1950's

The church enlarged and remodeled, 1950-1963 --- Rev. Burggraaff left in June, 1950, and that fall Rev. Frank A. Huff responded to our call. Energetic and experienced, he guided the church through a growth period that resulted in the remodeling and refurnishing of the whole church building except the kitchen. Most important, the two-story Edger E. Barton Memorial Wing was added to house the Sunday School.

For two years in the early 1950's, we provided the meeting place for the first play school for retarded children in Morris County. A speech therapist, living in Boonton, was hired to work with these children by the newly formed Retarded Children's Association. Volunteers came forward to assist and the play school served a great need in days before there were public classes for the retarded.

For years, Edgar Barton had been a member of the Consistory, most of the time as treasurer, and in 1952, his legacy of $13,500 was the spark that put the dream of an enlarged building into action. A professional fund-raising firm was hired, and everyone connected with the church labored mightily. Knotty decisions, such as having a center aisle when formerly there were two side aisles only, were tackled and resolved. A big dinner at the Elks Club ushered in the drive to raise funds. The goal --- $75,000. We also staged a splendid bazaar at the Elks Club, filling the hall with colorful booths.

Another legacy of $2,000 was on hand to be used specifically for a stained glass window. Thus it was that the beautiful Marie Fisher Righter memorial window was included in the plans. Designed for the rear wall of the chancel, it contains over 700 pieces of glass which purposely vary in thickness according to the amount of light and depth of color needed.

At this point in our history, we had an opportunity to see brotherhood in action. During the trying period in 1954 when construction was under way, our good neighbor -- the Boonton Jewish Center --- offered us the use of their premises for worship services. In spite of the fact that we thankfully used their facilities for upwards of seven months, much of which time was in winter, officials of the Center would not hear to even a token payment. This ecumenical attitude was a refreshing interlude, a kindness not to be forgotten.

On a cold Sunday afternoon in January, 1955, Rev. Huff conducted dedication ceremonies, assisted by Rev. William Duitsman, president of the Classis of Passaic. Rev. Victor Lewis of St. John's Episcopal Church in Boonton, and our own Rev. William Geiger, Jr., a Boonton boy who had grown up in our church and was now pastor of the Christ Reformed Church of Union City. The dedicatory sermon, which pointed out the great moral and social issues with which we must come to grips, was delivered by Rev. James A. Hoffman, D.D.. of New York City.

Later, there was an open house and tour of the gleaming new premises. In the parlor, in a place of honor, stood an antique drop-leaf table. For years it had been a lowly kitchen table, and now, refinished, it stood in a spot more worthy of its beauty. Later, a grandfather clock, added to the parlor furnishings, was given by a family who had received it as a wedding gift many years before. After a year or two, the present beautiful red carpeting was purchased for the sanctuary from a special fund established by a benefactor.

The year 1958 was marked by the observance of our 90th Anniversary. That year the minister's salary reached $4,000. Large scale improvements were made to the parsonage in 1959. The congregation was cheered in January, 1960, when the mortgage on the church edifice was burned at a ceremony in Fellowship Hall.

Also in the 1950's, the church had personalized its missionary donations by taking on a substantial share of the support of an Indian missionary. Later, we contributed for some time to the support of Miss Schmalzriedt, a missionary nurse. Substantial amounts were raised for the General Synod Fund to be used for domestic and foreign missions, Hope College, and other church-connected institutions. We still contribute to this fund by means of an annual drive.