An
Octogenarian Fondly Recalls the Church of Her Childhood
By Mrs. Eleanor Erhardt
Going to church in the three
seater was an occasion not to be forgotten, six of us and
the three aunts but then one person always stayed home to
"keep house", so there must have been only
eight in the three seater. We passed the Everett Davis',
the only brick house and the Sam Davis home, said to be
the oldest house in Coram, over "the bridge".
On the left was an old well and the milestone, " 18
miles to Riverhead" it said, then the Windfield
Davis home and nearby the old Hulse place. Then came
Minnie's grand parents, the Steens; not far on was the
Will Norton place, where Mrs. Elam Smith lived with her
daughter Sarah. Next came the first house on the south
side by the street - Ike Smiths with Walter Overtons
close by, -across -the way was the John Swezey home - the
field next was covered with lovely blue violets in
season. Then came the wooded area at the approach to
Middle Island, Danzes setting back from the road and a
bit behind the Stuart place with the large rock near it,
down a little incline to the church first -passing the
lovely old King place. On the way we sometimes passed
Capt. Henry Smith who preferred to walk. At church we
stepped out of the three seater to the horseblock as we
had gotten in and papa drove around to the horse sheds.
Ours was the second from the east. Church began at 10:30,
the year around without changing the hour as it is done
at present.
There was not soft music as
we entered the church and went to our seats. The first
sound from the organ was when the minister announced the
first hymn. My first faint memory of a minister was Mr.
Bassett a retired venerable missionary from Persia with a
sweet faced wife and a number of children; Abby,
Winifred, Mary Jamie and Ruth, the last of whom married a
missionary from Africa. I am not certain whether the
Doxology was sung at the beginning or during the
collection, but sung it was, Aunt Alice ground out the
hymns led by Mr. Bayles who sat some distance from, the
choir. The choir had certain stand-bys, Wall Rulland and
his wife Martha Lee and Uncle Will in wing collar; his
sons Willy and Harold looked rather lonely sitting at
side of the aisle. Seats were not rented or assigned but
we all knew just where to go. As I think of the seating
later I wonder how it happened that those who lived to
the east of the church sat on the east side and visa
versa.
The sermon was based on a
biblical text and as far as I can re-member wars and
politics were not discussed. We were told to be of good
cheer - and we were. Two elders took up the collection,
Uncle Joe, Mr. Bayles, Mr. Pfeiffer or Grandpa Randall.
Blanche heard one of the boys say, "Grandpa collects
the money and papa takes it home." Quite true for
papa was the treasurer, following his father who had been
treasurer for over 50 years. There was no system of
pledges or envelopes, however, the stand-bys made
definite contributions to the minister's salary - which
papa recorded in the ledger at his desk - we learned to
count on church collections - piles of 5 pennies, etc.
and to multiply as well - 5 nickels made a quarter, etc.
After the counting it was dated and recorded and put in
the moneybag in the desk.
The minister during our
childhood and adolescence was Mr. Norris, a cultured
gentleman with a fine sense of humor, much loved and
fondly remembered. He lived alone in the manse, the
greater part of the year his wife and family only coming
during the summer. Never did he complain of being lonely,
in fact he said that he had a book open in every room.
The Longwood Smiths sat in
the amen corner as they attended the Episcopal Church in
Yaphank, they arrived a bit late. Mrs. Smith was
dignified and impressive - the children Helen and Sidney
were round and rosy, occasionally, petite little Mrs.
Holmes, nee Smith, widow of a minister was with them and
often family guests. Miss Amelia was a religious leader
in the Presbyterian. Guests in the choir added -special
interest especially when lovely Irmengard Freeman from
the lake was there. Later on, Lottie Parker with stage
connections -added to the scene with her bouncy curls.
Grandpa Randall until he
moved to Woodhaven and Blanche sat just back of us with
the Davis aunts in the row in front. Across the divider,
Mr. Pfeiffer (hoarse voiced and friendly) with his wife,
also Uncle Josie Hurtin, not a relative but just an
honorary uncle with his fine white beard. One of the boys
discovered uncle Josie didn't wear a tie for his beard
was a screen - then were was uncle Joe Randall and the
historian Richard M. Bayles with his smiling lovely wife,
the VanHorn sisters, Cassie, Sarah and Alice, precise and
immaculate were always there having walked from the lake.
He lived before the days of the automobile and although
all members 6f the parish had horses, he walked
everywhere. In our home he was a frequent and welcome
visitor a truly delightful individual - later on he was
to return to perform the marriage ceremony when I was
married in 1920.
After church, there was a
great deal of handshaking in "the entry" as we
called, later it was the narthex - everyone inquired for
everyone else, and we wondered what the men were
discussing at the horse shed. I remember being kissed by
each of the VanHorn sisters and my relatives and having a
very hearty handshake from Mr. Bayles, again to the horse
block and to the three seater.
In those days, "uncle
Azel" Swezey took care of the church and seated
strangers and visitors if they were in doubt.
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