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Written by Gladys Gunsauls
Contents of Part I: In the Church, as in the Holy Family, the essential language is love. It does not matter what other language is spoken, love is the language that counts. The church centers in love - God's and man's. True warmth in the Church comes from the fire of Divine Love seeping itself into human relationships. It is the gift of God Himself. It is in that vein that this history of the United Methodist Church in Carbondale, Pennsylvania is presented, covering a period of years between 1957 and 1972. Throughout the whole course of events, it really represents a people's devotion and dedication, so that the Church becomes a place where the glory of God abides; and man is the instrument whereby the past becomes our heritage, the present our responsibility and the future our destiny. In April 1932, the Carbondale Methodist Church, during the pastorate of Dr. W. Gray Jones, became one hundred years old, and the birthday was observed with a gala week long celebration, with visits from previous pastors and former members and friends from far and near. The celebration was climaxed with a narrative pageant, depicting in twelve episodes, the growth and progress of the Carbondale Church from 1832 to 1932. This pageant was prepared by Mrs. F. L. Cagwin (deceased), Mrs. G. B. Sampson (deceased), and Miss Gladys M. Gunsauls (deceased), who also served as narrator, assisted by Louise Sutton (Swan) and Eleanor Geesey (McMeekine). |
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Then twenty-five years later, in May 1957, the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary was held. One highlight, on this occasion, was a congratulatory letter from Bishop Fred Carson, who retired in 1969. In his letter, the Bishop said that historically Carbondale Church stood in an honorable position in the Wyoming Conference with a wonderful tradition of service. On Sunday evening there was participation in the Community Night Service, with District Superintendent Russell J. Haroke, now Director of Wyoming Conference Homes for the Aging preaching. At this time, a booklet was sold for fifty cents per copy, incorporating the highlights of the one hundredth anniversary, plus the activities of the ensuring years, prepared by Mrs. F. L. Cagwin and committee listed in the booklet. The pastor was Rev. Paul J. Hulslander, who, after leaving Carbondale for "Greener Pastures", suffered a very serious automobile accident returning from the west coast, after a most enjoyable vacation visit with his son Loring and his family. He was hospitalized for a long period of time and was on disability leave from preaching, but has recovered and in 1970 assumed a pastorate again, retiring at the 1974 Conference in Scranton. He will make his home in Waverly, New Jersey. It appeared, that after the work, excitement and pleasure attendant to these two anniversaries, there was a tendency to sort of rest on our laurels. In 1959, at the instigation of Rev. Theodore I. Hubbard, a group was named, with Mr. Henry S. Lee as Chairman, but who passed to his reward in 1969. The function of this group was to perpetuate the history of Methodism in Carbondale, so that, as the older members, and probably some of this same group, passed on to that Home on High, the torch would be handed to the next generation to hold it high. It would be like the Spirit of the Past handing the torch of faith to the Spirit of the Future to carry on our glorious heritage. After the passing of Mr. Lee the committee became dormant until in 1970 when Mrs. H. N. Lake was named to assist. By this time the original group was dwindled down to Mr. Alvin Roberts and Miss Gladys Gunsauls. A great deal of research was involved in preparing this record from 1957. At the death of Mrs. Lake in April 1971, that left only the above named two, and by 1972 during the pastorate of Rev. Wilmot Mather, he removed these two people feeling this contribution no longer useful and appointing a committee of his own liking. That is the reason this record is completed only up to and including 1972. How true the adage "great oaks from little acorns grow". The little acorn in this case, being that small group of pioneers, who met at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Vene Lee in 1828 and started Methodism in Carbondale. This group met in various homes from 1828 until 1832 when the first Church was erected. The Great Oak is the magnificent edifice in which we now worship and which has been made possible by dedicated people with the love of God and their fellow men foremost in their hearts and minds. To these faithful, dedicated pioneers, who gave us this beautiful structure, we are most deeply and humbly grateful, realizing the hardships and inconveniences under which they labored and the heartbreak they suffered when what they had worked so diligently and faithfully for went up in smoke. But they 'buckled right in with a trace of a grin' and rebuilt the beautiful Church which is our heritage from them. We must not fail them, but must carry on more valiantly, realizing we have so much more with which to work than did those dedicated Methodist of yesteryear. These men and women have left an incandescent "Luminous Trail" that is difficult for us to follow, but oh, how inspiring and comforting. We are proud and honored to have had representatives from our Church family respond to the call of preaching and teaching in the service of our Lord and Master. Those who in 1972 serve Wyoming Conference are:
Also outstanding and exceptional in the field of religious education are Miss Thelma Stouffer and Miss Elsie Lewis. Thelma was a graduate of National College of Kansas City, Missouri with degrees from New York University, Director of Religious Education for twenty-six years at Broadway Temple, New York City, President of Northeastern Deaconess Association and in 1971 employed in the Board of Missions Office, Riverside Drive, New York City. Elsie received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Scrovitt College, Nashville, Tennessee. She was Director of Christian Education at Endwell Methodist Church, Associate Director Wyoming Conference Board of Education and in 1970 Director of Christian Education United Methodist Church Haddonfield, New Jersey and in 1971 transferred to First Church Oneonta, New York. In 1954 Rev. Paul J. Hulslander became our spiritual leader until 1959, followed by Rev. Theodore I. Hubbard for nine years and in 1968 Rev. Frederick W. Reinfurt was the leader until his retirement in 1971. These men with their gracious wives left nothing to be desired in their association with the members of the church. Upon Pastor Reinfut's retirement at the May 1971 Conference held in Oneonta, New York, Rev. Wilmot Mather, who was ordained an elder at this Conference was appointed as Pastor of Carbondale, having transferred from the North New Jersey Conference. He took up resident in the parsonage with his wife Lenore and two sons. He was still attending Drew University and commuted there each week securing degrees in 1972. At the 1974 Wyoming Conference held in Elm Park Church, Scranton, Rev. Mather was assigned to the Dalton, Pennsylvania Charge leaving Carbondale without a pastor until September of 1974, when we were happy to welcome Rev. Irwin L. Brand, his charming wife Ruth and handsome son Robbie. During the interim Rev. Arthur Davis, Pastor at Jermyn, Pennsylvania United Methodist graciously filled our pulpit along with his own for three Sundays, showing he was truly a good friend and neighbor. Rev. Brand has a challenge as membership and finances had reached an all time low, but we feel with his dedication, his friendliness and his love of God, he will overcome every hurdle. Special credit must be given to our faithful choir members, who through wind, rain, sleet or snow, will be found in their accustomed places each Sunday, blending their voices in praise to God, the giver of all good things, We have been greatly blessed, indeed, having over the years, so many gifted musicians, who have been organists, directors and singers, giving of their God given talents so generously, making this one of the outstanding churches in the Wyoming Conference. The congregation was deeply saddened on December 17th, 1953, by the passing to his Eternal Home of our long time faithful and devoted organist Mr. John B. Evans, who maintained a perfect attendance record at Church and Sabbath School for fifty years. On June 10th 1954, Mr. Tom Evans from Scranton, Pennsylvania became our Organist and Choir Director and gave brilliant service until 1959 when he resigned. He was followed by Mrs. Floyd Hallock, from Waverly, Pennsylvania who served from November 1959 to July 1960. During vacation time, we have union services with the Presbyterians and Baptists, thus giving our ministers six weeks of well earned vacation and parishioners the privilege of worshipping in the sister churches. In September 1960, Mr. William Loftus took up the duties of Choir Director with Miss Beatrice Bensink at the console. However, their tenure was of short duration and in November 1960 Miss Nan Seigle, (now Mrs. Joseph Doyle of Alexandria Virginia) and one of our own girls, took up the duties of Organist, with Mrs. T. I Hubbard (Carmel) wife of the pastor, nobly performing as Choir Director, until May 1963, when they completed their duties after serving loyally for over two and one half years. Their efforts were thoroughly appreciated and gratitude and best wishes of the entire congregation were extended to them. On May 19, 1963, Mr. William Richards, became Organist and Choir Director. The music committee, headed by Mr. David Stephens, were most fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Richards. He came to Carbondale very well qualified, having been Organist in German Lutheran Church and Throop Methodist Church, for eight years director of the Choral Choir at Bradley Memorial Methodist, and for thirty-eight years Organist and Director of St. John's Lutheran Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is a Methodist and resides in Jermyn, Pennsylvania. A cordial welcome was extended to him and his wife who will be an asset to the choir, blending her voice in praise to God. Also, their daughter, Elvia, possessor of a magnificent voice, will be guest soloist from time to time. On October 27th, 1963 a new group, called the Youth Choir directed by Mr. Richards, made their debut. This was an inspiring sight, having such a group of young Christians using their talent in the worship service. In January 1964, plans were being formulated for new robes for the Senior Choir, the maroon ones having seen hard service. The Choir held a bake sale which gave them a start on this project, and were in hopes that individuals would make substantial contributions to this worthy cause, since the dedication of the choir members is deeply appreciated. Well, mission accomplished, and on April 10th, 1964, the choir members entered the sanctuary arrayed in their new green choir robes, with a reversible white and gold stole. These robes were a memorial from Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Clark, both of whom worked untiringly in the church, and sang in the choir. It is most fitting that they should be remembered in this way. Each robe bears a memorial label. The entire congregation was deeply grieved by the serious illness and saddened by the subsequent death in December 1996 of Mr. William Richards, our revered Organist and Choir Director, but know he's making beautiful music in Heaven. During the illness of Mr. Richards, Miss Nan Seigle, again graciously substituted in the interim. This was only a temporary arrangement and the music committee, headed by the dynamo Mr. David Stephens, were again faced with the problem of securing someone to fill the important post of Organist and Choir Director. Miss Jean Rizzo of Lafton, Pennsylvania was contacted and accepted the offer coming to Carbondale in September 1969. She was very well qualified with a Master's Degree from Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, Organist at American Protestant Church in Paris, France, and also a student of organ and harpsichord in Europe. Her tenure ended on June 1st, 1970 when she accepted a position as organist in a Philadelphia area Methodist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, so our loss is their gain. Mr. Bruce Tonkin, a splendid young Carbondale boy, who is majoring in Music at Mansfield State College, capably filled in as organist in the interim, until union services. He filled the position so admirably. We were almost sorry to have him return to college, as we would have liked to have kept him permanently, but realized in order to be the success we know he will be, he must complete his education. Since the merger and the new format of the United Methodist Church, the commission on worship is responsible for the ministry of music. Miss Miriam Frethaway, Director of The Organist Guild, was contacted and highly recommended Miss Renee Shugg of Blakely, Pennsylvania, a second year Music Major at Marywood college in Scranton, Pennsylvania, having served as organist at the Primitive Methodist Church and studied with Mrs. Bryant and Miss Frethaway. On Sept 13th, 1970 the congregation welcomed the new Organist and Choir Director of the senior and Junior Choirs, Miss Renee Shugg, who served faithfully until July 29th, 1973. She resigned on account of her impending marriage, which occurred on August 4th, 1973 to Mr. John Kruper. They moved to Endwell, New York where she is serving another church. Well, there was the same old story again; this time a young Honesdale man was contacted and in September 1973, Mr. Martin Yazdzik, a senior at Honesdale High School became Organist and Choir Director resigning in June 1974, upon graduation, presumably to further his musical education. On June 16th, 1974 Miss Maureen Mussari, a Carbondale girl, graduate of Marywood College with a Masters in Music and presently teaching music at the Carbondale Area Schools was appointed Organist and Choir Director. On June 24th, 1973 an $800.00 increase due to high cost of living was granted to Pastor Rev. Wilmont Mather. |
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