The First 50 Years - Rev. Rolofson

THE REVEREND ROBERT H. ROLOFSON

With the resignation of the Reverend Jerome E. Webber, the church was again called upon to secure interim pastoral services, and again it was the Reverend William T. Jaquess who came to its aid. When it appeared certain that Mr. Webber was severing his connection with the church and had accepted a call to the church in Jamestown, North Dakota, a committee was appointed to secure a successor. The Session meetings were moderated for the most part during the interim by Mr. Jaquess, with occasional assistance from other ministers of Presbytery.

Finally, the committee on the selection of a pastor was ready to report. After making their recommendations to the Session, it was decided to call a congregational meeting to hear and act upon the report. Such meeting was called, to convene at the close of the morning service on October 2, 1927. The committee report was to the effect that after reviewing the records and qualifications "of the several candidates appearing in our pulpit from time to time, they voted unanimously to recommend for your consideration as Pastor, the Reverend R. H. Rolofson of Buffalo, N.Y."

Mr. Rolofson was not at the moment in pastoral work, but was associated with the Anti-Saloon League, and was superintendent of the Western New York district of that organization in Buffalo. Before that, he had served as the national executive officer of the Intercollegiate Prohibition Association of Washington, D. C. A graduate of Missouri Valley College and McCormick Theological Seminary , Mr. Rolofson had served pastorates in Kansas City, Missouri, and Vinton, Iowa, prior to engaging in prohibition work on a professional basis.

Because the Reverend Mr. Rolofson had not been in the active ministry for several years, pertinent questions were asked by members of the congregation as to his qualifications in several areas of pastoral service. The answers to these questions being satisfactory, appropriate action was taken to extend a call to Mr. Rolofson, at an annual salary of $4,000 with one month vacation annually. Having been duly received into the Detroit Presbytery, arrangements for his installation as pastor went forward rapidly. Such service was held on December 13, 1927: Dr. Alvin E. Magary of the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church delivered the sermon, and several of the pastors from Presbytery and from local churches also participated, thus making it actually a community affair.

One of the features introduced by t h e Reverend Mr. Rolofson was an attractive bulletin for use at the worship services. We reproduce a copy of this bulletin (Fig. 14), and also the back page of the folder, as it lists the "Official Family" of the church in 1929 (Fig. 15). The interior of this particular bulletin contains group pictures of four departments of the Sunday School, the Men's Class, and the Homebuilders.

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

It was during this pastorate that, in the interest of good public relations, the Session decided to hold a reception annually for "all public school teachers of Royal Oak," and including "denominational teachers". This first venture was so successful that a similar reception was held annually, and was continued until the size of the teaching staff became so large as to make its continuance impractical.

One of the vexing problems which arose about this time was whether or not the circles of the Women's Auxiliary should be permitted to hold bridge parties for the purpose of raising money for the church. The argument advanced by some was that "the end justifies the means," and in view of the fact that the lack of money was a constant cause for corncern to the church, it might be all right.

Action advising against s u c h practice had already been taken by the Session in 1927, but the question was again raised two years later, when one of the circles "had seen fit to hold a bridge luncheon - - - against the advice and wishes of our officers." The ladies asked for a restatement of policy by the Session. Such restatement was immediately forth coming, and the previous position of the Session was reaffirmed.

We were now in the midst of the depression. As an indication of the severity of the times, it might be well to mention that fifty cents per person was the charge made by the Auxiliary for a bountiful supper which preceded the annual congregational meeting of 1930. A larger charge undoubtedly would have kept many members away from the gathering.

Having been refused a similar request made the previous year, partly because of financial reasons, an absence of three months was approved for the pastor in the summer of 1930 so he could make a trip to the Holy Land. At the June commencement exercises of the same year at his alma mater, Missouri Valley College, Missouri, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon our minister. His congregation felt that the honor was richly deserved. During his short time with us Mr. Rolofson had organized the various groups of the church into smooth-running departments, while Mrs. Rolofson had been unusually helpful with the Christian Endeavor and other youth groups. As one observer writes, "Dr. Rolofson's executive abilities were disp1ayed to the great advantage of the church, which under his guidance, became one of the best in the Presbytery so far as smooth working organization could function. He preached many notable sermons and no fault could be found with his pastoral work."

But financial problems still vexed the congregation. Despite a very healthy growth in membership and increased activity within the several organizations of the church, the lack of money had a deadening influence upon many within the membership.

In April, 1931, after a comparatively brief pastorate of less than four years, Dr. Rolofson presented his resignation as pastor in order that he might accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Ashtabula, Ohio. A committee was appointed to convey the request, which had been approved at a congregational meeting, to Presbytery.