An Historical Perspective
By G. Douglas Clarke

In 2005 we celebrated 150 years since our current building was constructed. That same year was also the 75th since a new organ was installed in the building, only shortly after a fire nearly destroyed the building. One cold morning in December of 1929, people saw smoke coming up from the basement, where the furnace was working hard to warm the building. Children, who were assembled for Sabbath School, were ushered to safety and the fire department was called. In the process of trying to put out the fire, almost all of the stained glass windows were destroyed. Only one set of the original windows remains, on the front of the third floor of the building.

The church originally had a level floor, two front entry doors, and the pulpit stood between them. In the years since construction, the pulpit was moved to the opposite end, where the choir already sat, and a door was placed where the pulpit had stood. Also, the flat pine-wood floor had been covered by a slanted oak floor. Both were chopped through, in putting out the fire, and it is said that the damage would have been much worse had it not been for the oak flooring. The church considered replacing the wood structure with one of brick, but decided to rebuild, instead, and added a new pipe organ the following year.

The church has also been a place for worship for another, non-denominational congregation, the Union University Church, since 1922. We Seventh Day Baptists worship in the sanctuary on Saturdays, and they worship there on Sundays. Community Christmas Eve and other services are also hosted in the church building.

Our Parish House, built by the church's Women's Society a hundred years ago, hosts the Opportunity Shop on Tuesday afternoons, which meets many community needs, while the Friends Meeting of Alfred meets there for worship on Sundays.

A third building, known as the Champlin Community House, has been the meeting-place for such community organizations as the Alfred Historical Society, The Allen Civic Amandine Club, and Wee Playhouse -- one of the longest-running community reader theaters in the country -- for many years, so our buildings enjoy much good use.

We have contracted with an architectural firm to create a condition report of all our buildings, so that we can prioritize the necessary repairs and improvements which may be needed. We are working with all the people who use the buildings to find ways to keep them useful and in good repair so they may continue to be places of worship and service, where the people of Alfred can build good and Godly relationships.

Although we are currently a small congregation, once boasting six-hundred members, we plan to continue to minister to the Alfred community for as long as it is given to us to do so. You are welcome to come and visit, and to worship with us, in our venerable places of sanctuary.

© 2006 (12-27-06)