Plymouth Congrega~ional United Church of Christ Aberdeen, 'South Dakota 1990 Centennial History and Directory of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ W. Melgaard Road & S. 4th Street Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401 Rev. Allen C. Lang, Pastor Church Telephone 225-2557 4001 8 .. DEDICATION Ten ministers and two associate ministers have led Plymouth Church through trying times from 1890 to 1990 and have sacrificed much in following Christ's example and in fulfilling the spiritual quest for home and mission. The ministerial profession is a most challenging one generating both frustrations and satisfactions as the pastor interacts with the members of the congregation. Patience, love, tact and a thick skin are required; it is difficult to please the many perceptions, expectations and personality types in any congregation even in prosperous times. Those pastors who ministered during the critical founding decade served the shortest terms. Founder James Kyle was pastor for about a year before he entered politics. His successor Stephen Updyke lasted only one year, ten months before he resigned over a factional split. Thomas Dent in his first Aberdeen pastorate remained five years, nine months before he left to serve in North Yakima, Washington. His successor John Horner who served only nine months had the shortest pastorate of all the ministers. At the beginning of the 20th Century Thomas Dent returned in March 1900 to serve an additional 23 years although some did not consider him vigorous enough in his later years. His successor Alfred James Haines had a three year, one month ministry. Of those who followed him, Arthur L. Curtis served the longest--23 years, one month. Vincent Crane remained seven years while Richard A. Kline served 10 1/2 years with two deacons pressing for his resignation in 1962. John Brooks ministered 14 years with some divisiveness appearing in his last year. Allen Lang, the present pastor, has served nine years. Associates Sharon Maddox and Mary Thompson had a combined service of about four years during Rev. Lang's ministry. Only two pastors served 20 years or more. This book is dedicated to these "shepherds" who in leading the flock have endured pain, experienced rebuffs and joyful successes as they ministered in the less structured Congregational environment. It is also dedicated to those selfless men and women, who supported the ministry with money and time by serving as teachers, ushers, trustees, deacons/deaconesses, chairs and committee members. They were and continue to be crucial to the success of this church. 2 40018 - •.l "INHERIT THE SPIRITI FORWARD TO THE FUTUREI: A HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL UCC, 1890-1990" FORWARD In his sermon of January 21, 1990, Rev. Allen Lang asserted that the "greatest challenge to be undertaken by either an individual or by a church" is "to be a disciple of Jesus Christ." He suggested that discipleship often embodies emotional decision-making and traversing uncomfortable paths. He asked the congregation, "Will you accept the greatest challenge that you can possibly face, will you follow Jesus Christ? That can bring you "all together and make you fi shers of human be,ings." Dr. David Seaman composed Plymouth's centennial hymn which recognized that our forefathers had taken up that challenge. Entitled "PLYMOUTH CENTURY," this hymn, set to the tune of an Austrian hymn by Frans J. Hayden, conveys goals and hopes for our second century and gives thanks for our past heritage: God we thank you for this century, For our mothers' faithfulness For our fathers' strength and courage Visions of your graciousness For their unity of spirit though of many backgrounds come Guide us as we now inherit this their spirit as our own. As we start this second century, give us courage to proclaim Peace and justice in your kingdom lives of fullness in your name Stay as rock of our salvation stay as cloud and pillar of fire Whose steadfast love endures forever be the breath of our desire. We of Plymouth ask your blessing on your church these special days Let your truth break forth upon us guide us in our future ways Glory be to God the Sovereign Glory be to Christ the Son Glory to their Holy Spirit always with us every-one. Continuity and change mark the history of Plymouth Church. In cooperation with the state conference Plymouth was in the forefront of the protestant ecumenical movement of the early 1960s when they accepted the merger of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ. On a statewide basis Plymouth has cooperated with sister churches in regional associations since 1890. Plymouth linked in 1963 with the Prairie Lakes Association formerly known as the Northern Association. 4001 8 3 Plymouth has sought to exemplify its charter ideals formulated on January 12, 1890. The articles of faith recognized the constant need of individual regeneration and the all-embracing power of God. They pledged to share the toil and expense which church membership demanded and to support each other, using the power of example, counsel and prayer. Plymouth has not escaped the cyclical boom and busts that appear regionally and nationally due to depressed farm prices, market changes in supply and demand, higher energy costs and interest rates and natural disasters. National inflation, along with an enlarged church mission, has increased budgets. Such experiences affected fundraising and expenditures. The church has recognized its responsibilities to meet human needs as the result of wars and their aftermaths. Other forces have influenced Plymouth's development. Women's Fellowship meetings have felt the effect of more women in the work force. The Womens Rights' movement has resulted in more equalization of the sexes. Plymouth women may usher if they so desire. Women have served as associate pastors and moderators in the 1980s. Modern technology has impacted Plymouth with printing and computer advances. Laser printing has replaced the mimeograph and the computer word processor has superceded the typewriter. Plymouth is part of a more globally interdependent world. It recognizes the inequalities, poverty, hunger and homeless ness on spaceship earth and the need to share and care for others in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Over the decades a mighty team of God's servants have contributed to Plymouth's growth. From its 27 charter members of 1890, membership peaked in 1979 at 803, then declined gradually to over 600 active members by January 1990. Many are the unsung heroes and heroines who have served their church. It is impossible to recognize by name all contributors to Plymouth's success. However, this history pays tribute not only to the more vocal and visible church officers and leaders but also to such humble servants of God as quilters and cooks; communion preparers and servers; "share the ride" drivers; altar and landscape beautifiers; light bulb changers and wall painters; organists and pianists; choir directors, singers, and bell ringers; financial and church secretaries; Sunday school and lay leaders; conference delegates and those who share garden produce, money, time, and talents. An independent and spirited breed, Plymouth Congregationalists have doggedly and resourcefully built a family-oriented, friendly church for all ages. They have nurtured traditional Christian values. History reveals that cooperation and unity nourished by faith and love can accomplish the seemingly impossible dream. Present and future generations are challenged to carry the Faith forward and to remember our crusading slogan: "INHERIT THE SPIRIT! FORWARD TO THE FUTURE!" 4 40018 I. QUEST FOR A CHURCH HOME 1889-1970 "BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS" In Plymouth Church's founding decade of the 1890s 4 pastors--Kyle, Updyke, Dent, and Horner--shepherded their flock in the quest for a new church home or an enlarged house of worship. In the first 25 years of the 20th century two pastors, Dent and Haines, continued that quest for a more spacious church home. The sacrifices and challenges of the 1890s ~~arted in late 1889 with the opera house experience followed by occupation of the 4th Avenue Land Office structure fondly referred to as "our little church". In 1898 remodeling gave birth to the phrase "our new church" in October 'and what this history calls the "Tower Church." The stage was set for almost three decades of struggle to be an increasingly self-supporting church compared to the dependency on national congregational aid of the 1890s. In the 64 years from 1927 to 1990 Congregationalists occupied two additional church homes with the help of the national church and the leadership of five pastors and two associates. Therefore, the first century of congregational life in Aberdeen's Plymouth Church has been a partnership. Local, state and national Congregationalists conducted a mutual ministry whereby all have pooled time, talents and money to nurture Christian values and to help human kind. At almost every annual meeting well into the 1940s Plymouth members sang at least one verse of the hymn "Blest Be The Tie That Binds". The song stresses unity in Christian love and kindred minds, ardent prayer over common aims, hopes, fears and concerns, sharing of bu rdens and being sensitive to other's needs. The tradition was especially strong during the longer ministries of Thomas Dent and Allen Curtis and is symbolic of the Christian fellowsh ip so needed to surmount the challenges arising during much of the past century. OPE RA HO USE OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1889 MI NISTRY OF JAMES KYLE October 1889-0ctober 1890 "A representative of the Congreg ational Home Mission Society with five years ministerial experience, Rev. James H. Kyle had graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and had served four years as pastor in Ipswich, South Dakota when the Home Society asked him in August 1889 to serve Aberdeen.