1940 letter introducing Reverend Lester Evans
As World War Two raged across Europe in 1940, Americans were keenly aware that their nation would not be left untouched by the war. It was inevitable that the United States was to be drawn into the conflict. Churches and religious organizations across the nation played an important role in giving Americans the spiritual strength to endure the war. At that time the only church holding regular services in Windham was the Windham Presbyterian Church. Following the death of Reverend Polley in 1938, the church was without an ordained minister until the arrival of Reverend Lester Evans in 1940. Glen Aldrich, though not an ordained minister, served as the interim pastor of the congregation until the arrival of Evans.
Evans was an experienced minister who had spent two decades at churches across the United States. His resume included time spent preaching in cities including: Pasadena, CA; Washington, DC; and Boston, MA. Never before had he served in a rural community such as Windham. Following his arrival in the summer of 1940, Evans stayed for about two years, when he was replaced by Reverend Thompson. Although his tenure was quite short, he was responsible for guiding the church-going populace of Windham through the first years of the impending war. Upon his arrival in Windham, a letter was sent out throughout town announcing the new pastor, as well as the role of the church in a time of war.
The letter begins with "The Church Officials in all departments are keenly aware of the need of an alert Church, especially these days". The townspeople of Windham had weathered through the First World War, and now a war unlike any other before was looming on the horizon. The letter continues on to say "Our Nation needs a new realization of the intangibles. Just now we need a keen discernment of what really will constitute National Defense". Aside from just military defense, there was a need for "spiritual defense, such as faith, courage, a belief in God our real Protector". The letter concludes with the call to action, "Help defend America by filling your Church".
Evans was an experienced minister who had spent two decades at churches across the United States. His resume included time spent preaching in cities including: Pasadena, CA; Washington, DC; and Boston, MA. Never before had he served in a rural community such as Windham. Following his arrival in the summer of 1940, Evans stayed for about two years, when he was replaced by Reverend Thompson. Although his tenure was quite short, he was responsible for guiding the church-going populace of Windham through the first years of the impending war. Upon his arrival in Windham, a letter was sent out throughout town announcing the new pastor, as well as the role of the church in a time of war.
The letter begins with "The Church Officials in all departments are keenly aware of the need of an alert Church, especially these days". The townspeople of Windham had weathered through the First World War, and now a war unlike any other before was looming on the horizon. The letter continues on to say "Our Nation needs a new realization of the intangibles. Just now we need a keen discernment of what really will constitute National Defense". Aside from just military defense, there was a need for "spiritual defense, such as faith, courage, a belief in God our real Protector". The letter concludes with the call to action, "Help defend America by filling your Church".