July – 100 years ago
In July 1918, just as World War I was drawing toward its November 11 conclusion, the great flu pandemic that killed far more people both world-wide and in America than did the war, was beginning to show its strength. Both events greatly affected area United Methodism. In July Rev. Thomas F. Ripple (1880-1946), for example, after a competitive examination was appointed in the middle of the conference year (which then ran from April 1 to March 31) as chaplain in the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Rev. Ariel L. Turner (1888-1967) was moved from Orangeville-Rohrsburg to take Ripple’s place at Berwick Calvary, and local preacher I.W. Albertson of Lattimer Mines was sent to the Orangeville-Rohrsburg charge. One hundred years ago it was not uncommon for the call to ministry to run in the family. Thomas Ripple was the son of Rev. Lorenzo Dow Ripple (1857-1917) and the uncle of Rev. Donald Ripple (1925-2004). Ariel Turner was the son of Rev. James E. Turner (1863-1910) and a brother to Rev. James A. Turner (1889-1971).
August – 50 years ago
In August 1968 the Clarks Green United Methodist Church in Lackawanna County was worshiping in its 1960 education building. The congregation had just celebrated the 100th anniversary of its 1868 charter, and needed to make a decision about its 1869 sanctuary – whether to renovate it or to raze it and erect a new sanctuary to match the education building. The old sanctuary had been added to in 1896, and had a balcony and new heating system installed in 1948, but it was definitely showing its age. Having decided to build, the congregation razed the old structure and had a ground breaking ceremony in July, and the foundation was laid during the month of August. The cornerstone was laid in September, and the new sanctuary was ready for use in October of the following year.
