Heirlooms of UCN History #48
by Will Frank
In the summer of 1938, the Unitarian Church of Norfolk faced an uncertain future. The church had lost its settled minister, and the American Unitarian Association, fed up with pouring money into the seemingly losing cause of Norfolk, had decided to withdraw further financial support.
Yet the congregation and board kept their sights on a settled minister in Norfolk, gathered themselves, and did not abandon their hopes. The tireless advocate for the church, Col. Wilson T. Howe, the church treasurer who had almost despaired the year before, and who was instrumental in terminating the ministry of Gerald FitzPatrick in order, as he saw it, to save the church, tried again. He knew that AUA decision makers were not absolute and united in turning their backs on Norfolk. On July 1, Howe sent another stimulant to the Rev. Dr. George F. Patterson, Administrative Vice President of the AUA, who had been out of town when Howe had tried to see him in Boston. Howe enlisted the positive response of AUA President Frederick May Eliot in their conversation in Boston to move Patterson to reconsider the decision to end financial support.
“I think the Association will make a grievous mistake,” Howe wrote, “if it finally decides to abandon the movement in Norfolk at the present time. I think there would have been more reason for that action, one, two or three years ago, than now. I believe the situation here can be saved if the Association will continue its support for another one or two years. I think that as a result of the present situation the group will awaken to a greater sense of is responsibility and activity.”
“Mr. [Robert M.] Darden [church president] and myself were wondering, knowing of your interest and acquaintance with the people, and our situation in general, and especially having in mind your own Department of the Ministry, if you did not know of some suitable young man, or of some perhaps older man, situated for instance as Mr. Slocum [the Rev. Edwin M. Slocombe] of Lynchburg, who could be sent here at a somewhat less salary than Mr. FitzPatrick received. I am sure that any person sent here would receive the whole-hearted support of every member. I am writing this at Mr. Darden’s suggestion with the hope that you, together with Dr. Eliot, can give us the benefit of your advice and experience. We feel that with Dr. Eliot’s interest in us, and with your own personal knowledge of the situation, that you will be able to arrive at a solution of the problem here. We do not relish the idea of being defeated. ... It was a great privilege to have been able to talk to Dr. Eliot. I cannot help but feel that with your aid and his, there will be found a means whereby the Norfolk Church will be able to continue its influence.”
The letter had the desired effect. Boston tried again and did not abandon Norfolk.