Dr. and Mrs. Seeley Celebrate Their Golden Anniversary with Open House

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Frank B. Seeley were honored by the congregation of Fair Street Reformed Church yesterday in celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Open house was held at their home, 96 Maiden Lane from 4 to 6 and 8 to 10 p.m. About 400 friends and associates of Dr. and Mrs. Seeley called to extend their congratulations.

Dr. and Mrs. Seeley (the former Miss Virginia Boice) were married at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Hewitt Boice, 100 Fair street. George Seeley, brother of Dr. Seeley, who was best man at the wedding is the only member of the wedding party still living and was with the family yesterday. The other attendants were Rebecca Bruyn, maid of honor, and ushers: John D. Schoonmaker, Joseph Coen, the Rev. Starr Cadwalader and James Richard. Dr. Seeley’s father, the Rev. Dr. Frank Seeley of Delhi performed the ceremony.

At that time Dr. Seeley was pastor of the Margaretville Presbyterian Church where he served in 1898 when he was called to Fair Street Reformed Church. He was pastor at Fair street until 1943 when he retired and became pastor emeritus of the local church. He was succeeded at Fair Street Church by the Rev. J. Dean Dykstra.

Dr. and Mrs. Seeley were assisted in receiving guests by their immediate family: Mrs. Virginia DeGraff of this city; Mr. and Mrs. George Hendricks of Winchester, Mass., Dr. and Mrs. John W. Esterbrooke, Brandon, Vt., Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Seeley, Rutland, Vt., George Seeley, Taunton, Mass, and great granddaughter, Gail Hendricks, of Winchester, Mass., and also Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Zimmerman, Metcuchen, N.J. Dr. Zimmerman is secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church in American of which Dr. Seeley is president.

The general committee of Miss Annie K. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Ferris Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Osterhoudt, Mr. and Mrs. H.V.W. Darrow also assisted.

Flowers Are Attraction

The home was attractively arranged with many bouquets of flowers, gifts from members of the congregation and friends in the city. Among the organizations who sent flowers to the Seeleys were the A.M.E. Zion Church, Rotary Club, the board of managers, employes and nurses of the Ulster County Tuberculosis Hospital. A great many of the bouquets were arrange with yellow blossoms in keeping with the Golden Anniversary theme.

During the afternoon members of the church who have been closely connected with the pastor presided at the punch table. In the evening members of the present and past consistories and their wives presided. The table’s centerpiece was a 50th anniversary cake. The room was decorated with white and pink flowers.

In the evening many friends from out-of-town visited with Dr. and Mrs. Seeley. The adult choir of the church under the direction of Miss Helen Turner sang several selections.

Each person was asked to sign the guest book of which Mr. and Mrs. Stanley J. Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. R. Frederic Chidsey had charge.

Co-Chairman of the various committees who worked with the members of the congregation were Dr. and Mrs. Harry LeFever, Sr., Mrs. William Newkirk, Mrs. Ernest LeFever, Mrs. Henry Elting, Mrs. William Elting, table; Mr. and Mrs. N. LeVan Haver, music; Mrs. C.E. Burnett, Mrs. J.D. Dykstra, Mrs. R. Frederick Chidsey, decorations.

Members of the family, Dr. and Mrs. Zimmersan and the Rev. and Mrs. J.Dean Dykstra were guests of Miss Annie K. Fuller at a dinner party at the Hieuw Dorp in Hurley. At the dinner party Miss Fuller presented a gift from the congregation.

Published in The Kingston Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY), Wednesday, June 5, 1946, page 5

[Son of SGS # 2414 – Frank Burrows; Franklin Hiram (# 2414); Jonathan (#871); Jonathan; Ephraim; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel; Robert]