HISTORY CORNER
 

I am continuing to write about former pastors.

Arthur Lee mentions in his book on Church history that Rev. Donald H. Mc Vicar of Chalmers United Church, Montreal, Canada, was extended a call for the period September 15, 1945 to September 15, 1949 at a yearly salary of $1600. Rev. Mc Vicar wished to locate with a church near New York City so that he might pursue additional studies and degrees at Union Seminary. It took only a few months to find and hire Mc Vicar.

From May 1949 to February 1950 the pulpit was vacant except for supply each Sunday or a prospective candidate. Fourteen candidates helped through this period. The church did suffer financially and from lack of interest. Rev. George W. Barford appeared as a candidate and preached his first service in January 1950. After this service he seemed to be very pleasing and willing to come. The congregation said we will look no further for God has sent him in answer to our prayers. With his term as pastor the church took on new life with an increased program. Mr. Barford had a wife, Barbara, a son, Brian, and a daughter , Carolyn. During their stay, two more children were born - Rebecca and Mark. Due to the fact that the church was niot able to support a pastor, the congregation requested help from Westchester Presbytery. They paid part salary for a period of three years. With this restriction, we could not install Mr. Barford as pastor, only as Stated Supply, until we were in better financial status. However, the membership began to grow and when it became time to install Mr. Barford the matter was forgotten until 8 years had elapsed. They he was officially installed to satisfy Presbytery records. He served 16 years.

The pastor that followed Rev. Barford was Rev. Ronald James. Ron was here when my wife Barbara and I joined the church. Going through the process of finding a new pastor creates some financial and membership problems, which the Session should take into consideration.

Dick Hunter, Church Historian

 

This column is updated irregularly as new columns become available