Union Congregational Church Historical Timeline
2020 - 2030
Pastors:
- 2021 - present: Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Crouch
- 2019 - 2021: Rev. Annie Britton (interim)
Notable Events:
- 2021: Sale of Parish House and replacement of church roof
- 2020: Global pandemic of COVID-19 required the church to implement video recording and live streaming of worship services
2010 - 2020
Pastors:
- 2013 - 2019: Rev. James Conley
- 2012 - 2013: Rev. Ken Armentrout (interim)
- 2007 - 2012: Rev. Derek VanGulden
Notable Events:
- 2017: Congregation voted to adopt an Open and Affirming UCC designation
- 2013: Congregation voted to take on responsibility for running the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry
2000 - 2010
Pastors:
- 2005 -2007: Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson (interim)
- 1997 - 2005: Rev. Marcia M. Cham
Notable events:
- 2004: New chairs and tables in vestry. New parking lot.
- 2003: Basement structural infrastructure completed. Kitchen and handicap bathroom built
- 2002: Beginning of 3 year capital improvement. Lexan installed on windows, asbestos removed
1990 -2000
Pastors:
- 1997: Rev. Malcolm J. Burmmitt (interim)
- 1996: Rev. Roy D. Colby (interim)
- 1992 - 1995: Rev. Victoria M. Smith
- 1991-1992: Rev. Richard Hutton
- 1989 - 1991: Rev. Frederick H. Lane III
Notable events:
- 1994: New steeple was raised
1980 -1990
Pastors:
- 1988 - 1999: Rev. David Williams (interim)
- 1981 - 1988: Rev. Kent Allen
- 1980 - 1981: Rev. Gordon Kennison (interim)
Notable events:
- 1987: Current Parsonage was built
- 1984: 3 year renovation was completed - siding, protected stained glass and sanctuary updated
1970 -1980
Pastors:
- 1969 - 1980: Rev. George Chapman
Notable events:
- 1959 - 1975: Vietnam War
1960 -1970
Pastors:
- 1968 - 1969: Rev. Dr. Andrew Richards
- 1962 - 1968: Rev. Robert Harding
- 1959 - 1961: Rev. Frederick S. Strasburg
Notable events:
- 1963: North side classrooms added
1950 -1960
Pastors:
- 1958 - 1959: Rev. Dr. Horace Hatten (interim)
- 1953 - 1958: Rev. M. James Workman
- 1949 - 1953: Rev. Warren E. Stewart
Notable events:
- 1955: Area under vestry was excavated for classroom and storage - Workman room
- 1951: Leland Room was added on
- 1950 - 1953: Korean War
1940 - 1950
Pastors:
- 1946 - 1949: Rev. Harold Bodie
- 1942 - 1946: Iris L. Kerr (interim)
- 1939 - 1942: Rev. Owen W. Kerr
Notable events:
- 1939 - 1945: World War II
1930 - 1940
Pastors:
- 1939: Rev. Charles E. Beals (interim)
- 1936 - 1939: Rev. Loring B. Chase
- 1933 - 1935: Rev. Albert G. Jenkins
Notable events:
- 1934: Excavating for bowling alley - became a storage area
1920 - 1930
Pastors:
- 1928 - 1933: Rev. William M. Parker
- 1923 - 1927 Rev. Fosdick B. Harrison
- 1919 - 1923 Rev. Simeone E. Cozad
Notable events:
- 1929 - 1939: The Great Depression
1910 - 1920
Pastors:
- 1910 - 1919: Rev. Herbert W. Boyd
Notable events:
- 1914 - 1918: World War I
1900 - 1910
Pastors:
- 1908 - 1910: Rev. Jesse J. Yost
- 1901 - 1908: Rev. W. S. A. Miller
Notable events:
1890 - 1900
Pastors:
- 1898 -1900: Rev. Granville Yeager
- 1893 - 1898: Rev. Frank H. Palmer
- 1891 - 1893: Rev. Matthias S. Kaufman
Notable events:
- 1898: Church steeple was lost during the Great Portland Gale
- 1894: Stables were added
- 1891: Pews were added - organ brought down from the balcony
1880 - 1890
Pastors:
- 1880 - 1890: Rev. Perley M. Griffin
Notable events:
- 1884: Organ was purchased
- 1883: Vestry was built for Sunday School and social uses
1870 - 1880
Pastors:
- 1874 - 1879: Rev. Daniel W. Richardson
- 1870 - 1874: Rev. Austin Dodge
Notable events:
1860 - 1870
Pastors:
- 1868 - 1870: Rev. Jeremiah K. Aldrich
- 1862 - 1866: Nathaniel H. Broughton
- 1860 - 1862: Rev. Henry D. Woodworth
Notable events:
- 1861 - 1865: US Civil War
1850 - 1860
Pastors:
- 1851 - 1860: Rev. Philo B. Wilcox
- 1850: Rev: Swift Byington (interim)
- 1849 - 1850: Rev. Cyrus Stone
Notable events:
1840 - 1850
Pastors:
- 1849: Rev. Ebenenzer Alden, Jr (interim)
- 1827 - 1849: Baalis Sandford
Notable events:
- 1846-1848: Second bell cracked 2 years after installation and was recast by Bell Foundry of Henry N. Hooper of Boston, MA
- 1845: Completed house was dedicated on 1/1/1845
- 1844: Fire destroyed building - new building was built and steeple raised
1820 - 1840
Pastors:
- 1827 - 1849: Baalis Sandford
Notable events:
- 1835: Bell was installed
- 1827: Meeting House built on same foundation as our sanctuary 40' x 50'
- 1827: Town of East Bridgewater established