The StolesThese two stoles were once worn by a Lutheran pastor who served a large congregation in a beautiful church built by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Parkchester, the Bronx.
At that time Parkchester, represented an avant garde innovation in urban planning. Built in 1939 on 129 acres it included over 75% of open space for gardens and walkways in one of the most crowded boroughs of New York City.
Parkchester was intended for middle class residents with an unwritten but enforced rule that only Caucasians be allowed to rent in any of the 12,000 apartments.
Rev. Elmer Dressel was determined to integrate his congregation and thus desegregate Parkchester. The area surrounding Parkchester contained every race and nationality even in those days. His board, consisting of Metropolitan executives blocked his efforts at every turn.
I was a young minister in a much smaller parish nearby. Serving my first charge I was grateful for our East Bronx Monday morning clergy meetings where ministers openly shared their challenges as they served in the dynamic and diverse city of New York. The other members of our group including Rev. Dressel had vastly more experience than I who was fresh out of seminary.
Elmer, once again related his frustration with his church council to our group. He then got up from his chair and presented me with his set of clerical stoles.
I was very moved by this generous gesture especially since I could hardly afford to purchase my own stoles. My annual salary in those days was $5,000.
Rev. Dressel did not attend our next Monday morning weekly meeting. He had gone to his summer cottage in New Jersey that week-end and ended his life. He was found by his family hanging from a rafter.
The funeral service in this large sanctuary was filled to overflowing with mourners. Elmer’s two young daughters in their early twenties, stood next to their father’s open coffin. Overcome with grief they screamed in agony the circumstances of his death and physically barred members of the church board from approaching the bier. The emotions were electrifying for us all.
In decades to come I wore Elmer’s stoles in worship services in many parts of the world until they became frayed with time and service.
They appear here now as a symbol of even how life’s great tragedies can go on to serve meaning and hope.
Parkchester today is still a beautiful place to live in the city. Its residents are of every race and nationality.
Rev Ausherman, thanks for this post. I read it first about 2 years ago after searching the internet using Google and using my late Grandpa's name: Rev Elmer Christian Dressel. I just found it again this evening. Both of his daughters that you mention in this post, have now gone to be with their Dad and with our heavenly Father. I am the oldest son of one of those daughters and only wish that I could have met my Grandpa. He passed 2 years before I was born. Thanks again and God bless you.
ReplyDeleteYour Grandpa was a wonderful Pastor. He was the Pastor that baptized me at St. Paul's in 1952. I wish there was a way to contact you. My parents were good friends to your Grandpa and Grandma.
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