The closing years of the 20th century saw many of Cranston’s churches forced to make a number of difficult decisions in order to continue their ministries. Due to a decline in membership, it became difficult for many denominations to get and support a full-time pastor. By 1985 this problem was seen in Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ. To meet this challenge, Rev. Bary Fleet came to serve as an interim pastor until Rev. Kenneth A. Ferguson could come to assume the duties in 1986. Fred Clark, in his informative and interesting history of the church, tells us that to meet rising costs the church engaged in a number of potluck suppers, bazaars, picnics, Dinners for Eight, steak fries and coffee hours. This, he says, prompted Rev. Ferguson to proposed changing the name of the church from Woodridge to “Foodridge.” Very often, humor and a sense of cooperation enables the church to continue its outreach ministries with increasing success as the century ended.

Much of the 21st century has seen Rev. Sharon Key leading the way in spiritual growth and community service. Now, the church is being guided by Rev. Charles Simonson, who is serving as the interim pastor. Rev. Simonson says his “job is to prepare the church for a new ministry.” His view is that the interim pastor allows the congregation to have time to select the proper candidate and to “give the new minister a fresh start.”

Rev. Simonson has been a pastor for over 42 years and brings with him a great deal of experience in a number of areas. He has seen his own life emerge from being an atheist and an agnostic in his youth to becoming a believer and eventually a minister with a strong sense of faith. Much of the change came to him when he attended the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. This was during a period of great unrest in the United States and a confusion of values and goals both spiritually and socially. There was a strong church opposition to the war in Vietnam and of church participation in the Civil Rights movement. Pastor Simonson notes that the teachers at the seminary were well-attuned to the times and not locked in the past. This greatly impressed him and brought him to a new understanding.

While doing field work in his seminary years he found many wise clergymen. These people gave him a great deal of encouragement to continue his studies and become a minister. Like many other young men at the time, he studied a number of different denominations with an open mind. He especially admired the Congregationalists for their local autonomy. The concept that each congregation could decide for itself on social issues had a tremendous appeal. While the United Church of Christ might pass a resolution regarding any of the controversial aspects of the 21st century, it could only try to persuade the local congregation to agree but could never force the issue or demand adherence to it.

Today, the church not only recognizes the right of all people regardless of race, color, ethnic background or sexual preference to attend their services, it also allows groups of different religious views to use their beautiful facilities. Recently, they have opened their doors to the Evangelical Church Mission, which is not a member of the United Church of Christ, to hold services in their building. This independent denomination meets at 546 Budlong Road twice a week. The Life Center International Church of the Holy Spirit also meets at Woodridge Church on Friday and Saturday nights.

There is always a great deal of activity at Woodridge, with many committees meeting here to carry on church business and to develop new programs. The tradition of excellent church music prevails with an adult choir, Pilgrim folk singers and the hand chime choir meeting here weekly. Monthly meetings of the Women’s Guild come to specialize, plan events and participate in community projects. In addition, for many years now, Girl Scouts of America, Wonderland Early Learning Center, Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups have met here.

Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ continues to serve through worship, service, fellowship and education in the 21st century as it has since its beginning over 60 years ago.