The First 50 Years

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WE BEGIN THE THIRD QUARTER
Part 3

During 1967 there were a number of personnel changes. Mr. Buese, Director of Religious Education, left in March to minister at Redford Presbyterian Church. One of our own members, Kathy Irwin, was selected to fill the vacancy. Kathy continued in that position until June, 1972, when she resigned to go to Chicago. On a year's trial basis, the Session engaged two members as part-time employees, twenty hours per week for each, to share the responsibility of Religious Education: Mrs. Robert (Barbara) Nelson to administer the School of the Bible, youth work, junior highs, daily Nursery School and retreats; Mrs. Jack (Barbara) Kerby to oversee the Church School, Junior Deacons and serve as advisor to the Christian Education Committee. This division of assignments has worked well! Barbara Kerby added many more activities to her busy schedule such as aerobic classes and personal improvement courses. She has recently tendered her resignation effective January 31, 1989. Barbara Nelson retired in 1987 to pursue a career in writing.

Cynthia Green Merten has now been employed as director of our Church School, School of the Bible and Weekday Nursery School.

At the 1967 annual congregational meeting the committee which had been appointed to evaluate future building requirements presented slides to show the need for additional 8750 square feet of space for future Church activities. Our temporary building, Webber Hall, constructed in 1948, was fast outgrowing its usefulness. It was resolved at that meeting to have our Corporation engage an architectural firm, Merritt, Cole and McCallum, for further recommendations.

Final payment on our sanctuary loan, borrowed in 1954, had been paid. At the same time another house on South Pleasant Street was purchased. Money seemed to be no deterrent! A contract was also let to air condition the sanctuary, Fellowship Hall and the church offices.

In 1967 we apparently were more affluent than usual because in October we approved building plans for our new addition which would include a chapel, a parlor lounge with kitchen facilities, a teen-high lounge, offices and Church School rooms. Ray Misch and Sons were engaged as general contractors. The cost was estimated at $521,000, not including furnishings, with a 5 percent overrun. $400,000 was borrowed from Wayne Oakland Bank at 6% interest for ten years. Gifts of $35,000 had previously been given for the building. Intensive fund-raising for the new addition began on January, 1968, and the cornerstone was laid on October 20, 1968.

In February, 1968, the beautiful chapel had already been named the Evans Chapel honoring Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Evans and their families. The parlor-lounge was given the name Cornell Lounge honoring the Sam Cornell family. These very special additions to our building have filled a much-needed use for the expression of our Christian faith.

The chapel is literally a replica of our sanctuary and is used for smaller gatherings, weddings, funerals and Church services. Likewise, Cornell Lounge is a well-appointed room utilized for receptions, study groups, committee meetings and the like. A small, but complete, kitchen connects Cornell Lounge with our teen-high lounge so it can accommodate both areas. The organ in Evans Chapel was dedicated May 23, 1971 honoring the Evans family once again.

On February 8, 1970, our new building was consecrated to the glory of God with the Reverend Mr. Virgil Jones and Mr. Robert Yolton of Detroit Presbytery as guest speakers at the four o'clock ceremony.

Including the completion of the sanctuary in 1955 we had spent two million dollars on our total building program. Final payment on the 1967 loan was made in 1975, thanks to the generosity of a well known parishioner who contributed the last mortgage payment.

The Session in 1979 approved a $75,000 three-year campaign for refurbishing and for special maintenance for the church building. The twenty-five year old sanctuary needed a 'face-lift'. In August of that year approximately $50,000 had already been pledged for this Restoration Fund. New carpeting was installed in the sanctuary and a new dossal curtain hung. Chairs and tables in Fellowship Hall were replaced. Outside lighting was increased.

Following in a similar vein, other improvements have taken place throughout the years, such as the purchase and installation of computers in the offices and a totally new phone system, both of which took place around 1987.

With the addition to our church plant more requests were being made by civic organizations for the use of our facilities. The Session adapted a policy of no fund-raising by outside groups. A partial list of non-profit clubs using our building include: Alcoholics Anonymous; Child Guidance Care Center of severely retarded children; AI-Anon; the Royal Oak Youth Assistance Board; Community Services of Oakland County. The American Red Cross has sponsored Blood Banks in our church yearly since 1964. The 7/11 duplicate bridge group meets every Monday morning. Other organizations using the building have been the Royal Oak Musicale; the South Oakland Church Women United board meetings; the League of Women Voters; the Presbyterian Lay Committee; and the PLO Oakland County Cooperative board meetings. Still others have been the Orchid Society; Starr Commonwealth; Royal Oak Police and Fire Departments prayer service; Michigan State PLO; Christian Library of Clawson; Oakland County Community Services; Winners Anonymous; Royal Oak Business and Professional Women's Club and the American Association of University Women. During the late 60's mid 70's we served many Boy Scout and Girl Scout banquets for their awards night.

We arc delighted to share our beautiful building with others in the community. By so doing we are extending the hand of fellowship to other Christian organizations.