History of the Parish from 1955 to the Present

1959 - 1967

The Rev. Frederick B. Wolf was called to be Rector of St. Peter’s. Father Wolf served until 1967 when he was called to be Bishop of Maine. This was a period of national resurgence in church attendance, and St. Peter’s was alive with activity. There were three services each Sunday, multiple educational offerings, two choirs – adult and children – a full staff, including a full-time associate rector, a director of Christian Education, a secretary, sexton, and a part-time organist-choir director. The congregation was a generation younger than it is now, with a larger middle-age group.

1967 - 1972

The Reverend Edward Geyer, a black priest from an inner-city ministry, was called to succeed Father Wolf. The Parish called the priest best qualified and suited to the parish without regard to race. Father Geyer is remembered as highly intelligent and very able in his ministry. This was an era of unsettled conditions in our country: the Vietnam War, Watergate, the Women’s Movement, the “ME” generation, general distrust of authority, and other issues. Add to those concerns, the proposals for revision of the 1928 Prayer Book, and the stage is set for the decline in church attendance and subsequent anxious situations. Father Geyer selected the Rev. Edward Patrick to be associate rector when the previous associate resigned. Father Patrick was warmly received. But despite the good intentions of both men, parish loyalties became divided. Father Geyer resigned to accept a call elsewhere, and Father Patrick also resigned to ease the friction, thus enabling the parish to search for a priest who could draw the parish together again.

1972-1973

During this period of self study and searching for a new rector, several priests provided pastoral and sacramental care for the parish. The Rev. Larry Sherwin and the Rev. John Morris were two of the supply priests during this time.

1973 – 1992

The Reverend Kenneth W. Costin was called to be Rector in 1973. Father Costin served 18 years, to the age of mandatory retirement. Father Costin came to St. Peter’s in mid-life, of an age with many in the congregation. He has been characterized as a healing person in a time that called for healing, as a person who could help others to reconcile in a time for reconciliation. During Father Costin’s tenure, many of the responsibilities of the parish were undertaken. Church buildings and equipment were put in good repair – insulation added, stonework repointed, roofing renewed, the pipe organ rebuilt, an accessible entrance ramp built, a new sound system installed.
The smaller rectory, which had not been used as a rectory since Father Patrick’s leaving, was sold, and later the brick rectory was sold and a housing allowance provided so that the rector could benefit from investment in a house of his own. The Parish became very comfortable with a strong leader like Father Costin. However, the parish became rather unresponsive to the obligations of the laity for participating in educational and stewardship programs and in the well-being of our fellow parishioners. Differing opinions on the new prayer book and the ordination of women could have divided the parish, but Father Costin sensitively handled both issues. St. Peter’s became accustomed to deficit budgets and from time to time the parish has borrowed substantially – but all obligations were met and in 1972 the parish was debt-free. Church attendance fell off, but much less than apparent nationally. There was much faith in the underlying soundness that Father Costin built into the parish.

1991 – 1992

Effective in May 1992, the long-standing leaders of St. Peter’s Youth Group decided to step aside and retire. David and B-Sue Wilkinson served as Youth Group Leaders for 14 years. Under their guidance, youth ministry flourished.

The Vestry appointed a parish self-study and search committee to evaluate parish strengths and weaknesses, to establish goals, and to seek a priest whose ministry would be suited to St. Peter’s perceived needs. The committee recommended that an interim rector be called after Father Costin’s retirement (November 1991) to provide time for an intensive review of the character of the parish, its contemporary needs, and response to a changing world. The Rev. Dr. Driss R. Knickerbocker served as interim rector until August 1992 to prepare the parish for the transition from the much-loved and respected Father Costin to the priest who would succeed him.

1992 – 2003

In October of 1992, the Rev. Arthur Kingdon was called as Rector for St. Peter’s Parish.
Father Kingdon proved to be an able administrator as he helped the parish to remain financially secure. Father Kingdon also provided leadership to the parish in building up the ministry of the laity. He encouraged the formation of a Lay Ministry Team, which continues to be active in supplementing pastoral support. Concerns about Christian Education, ministry to young people, financial security, and the physical plant were all addressed during Father Kingdon’s tenure.

A successful Capital Campaign supported the re-pointing of stonework, re-building of the pipe organ, improvement of access for people with disabilities, and the painting of the nave of the church. Many parishioners were saddened when Father Kingdon announced his plans to retire and move back to Maine. He is remembered for his ability to relate to the children of the parish as well as to the older generation.

2003 - 2005

In October 2003, the Vestry called the Rev. Canon Robert J. Miner as Interim Rector. The Vestry also appointed an 11-member Ministry Discernment Committee to lead the self-study and search process for a new permanent Rector. Father Miner has been extremely well received and has been an excellent catalyst for encouraging parishioners to think and pray about the needs of St. Peter’s. We have appreciated Father Miner’s wise guidance and thorough involvement in the life of the parish.

2005 - Present

In June 2005 the Vestry called The Rev. Anita Schell-Lambert to be the twenty-sixth rector of Saint Peter's Parish. Mother Schell-Lambert began her ministry at St. Peter's on Sunday, August 21. Energy, vitality, refreshment, intensity, and dedication have been evident in Mother Schell-Lambert's involvement in the sacramental life of the parish, in the community of St. Peters, in the wider Bennington community, and in the Diocese of Vermont.

On Sunday, May 7, 2006 the congregation of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Bennington , joined with the Bennington community and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont in the Celebration of a New Season of Ministry within Choral Evensong. With more than 300 in attendance, the Rev. Anita Schell-Lambert was officially welcomed by The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Episcopal Bishop of Vermont and fully empowered and authorized as a priest in the Diocese of Vermont. The Rev. Mary Lee-Clark, Pastor of the Second Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) and Chair of the Bennington Interfaith Council, gave the sermon.