Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
September – 100 years ago
The September 1920 issue of The Evangel, monthly publication of the Women’s Missionary Association of the United Brethren Church, included two different articles by women hailing from the small Hopewell church of the Newburg charge. Miss Florence E. Clippinger (1886-1977), brother of Bishop Authur R. Clippinger who represented the United Brethren Church in the famous 1946 handshake creating the EUB denomination, contributed a book review on the allegory Mr. Friend-O’-Man. Miss Clippinger went on to a 30-year career as a high school biology teacher, and becoming head of the Biology Department, in Dayton OH.
Miss Lillian Kendig (1890-1982) submitted a report on her return visit to Pennsylvania on behalf of the mission work in New Mexico. Educated at Shippensburg Normal School and Bonebrake Seminary, Miss Kendig was licensed to preach by the Pennsylvania Conference in 1917. She served on the faculty at the McCurdy School in Espanola NM from 1916 to 1925, including 3 years (1918-21) as its superintendent. In 1925 she married a Mr. Harry V. Cole and settled in Fort Wayne IN, raising a family and continuing active in the United Brethren Church.
October – 50 years ago
On October 11, 1970, Bishop Hermann W. Kaebnick presided at the consecration service for the new facilities of Faith UMC in Montoursville. The 800 member congregation relocated to the 8 acre site on edge of town because of a need for more space. The original downtown 1866 Methodist Episcopal sanctuary, including the 1932 educational unit, was sold and converted into apartments. The new property was in a developing area “with a new Middle school under construction directly across the road.”
In addition to a sanctuary seating 450, the new facility included a spacious narthex that can be used for overflow seating, fourteen classrooms, a large fellowship hall, offices, a kitchen, and paved parking for 120 cars.
