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On
July 31, 1878, Methodism came to Holbrook in the form of a Class Meeting
of twelve persons. From this
group, Lewis Alden was chosen Class Leader.
The first meetings were held in the homes of the class members.
The
official organization of the church took place on February 11,1879, with
the name Methodist Episcopal Church..
The meetings were then held in the hall known as “Library
Hall,” situated behind the Town Hall. In April 1880, Library Hall was
destroyed by fire and the contribution boxes and a few hymnals were all
that was left when the all-out was sounded.
However, in true Methodist spirit, these folks were able to sing
and take up a collection! For
the next two years services were held in a committee room in the Town
Hall.
The
first church building was erected at 87 Plymouth Street in 1881 and was
dedicated on February 8,1882. The land for this building cost $450 and the
building contract called for $2,275.
The congregation met at that location for approximately 85 years.
A
house next to the church was purchased in 1923 and became the first
parsonage. Previous to that
time the pastors lived in various apartments in town.
After the new parsonage was bought, the property was used as a
Religious Education Building for several years.
In
1941 an Ecumenical Vacation Bible School was started in cooperation with
other churches in Holbrook. This
venture lasted until 1952. In
1987, the churches came back together to form our present Ecumenical
Vacation Bible School.
Over
the years the women of the church have been active in all phases of its
work. As a group they have
been known variously as: Ladies
Industrial Society, Ladies Aid Society, Women's Society of Christian
Service and now The United Methodist Women.
In
1954, the 75th anniversary was celebrated and a re-dedication service was
held on February 14 with Bishop John Wesley Lord officiating.
In
1956 the present parsonage located at 95 Plymouth St was purchased and a
mortgage-burning ceremony was held in 1963.
Work
on the present church building was started in May 1966, during the
pastorate of The Rev. Walter Wnek and the first church service was held on
December 16, 1966. The church
was dedicated on January 15, 1967, with Bishop James K. Mathews
officiating. Soon
after the name of the church was changed to The United Methodist Church of
Holbrook.
In
July 1966, the former church building was sold to a Jewish Congregation
and is now Temple Beth-Shalom. During
construction of the present building the Winthrop Congregational Church,
St John’s Episcopal Church and the Jewish Community Center kindly
received The Methodist congregation.
This was truly an ecumenical experience.
Over
the years the church has been served by students from Boston University
School of Theology. Many of
them have gone on to distinguished service.
Three of our former pastors became foreign missionaries:
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The
Rev. Raymond Lithy spent 12 years in Japan,
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The
Rev. Milton Bank, 13 years in India and Pakistan.
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The
Rev. Robert Gnegy, 4 years in Bolivia.
From
1976 to 1979 during
the pastorate of the Revs. Richard and Maria Waters, the church was
associated with the "Fisherman's Player." Richard Waters was
Managing Director of this group, an official agency of the Southern New
England Conference of The United Methodist Church.
During that time, the members of the church participated in many
plays. written and directed by Mr. Waters.
In
September 1979 until 1985, the church became a Teaching Parish in
association with the United Methodist Churches of Rockland and West
Bridgewater. Each of these
churches selected a student to serve as minister under the supervision of
the Rev. Julieanne S. Hallman from Andover-Newton Theological
School.
Among
the many ministries, Holbrook United Methodist Church is also the home to
the Epworth Preschool. Since
1968, under the direction of the church's Board of Education, the school
has served many young people from the community.
STATEMENT
OF PURPOSE
Our
purpose as The United Methodist Church is to provide a Christian presence
by offering a center for Worship and empowerment.
We seek to be an inclusive church that reflects the diversity
around us. We believe that we
have been called by God to
offer ourselves and our resources in love and service to the glory of God
as we strive to meet the spiritual and social needs of our present
membership, our community, and the wider world.
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