SUTCH A HISTORY: The 41 Years of 
Bill Gross at First Church, Willoughby

Isabel Sutch died on November 30, 1996. A Memorial Service was held on December 2, 1996. We will always remember our beloved Isabel Sutch. Thank you, God, for Izzy!

Rev. Dayton McCormick, Assistant Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, served Sundays and one afternoon and evening each week for church activities, for the sum of $10 per week to be paid directly to Calvary, an arrangement which remained in effect until after the summer of 1940. Dr. Bloomfield told the remaining members that they would have to decide whether to disband or go forward. They chose to go forward and rebuild the church into a place of influence it once held in the community. With hard work, faith, and love for the church, they proved with God's help that they could still be a Christian community of hope and promise.

According to Dr. Bloomfield , a young man, the Rev. William P. Gross, just out of Princeton Theological Seminary, "was presented this church as a challenge", never thinking that he would even dare to take this task. Bill came as a supply pastor on September 12, 1940 to preach to 13 of the faithful. On December 12, 1940, having been duly examined by the Presbytery and found acceptable, the service for his ordination was held in Willoughby. The church was packed, and the service filled each worshipper with overflowing hope. The Rev. Thomas Ewing, moderator of Cleveland Presbytery presided, assisted by The Rev. George Maxwell of Waynesburg Pennsylvania, Bill's home minister. The Rev. Robert Hunt of Maple Heights and The Rev. George Bowie of Wickliffe also took part in the ordination service.

By February 1941, the membership was 69 and judged strong enough to continue as a congregation. The Rev. William P. Gross was installed on October 30, 1941. In August of that year, he had married Elizabeth Anderson of Missouri. The new couple was welcomed with an elaborate wedding reception on September 9, 1941, expressing the love and good wishes of the church. It certainly showed their fortitude and pioneer spirit to begin life in a church what would have frightened off any other couple. However they made themselves an involved part of the church as well as the community, remaining with the church for forty one years!

By April 1942 under Rev. Gross, many new and exciting programs were started such as a Young People's Group and the Men's Club. These church organizations created much interest through the use of contemporary speakers who were involved in shaping current events. The Coffee Hour and the Monthly Newsletter were created to draw the congregation closer together. Ecumenically the church was growing as well. the Lenten Season of 1942 was marked by Union Vesper Services in the community of Willoughby for the first time with all local churches taking part.

The Ladies Aid, the Missionary Society, and the Daughter's Circles had been combined into a Women's Association in 1936. One of these was an evening group, and under Rev. Gross, this evening group was so large it became two groups. At this time with World War II demanding the employment of females during the day, the evening group naturally grew due to this change in schedules for women. The uphill battle was beginning to show results. The Church School now had 80 enrolled and church finances were improving. In each aspect of church life, members were learning what a fine spirit of cooperation can accomplish.

As new as Rev. Gross was to the community, he was fast becoming a person to whom people turned for guidance and help. He seemed to accomplish whatever he tackled in meeting the needs of others. Dr. Warren Payne, a physician and long time member of the church, contacted Bill concerning the fact that, he in his practice, was having so many patients with drinking problems. In order to help these people, Dr. Payne felt a combined community involvement must be undertaken. The outcome of this was with Rev. Gross serving as a community contact person, going to the heart of alcoholism, the first AA chapter was formed in Willoughby in 1942 (the original organization of AA was begun in Akron in 1935 by a lawyer and a physician). For three years, the newly formed AA group met in various homes until they started to hold their meetings in our church beginning in 1945. The AA organization has continued to meet each Monday night ( a mixed group of men and women from all walks of life) and hopefully as long as the need exists, the group will continue to use our church. In addition to the Monday group is a women's group which meets during lunch on Wednesdays, a tradition which has been maintained for over a quarter of a century. The value of this self help organization cannot be measured in dollars and cents since untold families, businesses, as well as church and community, have reaped its benefits. The church is an ideal place for this group; after all, the basis of the AA 12 Step Creed is "God and Man working together". The development of the AA program is one more instance of our church's growing community concern and involvement. AA is celebrating their 45th anniversary in 1987 with Bill Gross taking place as "honorary" guest member.

At the time of the church's unsettled conditions in 1930, many bequests were withheld until the giver's were sure that the church would survive. Others withheld their gifts until the Pastor under fire would leave. In 1944 Rev. Gross was visiting a patient, Frank Reynolds, at Painesville Hospital. He was the brother of Delia Reynolds. She had requested that upon her death a sizable gift should be made to the church when needed. Since he had never complied with his sister's request, he discussed the progress and financial condition of the church with Rev. Gross, wondering if this would be the time to honor the request. Frank Reynolds was a shrewd farmer, above wasting money, having a home and farm on the present Reynolds Road area (Rt. 306). Rev. Gross convinced him that this would be an ideal time, and after bartering back and forth, a sum was agreed upon of $7500 for the church and its ministry. After Frank Reynolds was discharged from the hospital, on May 13, 1944 he paid the Cleveland Trust Company (now called Ameritrust) the sum of $5000, paying in full the mortgage held by them for the Presbyterian Church Board of National Missions, making the church once more debt free. A letter pertaining to this transaction is found in the Trustees book of 1942 1953. In 1945 Rev. Gross was named moderator of Cleveland Presbytery, at that time, the youngest minister to hold that post.

After World War II in 1946 each church was asked to support the effort at rebuilding Europe. Our share was $2693 to be paid over 30 months. It was gladly given, although the church had been saving for a new carpet in the sanctuary. The price being the same, the Christian duty to others came first. The congregation floated a "magic carpet" to Europe and walked very carefully around the holes in the existing carpet.

In 1947, the church continued its revitalization program through the formation of a Mr. and Mrs. Club whose primary interest was to ensure the success of the Church School in whatever way was needed. Also in that year the Board of Deacons was established by amending our church by laws to provide for this specialized ministry of caring. Beginning in 1948, the newly elected Deacons were ordained and installed with the other officers of the church. The need for a concerted building fund had been discussed at length and the officers agreed to bring the issue before the congregation.

In July 1948, each member of the church was sent an itemized leaflet showing just what was needed and its corresponding cost. This enabled the potential donor to determine what his or her share would be for the goal to be reached as planned. In the summer of the next year, James Savage was hired as our organist. He and his wife, Louise, a talented soprano, have remained a strong force in the music life of our church. For almost forty years, we have been graced with the wonderful talent and spirit of these two community leaders, and we are indeed blessed for their association with us, their commitment to great church music, and their dedication towards the church they love. Jim and Louise are well known in the Willoughby community for their energy and imagination in establishing the School of Fine Arts.

The Fine Arts Association had its beginnings in the Savage home on Spaulding Street where the couple gave music lessons through the Cleveland Institute of Music. The number of pupils soon outgrew the house because the value to the public was soon noted. Trustees and a new home followed leading to the present Fine Arts building as we know it today, located on the Andrews School grounds.

In January 1950 at a annual meeting of the church, a resolution was presented and passed by the members to increase the number of Deacons from 6 to 15, five of whom were to be women, to be elected by the usual Presbyterian rotation system. The Trustees at this time were authorized to borrow up to $30,000 to complete the building program of repairing, improving, and equipping the new addition. A partial basement had been excavated to provide additional classrooms and a large fellowship hall called the Anchor Room. Here follows a description of the Room:

A large anchor was painted on one wall; the original reddish tiles which were found in the construction project apparently from the first church were placed in intervals around the walls. Each tile had a unique design with religious symbols, measuring about one foot square.

The Tenth Anniversary of Rev. Gross's ministry in Willoughby was celebrated with the dedication of the Anchor Room on April 23, 1951. An editorial in the local newspaper (The News Herald) expressed the feelings of the congregation when it said "the Presbyterians never stopped being grateful for the divine guidance that brought them a dedicated, energetic, and capable minister to their troubled church". The festivities included a tea and a skit of eleven scenes unfolding the ministry of Bill and Elizabeth over the first ten years. The skit was entitled "Our Green Pastor or Look What Happened". All the local ministers joined in the event. Rev. Gross was praised and hope was expressed that his first ten years was only the beginning of a long career in service to the church and the community.

The need for a full time secretary became apparent in 1952 as the church volunteer arrangement no longer could handle the office load. The Session hired Fregis Landman to be the church and financial secretary, a position she managed with efficiency until Florida beckoned her 14 years later. After her departure from Willoughby, the church hired Margaret Morfoot, our current secretary, who has remained in that position for over twenty years.

On September 30, 1952 a community service of nationwide celebration was held at the Methodist Church in Willoughby for the presentation of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible which thirty two renowned biblical scholars had researched for fifteen years under the authorization of forty denominations. The service was very impressive. Rev. Gross was one of five honored that day who received a large white leather bound edition of the newly revised Bible. Unfortunately that Bible disappeared before he could fully appreciate the honor (Bill said he had it for about three weeks at best).

The number of Elders was increased in 1953 from six to nine; that year also brought the dedication of a new Allen Electric Church Organ purchased with pledges and bequests. The dedication featured an organ recital by Henry Markworth, a skilled musician of his time.

Many indications of growth occurred in 1954 during Rev. Gross's fourteenth year of ministry in Willoughby. The following represent the major ones:

(1) two Sunday morning services were initiated to accommodate the membership of 359 Presbyterian Christians.

(2) a committee was appointed to study expansion of the church.

(3) memorial funds were given to start a library.

(4) The Men's Group was given its charter on January 20, 1955 and the group flourished until 1970.

(5) the Women's Society became UPW, the United Presbyterian Women, following national action at Purdue uniting Presbyterian women throughout the world under one umbrella (the official birthdate was June 25, 1954).

The reader can easily understand why those observing our church called it a growing and vital community of faith.

Several remarkable events took place in 1955. In March of that year Rev. Gross was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Waynesburg College of Pennsylvania. Bill's spouse, Elizabeth, having been educated and trained as a social worker, became the first school social worker to be employed by the Willoughby Eastlake School System and continued in that role for 25 years. While she was busy raising their two sons, Karl and Glen, she had taken an active interest in home service of the Red Cross, serving on a part time basis as Supervisor of the program. In addition to that effort, she was active in the League of Women Voters, and through that organiztion helped to establish the Lake County Mental Health Center and Association. She maintained ongoing work in the church and Women's association.

Christmas 1955 was a special time in the life of our church. For the first time creche figures were made and painted by the Westminster Class, high school boys and girls of the church. This continued until the creche molds burned in the fire which destroyed the church in 1961. The creche tradition was revived in 1970 and continues to this day to bring joy during Advent to children of our Church School. On that same Christmas Eve Dr. Gross, appearing on a national TV program, won a Dodge for life, a wonderful gift for a deserving person. To date Dr. Gross has received over 30 new automobiles to drive for a year at a time at no cost other than filling up the tank occasionally.

In 1956 the congregation approved the purchase of six acres of property on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Chandler Road (now Shankland Road) from Misses Florence and Grace Page. This parcel is part of the original grant from the Connecticut Land Company of the Western Reserve Territory. This had been the Page home since 1867. Our current communion table is a carpenter's bench found in the barn on the Page property. It was made by Issac Page in 1830 who was the grandfather of the two women. Issac had relocated from Connecticut in the early 1800's, a real pioneer in the new territory. The communion table, known as a Joseph's Bench, is a symbol of "hard work and faith in Christian beliefs". The two women were relieved to know that their property would be used for a church.

The Presbyterians have always shown an intense interest in improving public welfare. Thus in the early 1920's a Presbyterian church in the Woodland Avenue neighborhood of Cleveland gave their church to form the Woodland Community Center. When the neighborhood began to deteriorate, the building was sold with the proceeds used to buy a similar building in 1958 in the Kinsman Road and 79th Street vicinity, an area being revitalized by the city of Cleveland, which was called the Garden Valley Housing Development. The new name of this community center was The Garden Valley Community Center. Our church has demonstrated since then a strong commitment to that center in providing resources for the people of that district.

The Heifer project was started that year to encourage improvement in agriculture in the Third World. All church groups raised money for farm animals. On June 20, 1957, the children of the Daily Vacation Bible School had the pleasure of choosing a lamb to send to Ecuador with the money that they had raised.

On May 28, 1958, at Pittsburgh Pa., the first act of unification in Presbyterianism occurred when the Presbyterian Church of North America and the Presbyterian Church in the United States participated in an impressive ceremony celebrating the union.

In the fall of 1958 , a building fund was launched; plans were drawn up and approved. The membership at this time was 572 with 232 families involved in the church. A committee was formed to establish a library for which a memorial gift had been received in 1954 in memory of a member who had met an untimely death. Also two events of significance for our women took place; the first publication of the Women's National journal, Concern , and the installation the next year of our Women's Association officers.

Willoughby at last was going to have a hospital of its own, and with Dr. Gross as chairman of the Hospital Board of Trustees, this dream became a reality in May 1961. Many in our congregation worked as volunteers and employees at the new hospital including this church historian. Once again during these rebuilding years in our church's history, we find clear evidence of a church which wants to serve others and in so doing to glorify God.

On Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961, because of a major fire which started in the Rose Room, the sanctuary and classrooms were damaged beyond repair including the furnishings, the communion service, the creche molds, and many other irreplaceable objects. Fortunately the church records were saved. The congregation voted to go ahead with the building plans and gave approval to borrow $149,000 to provide a portion of the funds needed. All the building fund pledges had been paid by the date of the fire. Until the present church was completed, two services each Sunday were held at South High School on Shankland Road. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 4, 1961 with 300 people attending. A shovel that was used to break the ground for the Southern Baptist Church was offered to Dr. Gross for him to use in the groundbreaking. All the children were invited to bring shovels and help. Grace Page who had owned the property was thrilled with the occasion. The fire damaged church was offered for sale and was bought by the Willoughby Eastlake Board of Education in May 1962.

Our present church was built in an "L" shape design of Western Reserve architecture with one wing a Church School, and the main body to be an all purpose sanctuary. Plans were incorporated that when the time came for expansion, a sanctuary was to be built facing Shankland Road with a corresponding wing to be added for a community room at right angles to the Church School wing .

On Pentecost Sunday, June 10, 1962, the church was dedicated with a morning and afternoon service. A presentation of the key and a litany of dedication were given by Dr. James Grazier, Presbytery Executive. The litany was the same one as the one used in 1927 when the Church School building was dedicated. Louise Savage sang, "Bless This House" and Dr. Gross preached a sermon entitled, "The Continuing Church". New members were received followed by communion and the singing of "I Love Thy Kingdom", a hymn which had been sung at the dedication of the church in 1886. The afternoon service with an emphasis on music was called "Evensong". Dr. Gross preached on "The Church Future". The choir sang an anthem which had been used at the 1886 dedication. The day, to be long remembered and cherished, ended with refreshments served by the Deacons.

A Presbyterian new Church development, St. Paul's, was established in Mentor during 1962. Dr. Gross and many of the Church officers of our Church gave a great deal of time and help to this process. Some of our members who resided in Mentor transferred their membership to the new Church.

Parish life was enriched during the summer of 1966 through the exchange of pulpits between Dr. Gross and Rev. Thomas Helms of Tunbridge Wells, England. Rev. and Mrs. Helms lived in our pastor's home and served here while Dr. and Mrs. Gross lived in their home and served their congregation during the summer. It was a most enjoyable and expanding experience for both families and Church members on both sides of the Atlantic.

A new secretary came to the Church in 1966 with Fregis Landsman's retirement. Margaret Morfoot was hired by the Session to function both as Church and financial secretary. She has brought great devotion and concern to her job and over the years has helped in the development of our Church. Her duties expanded when she was appointed by the Trustees to be Church treasurer.

A plan which had been long hoped for finally in 1967 became a reality when through cooperative efforts with other Churches, the Northeast Christian Education Council was established. Rev. Ray Brugler was called by the Council and the Presbytery to be the Christian Education Consultant and he remained for seven years in that ministry, serving Churches who belonged to the Council. After that position terminated, the leadership of our Christian Education program became filled by qualified lay persons who gave of themselves unceasingly and helped in our Church growth. Such creative programs as Worship in the Woods, youth groups, and dramatic presentations during worship highlighted this era of our Church in educational ministry.

The Ritual of Friendship was started in 1970 with a two fold purpose: first, to ensure that strangers could more easily by recognized when their name appeared as "first time visitors" and second, to help in our pastoral ministry by aiding those in worship who had a particular need or request for the minister to visit or to be included as "new member prospects". This organized effort has proven its value over the years in enhancing communications throughout the life of our Church.

On the Sunday after Easter in 1972, the Festival of Banners was celebrated. Dr. Gross opened the festival with an historical sermon on the early creed of the Church. Banners were presented which had been hand sewn by the Women's Association, each banner depicting a particular statement of faith found in the Book of Confessions of our Presbyterian heritage. This Church service was a wonderful lesson in the importance of knowing our theological roots and celebrating the vitality of the Christian faith. These banners today remain in our sanctuary as proud symbols of our Presbyterian traditions and our Church's commitment through hard work to reflect the spirit of our Presbyterian ancestors.

On May 7, 1972 Dr. Gross was elected Moderator of the Synod of Ohio to serve until the merger of three synods, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, would create the new Synod of the Covenant. Dr. Gross had worked on the planning committee to form the new Regional Synod, and on October 12, 1972, this became a reality. Another change in Church boundaries occurred with the formation of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve in January 1973 out of the former Cleveland Presbytery, adding Ashtabula area Churches and subtracting the Churches in the Akron area which formed the Presbytery of Eastminster.

The 35th anniversary of the ordination of Dr. Gross was held on December 3, 1975 with a special morning service which depicted the various ministries involving the Church. A public reception was held in the afternoon and a scholarship in the name of Dr. Gross was given to the Presbytery to be used for a seminary student's education.

After General Assembly in 1975, it became possible for young people, heretofore ignored by a majority of Churches as potential Church officers, to be ordained as Elders. In fact, congregations were encouraged to promote a program of electing youthful Elders from ages 15 to 22. Accordingly the Church changed its by laws in 1977 to include "Youth Elders". These young adults were elected to serve for one year terms and eligible for election for two more terms. Over the last ten years, our Church as been graced with fine youthful leaders who were given the full opportunity to serve as ordained Elders and Deacons.

The dedication of a Wicks Pipe Organ with five ranks of pipes occurred on October 7, 1979, an impressive instrument made possible through pledges, bequests, and memorial funds. An organ recital was given by the three organists who had served the Church since 1949, Jim Savage, Judy Orick, and Jerry Bradshaw. Two additional ranks were added to the walls on either side of the organ chamber in 1984, again with funds coming from those three sources. Another gift through congregational contributions was our new sanctuary piano, a Schiller baby grand piano in 1986.

Other major memorial gifts which the Church has enjoyed and used to the glory of God are the Baptismal Font, still in use after more than 100 years, the Chimes we hear each sunday which have just been refurbished to interface with our new Memorial Carillonic Bell System to be dedicated at the end of 1987, and the English Whitechapel handbells used by our Chancel Bell Choir. The Memorial Book in the entrance to the sanctuary was started in 1945 and contains the names of thoughtful, caring people who have given memorials for specific concerns of the Church.

A Chrismon tree was dedicated during the Advent Season of 1979. "Chrismon" is an abbreviation of "Christ's Monograms". Each of the Chrismons is a symbol of the early Christian Church, gold and silver beaded designs, made by the women of the congregation on a background of an evergreen tree. The Chrismon tree thus creates a spectacular, reverent, perception of the true meaning of the Christmas Season. This custom, which has continued for a decade, is now a tradition to be anticipated at Advent.

Dr. Gross, during his ministry from 1940 to 1981, had been a commissioner to General Assembly three times, and the moderator of the Presbytery as well as moderator of the Synod of Ohio. In 1980, once again the Presbytery bestowed upon him the honor of being elected moderator. Bill dismisses the rare honor of being elected twice to serve as moderator of a Presbytery, saying he was the only person young enough. After 41 years, on December 31, 1981, Dr. Gross retired as minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Willoughby and through action of the congregation and the Presbytery, he was named Pastor Emeritus. In his forty one years of noble and inspiring service to the Church, Dr. Gross was very active in the community, serving on the Boards of Community Fund, Red Cross, Child Welfare, Library, Hospital, Breckenridge Village, a recent development of Ohio Presbyterian Homes, now called Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, and the Committee for the Sewage Disposal Plant of the Willoughby Eastlake district. After a hiatus of about two years, during which time Bill served as Interim Minister in a Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Virginia, he and Elizabeth have returned as an active worshipping couple to our Church. Following Dr. Gross's retirement, The Rev. Clair Brewer served admirably as Interim Minister until March 1, 1983, while an intensive search was conducted for a new minister.

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