of Our Church. Jim Fisher led a group to study a book titled, "Household of Power."

The year 1963 included one of the most important experiences ever in the ministry and education of our youth This was a nine day trip for nineteen young people from the Sunday School and Pilgrim Fellowship to The Congregational Center at Bricks, North Carolina. The report of their activities, submitted by Rev. Jim Fisher, Minister of Youth, will appear in an upcoming "Gems of the Past" edition of the Steeplcock. His report was featured in the Waltham News Tribune as a three column account, and was a topic for conversation through out the City of Waltham. Remember, this was a time of prejudice, and the conflict for equal rights. As we shall see in Jim's report, the trip turned out to be a new kind of ministry, which involved the young people in Bricks, and our youth as well.

In a tally taken about this time, it was recorded that 325 children comprised the Sunday School from crib room to Senior High, and the teaching staff numbered 32 persons. Heading up various committees were some of the following faithful persons, under the leadership of Chairman, Bettie Kornegay: Shirley Ross, Ethel Hartley, Betty Bushway, Helen Barnes, Dorothy Stitt, and Arthur Mixon.

The Report of the Youth Choir numbered 30 under the leadership of Rev. Flagler Fultz. while the Senior Choir numbered 25. Anita Stewart was Chairman of the Music Committee. Soloists were Kathleen Kilcullen, Sandra Spencer, and John Miller. It is interesting that the Senior Choir was frequently called upon to sing on occasions outside of the church. For example; the ordination of Rev. Mary Anne Neevel, the Boston Common Christmas Festival, a presentation of a program at Grover Cronins, and the Beth Eden Church for the Waltham Council of Church's Annual Meeting. Mary Ann, who was very popular with the children submitted the following Report concerning the Sunday School just one year after assuming the duties of the Director of Christian Education. Her description of the activities and challenges of the Sunday School are summarized as follows at that time 70 years ago.

One of the most important tasks we have as a church is 'the equipment of the Saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ' [Eph. 4:12]. The equipment of the Saints for the work of the ministry is carried out in various ways, and begins with the youngest person in our midst. The care given to babies and toddlers by family and church helps them to grow, and to show love and concern. Stories, songs, art, and play activities are used in teaching the meaning of forgiveness, growth, and love. The children Of our Primary Department are discovering a larger world of schoolmates, reading, language, and the people around them. They are discovering the love of God, in their lives, and to deepen the sense of wonder and appreciation at being a child of God.

Lower Juniors are tackling the problem of understanding themselves, and understanding how they may grow as Christians. The Junior classes are exploring the background for studying Jesus' life and teachings by learning of the land and people where Jesus lived and worked.

Our Junior Highs are on the threshold of deciding about their faith and identity as persons, and are beginning to look more seriously at becoming church members. Middle Highs are involved in the search for meaning, and the content of their becoming a.Christian Person. Senior Highs, as full-fledged members of the church, need practice in living the faith, and this they are challenged to do in a course that begins with Christian ethics.

The church is a school for al its members, for we will continue to grow and mature as Christians as we participate in worship, Bible study, groups discussions, teaching, and committee work. As the fall program of First Congregational Church in Waftham gets underway, you are invited to look at our church as a school. If you wish, you may ask to sit in on a church school session to see what happens in our classrooms. You are welcome to attend any of the All-Staff meetings of the Church school. But, most of all, you may consider yourself involved in our common task of "equipping the saints for the work of the ministry".

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