Stanley Crosland was born on July 1, 1898 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Stanley B. and Jennie Crosland. From the time he was in fourth grade he knew he wanted to be a minister. He attended church three times a day each Sunday – a morning service, church school from two until four in the afternoon and an evening service. While in high school he was given authority to preach. Before entering college, he was permitted full pastoral duties in any Methodist Church.

While still an undergraduate at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he ministered to church on weekends. In Broadway, New Jersey, he found that a preacher’s work included that of coroner, the upkeep of the cemetery and duties connected with the summer fair! Upon receiving his divinity degree at Drew Theological Seminary, he attended Yale graduate school, earning an MA degree. During this time, he continued to supply pulpits and in May, 1926, he was ordained.

He married English-born Frances Bryan in Waterbury, Connecticut. They had a son, Stanley III. Mr. Crosland’s first church was the Broadview Community Church, Hartford, Connecticut. In 1931 he was called to the Rodger’s Park Congregational Church in Chicago where he served for 15 years. During World War II he served in the US Army and later was commissioned a captain-chaplain of the 169th Infantry of the National Guard of Connecticut.

He became the minister at First Congregational Church, where he served for 28 years before retiring in 1979. During his pastorate the congregation more than tripled in number. He was a biblical scholar, teacher, philosopher and author, who with modesty said he would like most to be remembered as a cheerleader, as one who inspired people to work with enthusiasm, to carry on despite setbacks, pain and suffering. It was people who mattered most to him.

His deep concern for each individual and his belief that only as the minds and hearts of men are changed will the world be changed, was basic to his philosophy. “It’s not what happens TO you that matters as much as what happens WITHIN you,” he told his listeners over and over again. Affectionately known as “Uncle Stan,” he delighted in working with young people.

His devotion to the religious education of youth included the promotion of a two-week city-wide Vacation Bible School. Reverend Crosland was ever on the lookout for the teaching profession, encouraging the formation of a women’s evening group which brought in large numbers of teachers in the community. When he learned that there was no recognition of the Jewish holiday for teachers, he persuaded the school board to provide this.

He was very active in the Masonic Fraternity for 60 years, a member of both the York and Scottish Rites, as well as the Shrine. He was Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Wisconsin and Grand Chaplain of the General Grand Council International.

Throughout his ministry, Reverend Crosland was firm in his stand for a locally autonomous church. He staunchly opposed the merger of Congregational churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Church into the United Church of Christ; he felt this would erode their local freedom. The thinking was not shared by all members of the congregation and some left the church. Since that time many of the Congregational churches who did merge to become the United Church of Christ have now left and come back to their heritage of congregationalism.

To Mr. Crosland goes much of the credit for keeping the First Congregational Church of Beloit true to its heritage as a free and locally autonomous church.

Mr. Crosland was the author of a little volume, Let Your Light Shine, a collection of his pulpit talks. It never reached the best seller list, but to members of his church and others lucky enough to get a copy, it contains valuable capsules of spiritual vitamins.

Stanley Crosland—minister, scholar, friend and cheerleader—never knew of the great influence he had on the lives of so many people. He died in 1982 at the age of 83 at Cedar Crest Retirement Home in Janesville. Mrs. Crosland died several months later there also.