The 60s at Old South

The Pastors

  • 1958-1971 John Snook, Jr.

    The Church

    In the 1960's several fund-raising drives were conducted, culminating in a successful "Crusade for Christ" in 1966-1967 in preparation for celebrating the church's 100th anniversary. The crusade was led by Dr. Carl A. Bergsten of the National Division of the Methodist Board of Missions. The success of teh fund-raising enabled the church to purchase a second parsonage on Linea Lane. The Main Street parsonage was renovated for use by the Assistant Minister.

    100th Anniversary

    In October 1967, Old South celebrated its 100th anniversary. Special activites and services were held throughout the month. The first Sunday was Homecoming Sunday. Reverend John Snook, Jr. rode to church in a horse and buggy wearing a cutaway coat and stovepipe hat. Some of the ladies of the church wore costumes from the 1800s. A highlight of the activities was a special service of rededication on October 22. The mortgage was burned at this service, which was presided over by Bishop James K. Matthews. Several former pastors and many visitors attended the festivities. With property valued at over $500,000, church membership of over 1,600, and church school enrollment of over 600, Old South had many reasons to celebrate.

    Music

    JoAnn Hodgkins became director of the Junior Choir in 1966.

    Church Groups

    By 1967 membership in the Women's Society of Christian Service had grown to close to 300.

    CCP

    CCP began in 1968. It was originally called Mother's Day Out. It was begun to give young mothers the opportunity to share information, worries, and concerns. Click here for a Brief History of CCP by Charlotte Harlan, one of the program's founders.
    Text from "A History of the Old South United Methodist Church, 1967-1992, Reading Massachusetts", compiled for the 125th Anniversary by Catherine Moulton.