| VII. The Nation Tested, 1929-1945 |
The euphoria following World War I faded too quickly. The “fast times” of the 1920’s gave way to the “hard times” of the Depression and World War II. Through it all, our Rector for 33 years, Rev. Dr. Loyal Graham, never seemed to stop. Christ Church celebrated its 225th anniversary in 1932 as the host for the annual diocesan convention.
A year earlier, Columbia University presented our church with a cemetery gate in honor of Rev. Samuel Johnson and his son William Samuel Johnson. In that same year Rev. Graham made 811 home visits, oversaw a Sunday School of 350 children, and led 1000 at Christmas services.
Able and devoted parishioners supported their beloved Church, Town, State, and Nation. Harold Lovell advanced through the ranks from organ pumper at age thirteen to vestryman, junior warden, senior warden, and church treasurer for thirty years. He even had a “church-going” dog named Pal. As a church leader, town clerk, merchant, and bank president, Mr. Lovell unfailingly reached out to support his church and community.
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Much the same can be said of his contemporary, Raymond E. Baldwin. He was a faithful member of the vestry who rose in the ranks of the Republican Party to become Governor, U. S. Senator, and State Supreme Court Justice. Governor/Senator/Justice Baldwin’s friend, political mentor, and fellow churchman was Charles “Shang” Wheeler. As a talented woodcarver, he is best known for his duck decoys. He also carved our Church seal. As a State lawmaker, he was an early crusader on environmental issues.
By 1939 the Depression eased in Stratford because Europe was arming for war. The notion of “hard times” took on another meaning. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, our Nation and Church rallied to the cause. Rev. Graham, a Marine veteran of World War I, volunteered as a Chaplain. He spent World War II ministering to troops on transport ships bound for the European theatre. Christ Church sent 167 men into the armed forces. Four died. The Church further supported the war effort by purchasing war bonds, using blackout shades and organizing car pools to save on gas. During this period the “Golden Rooster,” our parish newsletter, made its appearance.
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