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DEPRESSION ~ BUT SOON PAID FOR
“And by that year 1931, it should be noted, the country was feeling the full impact of the 1929 Depression. It speaks well of the devotion and self-sacrifice of the people of Christ Church that by 1946 [then pastor] Dr. Glessner could report that the indebtedness had been reduced to approximately $55,000, and could venture to predict that ‘at the rate of present giving, this debt may be wiped out within the next five to seven years.’
“The sequel to that prophecy is found in a news story in the Norristown Times Herald of Monday, October 29, 1951. At the top of the page is a three-column picture of the mortgage burning which took place at the morning service the previous day.
“Shown are James E. Foster; Sr., Pastor Glessner; the late Harold D. Steinbright, president of the Board of Trustees, who is putting the match to the mortgage; Raymond M. Naylor, secretary of Consistory; the late James G. Painter, treasurer; and the late Rev. Robert D. Brodt, then pastor in Allentown, guest preacher for the service.
“The story states that the original mortgage was for $85,000 and goes on to report that approximately 275 members and guests attended a congregational dinner Sunday evening in celebration of the mortgage burning. “
Source for all of above: “Christ Church Story” by James E. Wagner, 75th Anniversary Year - 1971
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