Frank Earl Herrick (1875-1967) served the town of Wheaton as police magistrate and judge. In addition, he also became Wheaton's Poet Laureate. His writings totaled 2,000 and covered a wide range of subjects.

His favorites seemed to be many of the town's residents, scores of whom were honored in his heartwarming poetry. One such person was St. Paul's first pastor, Rev. George J Curran who served our congregation from June, 1928 to 1939.

The picture of the young pastor and poem is from Judge Herrick's "A Volume of Verse", published in 1933. We are delighted to place them in our church archives.


Carl Sodergren writes...
This poem gives a portrait of Pastor Curran which highlights his remarkable inner qualities as a photograph cannot do. When I read the poem, I was so happy to see other people like the author of the poem long ago were touched by those special gifts.  I know that Pastor Curran through his many years of service had a wonderful effect on many lives not only mine but many others!
 
I had the pleasure of knowing Pastor Curran during the 1960's when I was an assistant pastor at his church from 1963 to 1968 in Dixon, Illinois. Interestingly enough, the name of the church in Dixon was St. Paul Lutheran Church.  At the time, I was aware that he had been in Wheaton as his first assignment right out of seminary.  I knew generally where he served during his career.  But, of course,  I didn't know that one day I and my wife would be living in Wheaton, attending that church,  both of us very involved in its activities. and Marilyn even on its staff.