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Pastor: The Reverend Judith M. Cooke
Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend
Harold C. Smith, D.D.
Director of Music: Carole J. Fanslow
Soloist: Dorothy W. Pickens
CE Coordinator: Tammy Satterlee
Parish Nurse: Louise F. Evans
Secretary: Joanne M. Dennean
Sexton: Calap Brown
PROGRAM
10:30 A.M.
Worship Service
Guest Preacher
Reverend Dr. Ron Brown
Guest Lector
Reverend Arlene B. Studer
Guest Trumpeter
David Glukh
Anniversary Senior Choir
Lucille
Baver
Martha Walker
Dolores
Colaiacomo Dorothy Pickens
Eleanor
Csire
Robert Coulson
Marian
Conklin
Alton Seavey
Marsha
Piper
Roger Vars
Rose Vars
Anniversary Handbell Choir
Lucille
Baver
Allen Fanslow
Patricia
Bowman Gail Gorlo
Dolores
Colaiacomo
Diane Henderson
Marian
Conklin
Linda Polito
Eleanor Csire
12:00 P.M. Luncheon
1:15 P.M. Anniversary Skit
Guest Pianist Martha
Meyer
ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
Alton Seavey - Chairman
Marie Seavey
Dorothy Vars
Rose Vars
Pastor Judith Cooke
Nicole Lynch - Decorations
Marie Seavey - Skit Director
Rose Vars - Gifts
Many Helpers on Set-up and Clean-up.
UNITY HILL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
CHURCH HISTORY
On June 5, 1988 a new church was formed by the merger, and formal incorporation, of Trinity United Church of Christ and Park
Street Congregational Church. This brought about the joining together in worship
and Christian fellowship 111 members and 5 associate members from Trinity United Church of Christ and 124 members and 2 associate
members from Park Street Congregational Church.
On September 11, 1988 the consolidation of Trinity United Church of Christ of Trumbull and Park Street Congregational Church
of Bridgeport was formally recognized by the Fairfield East Association of the United Church of Christ. The new Unity Hill United Church of Christ continues the traditions of Trinity United Church of Christ,
successor to the First Evangelical and Reformed Church founded in 1860, and of Park Street Congregational, founded in 1868.
This consolidation of the two churches was for the purpose of forming a more
vital and effective church in the Greater Bridgeport area. The Reverend Arlene
B. Studer, former interim Pastor of Park Street Church, and the Reverend Harold C. Smith, D.D., former Pastor of Trinity U.C.C.
then became Co-Pastors in the new Unity Hill United Church of Christ of Trumbull.
PARK STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
| The Reverend Arlene B. Studer |
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| Park Street Congregation Church |
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Park Street Congregational Church, founded in 1864, reached its zenith during the
1930’s and 40’s when the church’s sanctuary and balcony would be filled to overflowing on holidays and there
were 75 Sunday school children and 10 teachers. The church also grew financially
due to a rather wealthy congregation, excellent stewardship and endowments, and sound investments.
Following World War II membership began to
decline until it reached approximately 100 in the mid to late 1980’s, at which time an active merger committee was elected. Led by the Reverend Arlene Studer, negotiations with Trinity United Church of Christ
in Trumbull overcame several serious obstacles, which resulted in a vote to merge in late 1988.
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CHURCH HISTORY
| The Reverend Harold. C. Smith, D.D. |
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The Reverend Harold C. Smith was pastor of the First Evangelical and Reformed
Church in Bridgeport when, on January 1, 1966, the name of this congregation became “Trinity United Church of Christ.” Due to the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Christian Churches into the United
Church of Christ, the name “First Evangelical and Reformed Church” was made out-of-date, inappropriate and meaningless. This name change was necessary.
At the same time, downtown Bridgeport was being considered for re-development. As this materialized, the congregation authorized, built and dedicated the Trumbull
Social Hall, later named Lynch Hall. A dedication ceremony was held in 1970 on
the 110th Anniversary of the original congregation. The Grand Masonic Lodge AF
and AM of the State of Connecticut performed the Ancient Masonic Rites of this ceremony with the laying of the corner stone.
Lynch Hall was used for Sunday Services beginning in 1973 when the City
of Bridgeport finally took the Congress Street building and property for redevelopment.
Groundbreaking for the present church sanctuary was on February
4, 1973 and dedication of the church was on April 29, 1974.
While at Yale University Divinity School, Bonnie Bardot participated
in the worship of the church and upon her ordination was hired as a Co-pastor with the Reverend Harold C. Smith. She remained
until July 1, 1987.
There have been many ups and downs that have been endured,
however, the church has survived and progressed with the perseverance and determination of its faithful and hard working parishioners
and their faith in God.
This brings us to a new beginning with the merger of Trinity United Church
of Christ and Park Street Congregational Church.
HISTORY OF CLERGY AT UNITY HILL UCC
Rev. Harold C. Smith, D.D. (Co-Pastor)
June
5, 1988 - July 1, 2000
Rev. Arlene B. Studer (Co-Pastor)
June 5, 1988 - March 22, 1998 (Resigned)
Rev. Robert Woodward (Interim)
1998 - February 18, 2001
Rev. John A. Thursby (Interim)
March, 2001 - August, 2001
Rev. Beverly Ida Weinhold (Pastor)
August 13, 2001 - November 16, 2003
Rev. Mark Freeman Strickland (Interim)
December 7, 2003 - November 28, 2004
Rev. Ronald Rising (Interim)
September 4, 2005 - December 31, 2005
Mr. Doug Halley
January 8, 2006 - February 6, 2006
Rev. Judith M. Cooke
April, 2006 - Present
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