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| HERITAGE ARTICLE, Racine Journal-Times, 11.07.2008 |
Just last week, someone asked, “What kind of church is a Congregational church?” I was somewhat shaken by this question. Apparently, some folks have forgotten their American history. Since Congregationalists always celebrate their Pilgrim heritage at Thanksgiving time, I think it’s appropriate that we review the history of this great American church.
Let’s talk about social issues. Abraham Lincoln said of the Pilgrims, “Our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Being the founders of civil liberty, the Congregational Church was the first church in America to stand up against racism and slavery. We began the anti-slavery movement. Check out the movie Amistad sometime and see what our ancestors did. In 1785, the Congregational Church ordained Lemuel Haynes, the first African-American to minister in America. We also founded The American Missionary Society (1849) to seek freedom for slaves. In 1853, Antoinette Brown became the first ordained woman minister in America at the South Butler (New York) Congregational Church.
How about education? The Congregational Church started the first public schools in America in 1636, and were the founders of higher education with the establishment of Harvard (1638), Yale (1701), and Dartmouth (1769). They also founded America’s first college for women, Mt. Holyoke (1837), Wellesley (1870), and Smith (1871).
Congregational education has produced many of America’s great thinkers, and many of America’s great leaders. For instance, Congregationalist Jonathan Edwards (Yale) is considered by most to be America’s greatest theologian. Congregationalist Katharine Lee Bates, the writer of “America, the Beautiful,” was a Wellesley graduate. President John Quincy Adams was a Congregationalist. One of America’s most famous pastors, Henry Ward Beecher, was a Congregationalist.
When we think of American holidays, what do we need to say about the first Thanksgiving in America that’s not already known? The Pilgrims started it all. William Bradford wrote, “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand, yet made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so ye light here kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let ye glorious name of Jehovah have all ye praise.” The “Church of the Pilgrims” has been a light of liberty to an entire nation. (Did you know that the Boston Tea Party started in a Congregational Church?)
Wow! The Congregational church is really old. But, is it up to date? W.W.J.D.? is nothing new. The “What Would Jesus Do?” phenomenon began in 1896 by Congregational pastor, Charles Sheldon, when he wrote the classic In His Steps. The Congregational Church has always been way ahead of its time, on the cutting edge of ministry. Many Congregational churches today have multi-media and contemporary worship blended in with the traditions of their historic church.
Our roots are America’s roots. The American Pavilion at Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida has a wonderful presentation of America’s history hosted by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. It begins with these words: “The Great American Adventure began on a tiny little ship, the Mayflower.” 388 years ago, on November 11, 1620, the Pilgrims wrote the first American document of freedom. In so doing, they created the world’s first democratic government. This shaped the framing of the first constitution in history. Let’s take a peek at The Mayflower Compact. “Having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid…” Why is it that some folks insist that our founding fathers didn’t intend this to be a nation founded on Christian principles?
Our roots are also Racine’s roots…and Wisconsin’s roots. This Sunday, Plymouth Congregational Church is celebrating our birthday. We’re exactly the same age as the city of Racine (1848) and the state of Wisconsin (1848). For 160 years, we’ve been serving the Racine community as a “living force for righteousness.” This Sunday’s Heritage Celebration is a special time for us “Pilgrims.” And, it would be more special if our neighbors in the Racine community would come by and celebrate with us. You’re all invited. It starts at 10:30 a.m. in our “meeting house” (that’s Pilgrim talk for “church”) at 1143 College Avenue.
Finally, this year, as you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, remember, the Pilgrims are still around. Only today, we’re called “Congregationalists.”
Reverend Glenn Lawson
Pastor, Plymouth Congregational Church
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