Decatur Central's Pastor Flewelling

Dr. Carrell Flewelling

Dr. Carrell W. Flewelling, Pastor of Central

Nineteen Twenties
Nineteen Forties

Nineteen Thirties
Nineteen Fifties

Dr. Carrell W. Flewelling came to the Central Church of Christ after having served 18 months with the promotion department of the United Christian Missionary Society. Born in Eau Claire, Michigan, the son of a farmer and school teacher, Dr. Flewelling began his ministry in Willoughby, Ohio. His call to Central would become the longest tenure of any pastor, 32 years from 1927 to 1959.

The last few years of the 1920's witnessed a number of events in the life of the church. In July 1927, Fred Schwab gave a pulpit (now in the Flewelling Chapel) in memory of his wife. Boy Scout Troop 24 was regularly meeting at the church at 7:30 p.m. January 26, 1928 saw Miss Jane Park become the new church secretary. A city-wide visitation was held in February 1928 with 14 cooperating churches. Dr. Flewelling gave the main sermon centering on the subject,"How Can I Become a Christian?" The Ileka class sponsored the first father-son banquet on February 2, 1929, and at one time during the year, Dr. Postlewaite gave six bushels of grapes and some sugar that the women of the church made into wine for communion.

Perhaps one of the major events of the late twenties was the first printing of the Central Visitor. The first issue, dated January 5, 1928, consisted of four pages with two black and white photographs. The inside pages of the newsletter were devoted to news about missionary activities. The subscription price was $.50 and the first issue listed the various officers of the Bible school, social helpers, and brotherhood club. A short article titled "Mr. Pledge Calls Mr. Casual Gift's Number" was printed in fable form, and a summary of the annual church meeting was written on the back page.

In April 1928, a hobo party was held by the chorus. This party involved members hopping on north bound buses to homes where they would receive a hand-out, then move on to other homes. The Young Peoples' Class elected the following officers for 1929: Lyle Campbell, president; Bretta Thompson, vice-president; Maye Baugher, secretary; and Herbert Hawkins, treasurer. Mrs. Louis Chodat began as the new organist in January 1929. A community daily Vacation Bible School was scheduled for June 10-28, 1929, for the downtown churches. The idea was to cooperate to supply teachers and share the cost of the programs for four to 15 year olds. Each church conducted a different session, each running from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at a cost of $0.25. At the end of 1929, the church appealed for $500 to close out the year and meet all needs. The budget presented in November 1929 through 1930 was $10,936.00.

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As the new decade began, Central's members were saddened by the death of Sue Odor, who died in 1930 at the age of 88. She was the daughter of Rev. J.W. Tyler, who organized the first Christian Church in Macon County. On January 4, 1931, the evangelist Rev. Wm. J. Lockhart held revival services at Central until January 18. Rev. Lockhart stated, "the movement of the country and the world is constantly forward, and revoking the 18th amendment would be a step backward." (Visitor, Jan. 4, 1931) The Boy Scout Troop changed to Troop 119 with Howard Lancaster as first scoutmaster, and the church was broadcasting over WJBL. The church's phone number in 1931 was 21539, in 1928 it was Main 1539.

The official name of the church was changed to Central Christian Church on January 6, 1932, by a vote of 86 to 1. The meeting to do so was held at 7:30 p.m. with a motion made by C.H. Kinnaman and seconded by C.K. Gillespie. Three months later, at the Mother/Daughter banquet, 225 were served by the men of the church in five minutes. A memorial hour was held at the Old Log Court House (Fairview Park) at 4:00 p.m. on June 4, 1933, for the Centennial Celebration of the First Proclamation of the Gospel by the Christian Church. Carrel Flewelling delivered the message titled "March of Faith." First Christian Church, Central Christian Church, and the 7th Street Christian Church co-sponsored the event. A pension fund for ministers had been established by the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and it was mentioned that $0.56 would support an aged minister and his wife for one day. Thus, Central's share was $156.18 a year to the fund.

"The Shepherd of Bethlehem" was the title of the Christmas program for 1934 with Sarah Groton playing Mary, and Walter Cuttle as Joseph. The Christmas program was certainly a time to be thankful; three and a half months earlier, on Wednesday, September 5, 1934, at 2:30 a.m., Rev. Flewelling discovered a fire in the church kitchen. Believed to have started by spontaneous combustion under a sink cabinet, the fire caused $1500 damage to cabinetry, glassware, and chinaware. Paint was blistered on pipes of the organ and some music covers from the music library suffered water stains. Luckily, the main part of the church was unaffected.

Stewardship has always been an important activity of the church, and maintaining one's pledge is necessary for church commitments. In 1934, the finance committee adopted a code of letters to be placed after members' names when calls were made to find out why they had fallen behind in their pledge.

1934 Stewardship Code

A. Can't afford to pay
B. Children are only members
C. Older folks, and opposed to new ideas
D. Will pay, but won't make a pledge
E. Pride keeps them away
F. Can't afford to pay-appearance look otherwise
G. Land and real estate poor
H. Open category
I. Won't pledge till old pledge is paid

J. Goes to another church
K. Should be called on
L. No steady work
M. Pledge includes all children members
N. Peeved
O. Will send in pledge
P. Would like to be active
Q. Should make a pledge
R. Real Old- Can't come-Invalid
S. Not interested

Central Christian came to the aid of the 7th Street Christian Church when Rev. Flewelling sent a check for $35 as financial help, and pledged another $100 by the end of 1935. The nursery was begun in 1935, and at the Family Day activities in January, awards were given for the oldest married couple, the oldest man and woman, and the largest family; 418 were present with three gallons of gas being the prize for the largest family. Dr. Flewelling's son, Phil, served as a custodian during summer vacation, and married Pauline Odle of Hoopeston the same year.

Central's concern with those in need was evident during the later years of the thirties. Hearing aid devices were installed in the church in 1937. And, the 1938 Visitor noted that a survey was being conducted of children in Decatur between the ages of 2-5 that were handicapped physically. They might be mentally normal, but hampered from participating in normal play due to being crippled, underweight, having rickets, or any other affliction. If there were sufficient numbers of physically handicapped children found, then an all day nursery school would be opened without charge at the church.

The annual meeting held January 1, 1939, showed membership to be 1209, up from 1158. Confirmation added 41, with transfer of membership another 48. Death took 10 members, and 28 left by letter.

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Staff members in 1940 were: C.W. Flewelling, minister; Chris Garriott, assistant minister; Miss Grace Record, director of music; Mrs. Louis Chodat, organist; Miss Ruth Muffley, secretary; Frank Spicer, treasurer; and Miss Martha Gibson, living link. To meet the needs of younger members, Junior Church was begun this year. Hymn sing hour was held at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays with Elder Geiger as the song leader. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Rev. Flewelling invited any of the 391 couples he had married since coming to Decatur to attend the service. His sermon topic was "What God Hath Joined Together." That same day, Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese.

In 1942, a campaign was begun that would lead to the building of the present Central Christian Church. A committee consisting of B.O. McReynolds, George R. Bacon, F.M. Pratt, John Ullrich, L.B.C. Leffingwell, Jesse Leforgee, and Frank Leforgee was formed on January 18, 1942, to plan for the erection of a new church building. Snow fell continuously for 24 hours that day, the temperature was one above zero, trains were late, and street cars had difficulty moving through town.

The Illinois Convention of the Disciples of Christ was held at the church on September 20-23, 1943. The theme was "This is the Victory." A young people's dinner was held during the convention on September 23 at 5:30 p.m. with the cost being $0.60. All were reminded of point rationing for the war effort. "Eastermorning" was the theme of Junior church held on June 6, 1944, at 10:35 a.m. Robert Sarver was the presiding officer with Robert Ferguson and John McDonald at the communion table. Gweneth Klitzring provided music with a piano solo, and additional helpers were Ann Baker, Joanne Berry, Maxine Cordes, and Naomi Kenworthy. A letter was sent to all adult members of the church urging them to vote for Christian candidates for office on November 7, 1944. A paragraph stated, "We are anxious to help make the post-war world a Christian world, which will require Christian people in official positions. A better nation must originate with Christians or it won't originate at all." (Church letter, no date) Church goals in 1944 were: (1) Let's Grow Spiritually, (2) Let's Grow in Our Preparation for Training Others in Churchmanship, (3) Let's Grow in Numbers-in Our Church School, and (4) Let's Grow Evangelistically-by Winning Others to Christ.

The dome of the steeple of the church was removed in 1946 because of badly needed repairs. With it down, it was decided to leave the steeple with a flat roof. On August 17, 1946, an 11-room house known as Buckingham Place, located at 634 West William, was bought for $22,000 as the site for a new Central Christian Church. Now that a site had been found, a new campaign was launched for the building. Harris and Associates were to be the architects with original sketches by A.F. Wickes of the Board of Church Extension. The site committee consisted of R. Wayne Gill, H.M. Edwards, Lyle Campbell, Eldon Gustin, Van Smith, E.J. Muffley, and Mrs. Ruth Gieselke. Campaign members were B.B. Bickes, chairman; L.B. Harder, co-chairman; O.A. Sanks, Advance Gifts; R.L. Emmons, General Teams; Millard Beaman, General Teams; John B. Ammann, Publicity; David Jones, Building Committee; and J.R. Gilkey, New Building Committee. Other members were J.K. Burkholder, Paul Mitchell, Howard Helmick, M.N. Armentrout, Jake Baldwin, and C.W. Flewelling. B.B. Bickes reported that $122,779 of the $200,000 had been raised by October 29, 1946 (Visitor, Oct. 29, 1946). The campaign committee published a booklet to advertise the fund campaign which included a floor plan of the new church and a cost list for living memorials. Titled "United to Meet the Challenge for a New House of Worship-We Must Build Now," the pamphlet listed living memorials such as the chapel, pews in the nave, parlor, classrooms, nursery, pulpit, etc. Today, plaques honoring the memorials are located in the foyer of the William Street entrance to the narthex.

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Ground was broken on the new site on June 28, 1953, with construction starting on September 12, 1953. Cost of the building and furnishings was estimated at $870,000.00 Building plans called for a sanctuary, along with the balcony, to seat 750, and a choir area to seat 50. A smaller chapel would accommodate 50, and a Great Hall, for social activities, would seat 400. The plans also included an educational area in the new building to house 24 classrooms. Thus, Central's congregation was on its way to occupying a new, Gothic-style building under construction by A.F. Krall Construction Company.

As Central's congregation looked forward to its new home, it also reflected back over the many years of service of its ministers.

In celebration of Dr. Flewelling's 25 years at Central, the congregation presented the Flewellings with a round-the-world flight ticket. Leaving on an Ozark Airlines plane on July 25, 1952, the flight took them to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Melbourne, Australia, for the world conference of the Christian Church. After Australia, stops included Singapore; Bangkok, Thailand; Calcutta, India; Cairo, Egypt; the Holy Land; and the European cities of Rome, Paris, and London. Dr. Flewelling was back in the pulpit on September 21, 1952, after having dinner at the Pom Pom Cafe (across from the Blue Mill Restaurant in Decatur) Saturday evening.

A brochure, printed and distributed by the church in the early 1950's was titled, "You think you ought to... Why don't you?...enjoy friendly Central Christian Church." It stated that the church school provides religious growth for the whole family, and the closely graded program would meet the needs of growing children from birth to adulthood. Six adult classes provided the opportunity for fellowship among friends. Chi Rho and Christian Youth Fellowship stimulated pleasant companionship among young people while Koinonia served the college and post-high school members. The Christian Women's Fellowship, including the Missionary Guild and Margaret Kennedy Circle, met on the first Thursday of the month while the Christian Men's Fellowship met the second Tuesday.

As construction of the new church proceeded in 1953, additional contributions made it possible to continue with the construction of the Flewelling Chapel which had been cut from the final plans due to lack of funds. Before the new chapel was finished, Leroy Dexter and Delores Morey were the first to be married in it. Dexter and his father were bricklayers working on the new church. With rafters overhead, two candelabra, a bouquet of flowers, and two stacks of bricks, the wedding included 25 guests standing along the walls. Pews had not been installed, and heavy papers served as the carpet. Dr. Flewelling helped cement the chapel cornerstone on April 15, 1954.

On Sunday, May 23, 1954, the cornerstone of the present Central Christian Church was laid in place. Earlier, the Building Committee, chaired by David Jones, recommended thatthe trustees sign contracts completing the original church design. These contracts included the chapel, tower, and tile shingles on the roof. With the laying of the cornerstone, all parts of the church would be complete; nothing left out due to lack of funds. The program on cornerstone Sunday called for worship at 8:15 a.m. featuring the sermon "Our Chief Cornerstone," church school at 9:15, and the congregation's reassembly at 10:30 a.m. for the procession to the new church. The congregation was reminded that eight memorials built into the Edward Street church could not be taken to the new church. Seven were stained glass windows, the other being the Estay organ.

Elders serving the morning of May 23, 1954 were Howard Lancaster and Harry Fagin. Deacons included captain Forrest Tate, O. R. March, Jerry Bickes, Everett Cassell, Willard Foster, Frank Spicer, John Ammann, Russell Baer, Paul Mitchell, J. O. Stacey, Dr. M. R. Crew, William Speckelmeyer, Harry Blackburn, Roy O. Schilling, and Jim Jackson. Mr. J. Howard Helmick and Mrs. Kenneth Evans were deaconesses.

"How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord" was the opening hymn of the cornerstone laying ceremony. Items placed in the cornerstone included a copy of the Bible; membership and committee rolls from 1953-54; various newspapers, reports, and brochures of the time; and church histories by Mrs. Sue Odor and C.W. Flewelling. The invocation was given by Rev. Don Wilson Fein, Director of Religious Education, and the benediction was offered by Rev. Howard H. Jenner.

The present Central Christian Church building was dedicated at a 3 p.m. service on Sunday, March 20, 1955. A portrait of Rev. Flewelling painted by artist Herbert Ryman was unveiled at the 8:15 and 10:35 a.m. services on November 27, 1955. And in 1956 a pamphlet, titled "1956 is a Year of Opportunity for the Central Christian Church," was distributed showing a breakdown of what your church dollar does.

Your 1956 Church Dollar Pays For

Worship
Education
Property
Evangelism
Membership Growth
Hospitality
Finance Committee
Salaries
Missions
01.8 cents
03.5 cents
07.4 cents
00.4 cents
00.4 cents
00.6 cents
16.7 cents
45.8 cents
23.4 cents

total budget
$55,470.00

Various classes elected new officers in 1958. The Fellowship class chose John McDonald, president; John Gilbert, vice president; Jackie Wells, secretary; and Phyllis Atkisson, treasurer. In the Ileka class, officers were Leo Rosebraugh, president; Wm. J. Burkholder, 1st vice president; C. L. Wakeman, 2nd vice president; Gayle Gunkle, secretary; Vivian Carrier, asst. secretary; Myrtle Allen, treasurer; Bertha Hale, asst. treasurer. New officers of the men's class were E. J. Muffley, president; Arthur B. Curry, vice president; and Alfred Smith, secretary-treasurer. Keystone class members elected Richard Flanders, president; Robert Webb, president-elect; Dorothy Adams, secretary; and Fred Zickuhr, treasurer. Installed in the Harmony class were Cecil Lawson, president; Mrs. Floyd Hazenfield, vice president; Mrs. Kenneth Brobst, secretary; and Mrs. Tom Israel, treasurer. Businesses supporting the publication of The Central Visitor in 1958 were Dawson and Wikoff Funeral Home, Jack Burg's Shoe Service, Millikin National Bank, Houran's Florists, The Surrey Restaurant, Sunshine Dairy, Jacobs Greenhouse, Walter Flora and Sons Jewelers, Jay's Restaurant, Davis Kwik Kleen Car Wash, and W.F. Elston Awning Co.

A service of dedication for the Boruff Memorial Carillon was held on April 12, 1959. The "Americana" carillon was a gift in honor of Theodore W. Boruff and Mildred Boruff England by Mrs. Theodore W. Boruff. June 21, 1959 was the end of pulpit ministry of Central's longest serving pastor, Carrel W. Flewelling. His retirement was effective on this Sunday following his farewell sermon. The Rev. Jo M. Riley was installed on June 28, 1959 with Rev. Flewelling participating.

Reverend Flewelling was named pastor emeritus of Central in 1959, and received the Decatur Sertoma Club's service to mankind award on June 5, 1960. He officiated at MacArthur High School's first baccalaureate in June 1960. The Ileka, Harmony, and Keystone classes established a lectureship at the Minister's Institute in Illinois in honor of Dr. Flewelling in 1961. Following his retirement and honors, Dr. and Mrs. Flewelling moved to the Barton W. Stone home in Jacksonville, Illinois. Rev. Carrel Flewelling died on January 21, 1973 in the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Parma, Ohio, and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery. He was 85 years old, and served Central's family for 32 years, and, by personal count, married 1,447 couples.

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