Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
September – 100 years ago.
As reported in the 1924 Christian Advocate: “The Rev. Clarence R. Hickock, Dorranceton, reports an average attendance of 160 at prayer meetings. No spectacular methods are used. A committee is canvasing the parish for money to purchase ground for a new church on Wyoming Avenue.” The original 1897 building stood at West Dorrance Street and Schuyler Avenue. Properties were bought and sold, and building plans were drawn and redrawn, but it wasn’t until April 1963 that ground was broken at the present site on Wyoming Avenue. Dorranceton was once a separate borough. In 1921 it merged into Kingston, and in 1922 Dorranceton High School graduated its last class of 27 seniors.
October – 50 years ago
The Wyoming Conference United Methodist publication highlighted two very different October 1974 accomplishments.
October 3, 1974, marked the conclusion of a five day celebration at the Ashley UMC building, which had been destroyed by fire in February, 1972, and was now rebuilt, equipped with new stained glass windows and other memorials, and rededicated by Bishop James Ault. In the face of declining membership in a changing neighborhood, the church closed December 31, 2018, and was sold to Mision Cristiana Juan 3:16.
On October 7, 1974, Rev. Robert Harris, later the long-time conference historian, was a returning 3-day champion on the TV show Jeopardy — only to be defeated when he missed the final jeopardy question. In those days the host was Art Fleming and the highest dollar values were $100 and $200 in the single and double portions of the show.
