59 Halloween Celebrations in Early New Church Congregations (1898-1900, 1958)

Although from a New Church point of view Halloween is a purely secular celebration, New Church congregations, schools, and families have been having Halloween parties together for more than 100 years.

Chicago-Glenview, Illinois, 1898:

“On Halloween a ’sheet and pillowcase’ party was given in the city, which was attended by a large delegation from Glenview. The mysterious gowns were carefully arranged so as to hide the identity of the wearers, and in this array a ceremonious grand march was executed through the hall, which had been especially decorated by the ladies. After several dances there was a general unmasking and a skurry to get back to the dress of civilization once more. Then followed more dancing, recitations, and refreshments, and the new month was ushered in with considerable jollity” (New Church Life 1898, p. 15). Continue reading » » » »

57 The First Celebration of Charter Day (1917)

Tomorrow’s “Charter Day” celebration will mark the 89th anniversary of this event at the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, PA. (Before the inception of Charter Day, the Academy had celebrated “Founders Day” each January.) The descriptions below of early Charter Day celebrations will be familiar to modern participants in this event, as many of the activities have remained much the same. 

Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, 1917 (the first “Charter Day”): 

“Saturday, Nov. 3rd, was ‘Charter Day,’ a newly instituted annual celebration of the anniversary of the granting of a Charter to the Academy, in the year 1877. The preceding Friday was a holiday wherein the pupils of the Academy Schools did their Saturday work. On Saturday morning, Continue reading » » » »

51 347-Year-Old Tree Felled for Roof of Bryn Athyn Cathedral (1916)

The decision was made early on during the construction of Bryn Athyn Cathedral to have a solid timber roof in the nave and chancel rather than a stone vaulted one. Trees of sufficient size had to be found to provide the tie beams that would span the width. Although construction of the roof did not begin until 1915, the search for trees was already underway in the summer of 1913, in order to allow the wood to “be . . . properly seasoned before final working and placing . . . Southeastern Pennsylvania had at that time perhaps the finest growth of white oak trees on the continent. To find specimens . . . became a personal challenge for Raymond Pitcairn. Armed with camera and accompanied by members of the family and frequently by leaders of the Bryn Athyn congregation, he traveled miles in all directions.” 

The cut trees were brought to Isaac Ryan’s sawmill on the Neshaminy Creek where they were squared before being taken to the Cathedral. Ryan “caught the spirit of the undertaking, and for years made it his personal task to seek out the needed trees, Continue reading » » » »

48 Glencairn Cloister Features Twelve Capitals Carved with Symbolic Birds

The works of sculpture, stained glass, and mosaic found throughout Glencairn, the former home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn and their family, in Bryn Athyn, PA, are governed by a distinctive symbolism based on the teachings of the New Church. Visitors to Glencairn Museum appreciate the unique design of this building and the superb creations in stone, wood, glass and metal. As Glencairn was being built from 1928 until 1939, the Pitcairn family lived next door at Cairnwood and witnessed the same artists and craftsmen who worked on Bryn Athyn Cathedral produce works of art for their own future home. Some of the most interesting examples of New Church symbolism in this building can be found in the Cloister:

“The focal point of this family cloister is found in the twelve capitals of the columns forming the inner arcade. Carved with fidelity and imagination, they depict twelve birds, each one Continue reading » » » »