Scarsdale Congregational Church Snippets of History About the SCC

Our 75^th Anniversary Year Celebration is now a part of history. Our predecessors have given us a tradition on which to build a future of serving others as Jesus prescribed two thousand years ago. Our forebears have provided us a physical plant to support our efforts in the new century ahead. Our Pastors have given us a prophetic pulpit tradition to guide us. We enjoy a caring, compassionate spirit of community. We are blessed greatly.

What do we do with these blessings? We seek to use them to understand better the needs of people around us and around the world. We gather our members and friends to find ways to help meet these needs. We give thanks to our Creator by sharing our affluence and our skills. We reach out in love that a world of justice and peace may be achieved.

For the next twenty-five years, our history yet to be, we will remember the motto of our 75^th Year Anniversary celebration­

The Church Sanctuary, completed in 1951, made it possible for the first time to have two Christmas Eve services. The program for worship on December 23, 1951, carried the following prayer on the cover:

As winter approaches, the cost of energy becomes a problem in putting together a balanced budget for the next calendar year. If the weather is colder and snowier than usual the operations budget is likely to be quickly overspent for heating fuel, electricity and snow removal. This year energy costs appear to be rising. How does the church handle such a situation?

In the early 70's the costs of oil, gas, and electricity rose sharply. John Cline, the Chair of Buildings & Grounds, warned the congregation that we might face cooler buildings and less electric lighting. Some expense budgets had to be cut back to help cover increased energy costs. The Parish House heating system broke down three times, necessitating costly plumbing repairs. Chairman Cline termed fuel cost increases "staggering." His successor as B & G Chair, Paul Field, urged "continued energy conservation efforts on the part of each and every group using our facilities. Total awareness is required. No energy waste can be afforded."

This situation went on for several years. Connie Kimble then inserted in the Annual Report for 1982-83 a cartoon showing a minister, head bowed over the pulpit, saying to the congregation, "Let's all bow our heads now and meditate on how much it costs to heat the Church."

The winter of 1998-99 was relatively gentle. Some predict a much harsher one for 1999-2000. If so there will be budget stresses. Resolving them will require understanding and cooperation from all. The history of the mid-70's to the mid-80's reminds us that it may go on for several years but that with good will and determination we can meet the challenge.

The Scarsdale Congregational Church Nursery School is this year in its forty-first year. Begun in 1958, the Nursery School has developed a reputation for innovative and caring educational programming. Its classes are filled each year. A governing board of parents gives direction and support. The teaching staff is exceptional, well qualified and dedicated. As a community outreach effort, the SCC Nursery School is a model not-for-profit enterprise.

RUBY WOOSNAM joined the staff in 1976 and became Director in 1984. Now in her 16^th year as Head, her impact was described by the current Board Chairperson in our 1998-99 Annual Report: "As Director, Ruby Woosnam continues to be a critical element for the school's success. She insures that the school's curriculum is integrated into all classrooms, manages the staff professionally, performs her teaching duties with love and dedication, and is a wonderful liaison to the Board and parents. The results of her efforts are a happy and homelike atmosphere that is reinforced through the equally talented teaching staff."

A long time member of this congregation, Ruby Woosnam contributes in many ways to the programs and work of the church. Her leadership and service to the Nursery School is largely not known to others who have no direct contact with the Nursery School. We all owe gratitude and appreciation to the total staff for the high standards they have set and maintain. Special thanks go to Ruby Woosnam for her caring leadership.

Chancel Players reached a crescendo of activity in the early nineties. There were year-long workshops to develop the individual skills of both veteran players and newcomers. In the summer of '90 chancel drama was a part of the July worship services. In the Fall of '91 a full scale production of the longest of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, The Mikado, was presented to wildly enthusiastic sellout audiences. In March of '91, Judy Bromley performed Mrs. Noah. The followed The Best of Fairy Tales...Not So Grimm, with 70 performing parts and dozens of supporting assignments. Players ranged from 4 to over 65!

Although still active, dramatic activities have played a lesser role since this peak of activity. Perhaps the time will come again when interest will be renewed and when pressures of work and family will permit the commitment needed to mount theatre productions both major and of less demands. The rewards of participation are many, not the least of which is the joy of sharing with fellow congregants and forging new ties among us.

October, 1974, was a particularly exciting month as this church celebrated its 50^th Anniversary. The week of October 20^th was designated as a week of celebration. Robert H. Chamberlin and the committee he chaired planned a formal service of worship for Sunday, October 20^th, and held a Parish Reception that afternoon in Dyckman Hall. On three evenings, October 25, 26, and 27, Anniversary Dinner Parties were held in Dyckman Hall. These were chaired by David Kimble who directed a lavish entertainment: "The Best of the Twenties." All three evenings were "sell-outs," with more than 150 people involved in the presentation. Proceeds went to the general operations budget of the church.

At the same time an ad hoc Organ Committee, co-chaired by Rudy Berle and Fran Keeffe was completing plans for the installation of a new organ. The capital drive was co-chaired by Janice and Lou Pingel. Special events included a "stunning recital" presented by soprano Barbara Wright Lindow and a special luncheon and musical entertainment in the home of Ben and Frances Berkey. The organ was installed and voiced in time for the program year in the Fall of 1974.

September, 1974, brought the officers, General Board, and other leaders together in a retreat at Deer Hill Conference Center. The worldwide problem of HUNGER received much attention and became a top priority for the year ahead.

Hunger became the focus of the Fall meeting of the Metropolitan Association of the UCC. At that time our Senior Pastor, Dr. Roger Johnson, was chair of the Association Board of Directors. On Thanksgiving Sunday, the film "Africa: Dry Edge of Disaster" was shown. The Advent Season opened December 1 with an address by Dr. J. George Harrar, President emeritus of the Rockefeller Foundation and a member of this congregation. Dr. Harrar had been a leader in bringing about the Green Revolution and other agricultural programs which had much improved food production in third world countries.

On Sunday, February 9, the Scarsdale Clergy Association sponsored an afternoon open meeting at the Westchester Reform Temple, as part of a village-wide consciousness raising effort to the seriousness of the problem of hunger. Principal speaker was Dr. William Sloane Coffin, then Chaplain at Yale University and an ordained UCC minister.

Today hunger continues to be a world-wide concern. This congregation actively supports both world-wide and local area programs to alleviate hunger.

In November, 1995, for the first time in fourteen years, the Scarsdale Congregational Church hosted a meeting of the churches in the Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ. Coordinated by Rev. Phillip Washburn and assisted by many of our own church members, the meeting was carried out successfully with a large attendance. Delegates and visitors from inner city churches complimented the warm hospitality and friendliness with which they were received, admitting to some trepidation in advance. Preaching at the worship service was Rev. Washburn. His message was inspiring, challenging, and thoughtful, as we have come to expect from our Senior Pastor.

Over the years many members of this congregation have given significant leadership to the Metropolitan Association. Past Moderator Lois Seulowitz is a long time member of the Board of Directors. Past Moderator John Werner and John Beyersdorf work closely with the Association in the successful effort to turn the Deer Hill Conference Center into an attractive and financially viable program facility to carry out an interfaith mission program for the benefit of the Association and the wider community.

The Rev. George Calvert, who grew up in this church and who spoke at our April dinner and filled the pulpit on the Sunday after, was for many years the pastor of the Church of the Living Hope in Harlem. The Outreach Committee allocated generous funds to support the programs of that church throughout the '70's and '80's. Even earlier, the Guild had begun making annual gifts in support of the innovative ministry of Rev. Calvert.

Spurred by John and Marjorie Beyersdorf during the '80's, the Outreach Committee provided sizeable funds to Resurrection House in East Harlem, and the East Harlem Interfaith Hunger Program. SCC members helped serve meals to needy residents on weekends. In 1987 a concert of Gospel Singing was held in our Scarsdale Church. It was attended by many from East Harlem as well as Westchesterites. In 1990, after a change of leadership at Resurrection House, the Outreach Committee redirected its Hunger grants to the Ecumenical Food Pantry in White Plains. The Beyersdorfs and other SCC members also were in active support of the Harlem Girl's Choir.

These and other activities such as Paul Olander and the SYF's Harlem Tutorial Project represent a significant period of outreach to the metropolitan mission of the SCC.

As economic conditions tightened in the early '70's, annual disbursements for current operations exceeded revenues available. These excesses were covered by drawing from the capital funds held by the Church.

Obviously this solution could not continue. In 1975 the Annual Meeting specified that future budgets had to be in balance. How to accomplish this without reducing Church programs? The Finance Committee, chaired by Lou Pingel, recommended an austerity budget for 1975. The Corporate Meeting was uncomfortable with this. Accordingly the Meeting adopted a budget $9,000 over the Finance Committee's recommendation. Additional revenue sources were identified:

• Christian Education Committee - $1,500
• Guild - 2,000
• Second Pledge Appeal - 3,000
• Worship and Parish Life Committees- 2,500
• Total - $9,000

The balanced budget was adopted.

How did this work out? The next year Finance Chairman Edmond Cotty reported that the goal budget had been achieved. At the close of business December 31, 1977, for the third year in a row, Edmond Cotty could report the year ended with a small surplus of revenues over current expenses. Ever since, through good times and bad, the Church budget has been in balance. Often this requires sacrificial commitments as well as resourcefulness. Ministers are All the People, as our Order of Worship proclaims. The budget process is evidence of this.

In July, 1985, after two years of planning, the senior choir of St. James the Less and Chancel Choir of the Scarsdale Congregational Church took a two week singing tour of England and Scotland. The combined chorus of 33 members and an accompanying group of 25, all organized masterfully by Patricia Lilly, had a never-to-be-forgotten church related series of adventures. Robert Roth of St. James the Less and John Schuder from S.C.C., prepared and conducted the musical offerings.

Under the title, The Scarsdale Schola Cantorum, formal and informal concerts were presented in cathedrals in Canterbury, Winchester, Ely, St. Giles in Edinburgh, and in St. Martin's Church in Bowness on Windermere.

Later in 1985, upon the invitation of the Rockland Cammerata, the Chancel Choir participated with them in a festival to honor the composer Heinrich Schuetz. One concert took place in Rockland County and another formed a part of our 1985-86 Music series.

The 50^th Anniversary of the Scarsdale Congregational Church in 1974 was a milestone event. Two years in the making, a Form and Mission Report set in motion a number of changes in church life. The report on Form (the church's structure and programs) and Mission (the church's goals) was the work of a twelve person committee chaired by Thomas Mackey.

This benchmark study spurred several developments:

• Opening the pulpit to more guest preachers; adding moments of concern and talkbacks;
• More seminars and study programs, and creating ad hoc groups on such concerns as hunger, death and dying;
• Organizing "neighborhood enablers" to improve the care and nurture of members;
• Holding two retreats a year, one in the Fall for officiary, one in Spring open to all members;
• Begin exploring an amplification system for the Sanctuary.

The needs of the congregation change from one year to the next. Openness to change is a characteristic of the Congregational Way. All that is required is that an interest in change be communicated to the Ministers, the Moderator, or the General Board. Suggestions and concerns have and always will be carefully considered.

Each year the Standing Committee on Nominations is charged with preparing a slate of nominees for offices to be filled by election at the Annual Meeting of the congregation. In non-hierarchical churches such as ours this task is critical to the effective functioning of the church. How has this process fared?

Edmond Cotty, Nominations Chair in 1980-81, reported: "Nominations' only frustration is the consciousness that many willing members were not called. In economic terms, the supply far exceeded the demand...For a self-governing church, its strength is the sum of the involvements of its individual members. On that score we indeed are very blessed."

Lucy P. Werner, Nominations Chair in 1981-82, reported over 150 names were nominated and/or volunteered. Many not formally named and elected "will choose to serve this Church family with no further appointment than the clear understanding that for this Church, All the People are the Ministers." She adds that it is often important for people to say no. Both no and yes are an integral part of the nominations process. "Often the no of one year becomes the yes of another."

Betty Taubert, Nominations Chair in 1998-99, and her committee nominated for congregational election or for approval by the General Board a total of 88 names. Additional persons held continuing positions. Still others serve as volunteers on committees and projects.

Thanks to a supportive membership, the process works.

Raising the funds needed to support the programs of the church presents a different challenge each year. In 1979-80 the Stewardship Committee planned a series of fellowship dinners, coordinated by Bonnie Mitchell. Members were urged to bring their pledges to these dinners on their way to the suspense-filled Chancel Players drama "Wait Until Dark," starring Kurt Brokaw, David Kimble, Pat Lilly, and Lois Seulowitz.

When pledges received were short of budget goals, the congregation met and determined not to cut budgets but to find ways to meet the shortfall. Additional pledges reduced the gap. "The First Annual Spring Auction," co-chaired by John Beyersdorf and Mitzie Wang, held on August 12, 1980, added $8,000. The Annual Meeting later that month announced that budget goals for 1980-81 had been met.

That year, 1979-80, required major repair to the tower of the Sanctuary Building. Exterior lighting required renovation. All of this was accomplished within the 1979-80 budget.

A professional firm was employed to conduct an audit. Their report noted that the church property was free of debt and had not been pledged to secure other financing. Such a situation continues to this day, differently from the early years of the Scarsdale Congregational Church, and a tribute to the 75 years of sacrificial and careful stewardship of the leadership and congregants.

Drama has played an important role in the life of this congregation. For many years the annual Senior Youth Fellowship production was a highlight of parish life. Both musical theatre and serious drama challenged the talents of the performers and the skills of the producers. The productions of The Miracle Worker and The Crucible brought raves from all who viewed them.

The late R. David Kimble was a memorable director and producer. In the mid-70's he created The Best of Broadway (73), The Best of the Twenties (74), Best of the Bible (75), and Best of the Bicentennial (76). The productions brought together performers of all ages. They built a spirit of comradeship and understanding among all who participated in these revues. Those who attended the performances had special enjoyment because they knew so many of the presenters from other activities in the church. Dave Kimble served as Moderator of the congregation from 1982-84.

One week before Christmas in 1977 a "star-studded cast" presented Gloria, a medieval nativity musical with words, music and direction by Jane Greenawalt Sbarra. She reproduced in our sanctuary the atmosphere of a medieval cathedral which she had experienced while studying medieval drama in England and Germany as a Fulbright Scholar.

In September, 1974, a weekend retreat brought some 30 leaders of this congregation to Deer Hill to explore directions of the SCC for the ensuing program year. This led to a congregation meeting in January, 1975 in which the congregation chose HUNGER and its variations (food distribution, starvation, etc.) as the primary focus of its outreach efforts.

Dr. J. George Harrar, President emeritus of the Rockefeller Foundation and a member of this congregation, who ushered in the "the Green Revolution" which significantly increased food crop production around the world, spoke from the pulpit at the opening service of the Advent season.

This church took the lead in organizing a village-wide Hunger consciousness raising program in the spring of 1975. Adult education and outreach programs involved the congregation in understanding the scope of the challenges which faced the world population in the years ahead. Then the focus was on developing countries. Today we realize that we at home are not exempt from the impact of Hunger issues on our own daily lives.

In the 1970's decade members of the Scarsdale Congregational Church gave important leadership to the Metropolitan Association and to the New York State Conference. Grosvenor Dana served as Treasurer of the New York State Conference during this period and coped effectively by turning an inherited deficit budget into a balanced fiscal operation through shrewd and careful management. For many years he was a respected and admired elder statesman in both Association and State Conference gatherings.

In 1974, Rev. Dr. Roger Johnson, Pastor of the Scarsdale Congregational Church, was elected President of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Association. In 1976 he was elected to the New York State Conference Executive Council and appointed to its Personnel Committee. He was instrumental in bringing into positions of leadership our Associate Pastor, Gary Brown, and both David and Connie Kimble. Connie Kimble became a State Conference Planning Committee member and Editor of Publications.

In 1978, our Past Moderator Thomas Mackey was elected Vice Moderator of the Metropolitan Association and a member of the Board of Directors.

Today another Past Moderator, Lois Seulowitz, continues her long service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Association.

At Christmas in 1974 the church organ finally failed. A total replacement was necessary. While an organ fund was developed the choirs made do by increasing their a capella work.

This problem posed a major challenge to the church. The economy was in a period of some difficulty. The church faced the need to mount a serious stewardship drive and at the same time ask the congregation to conduct the first capital fund drive since 1956. The organ replacement cost nearly $90,000. The members and friends met the challenge, paid for the new organ and subscribed fully the operations and outreach budgets.

At the same time the Outreach Committee and the General Board hoped to raise $37,500 for the U.C.C. 17/76 campaign for support of the six American Missionary Association colleges affiliated with the U.C.C. These predominantly black colleges in the south are: Dillard, Fisk, Huston-Tillotson, LeMoyne-Owen, Talledega, and Tougaloo. This congregation did not meet its self-determined goal, understandable in light of the other financial pressures it faced. This reminds us that we need to consider carefully how to allocate our resources so as to carry out our mission of providing for the needs of others by making access to educational opportunity fully available to qualified young people.

When Rev. Howard Stone Anderson was installed as Senior Pastor in 1951 it was evident to everyone that the congregation had outgrown the Parish House and major redesign and construction was necessary. The kitchen was small, "apartment sized," so that dinners had to be potluck. Church school groups gathered in alcoves amid noise and confusion with no room for guests. There was no provision for child care. The list of needs was long but with determination and will the congregation organized a fund raising effort and carried it off successfully.

The fund raising booklet, entitled "An Open Door," stated: "We have our opportunity to be among the builders of today who will make possible a stronger ministry to our children, to our community, and to the church of tomorrow." We are their "church of tomorrow."

For a number of years the Scarsdale Congregational Church, through its Outreach Committee made annual contributions to theological schools in which our ministers had been educated. Beginning in 1977, annual gifts were sent to Union Theological Seminary, Andover Newton Seminary, New York Theological Seminary, and United Theological School of the Twin Cities. In 1982 a gift was sent to the School of Theology at Claremont, California. In 1983 Bangor Theological Seminary was added. After 1984 these gifts were discontinued.

Tougaloo College in Mississippi received an annual contribution from 1973 through 1977. Another gift was sent in 1984. The president of Tougaloo College was an occasional visitor to New York and always made it a point to visit this church and talk with anyone interested. The SCC membership enjoyed this relationship.

Historical documents do not indicate why colleges and seminaries no longer receive annual gifts. The reasons are complex. Overall, however, the Outreach Committees felt the monies available to them for disbursement were better utilized in supporting nearby agencies and programs in which our members were active or which were at the cutting edge of problems affecting our surrounding committees.

In 1982 the Outreach Committee established The Hunger Task Force in an effort to make a difference in the growing problem of hunger among people in need. They Decided to concentrate on East Harlem. Project Resurrection took its name from Resurrection House on E. 129^th St. in Manhattan. Scarsdale Congregational Church members cooked and served a hot meal for an average of 130 persons and a cost of $85 each Saturday. They washed the pots, interacted with the guests, and came to know some of their life stories.

The Church School and the annual Bringing in Christmas event gathered non-perishable foods, warm clothing, and funds. The Guild sent food and clothing to the East Harlem Interfaith Welfare Committee. Two volunteers each from the Church of the Living Hope and the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church joined the Saturday brigade. This effort continued until other agencies were able to organize broader efforts to alleviate the problem of hunger in the East Harlem community.

Two persons have held the title Minister of Music: Claire v.g. Thomas and Dr. John Schuder. Claire v.g. Thomas began service in 1952 as Organist and Choir Director. She was quickly recognized as a professional leader combining a fine sense of churchmanship with the best in musical techniques. Four choirs functioned. In 1956 she was given the title Minister of Music.

Dr. John Frederick Schuder began service in 1972. His talents were impressive and he was soon accorded the title Minister of Music. During his long tenure his high performance standards, his rich knowledge of musicology, and his sensitive churchmanship have won him admirers both within the congregation and in the larger community.

On Sunday, October 24, as part of our 75^th Anniversary observance, we will celebrate John Schuder's 27 years of music leadership.

Ever since 1903, outreach has been an active concern of the Scarsdale Congregational Church. Supported were missionaries in Satara, India, most notably Miss Lillian Picken for over 35 years. Each time she returned on furlough she spent time with the Scarsdale congregation, meeting with various groups and speaking at services. Dr. Horace McMillen served in Syria. Here at home Reverend George E. Calvert, who grew up in this church, served the East Harlem Protestant Parish.

We look forward to Rev. George Calvert being with us on April 17-18 when we celebrate our 75^th Anniversary with a catered dinner on Saturday evening. He will be with us also on Sunday morning. George Calvert, now retired but still active in Harlem affairs, has an exciting career story of a pragmatic, idealistic, homeland ministry serving people in need by finding ways for them to help themselves.

the mortgage was extended on the condition that the Church would make a serious effort to sell the property. In 1941 the mortgage was offered for sale at a discount. Eleven members of the Church acquired it for $11,750, and agreed to hold it until the church would decide whether or not to dispose of the property.

The Sherbrooke Road property was sold in 1946. The mortgage was retired and all indebtedness on other properties was paid in full. Four years later the church was able to buy the property upon which the Sanctuary now stands. Once again an architect was retained to prepare plans for the renovation of the Assembly Hall into a Parish House and the erection of a Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was completed and the first worship service in it held on April 1^st, 1951.
 
 

The first person to hold this title was Carleton J. Everett.

In 1998, Robert Everett was elected Moderator for a two-year term. He chairs the General Board, successor to the Church Council. Bob is the son of Carleton Everett. With his genial, open manner, his energy and creativity, Bob sets a high standard for all of us who work to build an active and supportive fellowship community. As Bob is proud to follow in his father's footsteps, we know his father would be pleased and proud of his son. This is the first such family succession in the office of Moderator in our 75 years.
 

After the end of World War I in 1918, the Scarsdale Congregation grew during the pastorate of the Reverend Henry MacPherson Dyckman. There was need for an adequate Sanctuary and an Assembly Hall. The Village of Scarsdale lacked adequate facilities for civic and community activities. Mindful of their civic responsibilities the congregation voted to proceed first with the construction of the Assembly Hall, with the understanding this would complete the building program for Sunday School facilities and be used temporarily for devotional church services.

The Reverend Henry MacPherson Dyckman served as pastor of the Westchester Church. He was much admired, particularly for his work with children and his outreach to the community. His sudden death in 1923 was widely mourned. The Assembly Hall was named Dyckman Hall in his memory. This is memorialized today with the name Dyckman Hall applied to the much used large meeting space in the Parish House.

The White Plains Congregational Church was organized in 1901. In 1903 it was given charge of the work in Scarsdale and the Scarsdale congregation was organized as a branch of the White Plains Congregational Church. In 1904 a new constitution changed the name to the Westchester Congregational Church and provided for the White Plains and Scarsdale Churches to have equal powers and privileges. Twenty years later, in 1924, the Scarsdale Congregational Church was formed into a separate Church and a Constitution and By-laws were adopted. It is this date from which we count 1999 as the seventy-fifth anniversary year.

The cornerstone of "the Little Stone Church," our first sanctuary, is today a part of the foundation of the handsome church sign, designed by Bonnie Mitchell, which looks out upon the five corners intersection. It was stored for many years in the boiler room of the Parish House until put to use when the new sign was erected.

Our first church home, "the Little Stone Church," was built on the site of the present Parish House. It was the first permanent church building in Scarsdale. The corner stone was laid on August 27, 1904 and still remains in the foundation of the Parish House. The total cost was $7,896 with a mortgage of $2,000 provided by the Congregational Building Society. Citizens of many denominations took an interest in this effort and contributed to its success. The first service was held in the Sunday School Room on December 18 and in the sanctuary on Christmas Day, 1904. We give thanks to those congregants and friends whose commitment has led to the fine facilities in which we worship and work today, nine-four years later.

The Scarsdale Inquirer traces its beginning to the Arthur Manor Sunday School, predecessor of the Scarsdale Congregational Church. In the summer of 1897 twenty of the young people banded together as a Christian Endeavor Society. They began to publish a four page news sheet called The Scarsdale Inquirer. Later, Mr. Stephen Angell, superintendent of the Sunday School, published it until he sold it to a Bronxville publisher who in 1919 sold it to the Scarsdale Woman's Club.

Thus our feeling of community has been enhanced by the enterprise of the youthful members of the Sunday School. The Scarsdale Inquirer, now in private hands, is a prized element in tying this area ­ Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Edgemont ­ into a sense of shared community.

On November 10, 1895, the Arthur Manor Sunday School Association was organized to provide religious instruction for the children in Arthur Manor in the Town of Scarsdale. It met on Sunday afternoons on the second floor of Fireman's Hall on Sprague Road.

Thus began, 103 years ago, the movement which 28 years later was formally established as the Scarsdale Congregational Church. Now, in our 75^th year, our Church School educational program is still vigorous and an important part of our mission.

In 1947 the Congregational Church hit upon the idea of using Election Day, when everyone is home, out of school, and available, for a Bazaar Day. Its first Bazaar was on that day in that year & was a great success, the net proceeds therefrom being over $3,700.

The Bazaar has grown and is now the All-Church FAIR. Election Day is no longer observed as a holiday so the FAIR is held on the first Saturday in November. It is supplemented by a Garage Sale in May and in 1998 by a furniture and book sale in August. The combined proceeds are a major contribution to the operations budget and a significant outreach to the larger community

At a meeting of the church held on October 22, 1924, the Scarsdale Congregation was formed into a separate Church and a Constitution and By-laws were adopted.

Thus began the independent life of the Scarsdale Congregational Church. We now begin our seventy-fifth year, proud of our past, confident of the present, committed to serve in the future.