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REPRESENTATIVE PROFILES
These profiles were extracted from various issues of the "Prophets' Wife" a creation of Mrs. Frances Linsley who was much too self-effacing to write one of herself.
DR. THOMAS BROWNE
Dr. Browne came originally from Texas to take graduate work in bio-chemistry until military service caught up with him. Following his tour of duty, he decided upon medicine, and graduated from Meharry Medical School in Nashville. He did his interning and pediatric work at Highland Hospital. He currently serves as one of the doctors at the Berkeley Public Health Well Baby Clinic which meets weekly in our building.
Dr. and Mrs. Browne chose South Berkeley early in its history because it came closest to being the kind of Church they wished to be a part of. Both are much interested in the current drive to wipe out the mortgage once and for all, and are giving the effort much time and enthusiasm.
In his "spare" time, Dr. Browne serves on the Berkeley Recreation Commission, and prefers reading and bridge for relaxing pastimes.
We are indeed fortunate to have both of the Brownes working so diligently with us and for us. May they always be a part of SBCCC!
MR. HENRY CLARK, SR.
Mr. Clark was born in Mississippi. He began to come west in 1918 and found that his health was so much better here that he and his family made it home. Their second "home away from home" was always a Congregational Church, but it was a little difficult to find a convenient one. Mr. Clark, and his late beloved wife, Mrs. Laura Clark, were instrumental in beginning the initial steps which led to the founding of SBCCC as it is today. Their two children grew up in the fellowship and are still part of it although they have homes of their own--Marguerite in Los Angeles and "Hank" in San Mateo.
Mr. Clark Sr. is an active and avid folk dancer, an excellent hobby in which he shows great skill. For his "bread and butter" he is in charge of the red caps at the S.P. 16th St. Station, and is also keeping up his broker's licence.
His other main interest is the Church, of which he says simply, but most sincerely, "It means everything to me". Oh for 50 or so new members like Mr. Clark!
MISS HOPE GLADDING
Miss Gladding, our globe-trotting member, was born in New Haven, Conn., but grew up in Barrington, R.I., with the firm intention of becoming a painter. She studied 5 years at Rhode Island School of Design and 3 years at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and won a scholarship which sent her to Europe for study. When World War I broke out, she returned home and became involved in a number of activities. She did occupational therapy in a mental hospital, illustrating and teaching. She received a call to come to California and has been here ever since, "retiring" a year or so ago as Professor of Decorative Arts at U.C.
Hope Gladding has been an exemplary member and friend to SBCC (although she would probably "hoot" at the thought), and we could want nothing better than to have any number just like her--full of youthful enthusiasm and unquenchable optimism. We will miss her this summer, but wish her the happiest of trips.
MR. ISAAC WILLIAM JONES, JR.
Mr. Jones, though not a Charter member, has had direct ties with South Berkeley Community Church from the beginning. Both his father and mother were among the pioneers in the movement to establish the church. As soon as Isaac Jr. was discharged from the Navy he became affiliated with the church and since 1946 has been a loyal and active member. For several years he has been a member of the Trustee Board and prior to this responsibility was chairman of the Welfare Board.
MR. JEFFERSON C. NASH
Mr. Nash, the hard working articulate, efficient chairman of the Twentieth Anniversary Committee has been a member of South Berkeley Community Church only a few years, but he has made himself an integral part of the church's operation.
Mr. Nash is a teacher at Berkeley High School and a member of various professional educational and scientific organizations. In 1965 he will be director of the Berkeley Science Fair. He and his lovely wife, June, along with their children an valuable assets to the South Berkeley Church.
MRS. IDA PRESCOTT
Mrs. Prescott is a Charter Member and devoted worker for the Church. A native of Louisiana, she studied teaching and home economics at Straight University (Which later became incorporated into Dillard). When she married, she moved to Houston, Texas, and there she took courses in Religious Education which she thoroughly enjoyed. After moving to the Bay Area, she worked as a housemother for Delta Sigma Theta.
Always a Congregationalist, Mrs. Prescott was most pleased to hear in 1943 that a church of that denomination was being organized in South Berkeley. From the beginning, she was an active part of it. "It is my main interest," she says, and demonstrates this by serving on the Welfare Board and being a ticket-seller extraordinary for every function.
Her outside interests include the NAACP, her sorority and watching sports. She admits to being an enthusiastic Dodger fan.
Mrs. Prescott's good common sense, devotion to duty and forthright honesty serve us well at SBCC. Our thanks for all her good works.
MR. WEILAN POTTS
Mr. Potts is a native of Arkansas. We feel fortunate that he made his way to us at SBCC. Between Arkansas and California, however, he pursued studies at Howard University and Lincoln University, where he majored in chemistry and psychology. He is now an Employment Security Officer at the California Department of Employment.
Both Weilan and his wife Lillian attended SBCC as visitors for a number of years before becoming members in 1952. Our Church appealed to them as one not rigidly bound by creed and dogma, as well as being a congregation which held the ideal of integration as the only possible Christian practice years before most other churches.
Mr. Potts' outside interest include music and reading and both Potts'es are particularly fond of outdoor life, spending many vacations camping, hunting and fishing.
We are pleased indeed to count them among our active and faithful members.
DR JAMES RICHARDSON
Dr. Richardson was born in Philadelphia, and schooled in Georgia. Dr. Richardson attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, and from there went to Meharry Medical School in Tennessee. He interned at S. Margaret's, and has been for two years a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps. He is on terminal leave now, serving as a Resident at Highland Hospital and in the veterans' hospitals on a rotating basis. He is grateful to the Navy for bringing him to California, which he is "sold on", and to a friend for bringing him to SBCCC. He and his lovely wife, Carry had been "shopping around" for a church home, and were immediately impressed with the intellectual content of our service and the congeniality of our fellowship. We too are grateful to the Navy and the anonymous friend, for Dr. and Mrs. Richardson are wonderful examples of the sort of dedicated and enlightened families that we would like to see swell our membership.
MR. ANTHONY W. WALKER
Mr. Walker has been performing the Job as Treasurer for our Church for at least 10 years. As the Entire Executive Board of his own business, The Elite Bookkeeping Service, he is well qualified.
There is an interesting story about the Walkers coming to SBCC. Originally from Oaklahoma, Mr. Walker came to the Bay Area by way of Chicago, At tbat time he felt disillusioned about churches in general. As he and his wife passed SBCC one Sunday, they were attracted first by the "quaint" architecture and upon entering, by the spirit and program that was taking place. They returned the following Sunday and have been here ever since--to our good fortune.
Outside interests of Mr. Walker include enthusiasm and hard work for the Rosicrusian Order (Bldg. Fund Chairman at present), and gardening. One of these days when he can find the time, he plans to have one of the loveliest gardens in town.