The period of 1933 to 1947 was one of excitement and growth for the church.
The Reverend Carl Heath Kopf was vibrant and forward thinking for his day.
His thoughtful approach to the social and political issues of the 1930's and 40's earned him much praise and deep respect all over the city and the wider USA. His radio program on WEEI also allowed Mount Vernon Church the opportunity to reach out to the city in a new, creative way thus bringing many new members into the church fold.
Reverend Kopf was very active and was called upon as a beloved guest speaker at many functions in the city as well as all over the country.
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of Mount Vernon Church in 1942 was the BIG event of the 20th century for the church and a book was published to mark this very special occasion.
One Hundred Years of Mount Vernon Church 1842-1942 by Pauline Holmes still stands as the ultimate volume on The Mount Vernon Church of Boston and the role it played in Boston and beyond.
Part Four
The Reverend Carl Heath Kopf was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 6, 1902. He was graduated from Princeton in 1925, later studying law and finally changed to religion. He came to Mount Vernon Church in 1933, and remained with us until 1947. Coming back from a summer vacation in Europe in 1938, he wondered what could be done "to reach the vast numbers of people who had lost interest in religion: The result of this determination was a series of Sunday radio talks over Station W.E.E.I. "From a Window on Beacon Street."
He was the author of three books:
"Windows on Life"
"Fellowship of Prayer"
"Personal Crisis"
At the time of his tragic death he left a half finished book called, "Five Major Battles".
He left Mount Vernon Church in 1947 to become the minister of the First Congregational Church at 10th and G Streets in Washington, D. C. In 1954, he was elected President of the Washington Federation of Churches. In 1956, Princeton awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Mary Chalfant Kopf was his constant inspiration and help during his whole career. She continues in her gallant spirit. For the past few summers she has been giving a course at Star Island Conference Center in Bell Ringing. She plans to be there again this summer. David, John and Ann are married and are settled in different parts of the country.
Dr. Carl Heath Kopf was a preacher, a pastor and a religious leader. His broad understanding and sympathies, together with his courageous and appealing witness, made him respected and loved as a man whose lived religion makes it possible to say without reservation: Carl Kopf was a Christian Minister, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. His tragic death on July 1, 1958 was a shock to all who knew and admired him.
More to follow....
Charles:-)
charles65ofboston@yahoo.com
ps...Please feel free to contact me with questions or further information on Mount Vernon Church of Boston.
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ReplyDeleteHello Charles,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tom Ziniti. I'm a Deacon at Trinitarian Congregational Church of Warwick, MA. Sometime between 1978 and 1982, Mount Vernon Congregational gave its 1,200 pound bronze bell to Trinitarian Congregational Church at the Metcalf Chapel, 32 Athol Road, Warwick, Massachusetts. The story goes that four young men were apprehended by the Boston Police while attempting to steal the bell from the tower of the abandoned Mount Vernon Congregational Church at 492 Beacon Street. After the arrest, the bell was placed in the Boston Police evidence room where it remained for a specified time. Sometime later, and with Mount Vernon Congregational's blessing, three TCCW congregants took possession of the bell, drove it in the bed of a pick-up truck from Boston to Warwick, MA, and installed it in a custom built tower next to the church. They rang the bell for the first time on Easter morning 1982 and have rung it every Sunday morning ever since. I have found no record of the attempted theft or any reference to the agreement between MVCC and TCCW. The BP have said they can only help me if I provide the incident date. I have spoken with Billy McCarthy, Archivist, and plan to visit the Congregational Library at 14 Beacon Street, but have read your excellent blog and wonder if you happen to know anything about the attempted theft or the transaction between the two churches? I'm compiling a history of the bell for my congregation and hope you might be able to help me. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Tom Ziniti, Deacon
zinitit@gmail.com