MEN TO BREAK BREAD WITH BROTHERS.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: WINIFRED YU Staff writer

ALBANY More than 50 years ago, a Jersey City minister arrived at the First Church of Albany and launched what eventually became the largest men's Bible group in the state.

The Rev. Dr. F. Raymond Clee formed Everyman's Bible Group in 1938 and invited men from all over the city to the Strand Theater.

The group attracted 500 men, who gathered for weekly sermons with the Rev. Clee. They formed an orchestra and a glee club and met for what they called ``smoker dinners.'' They published a monthly newsletter, held Christmas parties and even compiled their own songbook.

But 13 years after its founding, Clee died, …