Multi-Talented
Arthur W. Childs
1912 - 2002

He preached for more than 50 years. He played the organ and repaired watches and clocks. He farmed. He held an amateur radio license.

The Rev. Arthur W. Childs died June 12 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a brief illness.

Born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, Arthur was graduated from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and later from Columbia Bible College in South Carolina. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1937, and went to Venezuela as a short term missionary. He was able to pass the rigorous exam of the FCC and was granted an amateur radio license. During World War II, he served as a military chaplain in the U.S. Army. Through the years, he was the pastor of churches in Middleton Springs and Brookfield, Vermont; Worthington, Massachusetts; Safford and Eastford in Connecticut; and Grafton and Troy in New Hampshire. During the twelve years of his service to the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Troy, he was active in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, serving on the Executive Committee and on various commissions. He was also one of those who was active in the formation of the New Hampshire Fellowship of Congregational Churches.

He was a gifted organist, and enjoyed both Christian and classical music.

During his retirement on the farm in Enfield, New Hampshire, he carried on an active business in his home, repairing clocks and watches. This work had been a lifelong avocation, and he was a member of the American Watchmakers’ Institute.

His wife, Frances (Knox) Childs, whom he married in 1939, died in January of 1998. Their bond of helpfulness and mutual sharing had endured for 58 years.

Submitted by the Rev. Harvey Lord

'Founding Mother'
Lucille Strang
1903 - 2002

She was one of many "founding mothers" who strongly supported their husbands during the critical days in the forming of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, 47 years ago. Lucille Strang, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Max Strang, a founder of the NACCC, died in Demorest, Georgia, April 21.

After Lucille and Max were married in Dallas, Texas, she began a long career of service to the Congregational Way. While Max served as pastor of Central Congregational church, Lucille taught physical education in the Dallas public school system. Always interested in children’s education, she taught church school first at Central and then in churches in Dubuque and Marshalltown, Iowa. She became an official with the Girl Scouts of America while the couple lived in Dubuque.

In the 1960’s, the Strangs moved to Demorest, Georgia, where Max became a fund-raiser for Piedmont College. She did her part to help the students and the community by managing a clothing resale shop for the college for several years.

Always the quintessential "hostess" and "first lady" of the churches Max served, she was also the "mother" of many children and college-age youth, though the Strangs had no children of their own. She is survived by two brothers, three sisters, four nephews, and eight nieces.

Those of us who were privileged enough to know Lucille remember that "parental look" she lovingly gave to those of us she felt needed it, her warm and engaging smile, and her incredible devotion to her husband and his ministry.

Elizabeth Walters, Demorest, Georgia, and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Richard contributed to this tribute

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