Twenty-five Club
On June 23rd 1940 at a special service of this Church, 22 young people were baptized and on the following Sunday received into its membership. Three others joined by letter making twenty-five in all.
The young people wished to remain together and in their identification with the Church to express their ideal in a definite and active way. They decided to form a club whose purpose should be study, special pleasure, and a program of assistance to the Church.
The name “Twenty-five Club” was chosen because of the number of the original members. And the locust blossom, which tree had been used to decorate the Church at the time of the ceremony, was taken as the club’s symbolic flower.
The Rev. Fred Mac Arthur was our pastor. (First entry in the “25 Club” minute’s book.)
The Original Twenty- five
The Twenty - Five Club Activities
Records of the first 12 years of the “25 Club” were diligently kept in one book. Besides records of the clubs meetings, there are some pictures of members of the club and the pastors that served East Wallingford Baptist during the years 1940 – 1952. The members of the club set a lofty goal during their meeting of October 23, 1942 where it is recorded that “we have planned to have our “25 club” every Tuesday night until we get married or die.” Nancy and Maria Jennings were the driving force, or should I say sponsors, of the club. Over the years, many young people not part of the original group of 25 were active in the “25 Club” meetings and activities. From the records, I count at least 90 different young people participated in the “25 Club” from 1940 to 1952. Club Meetings usually consisted of Bible Studies, singing, Scripture memorization, games and refreshments. Many of the discussions were on contemporary issues and were led by members of the club. Included in the minutes were interesting items about refreshments and games played. Some of the favorite refreshments were: bread and milk, pop, apples and sandwiches, watermelon and Ritz crackers with peanut butter and jelly. Some of the games they enjoyed playing during the earlier days of the club were “Taking Pictures,” “Blind Fold Game,” and “Slogan Game.”
Recorded in the column
alongside the club minutes were the names of the members who served in World War
II. The names listed are: Verne Hawkins, Ralph Rounds, Raymond Patch, Gordon
Parker, Warren Lackey, George Gage, Alfred Bumps, Clifford Johnstone, Francis
Patch, Irvin Maranville, Robert Sharon and Richard Sharon. In an
interesting side note to this list is an entry from April 27, 1943. It reads in
part, “A member of the Club, Kenneth Hawkins, has considered in joining the
Marines, and the 25 Club is very disturbed.” No mention as to why the club
members were disturbed by his considerations to join the Marines and no record
he ever did enlist.
I found a number of entries
very interesting and have recorded them below.
Irvin
Maranville, an original member of the club, has written an article sharing
his memories of the “25 Club.”
On October 5, 1941 a “solemn and colorful observance of the State Sesqui-Centennial was held in the Church that was decorated with 150 candles (one for each year and a brilliant banking of flags, i.e. United States, Old Bennington and Christian flags). This observance was attended by more than 200 persons and was held in the evening. The vested choir of 35 voices filled the church as the organ played ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’ During the program the choir sang an old patriotic hymn ‘New England.’ This hymn is in the possession of the family of the family of William B. Jennings and has never been published. Tonight is believed to be its first public appearance although it is over 100 years old.
The main address of the meeting was given by the Rev. Dr. Mac Arthur, our pastor. The Rev. O. R. Houghton offered the prayer. The Scripture reading and the benediction were by the Rev. Hugh Holland of Danby. Musical features included a trombone solo by Earl Williams of Brattleboro.
The service was planned by Maria and Nancy Jennings and great credit is due to them.”
Early activities of the club included spreading 25 loads of dirt for the lawn, worked on church maintenance, raised money for the purchase of new electric lights, padded cushions for the pews and books for the church library. The new electric lights were installed and a Dedication Service was held in December 1942. The following is the record of the Dedication Service. “The “25 club” having worked for nearly two years for new lights have surprised everybody! We have new lights. Mr. Jenness put them in for us. It was almost 25 below zero. We planned a pageant for our Dedication Service. All the boys wore black robes with the girls following suit by wearing white. We sang Christmas carols accomplished by the audience singing two of them with us. Mr. Mac Arthur lead the service wearing his black robe of his college degree. Barbara Eldred and Peggy Patch also lead the procession with two red candles, our only light. They were dressed as angels. The long surprise was very impressive and was attended by many people. The boys led by Peggy marched up the left side of the church and the girls led by Barbara were led up the right. They joined at the back and marched by couples down the center aisle. The service had begun in comparative darkness and finally the angels blew out their candles and the new lights went on with each of us wishing everybody a Merry, Merry Christmas.”
Among the entries for the “25 Club” activities is listed this account from August 14, 1945. “We held our meeting tonight and felt it a great occasion, as Peace was declared at seven o’clock, and all the village joined in celebrating. We rang the church bell. Thought not all of the following remained for Twenty-five Club, those present around the church door were Ruth and “Chubby” Bixby, May Bixby, Lillian Isabelle, Raymond Patch, Gordon Parker, Barbara Eldred, Phyllis Pelky, Annice Hawkins, Patricia Croft, Priscilla Jenness, Nancy Dana, Sarah Jane Belcher, George Gage, John Sheehan, Peggy Stewart, Lozon, Richard Sharon, Inga Olsen and Nancy and Maria Jennings. The meeting had been planned in honor of Raymond Patch, home on a four-day furlough. We went upstairs. The church is confronted with the problem of four services in the months of Aug. and Sept. without Mr. Emery, who is absent on his vacation. We decided to conduct the service for the last Sunday in August ourselves, saving the church the expense of a substitute. We voted as follows: Barbara…sermon, Gordon…responsive reading, Phyllis…opening prayer, Edgar…Scripture Reading.
We began registering of gifts toward the Pew-cushion Fund. Warren Lackey is going to have this in charge. Before we closed, the meeting was joined by Phyllis Van Guilder and a friend. Also Edgar and Irvin. We played games.” The following entry showed that there were changes made in the plans for the service to be lead by the “25 Club”.
“The last Sunday in August, we invited the Young People of Ira, with their Pastor, Rev. Albert Parker, to assist us in our service, which we conducted in the absence of Mr. Emery, away on his vacation. We arranged the service as follows:
Responsive Reading Warren Lackey
Scripture reading
Gordon Parker
Hymn
Ira Young People
Sermon
Rev. Parker
Testimonies
Ira Young People
Announcements
Irvin Maranville
We have enjoyed the Ira Young People very much. We hope to have them with us again.”
The last recorded entry in the book of minutes was in 1952. There is no explanation as to why or when the "25 club" ceased to meet. The minutes of the “25 Club” give us a unique insight into one small era (1940 – 1952) of the history of East Wallingford Baptist Church and the East Wallingford Community of which the church is part. I believe two of the most important people in the community and church during these years were Maria and Nancy Jennings. We have much to thank them for in the service to the Lord and the community.
If anyone has more information on or pictures of the "25 club" please contact us.
