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Silverton UCC Pastor finds hidden
controversial book
Cynthia Chertos discovers book on theology beneath the eaves
of the First Congregational parsonage.

Renovation of the First Congregational Church UCC’s parsonage on Silverton’s Reese Street led to a remarkable find, said Pastor Cynthia Chertos.

When Loren Lew of Klinke and Lew Contractors removed some old shingles on the northeast corner of the building, he discovered a book jammed in the eaves.

It was volume three of “The Writings of Armenius,” published by Derby and Miller in Auburn, N.Y., in 1853.

Armenius (1560-1609) was a Dutch theologian. He is best known as the founder of the anti-Calvinistic school in Reformed Protestant theology, and thereby lent his name to a movement which resisted some of the tenets of Calvinism — Arminianism.

The book is in excellent condition, except for a slightly twisted spine.

Chertos said she was fascinated by the find.

“ Armenius argued against the Calvinist theory of predestination,” Chertos said.
“ Some early pastor had this book that was rather controversial. I would just love to know who put it up there and why.”

The parsonage building dates to the 1870s.

Courtesy of Mark Esper, Silverton Standard & the Miner

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