Rev. Calthrop, our third minister, was born in Swineshead Abbey, Lincolnshire, England, in 1829. He was educated at St. Paul’s School in London and at Trinity College in Cambridge. He moved to the U.S. in 1853. He became minister of the Universalist Church in Southold (Long Island), New York, for three months. He next ran a school for boys in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for six years. He was ordained as a Unitarian minister in 1860.

First he was a minister at Unitarian churches in Marblehead and Newbury­port, Massachusetts. He moved to Syracuse and became minister of the Church of the Messiah in 1868 and then May Memorial after its construction in 1885. He became Pastor Emeritus in 1911. He received the L.H.D. from Syracuse University in June, 1900.

He was an individual with many interests who contributed much to May Memorial and the Syracuse community. Click here to learn more about this renaissance man and here to see one of his earliest photos when he was the 1880 New York State chess champion. He died in Syracuse in 1917. Read some very interesting material about Sam’s boyhood years written by his daughter, Edith Calthrop Bump, in 1939. Finally, read this very delightful article written by a man who remembers Rev. Calthrop as a very important mentor, person, and colleague: Recollections of the Old Master: Rev. Samuel Robert Calthrop.

Developed by Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society

On Sunday, February 19, there will be another History display in the Social Hall after the church service. Plan to see it. In addition to some more historical artifacts and another annual scrapbook from many years ago, come see a picture of the most handsome minister we ever had, Rev. Albert Willard Clark, associate pastor of May Memorial, 1902-1904. Look, too, for a special display on Rev. Dr. Samuel Robert Calthrop, our minister from 1868 to 1911. Outstanding preacher, scientist, poet, and athlete, he made a huge mark in Syracuse. Don’t miss it! A brief display on our former church locations and buildings will be included. Also on display will be a copy of The Children’s Bible, signed by our sixth minister, Rev. Robert Romig, and former RE Director, Dr. Elizabeth Manwell. These bibles were given to all children in the 1940s. It was recently donated by a former member.

Remember, too, the temporary web page that provides photos, information, and links to sermons for all past settled parish ministers, Rev. Elizabeth Padgham (MMUUS’ favorite daughter), and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Strong, our Minister of Religious Education from 1988 to 2001 and our first settled woman minister. You can see it at the following URL: http://history.mmuus.org/.  Finally, look for a handout describing the various ways you can volunteer to be part of preserving our history.

Rog Hiemstra, Archivist

Written February 2, 2006

1. Material related to helping people take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
2. Material about the Hiemstra genealogical line.
3. Material about Rev. Samuel May, the second minister of May Memorial Unitarian Church.
4. Material about May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, Syracuse, NY.

Your thoughts, additions, corrections, and any other feedback will be welcome.

Rog Hiemstra

Take Responsibility for Personal Learning
For decades the educational system in the United States has produced people who have few lifelong learning skills. It then becomes necessary for adult educators, higher educators, and professional trainers to provide learning experiences, training, and support as people attempt to cope with the rapidity of constant change that surrounds them. Unfortunately, many do not adjust to such change well resulting in an inability to cope with societal stresses, compete for evolving jobs, and succeed in a rapidly developing world. This section of the blog is devoted to helping people become more self-directed as individuals and take increasing responsibility for their own learning. Here is a web page devoted to this topic.

The Hiemstra Line
Our “Hiemstra” name began on December 27, 1811, when Sjouioke Hoekes declared to Oostermeer officials in the Province of Friesland that he was officially taking the name of Heemstra when occupier Napolean required all people to take an official surname. The name was soon changed to Hiemstra as there were already several Hiemstra families (probably not related) living there. There is an important connection between the United States and this part of The Netherlands. John Adams, when he was the first official Minister to that country, worked out our first official relationship there through the Province of Friesland in 1782.Go here for more information.

Rev. Samuel Joseph May
Rev. May was born in Boston in 1797. He graduated from Harvard in 1817 and taught school while attending Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1820. He was ordained in 1822 at Boston’s King’s Chapel. He became minister of the Unitarian Church, Brooklyn, Connecticut, in 1822. Next he was Minister of the Unitarian Church, South Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1836. He became Principal of the Female Normal School, Lexington, MA, in 1842. He moved to Syracuse and became minister of the Unitarian church there in 1845 (see http://www.mmuus.org/who-we-are/history/sjmay.html). He retired in 1868 and died in Syracuse in 1871. He was one of the country’s leading abolitionists, an early supporter of women’s rights, and a champion of education. Go here to read a biography.Here is a wonderful thesis about his impact on education:Saint Before His Time: Samuel J. May and American Educational Reform

MMUUS
See the church web page for considerable information. For example, here is a wonderful book authored by a former member, Dorothy Ashley, entitled Some Portrait Adventures. Not only does it describe her approach to painting her wonderful portraits, it also includes many of them.