Scarsdale Congregational Church

At the request of our Moderator, Bob Everett, my opening meditation for the General Board in each of the past first two months of 1999 has been a reflection on a portion of the history of this congregation. In January I had this to say:

It is well for us to remember, as we begin our 75th year as an independent congregation, that we of this congregation stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us. Some markers to keep in mind:

In 1904 the Scarsdale Estates gave to the Scarsdale Congregation (which at the time was a branch of the White Plains Congregational Church and had been organized the year before with some 30 members) a plot of land at the corner of Heathcote and Post Roads on which a church building might be erected. And it was--right quickly.

The dedication of the "Little Stone Church" (made, as it was, of fieldstone) took place in August of 1904. And the larger community had lent a generous hand in making it possible. The land, the bell, the plans were all gifts from beyond the congregation itself. The supervising architect donated his services and, as noted in the 1956 history of SCC, contributions came from Roman Catholics as well as Protestants. The total cost: $7,896.00. At its completion the only encumbrance--a $2000 mortgage without interest held by the Congregational Building Society.

In 1908 a plot of land of about three-quarters of an acre was purchased immediately adjoining the initial church plot on which a Manse was completed in 1910. The cost: $10,400. For sixteen years the Reverend Arthur Pritchard had labored in the vineyard of the Lord known as the White Plains Congregational Church. He began as the assistant minister in charge of the Scarsdale Congregation. There was a reorganization soon after he arrived. The White Plains Congregational Church became the Westchester Congregational Church and was no longer made up of branches, but rather of equal partners.

Mr. Pritchard suffered from chronic asthma which finally necessitated a change of climate. He accepted a call to the Congregational Church of Pomona, California. He was soon succeeded by the Rev. Henry MacPherson Dyckman.

Mr. Dyckman arrived from Westfield, Massachusetts, in September of 1918. By this time the Little Stone Church was way too small. The attendance in Sunday School alone had increased to about a hundred. So the church set about a new building project. An assembly hall and a separate sanctuary were envisioned. But as the funds in sight were insufficient to permit the completion of the entire building program, the question was which to build first. Here's how the history puts it: "On the principle that a church should endeavor to serve its community the congregation voted to construct an assembly hall keenly aware that the Village of Scarsdale lacked not only adequate facilities for worship but for civic and community activities as well." It all went rather quickly. The Hall was completed in 1922. The Reverend Harry Emerson Fosdick among others took part in the dedicatory service.

On August 26th, 1923 the congregation was shocked at the sudden death of Mr. Dyckman after a pastorate of less than five years. The history describes him as an active pastor, inspiring preacher, a very scholarly man, beloved of the congregation and well liked by the community. He took a keen interest in the work of the Church School, his children's sermons, says the history, "being especially noteworthy."