Plymouth Magazine-Fall26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 23
and the Corinthian chorus frequently
performed at Plymouth. In 1941,
Plymouth hosted “Race Relations Sunday,”
a program to improve relationships in
the community. Lane also championed
tolerance for Japanese-Americans during
World War II, which grew from his
unwavering dedication to pacifism.
The Rev. Lane’s wife, Estella Hitchcock
Lane, who was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke
College in Massachusetts, was director of
Plymouth Church School from 1920 to
1939. She was the author of two books
of children’s stories, “Come True Land
Stories” and “The Giant Who Liked
Chocolate Cake.” Rev. Lane used her
stories for children’s sermons in his services
at Plymouth. After leaving Plymouth,
Estella Lane was named dean of women
at Connecticut’s Hartford Seminary in
1955 and dean of students in 1959.
Plymouth members were devastated
when their beloved pastor died in
May 1943 after a four-month illness.
Two stained glass windows on the east
nave were dedicated to his memory.
Motifs such as a sailboat and an anchor
represent his love of sailing. The Lanes
spent summers sailing in Maine. A Star
of David, a dove, and crown with a cross
mark his pacificism and efforts to build
interfaith relationships.
In 1952, Stoddard Lane Chapel was built
in his honor. The 82-seat chapel was lost
as part of the 2003 expansion, but its
simple, painted-white furniture and other
architectural detailing were preserved and
used in the Common Grounds space and
other areas of the church.
Following the Rev. Stoddard Lane’s death in 1943,
two stained glass windows on the east nave were
dedicated to his memory. A sailboat and an anchor
represent his love of sailing. The Lanes often spent
their summers sailing in Maine. A Star of David, a
dove, and crown with a cross mark his pacifism
and efforts to build interfaith relationships
Plymouth Magazine 23
