"IN THE BEGINNING: The Birth of All Souls"

A Sermon by the Rev. Bruce Clear

Sunday, January 12, 2003

All Souls Unitarian Church

Indianapolis, Indiana

What I have for you today is not so much a sermon as it is a story. It is the story of the birth of this church one hundred years ago. Like most good stories, there are lessons along the way.

Anthropologists and sociologists identify a common cultural practice of origin stories - stories about a group's beginnings. Every group seems to participate in this practice. Our country replays in many ways our beginnings each year on July 4 and at Thanksgiving. Some parts of the stories are factually true, and some are fable, but they are all part of our story of origin - whether fact or fable - and explain something about who we are as a people.

Such is the reason for telling stories of beginnings. It is the reason for telling the story I tell today. To make this story work, I'm going to need a little help from you. I'm going to ask you, figuratively at least, to close your mind's eye and imagine living in Indianapolis during the last years of the nineteenth century and the first years of the twentieth century.

Look carefully. Most streets are unpaved. They are traveled primarily by horse and horsecart rather than by cars. Telephones are extremely rare. Thirtieth Street is probably the far north edge of the city.

When I came to Indianapolis ten years ago, just for fun I looked into the church's collection of directories to find the home addresses of previous ministers. The earliest addresses are no longer homes, but were, of course, within walking distance of the church.

It is curious to consider, in those days, what a minister was to do in an emergency. There were no e-mails or FAXes, of course. There were barely telephones, as I say. But, on the other hand, everyone lived nearby. What to tell somebody something? Easy. Just drop by their home on the way to or from work or the store.

It was a different world in so many ways. The Civil War was a fresh memory to most adults. The country was unsure of its future. There was little sense of diversity in the culture. In terms of religion, diversity might have referred simply to the fact that some people are Catholic and some are Protestant. In Indiana, it also might have meant a few Quakers and Amish, but they kept to themselves anyway.

It was into this setting that All Souls Unitarian Church was born in 1903. Several people have asked me what is the actual "birthday" of this church. The best answer I can say is that this baby took the better part of a year for delivery. There are, as you shall see, many dates to choose from.

We celebrate the centennial of All Souls Unitarian Church, founded in 1903, but to understand that story fully, we must go back to the end of the Civil War.

All Souls was not the first attempt to form a Unitarian congregation in Indianapolis. From 1868 to about 1870, a Unitarian congregation held meetings at what was called the Morrison Opera Hall. A newspaper article tells this story:

"Shortly after the close of the civil war, when Indianapolis was recovering from the hard times brought about by high prices and increased taxation, when the alteration in circumstances made fortunes for some families and brought impoverishment to others, and the former simplicity of living had been driven out by the complexities and changes effected by the war, on February 13, 1868 the first Unitarian Society was formed."

They brought the Reverend Henry Blanchard, who was a popular orator and drew large audiences. However, when he resigned to go somewhere else, they could not find someone to fill the pulpit, and the congregation eventually dissolved. Those who had been involved in the effort were eventually attracted to a dynamic Congregationalist church in town called "The Pilgrim Church," which in the 1870s was led by a dynamic liberal minister by the name of Oscar McCullouch. His church earned the reputation as the most free-thinking in town, and he gradually made the church non-denominational and formally called it "The Church With the Open Door." He became quite active in civic affairs, especially work with the poor, but his activities seemed to have taken its toll. He died in 1891 at the age of 47.

At his death, many church members felt abandoned, since there were no ministers of liberal religion to be replace him. In 1901, a minister like that came to town and attracted a number of those who left the Pilgrim Church. His name was Rev. Cantrall and he started a church called the Peoples Church.

One member who had been active in both the Plymouth Church and the Peoples Church was a prominent businessman by the name of Horace McKay. McKay had previous associations with Unitarians and for some time hoped for an establishment of a Unitarian Church. Having worked closely with Rev. Cantrall, he had doubts about the minister's character.

One day after church, Horace McKay invited to his home a number of others whom he trusted and told them he had corresponded to the Boston headquarters of the American Unitarian Association asking their help in establishing a Unitarian church in Indianapolis. He said the A.U.A was enthusiastic, and they would send a Unitarian minister to help create the new church.

McKay's plan met with approval, and about 30 people indicated an interest. It wasn't until 1903 that the A.U.A. was able to send the Rev. Elmer E. Newbert as their "missionary" minister to establish a church in Indianapolis. Newbert came from Augusta, Maine where he had been minister for 11 years of the All Souls Unitarian Church there. It is likely that he brought the church name with him to Indianapolis.

Newbert's plan was simple. He came to town carrying the name of Horace McKay. McKay would give him other names and he would knock on doors one by one hoping each would offer other names. The plan worked.

I will read an excerpt from the memoirs of Helen Heywood Lewis. Most people here remember fondly Lynn Berentes, who died a few years ago. Helen Heywood Lewis was Lynn's mother, and was 14 years old when Newbert came to town in 1903. Here is how she remembered it many years later, when she may have been in her 70s.:

"It was in early April, only a few days after he came to Indianapolis, that Mr. Newbert knocked at our family door. It was I who answered the signal, and Father and Mother were not at home. He was a smiling, sturdy person and I, a young girl only fourteen years old, liked him. Very soon - on May third - we were meeting with him as a family in the first services of All Souls, held in a social room of the Hebrew Temple. How he got us all together, even a small group, so quickly, seems a miracle to me now in retrospect, but I recall that he said, 'If my shoe leather holds out, I will find enough people to establish a Unitarian church." His patience and indomitable courage must have taken him many miles, to knock on doors, as he did upon ours, wherever he had an inkling that he might find real Unitarians who could help him in this... 'missionary' project of the A.U.A. "

All Souls Unitarian Church was being born - a process that would take almost the whole year. The name "All Souls" was fairly common for Unitarian churches being founded around the turn of the century. As I say, Newbert previously served a church of that name.

In the memoirs of Charles Andrews, another one of the original 13 founders, he said this:

"When the time came to select a name for the new church, there was quite a discussion and several names proposed. 'All Souls' was selected because it seemed to stand for what most of our people had in mind. We wanted to include all who cared to come and work under the broad banner of Unitarian fellowship, regardless of personal belief or former affiliation. Especially did we seek those who had no church home and were outside of church and religious influence."

May 3, 1903, then, was the first church service held, even though the church was not yet formed. Newbert arranged, as you just heard, to hold meetings in the social hall of the Hebrew Temple. A legend, perhaps true, perhaps apocryphal, has been told over the years about how the members came in that morning carrying branches of flowering dogwood, symbolizing "the flower of a new and natural religion."

The next day, the Indianapolis newspaper reported on this first meeting. They printed the comments by Rev. Newbert. Here is part of what he said that day:

"Indianapolis is now the only city of its size in the country without a Unitarian Church. We are here to establish one. This growing city should provide a fertile field for the planting of the liberal idea. Doubtless there are those who are done with the old religious position and are seeking a rational basis for belief. There are those who can find no mental stimulus or moral incentive in the old supernaturalism, who are interested in a rational interpretation of life, who are believers in the new world theory, and whose faith in things ultimate is grounded in the scientific conclusions of the age....

"The Unitarian Church is the church of the free. Without creed, it combines simple worship with rational thinking. It is the friend of progress, the champion of modern knowledge, the prophet of the good to be. It declares for the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the leadership of Jesus, salvation by character, the progress of mankind upward and onward forever. Its earnest appeal is to the intelligence, and its altars are erected without shadow of fear or binding mystery. In this beautiful city of homes, and churches, and schools, we believe there is room for the larger interpretation of life, such as the Unitarian Church has to give.

The newspaper said this new church was off to an auspicious beginning. A week later, on May 11, there was a gathering at the home of one member where the decision was made to formally organize the church, with by-laws and a governing Board. It is this meeting that is often cited in our church histories as the birth of our church, and the thirteen people who attended that meeting are called in our histories "the original thirteen."

All Souls enjoyed its association with the Jewish congregation, and the relationship continued in various ways throughout the years. But they also knew they needed their own church home.

Horace McKay, who was a real estate businessman, became aware of the circumstance faced by the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church. They had been forced to move from their downtown church where a new Federal Building was to be built. They were therefore building a new and beautiful church on North Delaware. While waiting for their new church to be finished, they had constructed a temporary home at 14^th and Alabama Street, a wood frame structure. The only kitchen area was under an outside lean-to.

McKay personally purchased the property, and held it until the church itself became a legal entity that could purchase it. This very fragile and simple structure was to become a church home for the next eight years.

And the church was off and running. Newbert's skills as a minister were exceeded by his skills as an organizer. He wrote the church by-laws, which were effective enough that they didn't need amending for another 50 years. He wrote the Articles of Association to have the church legally registered. He also went about the work to raise the money to formally purchase the church. Seven thousand dollars were needed, and an appeal to the A.U.A. was successful. One church in New York, The Church of the Messiah, pledge $2,500. Other churches and individuals also gave, as well as pledges, of course, from the members. The balance needed was made in a loan from the A.U.A.

October 18, the church was formally recognized by the A.U.A. as a Unitarian Church. The Rev. Charles E. St. John of Boston (Secretary of the A.U.A.) Preached the sermon. Thirty members were formally accepted. Here again, we may consider a possible birthday.

Over the next couple of years, the congregation grew. The Women's Alliance was formed, not only to work for support of the church, but also to sponsor lectures on literary topics and current issues. A Unity Club was formed to provide activities for the young adults. Their first project was to build tennis courts on the property. Perhaps most of all, from the very beginning, All Souls members became active in civic matters.

Aside from their free thinking convictions, the founding members had in common a commitment to civic welfare. During the Civil War, Mr. McKay had been a captain of a regiment of black Union soldiers, and civil rights was close to his heart. Other founders included Hugh Landon, who was instrumental in raising funds to build Riley hospital, and eventually became Director of Riley in the 1930s. Jessie Wallin Heywood was instrumental in founding the Public Health Nursing Association, which later became the Visiting Health Nurses Association.

This quality of All Souls members being commitment to civic responsibility has continued throughout our history. Some years ago, Jack Mendelsohn, who was minister here when this building was built, wrote these words in his book, Why I Am A Unitarian:

"It would be well for us to look out at the surrounding city and remember how much of what made it civilized grew out of the vision and effort of people who sat in the pews or stood behind the pulpit of All Souls Unitarian Church. There were the Marion County Juvenile Court, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, the Public Parks Department, the Health and Welfare Council, the Girl Scouts, Planed Parenthood, the Civic Theater, the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, the Indianapolis Symphony, the League of Women Voters. Each and every one of these organizations traces its origin, at least in part, to the energies of Indianapolis Unitarians."

The first generation of All Souls members set the tone that has continued for one hundred years. The original Women's Alliance, in particular, set the tone of supporting civic causes, especially in the aid of children.

In January of 1905, the church paid off its mortgage and held a ceremony to burn it. Several of the memoirs note how concerned people were about lighting a fire in the fragile old wooden cabin-like building.

In March of 1905, Rev. Newbert submitted his resignation. He was well liked by so many, that it was difficult to accept it, but they did. He had done so much, but he felt his greatest strength was in organizational work, and the new church deserved a better preacher. In May he left to return with his family to Augusta, Maine, whereupon he left the ministry and pursued two careers. First he became a successful real estate businessman. Second, he became a politician, serving for many years in the state legislature, as well as mayor of Augusta. He also ran for Governor and U.S. Senate, but he lost both races.

That summer, All Souls was searching for a new minister. In those days, the practice was simply to invite other ministers to speak on Sunday, and eventually the congregation would vote. In 1905, it turned out not to be a difficult decision. The congregation voted for Frank Scott Corey Wicks, otherwise called F.S.C. Wicks, familiarly known as Frank Wicks. It became what seemed a perfect match. Wicks could not begin until December of 1905, but after that, he stayed as minister for 32 years. For most of its history, All Souls has seemed to consider Wicks to be the first minister, and Newbert's two years were simply the work of a missionary from Boston. However inaccurate that may be, the next thirty-two years is its own chapter, to be discussed in a later centennial sermon.

I will, however, say just a few words about Dr. Wicks and the building. While Newbert was a roll-up-the-sleeves, let's-get-down-to-work kind of organizer, Wicks was a Harvard intellectual with a heavy Boston accent who smoked cigars, carried a cane and was instantly identifiable on the streets of Indianapolis. As Helen Lewis wrote in her memoirs, "Wicks came with all the aura of Harvard, the East, and a certain sophistication that was not what we had up until then."

When Wicks arrived in December of 1905, the congregation had been in its building, such as it was, for a year and a half. There is no question they loved their first building, but it was like someone who loves their old jeans which are tattered and have holes in the knees. It was a place of flimsy construction, and within a couple of years, people around Indianapolis referred to the building as "Wicks' cigar box."

The congregation was growing significantly, and it was clear that they needed a new building. In 1910, a committee was formed to raise money for a new building on the same site at 14^th and Alabama. They contracted with the architectural firm of Kurt Vonnegut, Sr., who also happened to be a church member. The Kurt Vonnegut of current literary fame was raised in All Souls. The next year they constructed a striking edifice, an English Tudor style building that resembled as much a stately home as it did a church. The new building was dedicated on January 15, 1911, and the newspaper report said this: "The whole idea of the church, according to Dr. Wicks, is to foster the thought that it is a home and those who gather therein are members of one big family."

That building would be home for the All Souls family for almost fifty years. That is where couples were married, children were dedicated, lives were honored in memorial, family dinners were prepared and consumed, and great ideas were discussed.

There is far more, of course, to say about the church during Wicks' tenure, but it seems to me a natural break in the narration from the arrival of Newbert to the construction of its first permanent home.

I did not mention that it was early in 1903 that the congregation adopted its covenant. In hearing of the various challenges of the founding group, and of their commitment to civic issues, and of their devotion to freedom in religion, the impact of their activities continue to echo in our ears today - especially when we, too, repeat their covenant:

Love is the spirit of this church

And service is its law.

To dwell together in peace

To seek the truth in love

And to help one another:

This is our covenant.

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END OF SERMON.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A PAMPHLET ENTITLED "PROGRESS" WHICH WAS ISSUED AS A P.R. PAMPHLET IN DECEMBER OF 1905 TO EXPLAIN THE CHURCH TO INDIANAPOLIS NEIGHBORS:

"In this little publication it is desired to extend the knowledge of ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH, what it stands for, what it has achieved, the service it renders its member and what it offers to all who may come within its ranks. Its platform is broad, indeed, insuring an unquestioned freedom of opinion, but holding to a responsibility of conducts.... It is a pure democracy, its franchise freely offered to any who desire to further its purpose.

"The final test of worthiness is service. If ALL SOULS CHURCH shall help maintain the standard of high thinking and right doing, if it quickens the intellectual and spiritual life of its members, young and old, if it adds to their joy in living, and sustains the spirit of fellowship which has thus far characterized it, it will deserve to, and shall endure.

"We hope that within its hospitable walls, throughout the week, the elders may meet for discussion and reading, the young people for recreation and study, the little folk for their innocent pleasures and good times, and that all members of the family shall find it the most natural center of social, intellectual, and moral fellowship. The friendship and intimacy thus established should enhance in interest and value the religious exercises of the Sunday.

OUR PURPOSE

"ALL SOULS calls itself a Unitarian Church, because that name is inclusive enough to embrace all the truth it now knows, and all the truth it may yet discover. The name carries with it no limitations that may prevent future growth in the light of new truth.

"Three words sum up the Unitarian position: freedom, reason, and character. We believe, first, that absolute mental freedom is essential for the development of the human soul; we believe that only an atmosphere of freedom is possible for a man to make truth his own possession. We refuse to be bound by a creed, for a creed expresses limitations; we do not believe that nay human formula can embrace the infinitude of truth. We insist upon freedom, not as an end in itself, but as a means to the development of the finest character.

We believe that truth makes itself known to men by the use of the inner light that is kindled by reason and conscience. We do not regard reason and conscience as infallible, but they are the best guides we now possess; they become more efficient the more we make use of them.

We believe that the supreme test of religion is its effect on character; we believe that a man who is right in his relations with his fellow men will be right in his relations with the Source of all life.

OUR FAITH

"We believe in the integrity of the universe; we believe that the forces of the universe are moving toward truth, and right, and justice, and that the man who orders his live by those principles is in harmony with the universe, and has nothing to fear.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION

"Since every member of our church is free to use his own reason and conscience, it may be expected that there are many differences of opinion among us. These differences, so long as they are held in the spirit of love, we welcome. In the collision of mind with mind, the light of truth is struck off. Strangely enough, with no attempt to secure intellectual agreement, there has come about a remarkable unanimity of belief, so that we may state:

THINGS COMMONLY BELIEVED AMONG US

"We believe this universe is the _expression of Divine life; that from the simplest to the most complex form of life we see the manifestation of the life of God. Human life is thus far the highest manifestation of the Divine life. So intimate and tender is this relation between human life and the Divine life that we speak of God as Our Father.

"Sharers in a common life from a common source, we believe in the Brotherhood of Man.

"Jesus of Nazareth is to us the highest point yet reached by humanity, and because of the wisdom of his teachings and the purity of his life, we call ourselves followers.

"We believe that such is the nature of the human soul that for the soul there is no such thing as death. Wee see change and transmutation in all around us, but nowhere something passing into nothingness; therefore we can not believe that the soul can cease to exist. We know not what the future life contains for us, but we believe that the same conditions will persist that obtain here, and that the man who has tried to follow truth and do right need have no fear of what lies beyond.

"But even of these common points of agreement we do not make a creed, insisting on conformity. We admit to our fellowship all who are honestly striving to find the truth and do the right, united not by our common believe, but by our common purpose.

PRACTICAL PURPOSES

"Our practical purposes may be illustrated by a series of concentric circles. The inner circle represents the individual; we strive to ennoble and purify his character, believing that only by making the individual unit right can we hope to influence human society. The second circle represents family. We aim to make the home the center of all that is uplifting; to make the relations between husband and wife, between children and parents, of the noblest character. The next circle stands for the city of Indianapolis. We aim to do our part for civic efficiency and righteousness; to ally ourselves with all who are striving to make our city fair and good and beautiful. A larger circle represents our country. We aim to make our country stand for all that is good and true in national life. And around all is the circle that represents the race of man. We aim to make our sympathies universal, so wherever men are striving for freedom, for justice, for higher ideals, there we are to be found doing what we can for that cause. We believe in making our beginning in our own lives, and then as our power grows, in accepting larger and larger responsibilities.

OTHER CHURCHES

"We view with sympathy the work of other churches. We believe that any religion sincerely held represents the needs of the individual holding it. We ask no church to make concessions to us in matters of conviction, and we can make no concessions. In all movements for human betterment; in all educational and charitable work; in all moral reforms, we as that we may join and do our part. We shall enter upon no disputations in matters of doctrine, but shall state clearly just what we believe and what we do not believe, always trying to speak the truth in love.

FELLOWSHIP

"This is a statement of the things for which ALL SOULS CHURCH stands, and we invite to our working fellowship all who are in sympathy with our practical aims.