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PREFACE
Some years ago, the Presbytery of Westchester – now merged with others to form the Hudson River Presbytery – decided it should have in its archives short histories of every Presbyterian church within its jurisdiction. At that time, a decision was made to bring out a history of The Larchmont Avenue Church in 1964, the fiftieth anniversary year of its founding. I was serving on the Session and had been appointed Historian. Thus, the task of writing the history fell to me. In preparation, I read a pamphlet, "How to Write the History of a Church," issued by the Presbyterian Historical Society. It advised that the background of the entire community be described so that the life of this particular church might be seen in its proper context. This I have tried to do.
For historical material on the community, I had to read old newspapers of the day on file in the office of the Mamaroneck Times. Unfortunately, they had been damaged in a flood several years ago and were, for the most part, in deplorable condition. For the rest of my research, I read the minutes of the Session and of the Trustees from the beginning.
As a captain could not handle a liner without a crew, so our ministers have needed – and had – the devoted support and work of countless numbers of lay members, both men and women, over the years. Perhaps, the most difficult decision that had to be made in writing this history, was whether to try to include the names of those members who devoted a great deal of their time, their work and their loving concern, to the interests of the Church.
With Dr. McGuire concurring, it was finally decided to omit virtually all names (with the exception of the founders) lest some who had given liberally of their time and substance, particularly those who bore the brunt of the depression years, be inadvertently overlooked.
It is regrettable that we could not find photographs of the exterior of the carriage house; nor of the Church House during the five years it was connected with the basement Church. Both would have given a graphic picture of the step-by-step growth of the Church.
I am indebted to the Church staff for compiling the list of officers of the Boards which appears in the Appendix. Also, to Mrs. Ernest Watson and to my husband for assistance with the proofreading.
My special thanks go to Mr. Fred Leighty for all the work he has done in taking full charge of the publication of this booklet.
I hope that this chronicle will serve to recount as complete and coherent a history of The Larchmont Avenue Church as the records (often fragmentary) permit. Any errors which may be found, I fear are mine.
Alice Q. Holby |
| FOREWORD |
CHAPTER I |
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Last Published: February 15, 2008 11:43 AM
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