Chapter IV - Through Good Times and Bad
The Rev. Robert M. Russell, Jr., was called to the pastorate by unanimous choice of the congregation.
He was duly installed on November 14, 1922, the Rev. Arthur McMillan, D.D., Moderator of the Presbytery of Westchester, presiding. The Rev. John Kelman, D.D., minister of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City, delivered the sermon and the Rev. J. Ross Stevenson, D.D., president of Princeton Theological Seminary, the Charge to the People.
Dr. Russell was the son of the Rev. Robert M. Russell, president of Westminster College. He was a graduate of Westminster College and of Princeton Theological Seminary. During the war, Dr. Russell served in the Armed Forces from 1916 to 1919, first as a Y.M.C.A. worker and later as Chaplain in the Navy.
His wife was the former Ellen Stuart of New York. They had two children, Ellen and Stuart, and subsequently another son, Robert M. Russell, Jr., was born.
The pastor’s salary was raised to $3,000 plus a manse at 31 Edgewood Place which cost the Church a yearly rental of $1,800. The Church budget was raised to $11,000 of which $1,000 went to our missionary in Siam. These items were more than double those of the previous year. But, Dr. Russell was a young man whose vigor and enthusiasm were at once reflected in the Church.
The completion of the Church plant, which had long been a real concern of the Church Boards, now became their primary object. All agreed that work must proceed at once since the basement Church was now as inadequate for Sunday School and Church membership as the carriage house had been seven years earlier.
The original plan of building the Sanctuary first was abandoned in favor of erecting a Parish House (as they called it then) to accommodate the rapidly growing Sunday School.
Fowler and Weigelt, working with Eugene Klaber, an experienced church architect, drew the plans. The original thought of having a Parish House with adjoining Manse, both fronting on Wendt Avenue, was also discarded; already it had become apparent that the Parish House must be larger than at first thought necessary, leaving no room on the property for the Manse. The final plan, unanimously adopted, was for the Parish House to be 84 by 42 feet, connected to the existing basement by a tower which would house the minister’s study and smaller meeting rooms.
When the plans were made public, nearly all the neighbors signed a petition objecting to the proposed building as being too near Wendt Avenue, and at a public hearing on August 24, 1924, they opposed any change in the zoning law. Notwithstanding, the zoning law was amended to, "All buildings except Churches, Cathedrals, Temples, and other places of worship shall have a setback of at least thirty feet…," thus permitting the Parish House to be placed fifteen feet from Wendt Avenue. (The members of the Boards must have had persuasive talents to have accomplished this!)
A year and a half after Dr. Russell took office, in June 1924, ground was broken for the Parish House. It was to be used as a Sunday School and Community Meeting House. As Miss Emily Lindsley turned the first spade of earth, it struck stone. Facing those assembled for the ceremony, she remarked significantly, "You see our Church is founded on rock."
Contributions to the building fund had come in from many sources besides Church members. The whole community seemed to feel the need for such a building and helped to make it possible.
Marcello Mezzullo was the builder. The cost was to be $104, 727 with a $30,000 mortgage at six percent for one year. During that part of the construction period when it was necessary to suspend entrance to the basement, the Rector and Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church extended a cordial invitation offering the use and facilities of their Church and Parish House.
The Church House was dedicated on September 20, 1925. The promotion slogan had been, "A seven-day church for a seven-day need." And that is what it became. With its opening, a new era began in the history of The Larchmont Avenue Church. Quoting from the booklet "Decade," it was an era "of intense activity, of civic service and brotherhood, of extraordinary growth; an era of reaching out into the community."
It seemed as though the life of Larchmont flowed through the Church. As soon as the building was completed, many organizations made it their headquarters: The Woman’s Club, The Garden Club, The Society of Friends, The Men’s Club, The Masonic Group and others.
Houses were now springing up in all parts of Larchmont. These were smaller homes on smaller lots than formerly. Younger families moved in and Larchmont became predominantly a community of young people. The church, too, now young and vital, attracted many. Soon, the membership had grown to four hundred and the Sunday School to four hundred fifty.
When the Church House was completed, matching stone for the future Sanctuary was bought and piled on the Church property. Again, the neighbors objected, complaining that it was an eyesore, and that they saw rats in it. The stone was repiled but remained on the property. Only two months after completion of the Church House, plans were inaugurated to reduce the mortgage drastically as preparation for building the Sanctuary.
In January, Dr. Russell moved into his own home which he had built and which he occupied until his retirement.
At a special meeting on May 3, 1926, the congregation agreed to participate in the New Pension Plan by "paying to the Board of Ministerial Relief and Sustentation, each year a sum equal to seven and one half percent of the total salary of the minister (or ministers) rendering service." The Church has paid this without interruption throughout the years. Today, it has been raised to thirteen percent.
In 1928, the Church paid $21, 375 for a house and lot – 50 feet by 100 feet – on Wendt Avenue adjoining the Church House. This provided a temporary space solution for the rapidly growing Sunday School. Though only three years old, the Church House was already too small for the large number of children using it, the Sunday School having become the largest Presbyterian Sunday School in Westchester County.
The time had come to build the long deferred Sanctuary and thus complete the Church plant.
At this time, Dr. Russell was invited by the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church to accompany its Secretary on a visit to the West African Mission of Cameroon. Even though the project of the new building was in the offing, the congregation, sensitive to the honor accorded him, felt that Dr. Russell should go and included his expenses in the budget.
Immediately on his return, a General Council was appointed to look into the matter of building the new Church. A comprehensive report of its findings was read to the Board of Trustees at its meeting on March 4, 1929, and, (quoting from the Trustee’s report), was "approved with eclat." On March 24th, the congregation voted to proceed with the building.
Just as the Church House had to be made larger than was at first thought necessary, all agreed that the size of the Sanctuary should be larger than the original plans. Therefore, the side walls of the basement Church had to be extended to provide foundations for side aisles in the Sanctuary. The original side walls of the basement Church are the base of the great stone pillars in the Sanctuary.
Mr. Otto Eggers of the firm of John Russell Pope was the architect – Marcello Mezzullo the builder.
At the time, the Church had six hundred members, representing three hundred six families. These relatively few people willingly and enthusiastically assumed the task of raising $220,000, the total estimated cost of the Sanctuary. The building campaign was undertaken with exuberance. One of the campaign songs to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ball Game ran:
"Take us out of the basement,
Take us up in the air,
We want some cushions to sit upon
So we can sleep when the sermon’s on.
Let us root root root for an organ
And a roof that won’t leak in the rain,
So let’s give, give, give till it hurts
For the church campaign."
A leaflet sent to members reads:
"Larchmont has been waiting for fifteen years to see a church built on this corner. Let us now finish the task in a way that Larchmont may be proud of. We must erect a building of true beauty and dignity in keeping with the forward moving spirit of our community, a sanctuary where from the building itself one may at all times gain spiritual inspiration and refreshment."
During the period when construction work on the basement was under way, worship services were held in the Church House after Sunday School classes were dismissed.
One of the trials the builders encountered was an underground stream which invaded the kitchen causing trouble and delay. Although this was a great inconvenience, it did not deter the dauntless ladies of those days from preparing many a Church dinner while standing on planks with water lapping at their heels.
Pledges to the Building Fund had been excellent. It is interesting and should be mentioned here, that St. John’s Episcopal Church donated $1,000 to the Fund. But, even though enthusiasm ran high for the sorely needed edifice, it is doubtful that an undertaking of this magnitude would have been assumed could the depression of the 1930’s have been foreseen. Some of the contracts had been placed and financing arranged when the financial crash of October 1929 occurred. Few suspected the length and depth of the depression that was to follow, and plans for the building went ahead.
The Sanctuary was dedicated at an impressive ceremony Sunday morning, November 2, 1930. Further ceremonies were held the following Monday and Wednesday evenings.
At first, seats in the Sanctuary were assigned and paid for. This caused much adverse criticism. The Session then ruled that on and after December 11, 1930, all seats in the Sanctuary would be free and unassigned, as they are today.
The original plans called for a reredos on the chancel walls and stained glass windows. In the interests of economy, these items were postponed until a future date. Mr. Arthur Curtis James of New York, a relative of Mrs. Russell, had given $15,000 towards the organ which was installed in time for the dedication.
The beautiful Rose Window, given by Mr. J. Marshall Stuart, Mrs. Russell’s brother, in memory of their parents, was installed in 1931. It was to be thirteen years before another stained glass window was installed. By
1931, the Church Boards were realizing the seriousness of the financial crisis facing the nation and the Church. The budget that year was reduced to $39,640, forty-one percent of this being allotted to financing and carrying charges.
On June 5, 1931, a letter was sent to all members outlining the gravity of the situation. Quoting from it in part:
"We have not been able to accumulate funds to apply against the mortgage reduction and interest, due and payable August 1st. We have borrowed to our limit from the local banks. This payment will, therefore, have to be made against pledges. To default on our first mortgage payment, might invite foreclosure proceedings. You will agree that such a step is unthinkable and cannot be permitted after our having worked so hard for our beautiful edifice."
But economic conditions in Larchmont, as in the rest of the nation, continued to worsen. The Larchmont National Bank failed, a catastrophe which caused loss and suffering to many in the community. The local business people were particularly hard hit. Many pledges given in all sincerity could not be paid as men lost their jobs and incomes. There were tragedies among the members. In July another appeal to the members warned:
"We face a serious crisis in the affairs of our Church. If each person will contribute three dollars before August 1st, we will come through."
A rising urgency is evident in letters signed by the treasurer in 1932. Quoting from one dated November 2nd:
"The activities of the Church cannot be maintained unless additional revenue is received. Shall we ask the minister to serve without pay? Shall the Sunday School and Church meet without heat? Or shall all service be discontinued?"
On several occasions, there was not enough in the treasury to pay the oil bill. The minister insisted on a cut in salary and other expenses, too, were cut to the bone. Yet, the mortgage payment could not be met. The treasurer of that day reports that many times Dr. Russell’s salary was three months in arrears, at his own request. "Don’t pay me this month, the Church needs it more than I do," he would say.
So, that the Church could continue to function, a group of members endorsed a note for fifteen thousand dollars, over the opposition of some of their wives, it was said – an understandable opposition in view of the economic state of the country.
Finally, a full statement of the plight of the Church, signed by the President of the Board of Trustees, was published in the Larchmont Times, December 22, 1932. The article concludes:
"Briefly the facts are:
(1)-We have some $25,000 unpaid pledges against the cost of the Church, all overdue and causing us additional interest charges. (2)-We have not been able to meet the interest on the mortgage due February 1933. (3)-We have cut expenses 1/3 below last year’s budget . . ."
And, in October 1933, "Holders of Church obligations refuse further delays in payment of principal and demand that Church loans be paid."
Dr. Russell in a sermon warned the congregation that there was grave danger the mortgage might be foreclosed and the plant used for other purposes.
As we today enjoy the beauty of the Sanctuary, it is well to remember how the members of those days struggled and skimped to save it. They gave bridge parties from which they were happy to net from five to twenty-five dollars. A Treasure Chest was placed in the Sanctuary from Sunday, May 28, 1933, through June 11th. Members were asked to bring any discarded articles of silver or gold, such as old spectacle frames, broken knives, forks, anything – and drop them in. After the June service, the congregation stood and, joining hands, formed a circle around the Sanctuary where they sang "Abide With Me" at one of the most poignant ceremonies ever held in the Church. The articles from the Treasure Chest were sold to old metal dealers in New York.
Every ethical means to raise money was devised. But, in spite of all efforts, sufficient funds could not be raised. The Mercantile Commerce Company of St. Louis, holder of the mortgage, was advised that further amortization was impossible. The Company could either foreclose or extend amortization payments. After much negotiation and trips to St. Louis by two of the Trustees (at their own expense), a communication from the Mercantile Commerce Company dated May 5, 1934," . . .made operative a plan to postpone amortization payments and maturity dates of certain mortgage notes payable by the Church."
This relieved the anxiety and stress somewhat. Nevertheless, the situation was still grave; a letter by the Church treasurer July 1934, reads: "In spite of utmost economy of operation the Church lacks $2,900 in order to function." The minister suggested that he take a further reduction in salary. This offer was rejected by the Trustees.
Yet, through all this crucial time, somehow the Church carried on all its functions, did not allow the plant to deteriorate, and maintained some benevolences. This was accomplished by scrupulous care in administering the funds of the Church by the Boards of Trustees, and by very generous contributions by many of the members.
The strain on the minister was particularly heavy. Not only was he deeply concerned about the finances of the Church, but his pastoral duties had multiplied. Many members were in real need. Suicides occurred among the members. The need for an assistant in pastoral duties was urgent. The Rev. F. Ritter Shumway was engaged for a brief time as an assistant. Later Mr. Malcolm Marshall was taken on from October to May at ten dollars a week to help Dr. Russell. Almost every Trustee’s report during those years regrets that there were no funds to pay a regular assistant minister when the need for one had never been so great.
To alleviate some of the distress in the community, Dr. Russell started the Larchmont Organization for Unemployment Relief in conjunction with the clergymen of St. John’s and St. Augustine’s. It was known as LOUR and is now the Larchmont Aid Society.
Today it is difficult to imagine so many Larchmont families being in actual want. But, from the report of LOUR, December 1934:
"In the past year, we placed one hundred eighty-three men and one hundred sixty-one women in various jobs for days or hours . . . and gave out three thousand forty-one garments and pairs of repaired shoes." Many formerly prosperous professional and business men were recipients.
By 1935, improving conditions in the nation were reflected in the Church. That year the mortgage indebtedness was not in default, all operating expenses were paid when due and during that year, the debt on mortgage and overdue bank loans was reduced by seven thousand dollars.
Then, came the recession of 1937 and 1938. Again, this was reflected in the Church. Nevertheless, by the end of 1938, all local bank indebtedness had been retired. With this indebtedness cleared, the Church, thanks to the hard and astute work of some of the Trustees, was able to refinance the mortgage reducing the interest from six percent to four and one half percent and with easier amortization payments.
To summarize, quoting from the Trustees’ report of March 1939:
"The Church House was constructed in 1925, the Sanctuary was completed in 1930 at a total cost (for both) of $357,000 including furnishings and equipment. As the total indebtedness is only $115,000, it is plainly to be seen that the Church has since its formation demonstrated inherent vitality of unusual proportions, particularly when it is remembered that the new building was completed at the time when the very first winds of the economic cyclone, known as the depression began to blow . . . The story of the sacrifices made during the depression and the recent recession by individuals is a glowing tribute to the broad and pervasive influence and excellent leadership of our forceful and energetic minister, Dr. Robert M. Russell, and the untiring efforts of the members of the several Boards of Trustees who worked with him."
From earliest days, there had been two women’s organizations in the Church: The Woman’s Society and the Guild. Both had made vital contributions in work and money. Dr. Russell, carrying out the recommendation made by Presbyterian headquarters, persuaded the two groups to merge. The present Women’s Association came into being and had its first meeting as such on October 4, 1938.
After the early 1930’s when many families were forced to move from Larchmont, others had gradually moved in. The membership of the Church increased until by 1939, it numbered one thousand two hundred seven and the Sunday School had regained its status as the largest Presbyterian Sunday School in Westchester County.
On May 10, 1939, Dr. Russell tendered his resignation to take effect September 30th. This came as a shock to the Session. He was questioned at two Session meetings as to whether there was any reason, other than that given, for his resigning. After being convinced that he felt it imperative to move to the Southwest for his family’s health, his resignation was regretfully accepted. He left August 31st, September being considered his vacation.
The Trustees gave a farewell reception for him at which he was presented with a sum of money subscribed by individual members. The Session gave him the following tribute:
"Resolved, that it is with the deepest regret that we have united in the request of The Reverend Robert M. Russell for a dissolution of his pastorate of this Church. We are deeply mindful of God’s great goodness which blessed us in having as our leader such a true and consecrated pastor and friend who has worked with us for more than seventeen years.
"Not only have his ability and influence been a vital force in the parish, but this and surrounding communities have looked up to him as one who had always been a leader when an individual or common need arose.
"It will be given to no one human to know all of the countless and tireless acts of love and devotion which have been his and which have come as a kindly benediction to so many. Our beautiful and worshipful Sanctuary, toward the building of which he contributed so much administratively and inspirationally, will long stand among us as material evidence of his deeds."
