The Sanctuary
Part of what makes UCR unique is our beautiful Church building and its unique seaside location. Dedicated in 1962, the Church, with its natural materials and wonderful, undulating roof speaks to what our Church is all about. The Sanctuary was designed by Westport architect, Joseph Salerno. The design won the American Institute of Architects highest award in 1963.
The Church sits on a small hill, perched on the shores of Five Mile River as it makes its last half-mile journey to the Long Island Sound. The Church building was well described in a recent book about New England churches, Great New England Churches by Robert Mutrux.
Here is an excerpt from that book describing our Church's architecture:
GREAT NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES
THE UNITED CHURCH OF ROWAYTON
Completed: 1962
Architect: Joseph Salerno
“The first reaction of many who view the odd-shaped edifice on Route 136 for the first time is, “It doesn’t look like a church!” And they are right. The United Church of Rowayton bears no resemblance whatsoever to the prim white-spired meethinghouse one might expect to find in this typical New England community….
…(I)t is most significant that this highly original concept, in its totality, is a deliberate metaphorical representation of the nature and aims of the congregation that made it possible.
The building committee, headed by its far-seeing Pastor, Donald W. Emig, outlined their needs simply, “We want a house of worship that will fulfill the needs of this community, not one in San Francisco or Albuquerque. We are unique.”
The last three words of their charge must have sounded like celestial music to the ears of their architect, Joseph Salerno of Westport. Soft spoken, erudite, philosophically-inclined, he outlined his concept of the church building thus, “It is a table, a cross and a pulpit surrounded by people.” In a single phrase, he summed up the intrinsic unity, the ecumenical dimensions, and the spiritual aspirations that were later embodied in his design. Aided by the breadth of vision of the building committee, and bolstered by his own creative convictions, he was able ultimately to achieve one of the New England region’s most ingenious solutions in church architecture.
Every aspect of this completed structure seems eminently appropriate to its use. The semi-circular seating pattern, with everyone “within smiling distance from each other,” is a bold step away from the standard arrangement in parallel rows. The free form enclosing the 300-member congregation is an eloquent envelope that ascends ninety feet above the floor in an effortless arabesque, culminating in a shaft of light. In the union of wall and roof, Salerno has added a touch of genius. He has gone a step beyond Frank Lloyd Wright, who referred to the spire of one of his churches as “a finger pointing towards God.” Salerno has made the entire church into an upward-aspiring symbol.
The wood used throughout is so natural, so appropriate and so expertly handled that one is unaware of the high degree of engineering required to achieve the church’s unique contours. The individually shaped laminated ribs and the planking in compound curves reflect the origin of the material. How foreign cold, hard concrete or intransigent welded steel would have been! And what other surface than a shaggy shingled exterior would echo so well the character of the surrounding residences?
The Rowayton Church is a superbly functional unit. Though it is several light years removed from the rigid geometry usually associated with the term, “functional,” it serves the varied needs of the parish to perfection.
And it is “organic” in the full definition of the word. As it embraces the knoll (it sits on), inviting the outside world into its folds, the United Church seems to rest in the modest self assurance that in this context, no other design would have been possible. One can easily imagine Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright at this moment, in some Elysian drawing-room, beaming in benign approval.
From the day of dedication (1962), the United Church has been an unbounded functional and esthetic success. In 1963, in the prestigious company of Eero Saarinene, Minoru Yamasaki and representatives of Skidmore, Owning and Merrill, Joseph Salerno was awarded the top annual honor by the American Institute of Architects.
But he was more recently accorded the ultimate accolade. In exceptional cases, the profession grants to the designer a permanent moral equity in his creation, so that we now speak of Saarinen’s TWA Terminal, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water as well as the Eiffel Tower. Today, the United Church of Rowayton is often referred to as “Salerno’s Church.”
The tribute is well deserved. The vision of its designer, the wisdom of its pastor and the judgment of the building committee have combined to create a living expression of a living, working faith. And in what better way could one honor, “The Architect of the Universe”?
Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden of The United Church of Rowayton has been created through thoughtful gifts from members and friends for proprietary care and is intended for various uses. These include scattering or interment of ashes, memorial services, memorial markers, meditation, worship and communion services, celebrations of thanksgiving and praise, Baptisms, weddings and musical programs.
The Memorial Garden is for past and present members of The United Church of Rowayton and their immediate families: spouse, children, parents. For more information on the Memorial Garden, contact the Church office.
Our History
Here is the illustrious history of the UCR written by our Church Historian, Michael Ziegler.
In the Beginning….
A meeting was held by David Cudlipp, William McKenzie and Benjamin Jutten, who constituted the Baptist Ecclesiastical Society of Five Mile River. The date was June 24, 1855, and they resolved "... to associate ourselves together for the purpose of buying and holding property for the use of the Baptist Denomination worshipping at present in the building known as the South Five Mile River School-house." (sic)
On January 1, 1859, the Society held its first annual meeting and on June 4th, the building committee was authorized to "fit up the storehouse on the lot owned by the Society as a house of worship." (The location was 15 Cudlipp Street.) Then on July 10th another meeting was held to organize what became known as the Five Mile River Baptist Church. Sometime between April and October 1860 the building was opened for public worship; it was dedicated on August 15, 1860.
Thus, the roots of The United Church of Rowayton were established.
Nine years after the Baptist Church was officially organized, the Third Methodist Episcopal Church Society came into being with a one-room building at the corner of Rowayton Avenue and Maple Street, later renamed Pennoyer Street in honor of Elias Pennoyer, who donated the land. Having been through several re-modelings, the present United Methodist Church stands on the original site.
Between June 1891 and early 1892 the Baptist property passed from the Baptist Ecclesiastical Society into the possession of a newly formed society, the Rowayton Baptist Church. Having outgrown its Cudlipp Street building, a new church was built at 210 Rowayton Avenue and dedicated September 3, 1905. Josephine Craw provided this property and then purchased the vacated site.
In reality, the movement for a union church in Rowayton goes back 150 years, since the first house of worship was really built as that. There ensued a period of heated denominational controversy, which led to a split and eventual formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Subsequent Beginnings
In 1925, members of the Rowayton Protestant faiths talked about a union. But nothing came to fruition largely because of conditions decreed by the Methodist Episcopal Church hierarchy requiring membership in what was then known as the New York East Conference, which included portions of Connecticut. This requirement was unacceptable to those desiring a single church to serve Rowayton. Interestingly, several former ministers of the two churches expressed their preference for a union church -- one not affiliated with either of the present denominations.
New Beginnings
In June 1945, just before the end of World War II, the Rev. Donald Wesley Emig came to Rowayton as minister of the Methodist Church. Newly graduated from Yale Divinity School, he had been appointed by Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam, head of the New York East Conference.
Three years later another union effort began with a community meeting on April 23, 1948. A committee composed of four Baptists, four Methodists and three at large was appointed and subsequently conducted a professionally designed survey which concluded a) there should be a union church, b) it should be denominational and c) it should not be either federated or one of the two present denominations.
Mr. Emig (as he often referred to himself) was instrumental in helping the union movement's progress and in June 1949 the Rowayton Church Union Committee submitted a plan for a united church under denominational auspices, but neither Baptist nor Methodist. Both congregations warmly endorsed the plan at their annual meetings. Pending ratification by the Methodist Conference, the two denominations began operation as The Rowayton Churches on July 1, 1949 with Donald Emig as pastor and services held at each church on alternating Sundays.
Despite ongoing negotiations with the Methodist Conference leaders, the property matter could not be resolved since the Bishop refused to allow giving up the deed to the property on Pennoyer Street. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Baptist Convention and Rowayton Baptist Church continued their wholehearted support of a denominational union church. The possibility of becoming affiliated with other Protestant faiths, including the Presbyterian Church, was looked into, but presented their own 'structural' problems.
Later Beginnings
On April 10, 1951, an agreement was "made and entered into" by the Rowayton Baptist Church -- a Connecticut ecclesiastical corporation -- to convey its property to trustees named in the document, for the establishment of a "United Church in Rowayton." (The property was later given outright by the estate of Josephine Craw.) Then on April 29, 1951, The United Church of Rowayton, Incorporated was granted its charter by the state of Connecticut. Shortly thereafter we were formally accepted into the fellowship of the Congregational Christian denomination, which became known as the United Church of Christ after the former's 1957 merger with the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
During the pastorate of Donald W. Emig there were many beginnings as the community and church continued to grow. The Meeting House was built in 1955 to serve both. Just six years later the unusual and award-winning House of Worship took shape and was dedicated on September 30, 1962. This was followed with construction of a Parsonage on church property, with completion in July 1964. Then the United Church Nursery School had its initial session on October 3, 1966, with 16 children enrolled. And an organ comprised of 26 ranks and 1,494 pipes replaced the limited-range and worn out electronic instrument at Christmastime in 1978. There was a dedication recital on March 11, 1979.
Perhaps Rev. Emig's crowning achievement was the culmination of a 12-year effort to establish affordable housing for limited-income senior citizens. After having lost out on many available properties, the Rowayton Senior Housing Corporation gratefully accepted a three-acre hilltop parcel from the Church. Ground was broken on Don's 60th birthday, October 5, 1980. Residents began moving in during late October 1982; Hill Top Homes was formally dedicated on December 5, 1982.
At the 34th Annual Meeting on May 19, 1985, Donald Emig read a letter in which he announced "my plans to resign ... on or about November 1, 1985 in order to enter into retirement ..." His 40-year ministry in Rowayton was celebrated with a community-wide ice cream social at the Rowayton Community Center on October 20 and incorporation of The Emig Foundation, for charitable and educational purposes in Rowayton and Norwalk, in his honor. He conducted his last service on November 3, 1985.
An era had come to an end. Sadly, Don wasn't able to enjoy the pleasure of retirement for very long; he died in Rhode Island Hospital (Providence) in April, 1988.
More Recent Beginnings
On July 20, 1986, the Rev. John Steven Livingston preached his candidate's sermon, after which a special Church Meeting took place to consider calling him as our new pastor. The vote was enthusiastically unanimous and when asked to return to the sanctuary, John and his family were greeted with thunderous applause.
A new era had begun. On September 3, 1986, John S. Livingston became the second pastor in our Church's 35-year history, and on Sunday evening, November 16th, he was installed in a moving service.
The outstanding musical gift that John and Judi Livingston have brought to our Church has been a wonderful experience for all. The combination of their unique talent with that of Marsha Hall, who's been our music director for 30 years, is most inspirational. Not only do they enhance worship services, their special performances -- whether for a holiday celebration or to raise funds for a church project -- have been a treat for one and all.
The year 1992 marked the first Giant Tag Sale, an event that has become a major, annual fund raiser and a day of great camaraderie among its participants. Since its inception more than $200,000 has been raised.
In 1993, two of our flock -- both graduates of Yale Divinity School -- were ordained in our Church. Long-time member Heather Steele Hopkins' ceremony took place on February 28 -- this was followed by a ceremony for Mark Lang Heilshorn on November 14th.
Of course there are always mundane property matters that arise, and Pastor John has had his fair share to contend with, such as worn out roofs on theChurch and Meeting House, a balky, aged furnace that had achieved last gasp status, a leaky organ bellows, threadbare sanctuary carpeting and major bathroom problems in the Parsonage.
While the roofs got replaced and Parsonage problems repaired via borrowings and special contributions, the other items led the Board of Household Concerns' Property Committee to conclude that we had to broaden our horizons. In addition, more space was needed to accommodate the growing demands on our facilities, such as Church School rooms, places for the increasing number of meetings and offices for the clergy and staff.
Thus, was born the Capital Fund Drive which was approved at the May 15, 1994 Annual Meeting of the Congregation and was comprised of three phases:
1) immediate replacement of heating systems and sanctuary carpeting plus repair of organ bellows
2) refurbishment of and major addition to the Meeting House
3) construction of a new front entrance to the Church and walkway to the Meeting House.
More inspiring events took place in 1995 with dedication of the recently completed Memorial Garden on September 24th followed just a week later with the unveiling of the architect's plans for expansion of the Meeting House and new entryway to the Church. Also in October, the Rev. Rhona Kochman became our Minister of Christian Education and Spirituality.
It was wonderful to watch as the walls and roof of the Meeting House were pushed out and up during 1996 and completed in 1997. This major undertaking was celebrated with special recognition of the Building Committee during worship on November 1, 1998.
Despite the fact that the property across the street had been purchased many years ago to protect our view of the Five Mile River, it wasn't until just recently that a group appointed by the Executive Council got together, cleaned up the land, planted bulbs and other flora, placed benches beneath the huge silver beech tree and installed a sign. It was named, "Emig Park." How appropriate. The Park was dedicated on October 5, 1997, which would have been Donald Emig's 77th birthday. Again, most appropriate.
Among the most exciting announcements of the decade was one made at a special Congregational Meeting on August 2, 1998 when we were informed that the Church had been bequeathed close to $1,000,000 by the Kathleen Gillespie Trust Fund. The Gillespies joined the United Church in 1955 and left Rowayton in the early 1960s. They lost a son during their years here and apparently Rev. Emig provided great comfort to them. What a magnificent way of saying thank you. Then another substantial bequest was made in late 1999, this by Jane Brown in an unexpected amount of $500,000. So, as the 20th Century neared its end with the Church in its 48th year of existence with little or no major financial assets, we suddenly became twice blessed.
The Last Beginning of the 20th Century
During early 1999, the Board of Deacons, with approval of the Executive Council, initiated a survey of Congregational priorities called, "Shared Vision," with the intent to identify what members thought needs were so that those needs could be addressed.
Questionnaires were mailed to the membership. Some 110 completed ones were returned, an above average response rate. The Board tabulated results which were then reviewed and discussed by some 35 members in two four-hour sessions conducted by an outside facilitator. Several areas were identified, e.g., inspiring worship and effective Christian education. Task groups were set up to give these priorities further study and develop preliminary recommendations for a meeting in December and subsequent progress report at the 48th Annual Meeting on February 6, 2000.
This brings us now to the next millennium with the exciting prospect of expanding our shared vision with Pastor John Livingston as he continues his inspiring, spiritual leadership.
Beginning of Our Second 50 Years – and the 21st Century
The 21st Century kicked off with implementation of "Shared Vision" priorities and a year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary as a Congregation.
Key "Shared Vision" recommendations were to develop a mission statement; establish as a permanent position, the post of Christian education director in order to reflect the growing number of children; allow for improved internal communication; and create a more inspiring worship atmosphere. All of these matters were thoroughly addressed by hiring Debbie Beaudryas our director of Christian education in 2000. She was instrumental in building the educational program with a resultant 50 percent enrollment increase over the previous year.
The 50th jubilee started on Sunday, April 29, 50 years to the day of being granted our charter by the state. After a large cake with 50 lighted candles was carried to the altar by Moderator Joanne Brown and Clerk Michael Ziegler, these former moderators, listed in chronological order served, gathered round: John Reiners, Philip Penberthy, Thomas Richardson, Michael Ziegler, Alan Wyland, Frank Kuffel, Thomas Robinson and Michael Poler.
Reflections were offered by John Reiners, a charter member and first Church School superintendent, Philip Penberthy, who served on the Church Building Committee and the Rev. John W. Emig, the son of Bette and Donald Emig. Afterward, a very special Fellowship Hour featured enlarged photographs from the past and a spectacular '50' ice sculpture, which enhanced the tasty refreshments provided. Festivities continued on May 19t when Judi and John Livingston, with Marsha Hall, presented an enrapturing performance called "Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway."
The celebratory year neared its end on March 17, 2002 with Choir Reunion Sunday and a glorious 50-voice offertory by 32 present and 18 former members. Director of Music Marsha Hall arranged a special music program of Senior Choir voices and guest instrumentalists on April 28 for the culmination of our anniversary year.
The year 2002 saw other noteworthy matters unfold, a significant one being the May 5th celebration of John Livingston's 15 years as our pastor and 20 as an ordained minister. Worship was conducted by the Board of Deacons; other participants were a confirmand, John's brother, chair of the former Search Committee, the moderator and four members of the clergy who had a direct connection to John. After this unique service, a reception, including luncheon, was held in the Meeting House, during which time a number of people shared remembrances.
Debbie Beaudry's unexpected resignation brought into focus the expanded responsibilities of the Director of Christian Education and our need to have someone in that position. It was concluded that the position now required a full-time person. Carla Dietz Carroll was hired for the position in time for Rally Day, 2002.
As the year drew to a close, the Board of Deacons announced an expansion of its Visitation Committee into the Caregiving Ministry to supplement John Livingston's outreach. Nineteen members volunteered for this ministry and attended an all-day training session in January 2003. Deaths, moves and resignations have depleted the original group, but the ranks have been replenished from time to time with new volunteers.
Recognition and celebration of Marsha Hall's music ministry took place during worship on November 23. In her 25 years of devotion and dedication, the music program at UCR has grown tremendously with a variety and scope appreciated by all. At the reception following, the Senior Choir sang a parody of "There Is Nothing Like a Dame" (from "South Pacific") re-titled "There Is Nothing Like Our Dame."
Pastor John Livingston took his well-earned sabbatical during May and June, which he 'started' by conducting the May 2nd Confirmation Sunday service. Then, he led the Service of Remembrance on May 30 and participated on June 13 with recognition of graduating high school seniors and awarding of Jonathan Peter Wildman Scholarships. Further enjoying his sabbatical John, along with his wife Judi, Marsha Hall and most of the Senior Choir -- dubbed "The United Church Broadway Ensemble" -- presented "Something About Life" on two nights in mid-May. This was the Livingston's sixth musical offering with Marsha's collaboration. During the rest of John's sabbatical five of our members and a close clergy friend delivered "Profiles in Faith" messages.
An incredible statistic surfaced with departure of long-time members Gary and Tom Richardson in September 2004. For 34 years, Gary was involved in or directly responsible for our outreach contributions which came to almost $1million. Amazing for a church our size, or any church for that matter! She and Tom chaired and served on many Boards and Committees; he among many notable endeavors chaired the House of Worship Building Fund Drive back in 1960 and most recently, the 50th Anniversary Committee. Tom also served as lay leader and moderator in the early 1970s.
Rev. John Livingston's 20 years as our pastor and 25 as an ordained minister were celebrated enthusiastically on September 17, 2006. A banner was created that said, "20 Years - United in Love" and depicted the contours of our unique Church building. Also, a book of memories and a special commemorative plate were presented, but best of all was a very large check, thanks to the contributions of our Family of Faith.
Since 1999, our summer worship has been held by the gazebo in Pinkney Park, overlooking the Five Mile River -- taking place from the first Sunday in July through the first Sunday in September. Most services are conducted by John Livingston or the Rev. Gregory Errgong-Weider of the West Norwalk Congregational Church at 9:15. A 10:30 service takes place at the latter church.
The United Church of Rowayton is involved in many types of outreach. The primary one is based on 20 percent of prior year pledges received that is donated to local social service groups. Other efforts included a special plea by the Board of Christian Outreach in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destruction in 2005 to support the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, which is a United Church of Christ mission. UCR also established the Prayer Shawl Ministry in April 2006. The group meets on a regular basis to knit shawls for ailing members of our community. Even our Youth Group reaches out, as it did after an early March tornado in 2007 tore apart a high school in Enterprise, Alabama. Director of Christian Education Carla Dietz Carroll sent a packet of letters written by UCR’s middle school students that offered many kinds of help. They also held a fund-raiser to benefit the victims of Cyclone Nargis that devastated Myanmar in May 2008.
As John continues his leadership with inspiring, meaningful, joyful and fun worship services, Carla adds her enthusiastic oversight of our children's Christian education and Marsha embellishes all with her dynamic and glorious music direction of the Children's Handbell Choir, Adult Handbell Choir, Children's Choir and Senior Choir. Needless to say, we, as a vibrant Family of Faith, are truly blessed.
Michael Ziegler - June 5, 2008
Church Historian
