The First 50 Years - Appendix IV

APPENDIX IV

Ever mindful of its obligations to the entire community, the church early manifested its interest in civic affairs. The first Boy Scout troop to be organized in the village, Royal Oak Troop #1 , is reputed to have been sponsored by our church. We illustrate a picture of this troop, taken about 1918. The first scoutmaster was Issac Jenkins, shown in the back row, second from the left.

Another civic affair sponsored by our church in its early days was a Fourth of July celebration, for some years the only such observance in the entire community. We illustrate one such occasion. There were races and games for the children, contests for the adults, and to give the affair a holiday atmosphere, refreshment stands were set up around the church grounds. Luncheons were served throughout the day, and the tent shown in the illustration was erected to shelter the patrons during the meal. Note the bunting over the church entrance, the cars of ancient vintage and the clothes of a different era. (Fig. 23)

Fig. 23

As Figure 24 we show the members of two Sessions of the church, the first one showing the 1944-45 Session, the second showing the Session of about 1955. In the earlier group the members are, standing, from left to right: Claire H. Fellows, Alex Lumsden, J. D. Adams, Maurice F. Cole, George Ryan and E. Clyde Hobart. Seated: George Knapp, the Rev. Jesse Houk, Mrs. John W.Cummings, Dr. Robert S. Steen and Emil Heberlein. Those pictured in the later group are, standing, from left to right: Leroy Feldkamp, Carl W. Schmidt, Robert J. Lauer, Clyde Graves and Fred Thompson. Seated: E. Howard Perkins, Alex Lofquist, Dr. Riemann and Marlin Hemphill.

Fig. 24

An interesting picture taken in 1948 shows many of the men and the only woman who served our church as elders, up to that time. All of these persons were present at the Sunday morning service. They are, standing, from left to right: J. C. Austin, Guy F. Allen, J. D. Adams, Ronald Mershon, Wayne Grimm, E. J. Warne, Charles Davis, Alex Lumsden, George Knapp, Claire H. Fellows, Maurice F. Cole, George Ryan, Mrs. J. W. Cummings, Lloyd Walker, Alex Lofquist, Robert McElwee, Read Jenkins, Burton Rodger, Archie Lamont, Paul Swisher, Emil Heberlein, J. D. Schenk, N. J. Quickstad and Frances Ellis. Seated: Duncan McRae, Claire Bender, the Reverend Hugh I. Schuster, Alexander Thorburn, the Reverend Robert S. Steen, C. B. Edwards, Isaac Jenkins, John Stahl, Isaac Gilbert and Maurice D. Laine. (Fig. 25)

Fig. 25

Because of the marked contrast that it presents, we illustrate the chancel of the original church as it was prepared for the dedicatory service. When the first addition to the church was built the windows shown here were removed and the new choir loft was constructed on this west side of the building. (Fig. 26)

Fig. 26

We think it appropriate to close this volume of The First Fifty Years of The First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak by showing our present beautiful sanctuary, Fellowship Hall and the Educational Building. (Figs. 27, 28 and 29)

Fig. 27

Fig. 28

Fig. 29