20th Anniversary of Unity Hill UCC

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Pastor: The Reverend Judith M. Cooke

Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Harold C. Smith, D.D.

Director of Music: Carole J. Fanslow

Soloist: Dorothy W. Pickens

CE Coordinator: Tammy Satterlee

Parish Nurse: Louise F. Evans

Secretary: Joanne M. Dennean

Sexton: Calap Brown

PROGRAM

10:30 A.M. Worship Service

Guest Preacher Reverend Dr. Ron Brown

Guest Lector Reverend Arlene B. Studer

Guest Trumpeter David Glukh

Anniversary Senior Choir

Lucille Baver Martha Walker

Dolores Colaiacomo Dorothy Pickens

Eleanor Csire Robert Coulson

Marian Conklin Alton Seavey

Marsha Piper Roger Vars

Rose Vars

Anniversary Handbell Choir

Lucille Baver Allen Fanslow

Patricia Bowman Gail Gorlo

Dolores Colaiacomo Diane Henderson

Marian Conklin Linda Polito

Eleanor Csire

12:00 P.M. Luncheon

1:15 P.M. Anniversary Skit

Guest Pianist Martha Meyer

Alton Seavey - Chairman

Marie Seavey

Dorothy Vars

Rose Vars

Pastor Judith Cooke

Nicole Lynch - Decorations

Marie Seavey - Skit Director

Rose Vars - Gifts

Many Helpers on Set-up and Clean-up.

UNITY HILL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

CHURCH HISTORY

On June 5, 1988 a new church was formed by the merger, and formal incorporation, of Trinity United Church of Christ and Park Street Congregational Church. This brought about the joining together in worship and Christian fellowship 111 members and 5 associate members from Trinity United Church of Christ and 124 members and 2 associate members from Park Street Congregational Church.

On September 11, 1988 the consolidation of Trinity United Church of Christ of Trumbull and Park Street Congregational Church of Bridgeport was formally recognized by the Fairfield East Association of the United Church of Christ. The new Unity Hill United Church of Christ continues the traditions of Trinity United Church of Christ, successor to the First Evangelical and Reformed Church founded in 1860, and of Park Street Congregational, founded in 1868. This consolidation of the two churches was for the purpose of forming a more vital and effective church in the Greater Bridgeport area. The Reverend Arlene B. Studer, former interim Pastor of Park Street Church, and the Reverend Harold C. Smith, D.D., former Pastor of Trinity U.C.C. then became Co-Pastors in the new Unity Hill United Church of Christ of Trumbull.

Park Street Congregational Church, founded in 1864, reached its zenith during the 1930’s and 40’s when the church’s sanctuary and balcony would be filled to overflowing on holidays and there were 75 Sunday school children and 10 teachers. The church also grew financially due to a rather wealthy congregation, excellent stewardship and endowments, and sound investments. Following World War II membership began to decline until it reached approximately 100 in the mid to late 1980’s, at which time an active merger committee was elected. Led by the Reverend Arlene Studer, negotiations with Trinity United Church of Christ in Trumbull overcame several serious obstacles, which resulted in a vote to merge in late 1988.

The Reverend Harold C. Smith was pastor of the First Evangelical and Reformed Church in Bridgeport when, on January 1, 1966, the name of this congregation became “Trinity United Church of Christ.” Due to the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Christian Churches into the United Church of Christ, the name “First Evangelical and Reformed Church” was made out-of-date, inappropriate and meaningless. This name change was necessary.

At the same time, downtown Bridgeport was being considered for re-development. As this materialized, the congregation authorized, built and dedicated the Trumbull Social Hall, later named Lynch Hall. A dedication ceremony was held in 1970 on the 110th Anniversary of the original congregation. The Grand Masonic Lodge AF and AM of the State of Connecticut performed the Ancient Masonic Rites of this ceremony with the laying of the corner stone.

Lynch Hall was used for Sunday Services beginning in 1973 when the City of Bridgeport finally took the Congress Street building and property for redevelopment.

Groundbreaking for the present church sanctuary was on February 4, 1973 and dedication of the church was on April 29, 1974.

While a Yale University Divinity School, Bonnie Bardot participated in the worship of the church and upon her ordination was hired as a Co-pastor with the Reverend Harold Smith. She remained until July 1, 1987.

There have been many ups and downs that have been endured, however, the church has survived and progressed with the perseverance and determination of its faithful and hard working parishioners and their faith in God.

This brings us to a new beginning with the merger of Trinity United Church of Christ and Park Street Congregational Church.

Rev. Harold C. Smith, D.D. (Co-Pastor)

June 5, 1988 - July 1, 2000

Rev. Arlene B. Studer (Co-Pastor)

June 5, 1988 - March 22, 1998 (Resigned)

Rev. Robert Woodward (Interim)

1998 - February 18, 2001

Rev. John A. Thursby (Interim)

March, 2001 - August, 2001

Rev. Beverly Ida Weinhold (Pastor)

August 13, 2001 - November 16, 2003

Rev. Mark Freeman Strickland (Interim)

December 7, 2003 - November 28, 2004

Rev. Ronald Rising (Interim)

September 4, 2005 - December 31, 2005

Mr. Doug Halley

January 8, 2006 - February 6, 2006

Rev. Judith M. Cooke

April, 2006 - Present

CHURCH HISTORY

HISTORY OF CLERGY AT UNITY HILL UCC