"Birth of the Dream" by Eleanor Bourn

How NKUMC's faith survived the crash of 1974, by David Cruickshank 

Related story by Syd Gledhill on how NKUMC secured its first organ when the church was built

Memories of NKUMC from Nora Almond, wife of Pastor Jon Almond

Tapestry Tells Story of Our Faith (story & photo)

History of the 'Penny Bucket'

Other links: A History Timeline

The two halves of the house were painstakingly fashioned together on the foundation. The church was now becoming a physical reality and one parishioner reports, "We had relied on the Lord for strength to go on with our dream." And the dream survived. By 1980, membership had climbed back to 195 people and it was necessary to expand the church.

On June 11, 1980, ground breaking ceremonies here held on phase two of the church. The building program would house a 230 seat sanctuary, kitchen, choir room, office and fellowship room. The members dedicated themselves to completing the work with the labor of their own hands.

Many church members believe the sanctuary of the newly remodeled church was furnished by divine intervention. The pews came from the Quonset Navy Chapel, purchased at auction and offering a rich heritage for many of our Navy families. Stained glass windows were found in a Catholic chapel in Wakefield. And amazingly, they fit exactly the dimensions of the window openings planned for the sanctuary. The pipe organ was located in a Baptist church in Beacon, New York, across the river from Newburgh.

Transporting the windows was no easy task. They needed leading and Bob Shaw labored on the process in his basement. The nativity window was installed in time for Christmas. A delegation of four – Jon Almond, Syd Gledhill, Bob Kerr and Don Pratt -- were dispatched to Beacon, NY to bring back the pipe organ (see Syd Gledhill’s account in this booklet). The pipe organ made its journey from New York in pieces and had to be assembled carefully following the instructions so it would actually sound like an organ when put back together. All was going according to plan until the first morning it was to be used. It was discovered one of those pieces of the organ had been assembled improperly so Don Lipe got up very early to go to the church and make the repairs for the organ’s successful debut.

Construction of the new sanctuary was completed and consecrated for worship on April 24, 1983. Pastor Jon Almond and wife Nora had remained at North Kingstown for 11 years, caring for their flock and seeing the church through its most difficult times. Many projects were held to raise funds. On one very hot humid day, we held an ice cream social outdoors with a later evening program scheduled inside the church. To keep the church as cool as possible the large room was kept closed which proved to be a mistake. When it came time for the program, the room was opened to find the moisture in the air had settled on the floor. The tile floor was soaked with water. It had to be mopped and dried before the festivities could begin. The bazaars, born of the early years to support the pastor, had become a tradition. The ladies made apple pies to sell. A line of workers would be assembled in the hall. Some preparing the pie crusts, others assembling the finished products. The pies were sold frozen which meant several freezers were filled to capacity.

During the annual Wickford Art Festival one summer, the church congregation could not secure space on Brown Street so a bus was rented to take people to the village. Charlie Rose served as the bus tour guide, providing a running commentary on the short trips to town.

The church withstood the difficult years of the Quonset base closing and the membership list once again was on the rise. Jon Almond tended his flock for 11 successful years before he was re-appointed to the First Methodist Church in Melrose. In 1988, The Reverend Richard Dupee came on board as pastor. He married Bonnie Marshall, a member of our congregation.

The Reverend Dupee was followed by The Reverend Richard Davis. Dick loved music, especially the drums. He was filled with God’s spirit and that spirit often moved him to play the drums and cymbals. His services were marked by joy and deeply heart-felt prayer and punctuated by an occasional burst of cymbals and drums. His sense of humor was remarkable. He once visited the local Taylor Rental store and asked the proprietor, also a congregation member, if he could rent some nails and paint. Dick’s wife, a Catholic, also attended our services to hear Dick’s sermons. She was a beautiful lady who was loved dearly by our congregation. Dick guided the planning and fund raising for the additions to the church in the early 1990s.

The congregation loved its sanctuary, but found it needed to expand and add an inside route to go from the sanctuary to the Sunday School rooms without going outside. In the midst of the building process, adding a new room, kitchen and library, a member of the church, Dawn Belshaw, was married. The congregation stepped over lumber and around framing to get to the large room where the reception was held. It made the wedding special.

Dick Davis retired from his ministry and he and his wife moved back to their original home on Cape Cod where he continued to be a "substitute" minister for his home church and later was called back into service briefly to be interim pastor for a church in Burrillville, RI.

Dick was replaced by Stan Culy. His wife Lena became ill during their time with us and she, sadly, passed away.

Now led by The Reverend Beverly Stenmark, our church continues to grow. Her times with our children during worship are interesting and surprising. One never knows what a young child will say when the pastor is teaching a lesson. And kids do say the darndest things.

Unfortunately, The Reverend Richard Belcher, the man who started the dream, passed away before the sanctuary was built. He never saw his dream realized, but we believe he’s one very proud member of God’s Kingdom to know how far we’ve come.

We owe so many, and most of all, our Father, who gave us the will and strength to continue in His name. I hope this gives the members something to remember of our past and to inspire us to continue with enthusiasm and spirit.

Related link: Timeline for history of NKUMC

As many families are forced to do in a depression, we sold property (the Parsonage), laid off personnel including the minister, and even took in boarders (the Mormon Church). Sometimes we couldn’t even pay the heating bill. Committee meetings were held in homes to conserve. Growth was slow and difficult with a minister, The Rev. Jon Almond, shared with the Wakefield church. The future looked bleak if we continued this way.

This turned around dramatically when a few years later the congregation took the "Leap of Faith" led by Jon. We were challenged to commit to growth without the usual assets. Jon and his family decided to leave the security of an established church and cast their lot with one whose only asset was trust. His decision came as a surprise to us. At the time we didn’t know enough to hesitate when Conference advised us that we not only had to commit to Jon’s salary but had to provide him with a home – and by the way, we had only a few weeks to do it!

Without hesitation, this church of only about 40 people accepted that responsibility and went to the bank already owing $100,000. We subdivided the church property to create a house lot that could serve as collateral, obtained a mortgage, met with a builder and ordered a modular home. One week gone.

The following week the builder put in a complete foundation, installed a compete septic system and ran 400 feet of water line and the same for power. Week Two gone.

The house arrived during week three on two trailers and was greeted by practically the whole congregation. By the end of Week three it was mounted on the foundation, utilities and septic connected, and a sod lawn laid down.

In those three weeks we put aside caution and had a new parsonage which we really couldn’t afford, a new minister to lead our rebirth, and a new beginning!

It was late afternoon when four members of North Kingstown Church met in the church parking lot to embark on a mission for the church. The mission – dismantle an organ that was donated to the church by a Baptish church in Beacon, NY, along the Hudson River, north of New York City. The group included Jon Almond, Robert Kerr, Don Pratt and myself.

Sometime along the way, we heard on the radio that the tail end of a hurricane was heading toward our destination. Thank heavens our lodging had been arranged by David Cruickshank and his brother Richard. They had arranged for us to stay with a friend of Richard’s. We would use his friend’s small camping trailer which would hold 4 people. As we arrived, it was dark and as soon as we met our hosts we immediately went to the camper and made our sleeping arrangements. Rev. Almond took the upper berth area at the back of the camper. Bob Kerr took the lower berth. Don Pratt had brought an air mattress that he proceeded to inflate and set up on the small aisle of the camper. I had the berth at the front of the camper right next to a window.

We all settled down and went to sleep. Shortly after we had bunked down, the remnants of the hurricane decided to come on through. As you can imagine, there was a lot of wind and rain, but we still managed to get some sleep.

Sometime early in the morning, there was a bright flash of light and a loud sputtering noise. The light completely illuminated the camper and the sputtering noise woke up all of us – especially the Reverend who came bounding out of that top berth and almost trampled poor Don who, as you might recall, was sleeping in the aisle.

When we looked out the window by my berth, we saw this big electrical arc that was moving up the high tension wires that lined the road. In a few minutes, the arc was broken and we were in darkness once again. After settling down again, we went back to sleep.

I cannot recall the time but it was around maybe 5:00 AM that I woke to the sound of a wailing siren. When I looked out the window I could not see any flashing red light or a police car. Nothing but darkness. The siren continued to wail for a good 10 minutes or more but still no police vehicle. Finally, I got back to sleep.

We all woke up around 6:30 AM or so and we were invited up to Richard’s friend’s house for breakfast. We discussed the flash of light, wind and rain. Sometime during the discussion I asked if they had heard the siren going off and I was told, "Yes." When I said that I had not seen any police cars, they responded that there were none. We were then asked if we could see the wire chain fence across the road near the house. It was about as far away as Boston Neck Road is to the church. It was at this point they informed us that about a half mile back of the fence was the penitentiary and the siren always went off when someone had escaped.

After breakfast we went to the find the church. When we finally found it, we met the designer and builder of the organ who was there to supervise the dismantling of the organ. Robert, his last name slips my mind, must have been in his seventies. Robert Kerr spent most of his time with this gentleman taking notes on the organ and some of its history.

My time was spent taking the wiring off the organ console and labeling wires, etc. Rev. Almond and Don Pratt, under the designer’s supervision, dismantled the pipes and laid them on top of the pews. After we completed the disassembly, we loaded the pipes, console and blower on a van and sent it to Ken Green’s attention at Bekins Movers Warehouse where it was stored until the new sanctuary was completed years later.

Postscripts to the Great Organ Adventure, published May 12, 2008:

NKUMC Email Alert for Monday May 12, 2008

Memories of the Pipe Organ – We received a very
pleasant email today in the website editor’s email
inbox. Jon Fick of Westford, Vermont jon@vermontFicks.org wrote to say he was reading our church history on our site and saw the reference to our pipe organ and how it was secured years ago from a Baptist church. Our history story had the church in Newburgh, New York. Jon says it was actually a Baptist church across the river in Beacon, New York. Jon’s dad was the organist at that church for a number of years and he used to stand in the pipe room and listen while his dad played. He wanted to know if it was still working. I wrote back that we still love it.

Jon says when the Baptist congregation decided to build a new facility in Fishkill, NY, it was believed there would be no room to install the organ since the facility was starting up in all purpose gym. It was also felt the organ would not be large enough for the
planned new sanctuary in Fishkill. So reluctantly, the congregation decided to move it to another home. Jon says David Cruickshank of our congregation was the link that ultimately got the organ relocated to North Kingstown.

Thanks to Jon’s note, we’ve updated our story to credit Beacon, New York as the former home of our beloved pipe organ. Thanks for writing Jon and blessings to all the members of that Baptist church who are part of our history. I’m copying you in our
email alert note for today. History of our church, Birth of the Dream and an accompanying story on the great pipe organ adventure are online at http://www.nkumcri.com/nkumcri/msg3.html. 

Blessings,

Larry Price

2nd correspondence, September 3, 2009

Email September 3, 2009:

Pastor Eldridge,

Thank you for your reply to my inquiry. Your present attention to the organ is quite a coincidence.

You do spark my memory that it was Rowland and not Van Seters who built the organ in the Baptist church in Beacon and was the person whom your delegation worked with in moving the organ to your church.

The organ was built by Rowland I think early in 1940 (I didn't come along and begin playing it there until about 1950). I knew that he built it from old components taken from other churches which had discarded their organs in past years. Rowland was the curator of the organ at West Point before Van Seters. During the time up to 1979 when I was playing the organ we never really needed any maintenance work done on the organ except to have the large motor/blower serviced by a local motor company about every 4 years. Rowland only came when we needed tuning. I met him several times but did not know him well.

It so happens that the organ technician I use to service our pipe organ at Westminster Presbyterian Church is a retired former curator of the organ at West Point who succeeded Van Seters when Van Seters retired. He was assistant curator to Van Seters and I think must have known Rowland.

It is a coincidence that I recently leaned on our session (where I am also an Elder Emeritus) to spend $3900 to releather all the stops in the two wooden flute ranks. Our technician is in the midst of doing that work right now and will be finished in another week. I will see him then and ask him if he can give me a little background on Rowland. What I learn I will pass on to you.

Thank you again for your prompt reply. I hope all goes well with your rehabilitation project. Pipe organs do need maintenance and it's not unusual for churches to put off needed work. It's also not unusual that such expenses often generate pleas to go to electronic digital instruments. There are pros and cons to decisions like that.

Regards,
Neil H. Fick
 

Love Notes from Nora Almond

• Harold and Mildred Barber walking hand-hand through the parking lot after 50-plus years of marriage.
• Earl Kinnecom with pockets of candy, a coffee hour pied piper.
• Organ shoelaces mysteriously tied together by ???
• Dave Cruickshank’s car on blocks after worship, a trick pulled off because Gene Beutel was in town to baptize grandson Forest and Jon didn’t have to preach.
• Apple pie making at the parsonage, in the church and at Marcia White’s home, with crusts from a recipe provided by Evelyn Cowan.
• Early choir rehearsals in Jon’s office, no bigger than a closet, but then the whole choir was Jon and Ken Green.
• A Baldwin organ with a doorbell and auto horn (and a scamp of an organist who used both on occasion!)
• Dot Rose bringing a suitcase of games to entertain our Nate, then 3, when she took her turn as an office volunteer.
• Outdoor Living Nativities, fun but freezing!!
• And speaking of freezing, the retreat at Camp Aldersgate with no hot water in the women’s shower.
• Singing, ringing, eating, laughing, crying, learning, arguing, forgiving, risking, praying, rejoicing, trying to stay awake, trying to get some sleep – all with dear, dear friends who will always be in our hearts.

The idea for the tapestry grew out of a visit by Maria Villanueva and me to my home church, the Fourth Avenue Methodist Church in Faribault, Minnesota where the original tapestry hangs.

Upon seeing it, Maria said, "We must make one for our church!" Making the tapestry became a major project for many members of the North Kingstown United Methodist Church craft group.

Irene Purdie, the lady who had designed and made the original, helped a great deal. When I asked her for patterns, I discovered that unfortunately she had just given them all away to Goodwill. Irene gave us measurements and the simple pictures to go by. Frances Wood spent many hours drawing new patterns. We used books of Christian symbols for many and Maria was especially adept at copying from the photographs which we had taken of the original. Millie Cone started us out with the four Gospels. Several of us filled in the backgrounds which was very tedious work. Others were done from patterns.

Those members involved with me in this project were Maisie Carroll, Millie Cone, Sharon Eaton, Jessie Kuster, Maria Villanueva, Christine Washburn and Frances Wood. Genevieve Smith helped in planning the border and coordinating the colors. The rest of the craft group put up with the moaning and groaning as work had to be adjusted or even redone.

Many years later, the tapestry was ready to present to the North Kingstown United Methodist Church and to the glory of God. It was dedicated on October 14, 1990.

PANEL ONE: The Lamp

Symbol of the Word of God, also intelligence and learning. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path."

PANEL TWO: Tablets

Represents the Ten Commandments.

PANEL THREE: St. John

The winged creature with an eagle's head symbolizes John as the high-soaring eagle because in his narrative he rises to the loftiest height dealing with the mind of Christ.

PANEL FOUR: The Fish

A secret sign used by the early persecuted Christians to designate themselves as believers in Jesus.

PANEL FIVE: The Crowing Cock

Symbolizes DENIAL ... either Peter's or ours.

Take time to study all the symbols in the tapestry and know your faith.

Charter Members of NKUMC

Members Since 1st Worship Service