Petersham Unitarian Returns to the 1940s on Sunday, October 1st

 Petersham Unitarian Returns to the 1940s Sunday, October 1st

On Sunday, October 1st at 11:00 a.m., the “minister” and congregation at the First Congregational Parish, Unitarian Petersham will set the calendar back to the late 1940s as Mark Whiting Davis delivers a sermon entitled “The Thirst for a Living God.” The sermon was written and delivered by his grandfather, Reverend Earl Clement Davis, during his time as minister of the church between 1933 and 1953. The public is invited to wear items reminiscent of the time, if they wish.

Prior to the service, at 10:00 a.m., archival materials and memorabilia from the parish’s 280- year history will be on display in the Ladies Parlor, in back of the church sanctuary, including visitor and attendance logs and various birth, marriage and death notices and records of ministerial service dating back to the 1700s. The First Congregational Parish Unitarian, Petersham is located in the historic district’s Petersham Town Common.

Reverend Davis was born in Poland ME on June 3, 1876. He received his AB from Bowdoin College in 1897. He was the principal of Howe School in Billerica MA between 1897-1902. He then went to Harvard Divinity School where he received his STP (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus or Bachelor of Sacred Theology) in 1904.

Earl was the Minister of Unitarian Universalists of Pittsfield MA between 1905-1919, of Unitarian Universalists of Lancaster PA between 1919 – 1924, of Unitarian Universalists of Concord NH between 1924 – 1933, and then came to the First Congregational Parish, Unitarian Petersham in 1933 where he served as Minister until his death on May 20, 1953.

Mark was born in 1948 (the 4th of 7 children), and came, with his family, to Sunday services in Petersham for the 1st 5 years of his life. He has very fond memories of his grandfather’s sermons, of getting together for Sunday meals with grandfather and grandmother, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and cousins. Thanksgiving was always an extra special occasion. Mark attended UMass Amherst, the University of Freiburg, Germany and the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa.

The 1938 “Services of Religion for use in the Churches of the Free Spirit” hymnal will be used for the day. Marc Erwin will be the organist. Following the service, refreshments will be served downstairs in the church dining room.

For further information, call (978) 544-1872 or visit the parish website at https://www.petershamunitarian.org/ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FirstCongregationalParishUnitarian…

PHOTO CAPTION: Rev. Earl Davis through the years.
PHOTO CREDIT: Submitted by Mark Davis.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mark Whiting Davis stands beside the plaque dedicated to his grandfather, Rev. Earl Davis who served the First Congregational Parish Unitarian Petersham from 1933 - 1953. The Davis Memorial Hall is dedicated to his memory.
PHOTO CREDIT: Genevieve Fraser