The Reverend Polly L. Guild was the minister at Follen Church from 1976 until her retirement in 1992. She was one of the first female ministers (except for a very few pathbreakers in the 19th century) in the UUA. She was called to serve Follen at a time when our congregation was very small (due to the national divisions common during the Vietnam War). During her tenure, the church grew bigger and stronger.

Polly was a humanist, an international traveler, a life-long learner, a passionate Unitarian, and a true New Englander. She built bridges with other progressive, liberal people of faith all over the entire world. She loved Follen, and she is the person who first started the Cape Cod Weekend tradition that did so much to form lasting friendships. (Prior to Covid-19, a large percentage of the congregation would spend Memorial Day weekend having fun together at a gorgeous children’s camp in Brewster on Cape Cod.)

We honor Polly’s memory, and we remember with love her tremendous contributions to Follen Church.

Here are some lovely stories from parishioners who knew her. We invited folks to share memories in September 2024, which was the 100th anniversary of Polly’s birth.

Robin T. writes:

Before any additions were built to our old church, there were three classrooms for RE in the community center. Really? Yes! Each room was created by big yellow curtains that pulled open and shut on an overhead track. Polly and RE Minister Barbara Marshman bought 100 yards of this bright yellow fabric at Building 19 and then sewed all the curtains themselves.

The first worship gathering after Labor Day used to be followed by a picnic on the lawn. The church provided ice cream and watermelon, and you were supposed to bring a sandwich. Polly used to save all the watermelon rinds, bring them home, and turn them into pickles that were for sale at the East Village Fair. Thus demonstrating that old meme: Waste not, want not!

Polly had a serious illness for several years, which lumbered along. Then, her doctors told her “to get her affairs in order.” This she did. Her lovely home in Weston was filled with mementos and art from her many travels around the world. Polly invited everyone—friends, parishioners, family—to come to her house and take home a memento. People got to say goodbye to her, and bring home something very special. She died a few weeks later.

Member Walter L. remembers:

When Betsy brought me to Follen in 1980 because youngest son Jamie (then 6) was drawn to the music program, I was skeptical of getting involved with a church. I had left the Lutheran church at 13 and was an atheist. But on my first Sunday at Follen I was drawn in by two things. First ,the church was led by three women: Polly in the pulpit, Barbara Marshman in RE, and Louise Curtis in the choir. Second, Polly didn’t pray to God. Rather, she prayed to “Great spirit who moves us all.” I was ready to join a church like that—and I haven’t left.

Anne H. remembers:

Polly officiated at my daughter’s wedding 20 years ago. She showed me how to be calm when the groom’s mother was 25 minutes late to the rehearsal the day before.

Also, she modeled for me how to respond to beggars in India.

From Dr. George G.:

What I would like you to include was her reaction to my occasional comment about the well-known UU aversion to words like “Jesus” and “ God,” especially the oft-pictured white-haired male. And she knew I, with some background in the Bible Belt, was underwhelmed by the UU strong substitution/sublimation toward “grasses, trees, skies”, etc. So one day she preached a fairly old-fashioned sermon, and as I passed by her at the end, she said “There, was that Christian enough for you!?”

Sue J. remembers:

Polly had an extraordinary influence on my life. She was so intelligent and such a warm and giving person. She hated it when congregants referred to her as the mother of us all. She brought life, love, and positive energy to Follen, and it was thrilling to be a part of that time at Follen. She counseled and comforted me through my divorce and was a source of love and inspiration to my older son through his mental health crises. She also officiated at my second marriage and taught my much older husband that a woman could be a very effective spiritual leader. After she lost her second very beloved husband, my husband and I invited her to dine with us to celebrate our anniversary. The last words she said to my husband before his death were that she loved him. Sadly, she later died from the same illness that ended my husband’s life. I will always miss Polly, who helped me to understand that I was always a Unitarian, even though I was raised in the Methodist church.

Wilma R. shares:

Polly was the minister when I first came to Follen 40 years ago. She is the reason I stayed. She was welcoming, wise, and caring, and she became a great friend. Art S. and I were married by her at Follen. She also went to Colorado to officiate my son Will and Stephanie’s wedding, because Will asked her to do so. He wanted her Unitarian presence at his wedding, along with Stephanie’s minister. It was a beautiful ceremony. I still miss her.

Edie E. writes:

I think of Polly and my mother, the redoubtable Martha S., stalwarts of the Tuesday Club (which met on Fridays). When my mom passed away, Polly invited me to join. I miss those ladies, all gone now too. Polly knew they would take care of me, and they did.