It was a time of great stress in our Church. As the American political environment spiraled out of control with threats of the South’s secession, the abolition of slavery, and the activism of organized labor, our congregation, being without a minister for a year and a half, was desperate for a strong religious leader to mediate conflicting congregational passions. On January 1, 1860, Rev. Kimball delivered his first sermon here.

This week, we celebrate the 400 th anniversary of Beverly by honoring John C. Kimball, our eighth minister, who served as our Minister during and just after the Civil War. Rev. Kimball maintained a detailed day-journal of his ten years in Beverly that is now available as a two-volume set entitled “Home Front Civil Wars, the Diaries of John C. Kimball,” edited by William W. and Drusilla B. Vodra- available on Amazon Kindle.

The service also features musical selections by Candy Wainwright, Rich Salandrea, and Mike Salandrea. After the service, William Vodra will lead a “History Talk” about the life and times of John C. Kimball.