By Cindy Ryherd September is “Homecoming” month! Hopefully, everyone will be back to see the results of the amazing transformation the church has undergone as a result of the completion of the 2020-2021 renovations. Tours and the grand re-opening will take place over Saturday and Sunday, September 11 & 12. This seems like a good…
By Cindy Ryherd Reverend Daniel Emerson: Loving Husband and Father This is the final part of a three-part series about Reverend Daniel Emerson, first pastor of what is now the Congregational Church of Hollis, U.C.C. (see April Chimes for Part I and May Chimes for Part II). Part I ended with Reverend Emerson being ordained in April 1743,…
By Cindy Ryherd Reverend Daniel Emerson: Pastor and SO Much More! This is the second of a three-part series about Reverend Daniel Emerson, first pastor of the what is now the Congregational Church of Hollis (see Part I). Part I ended with Rev. Emerson being ordained in April 1743, building his home (Emerson House) on…
By Cindy Ryherd Reverend Daniel Emerson: Emerson Chapel’s Namesake This is the first of a multi-part series about Reverend Daniel Emerson, first pastor of the what is now the Congregational Church of Hollis. Emerson Chapel, part of the current church building, is named in honor and memory of him. The chapel was built and dedicated in…
By Cindy Ryherd Phineas Hardy: Hardy Parish Hall’s Namesake Hardy Parish Hall brass plaque. Click on image to see larger scale and more information about George E. Hardy, donor Anyone who is a member of the Congregational Church of Hollis, or has visited the church, is usually familiar with Hardy Hall (more formally called Hardy…
By Cindy Ryherd Reverend Doctor Philip MitchellPastor of Congregational Church of Hollis 1962-1972 This is a new column which will run each month for the foreseeable future, with the intent of sharing some interesting historical highlights regarding our church. Since February is Black History Month, I thought it appropriate to write about a connection between…