Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-10
Rev. Paul S. Phalen Resigns
Pastor All Souls Church
West Newton, Mass. Church Extends
Call TO Popular Local Minister
Standing Committee Grants Re-
ouest-Takes Effect Feb. I, 1922

A special meeting Of All Souls
church (Unitarian) was held at III"
church parlors on THURSDAY evening.
Dec. s.
Judge Cornish. chairman Of the
standing committee. read this letter
from Rev. Paul S. Phalen:
All Souls Church (Unitarian), Augusta
Maine, Dec. S, 1921.
To Hon. Leslie c. Cornish, chairman
the standing committee All Souls
church. Augusta. Maine.
Dear Judge Cornish: r4R
l do not need to tell you that 1t is
far from easy for me to send you this
communication and to ask you to con-
vey it's information to my friends in
All Souls. Because of the unfailing
kindness and devotion to me and my
work and on account of the friendships
and tics which bind me and ever will
to the church and Augusta. ] wish
that 1 could find good and sufficient
reason for not taking this action. Bur
l do not.
Herewith, then. I hand you copy of
n call l have received from tine First
Unitarian Society of West Newton and
request that All Souls church release
me from it's ministry in order that /
may accept this call to so take effect
that 1 may begin my work in West
Newton, February 1st. 1922.
With my kindest greetings to you
and all in All Souls, and that assur-
ance that at any and all times I shall
count it a privilege to serve you in
any way I am able, together with my
hope that all will stand by the church
and thus make sure and certain its
continued growth and usefulness. as 1
am sure will follow II such determi-
nation is brought into action, am
Faithfully yours,
PAUL S. PHALEN.
272 Congress Street,
Boston, Mass,
November 18th. 1921.
Rev. Paul S. Phalen, Augusta, Maine.
Dear Sir:
At a meeting of the members of
the First Unitarian Society Of West
Newton held on Wednesday evening
November 9th, it was unanimously
voted to extend to you a call to become
its pastor.
We earnestly hope that you will find
1t possible to accept this call and to
enter upon it's duties as soon as JUS
tice to the Augusta church will allow
Yours Very Truly,
(SignedA
F. w. REMICK.
NORMAN w. BINGHAM, JR..
GEO. H. ELLIS.
The following resolution. which per-
Ifectly expresses the feeling of the
whole church, was then unanimously
adopted
Whereas our minister, Rev. Paul s.
Phalen. has presented to us a commu-
nication informing us of his call To
the First Unitarian Society of West
Newton, Mass, and has asked rs to
release him from his pastorate here in
order that he may accept the same.
Now. therefore, after a full consid-
Grafton Of the matter it is voted:
l. That Mr.. Phalens request be
granted and that he be released from
the pastorate of All Souls church on
and after February /, 1922.
.. That we take this action M,
N'IuHldTily, uUI because any other
course would be ungracious If NOT self
ish on our part. mr.. Phalen has min
istered. to this church for nearly 10
years with rare fidelity and devotion,
and with unqualified success. His con-
eeption OF the true Office of the church
in the community and in individual:
lives has proven its soundness by its
results.
On the personal side he has been
with US in our joys and in our sorrows
end his name will always be cherished
in the annals of the church.
Both he and Mrs Phalen have en-
trenched themselves firmly in the az
fections and respect of our people and
to sever these bonds is a matter OF
deep regret and genuine sorrow. We
mad hoped that our intimate relations
might continue for many years to
come.
We dc. however. appreciate tie hon
or OF the promotion that has come TO
him and we rejoice with him in his
larger opportunity.
We wish for him and HIS in the fu.