| During the ministry of Rev. George M. Heroy (1919-1926), one of those qualities was a delightful sense of humor, there was a considerable increase in membership. We are told that in those days, following Sunday evening services, the parishioners would gather in homes for a pleasant evening of hymn singing around the piano. It was about this time that the church bell was installed. The Men's Bible Class made substantial contributions toward this and other improvements.
With the fruit of their labors, the Ladies' Aid financed carpeting for the church and lecture room floors, had the pews reconstructed, recovered the pew cushions, made certain parsonage repairs, and finally --- in 1922 --- they aid $1,800 to build kitchen facilities. Up to them, the ladies had been using a makeshift kitchen at the opposite end of the lecture room, carrying in food for popular church suppers and family nights. These family nights of planned entertainment were great fun.
Of course, the serious work of the church went forward. There was much concern in post-war years for the starving children of Armenia. And mention is made of a special collection for Near East Relief. Boy Scout Troop No. 4 was permitted use of the lecture room, the first mention of scouts in our Church.
The congregation must have felt the strain of maintaining two buildings, for in 1925, we read that the Consistory discussed selling the parsonage for a price of $14,000: fortunately, no one bought it.
Following Rev. Heroy, kindly Rev. George M. Palmer came to us in 1926, staying until he retired in 1934. In those eight years, 86 new members were received into church fellowship. The Community Club was organized. Thanksgiving services begun, and prayer meetings held in union with other Boonton churches. The choir appeared in new vestments, and the treasurer's spirits were lifted by a legacy of $1,000. Rev. Palmer, it might be noted, was the first pastor to receive a $2,000 salary, but alas, this soon had to be reduced t $1,800.
Through the years, there were other legacies and gifts --- some anonymous, some small, others substantial. They were all gratefully received and put to good use. Legacies have played an important part in the physical and spiritual growth of the church.
The Ladies' Aid also managed to bolster church finances year after year. The new kitchen was a busy place: turkey dinners in Fellowship Hall were sellouts. The Community Club staged plays with home town talent while important talent was brought in for annual concerts.
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