Special programs were held January 10-17, 1937, celebrating the seventieth anniversary. Reverend Russell D. Cole was minister at this time. On Sunday, May 14, 1939, as part of the tercentary celebration of the town, Old South held a "Puritan Service" under the leadership of Reverencd Willard C. Arnold, minister, whose great-great-grandparents had been natives of the town. The pastor and many parishioners were dressed in appropriate costumes. The congregation gathered on the common and were led into the church by drummers. As they entered the church, the men were seated on the right and the women, on the left, as was the early custom.
Young people have always been an active part of the life of the church. A Young People's Christian League was formed in 1887. In April 1891 Old South received a charter for Chapter 629 of the Epworth League. During reorganization in 1939, the name of this group was changed to Methodist Youth Fellowship, and many members participated as officers on the District and New England Conference Level. Click for a picture of some alumni.
In 1939, the church's Skinner organ was rebuilt at a cost of $4,350. At age 20, Ernest M. Skinner went to work to sweep floors for George Ryder Organ Company on Salem Street. He worked there for four years and started his own business in 1901. One of this great organs in in the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C.
