Preston — When the Rev. Stanley White interviewed at Preston City Congregational Church in 1985, he told the search committee he probably would stay as pastor about five to seven years.

“It turned out to be 36 years,” said White, 64, who will retire July 31. “I said as long as I continued to be productive and do good things for the church, I would stay.”

Longtime church members praised White's accomplishments for the church at the corner of routes 164 and 165. He endeared himself to congregants young and old with humorous or poignant sermons, lively music and empathy. When White arrived, the church served mainly Preston families. Now, it has nearly 400 members from throughout the region and parts of Rhode Island.

White started the Preston Community Chorus in 1987, and it, too, drew members from a wide area. He led the chorus for 11 years but had to give it up when the growing church required more of his time.

In 2006, the church launched the annual Scarecrow Festival that has grown into a marquee town event. After two COVID-19 cancelations, the festival is expected to return in 2022.

White started the church food pantry 13 years ago. He has baptized hundreds, confirmed them later, performed marriage ceremonies for many of them when they grew up, and then baptized their children.

White called the Preston church “a family” that cares for members. He learned that firsthand when his mother died in 2005 and his father five years later.

“I really want people to know that being part of a church is very beneficial, not just from the worship standpoint,” White said. “Just to be in a community of people who become friends, some become lifelong friends, and people who are going to care for you when things get tough. The church is a lot of fun. It’s not unusual for people to applaud after someone sings a great song or laugh at a funny story. The world kind of beats you up six days of the week, but on Sunday, I want to make the congregation understand that it’s not as bad as you think.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the church pivoted quickly, closing for only a couple weeks before shifting online. In-church services resumed June 6, 2020, with a small number of people attending in person.

“Although at times the church attendance was limited, he made it feel just as important as if there were a full house,” a brochure celebrating White's accomplishments stated.

Sandy Dudek, church administrative assistant and former director of religious education, helped plan this weekend’s retirement celebration, from the colorful brochure to a medallion depicting the church and a rooster, and a tree planted in his honor.

A biography of White in the brochure explains the significance of the rooster: “In 1984, he completed his studies at Andover Newton Theological Church. As an ordination gift, Jan Johnson gave him a gift of a rooster as a reminder of how easy it is for us to deny Christ in our lives as Peter did three times before the crow of the rooster. Hence, the rooster became an important symbol to Rev. Stan and can be found vividly painted on the sign dedicating the Church Annex to him in 1995 upon his tenth anniversary at the church.”

Dudek cited White's many talents. “He plays the organ, the piano. He is a good administrator,” she said. “He preaches well. He relates to people, whether you are 3 years old or 93 years old.”

Stella Dawley, former Preston Community Chorus member, said she first met White through the chorus, and she and her husband, Arthur, joined the church. Both became deacons, and she is coordinator of the food pantry, which provides turkey dinners to needy families at Thanksgiving and ham dinners at Christmas.

Dawley said it will be strange to go to church and not have White at the lectern, but she and others will welcome the Rev. Raefield “Rev. Rae” Peteet. Dawley said Peteet struck a good chord with church members, and she liked his humor and style when he came to speak during the search for a new pastor.

Peteet, 38, originally from Lansing, Mich., grew up in the church listening to his father preach. He studied at Boston University and was pastor at a church in California when he wanted to “come back this way,” he said. He took a position as interim pastor in Massachusetts as he and his wife, Kin, looked for a new congregation.

“Rev. Stan leaves big shoes to fill, but my initial outlook is the church is a very warm and loving community. I’m hoping to find a family in the Preston City Congregational Church.”

c.bessette@theday.com