union avenue christian church |
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The Pastors Who Served: The Early Years The following biographical sketches of Union Avenue’s pastors during its first half-century were researched, compiled and written by Jeanne Heitman for the centennial Homecoming celebration in 2002. The sketches are written in the first person and were read by various members of the congregation at the annual Homecoming luncheon following morning worship. Many thanks to Jeanne for her work in preparing this information and preserving it here. James McBride Philputt 1904 – 1910 In 1902, we Disciples had 10 churches in St. Louis, most of them small and not one of them of sufficient strength to adequately represent our cause in this great city. Because two of the larger churches, Central and Mt. Cabanne, needed better buildings, they decided to unite and erect an edifice to be a credit to our people and put us on a footing with other religious bodies in the city. The merger included the resignation of both pastors and the choice of a new one to lead this difficult undertaking. I first declined this job of securing funds, erecting a new church building, and uniting two congregations with different traditions and backgrounds into a harmonious whole. However, my wife, Lillian Reynolds Philputt, decided that I was fully recovered from my severe bouts with typhoid fever and double pneumonia and so could make a trial visit. Her thinking, along with my great enthusiasm for Christian unity, resulted in our arriving during the World’s Fair; the city was packed. I preached to the two separate congregations for a month and then agreed to formally accept the pastorate. My first stipulation was that the two congregations begin meeting together until the first “unit” of the new Union Avenue Christian Church was erected in late 1904. Within a year, the congregation, whose members extended from Alton to South St. Louis, began to find themselves and to achieve unity. One of the most precious experiences to this church was to note the spiritual development of my people. During my 5-plus years, 650 persons were received into the membership, and the time came to start building the main auditorium. I laid the cornerstone in May 1907, and the building was dedicated, with much fanfare, in April 1908. My wife, an accomplished musician, was part of a three-person committee that researched and recommended a most churchly organ, which was installed later that year. After seeing the church well settled and in fine spirit, I felt the need for a long rest and so resigned, not without regret, in early 1910. When I died in 1932, Union Avenue passed a resolution that stated in part, “He left us after six years of ministry, our congregation knowing neither Cabanne nor Central except as a memory….” more Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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