The 70s at Old South

The Pastors

  • 1958-1971 John Snook, Jr.
  • 1970-1974 Paul Samuelson (Associate Pastor)
  • 1971-1976 J. Gary Campbell
  • 1974-1977 Ward Coleman (Assocate Pastor)
  • 1976-1982 P. Dale Neufer

    The Church

    Church membership reached its peak in 1970 with 1677 members and a church school enrollment of 679.

    Over the years, the men and women of Old South have saved the church thousands of dollars by volunteering their time and energy to help maintain the church property. A good example of this is the painting of the sanctuary in 1979.

    The Parish House

    After 125 years of heavy use, the Parish House was declared unsafe and was demolished in 1979.

    Music

    In the early 1970's a memorial gift ot Old South marked the beginning of its Handbell Fund. Additional memorial fits over the next few years enabled the church choir to purchase its first set of handbells in 1976. The starter set consisted of two octaves of bells, requiring eight ringers. JoAnn Hodgkins became the director of the Handbell Choir.

    Church Groups

    In 1972 the name of the Women's Society of Christian Service was changed to United Methodist Women.

    CCP

    In 1976 CCP became a licensed nursery school which is open four days a week. Parents help in the classrooms and there are seasonal activities that the whole family can participate in.

    Text from "A History of the Old South United Methodist Church, 1967-1992, Reading Massachusetts", compiled for the 125th Anniversary by Catherine Moulton.