The History of Michael Church
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Chapter 2 - After 1925
A Small Digression...
In a small booklet attempting to encompass the story of one hundred years, it is not possible to include much detail. However, for the sake of the record it might be useful to digress for a moment to note a few salient points.
The Society was officially registered as a charity in 1946. At that time the annual Treasurer’s Report to the A.G.M. still included the individual names and amounts given by contributors. This was not changed until May 1947 when it was agreed to cease this practice.
During the war the building had suffered damage to the roof. This had been temporarily repaired thanks to the generosity of Miss Creda Glenn in Bryn Athyn but later it was discovered to be in need of further attention and in 1950 the War Damages Commission ultimately paid their share of the total expensive repair costs.
In 1949 for the first time women were elected as members of the society’s house and social committees and were invited to act on the Pastor’s Council.
In 1951 with the financial assistance of the General Church in America, Michael Church purchased a house at 135 Mantilla Road SW17 for use as a manse. The first of a series of battles with dry rot in the basement was commenced in August 1952 as the building began to feel its age. On a happier note, the freehold title to the property was purchased in 1957 and thus at last the Society became the sole owners of its land as well as of its building with the necessary legal trusteeship put in the capable hands of the General Church of the New Jerusalem Council Limited. After many years of discussion the bye laws accepted in 1926 were revised and the new "Articles of Association" were ratified at the A.G.M. in March 1987.
Back to the Story...
But enough of mundane matters. The strength of the society during the immediate post-war years was reflected in the Pastor’s report to the A.G.M. in May of 1953 which noted six baptisms, four betrothals, six marriages and sixty-five doctrinal classes in addition to the regular weekly Sunday services. At the same meeting the Secretary reported that the membership roll had increased from 130 to 152 with the average church attendance having risen from 37 to 52. Thus the society began its second half century in an enthusiastic, happy and optimistic state. This continued throughout the remainder of Mr Rich’s brief pastorate and during those of his immediate successors as families grew in numbers and the Sunday School prospered.
A Second Half Century
As this period is well within living memory of many who will read this booklet, we will only summarize the rest of the century very briefly.
The Rev. Erik Sandstrom served as pastor from 1955 until 1963 and added to and strengthened the congregation in its well established delight in doctrinal matters.
The Rev. Donald Rose took over in 1963 and with gentle good humour led the society through a happy period as the many children in its Sunday School gradually matured and became its enthusiastic young people.
Mr Rose was followed in 1972 by the Rev. Erik E. Sandstrom - returning as pastor of the society to make his home in the same manse where he had spent many of his youthful years. By the time he and his family departed to a new pastorate in Australia in 1981, many of the young folk were beginning to move off to universities or to the Academy College in Bryn Athyn, thus depleting the numbers in the congregation at Burton Road each Sunday, but for the most part, taking with them a strong and abiding love of the New Church and its doctrinal teachings.
Mr Sandstrom’s successor for a brief period was the Rev. Robert McMaster who served as pastor from 1981 until the summer of 1984 and he and his wife and children were the last to occupy the house at 135 Mantilla Road as a manse.
Back to the Present
The society warmly welcomed the newly ordained Rev. F. C. Elphick in 1984 as its pastor and his pastorate now continues to lead the congregation into its next century. This could be seen as symbolic of the continuity of essential beliefs held by the congregations which have worshipped at Burton Road for the past one hundred years for Mr Elphick is the grandson of F Elphick, a very active founder member and designer of the striking canopy above the altar which proclaims to worshippers each Sunday - ADVENTUS DOMINI - The Advent of the LORD.