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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1901)
Bhiffftfo7rt,aasaBacaaBaMBftB JTO5K iirh.h.ilF.a'griifcMtfuciAa . J-Sd U. IW. A17, iYO. A'LIV LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1C, 1901 ESTABLISHED IN ISSfi AN EDIFICE MAGNIFICENT Methodists of Lincoln to Dedicate New House of Worship Sunday, November 17 Siarcely two yeais have passed since the destruction of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church in one of the most disastrous fires that ever occurred in the history of Lincoln, yet a beautiful ami magnificent edifice has been reeled on the site once occupied by the burned building at M and Twelfth streets, and the members of the con gregation will meet tomorrow for the purpose of celebrating their triumph. It was one cloudy September morn ing in 1S99 that Slethodists in all parts if the city and in all sections of the -tate wer shocked by the intelligence that the magnificent home of the first ongregation in the city of Lincoln had been destroyed. The structure had been erected at a cost of $45,000 and the debt had been wholly paid. In the same conflagration the city library was also wiped out. This dis aster was soon repaired by thegen irosity of Andrew Carnegie, who gave $73,000 for a new building. Xo such benevolence was in store for the . lurch people. J Hut the pastor and the leaders of the ongregation did not yield to despair. Mmost before the ruins had ceased burning a meeting had been called to onsider the situation. From all parts "f the state came messages of con dolence and assurances of financial aid. Arrangements were made to hold meetings each Sunday in the Oliver theatre. A subscription list was at nce started and a committee appoint "1 to canvass for funds. Discouraging obstacles were swept aside by the en thusiasm of the members and in an incredibly short time work was com menced on the new building. The building as completed at a co.-t of 163,000. Material worth fully $3.m" as available from the old structure. With furniture and interior decorations the church as it will appear to the ongregation and visitors tomorrow. ill cost between $S.",000 and $90,000. !t. many it is claimed that St. Paul's the most magnificent church building in the state. The main entrance is at the corner ,,f M and Twelfth streets. From the vestibule one can get to the auditorium " the right or the primary department n the left while a eorri-Jor leads one to the Sunday school room, which is sepa rated from the auditorium by a mov 5Ie partition. The pulpit, organ and the loft for the choir occupy the northeast corner of the church. The auditorium has a bating rapacity of 7.10 and the Sunday sehool room seats 3."0. In all 1,200 or 1,300 People can listen to exercises in he auditorium. 'n the primary room of the chinch. 'e seating capacity is 2C0. This room 'an also he used for minor meetings. sMak an,i miscellaneous entertain ments. Quarters for the Kpworth Leagueis have been provided in the northwest 'orner of the building. The room will ronifoi talil seat l-. worshipeis and the minor entertainments and business meetings of the organization can also iv accommodated. There are severalsmallerrnoms which will be utilized for the pastor's study and various other purposes. Itev. r. F. Creightoii of Circlevlllo. O.. was the first pastor, succeeding Rev. Mr. McKaig by appointment. In the fall of 1SS7 he was chosen chancellor of the Nebraska Wesleyan university. The second year of his work was high ly successful, the membership roll be ing increased to about I.20O. itev. Mr. Marine of the Indiana con ference, succeeded Rev. Mr. t'reighton. During the first year the new pastor was sick throughout the -summer, and his illness brought on an attack of brain trouble which incapacitated him for labor. He was returned for the second year, but was again attacked by brain trouble soon after he began his work. He tendered his resignation in ; 'iMr- .V.y- ' THK NEW HOME OF ST. PAl'L'S M. E. C'Hl'KCH AT M AN'I) TWELFTH STKEETS. The structure represent- an outlay of .UOO and with the fixture and fiimi-Iiing-added tiie total cost approximate- .-s.'.noo. It i-easily one of the mo-t imposing rliurcli edifice- in the W'e-t. Tomorrow. Sunday. Xovemlx-r 17. 1!M1, in special program the congregation of St. Paul'- will dedicate the -triicture to the Chri-tiati l-JUs In the summer of ISs.:. the authorities of the Methodist church gave their con sent for the erection of a new house of worship. A Minneapolis architect fur nished the plans and the building was to cost $2.".000. It was soon perceived that the structure would cost almost twice this amount, but the work was continued, the members exerting them selves to raise the deficit. Itev. Mr. Williams was the pastor when the church was completed in 1SS.-.. It was then called the First M. E. church, but the name was after wards changed to St. Paul's. Rev. It. X. McKaig was the next pas tor, remaining for a period of three years. It was during his pastorate that the stone church, which burned two yeais ago. was built. He was an es pecially active and popular pastor. At present Itev. Mr. McKaig is pastor of the Fir-t M K. church. Sioux City. la. lsv and Itev. F. S. Stein, of Milwaukee. Wis., succeeded him. Following Rev. Mr. Stein was Itev. ( C. U-isby. He remained until 1S96. when he was succeeded by Rev. V. R. Halstead. He was pastor until 1S9S. Three years ago Rev. Fletcher L. Wharton took charge of the pastorate, and is still the minister in charge. After the loss of the church by fire he worked with tireless energy for the restoration of the building, and the work has been accomplished. Musical numbers, addresses and the dedicatory ceremonies will be some of the interesting things at the formal opening of the church tomorrow. In the morning at 9:."!0 o'clock the orches tra, composed of Miss Lucy Hey wood. Miss Ina Ensign and Miss Lillian Eiche. will furnish music. Rev. Hiram Lturch will lead in prayer. Presiding Elder J. F. Kemper anil Rev. .Taptha Marsh will lead the scripture readings. Mrs. Mark Woods will sing a solo and also appear with Miss Maud Hawk in it duet. In the afternoon at :! o'clock Mayor H. J. Wlnnett. G. W. Ilerge and J. W. Powell will deliver addresses. .Miss Grace Franks will sing a solo. Resides there will be music by the orchestra and singing by the school. In the evening at 7 o'clock. Rev. II. T. Davis will dedicate the church. Itev. A. P. Hull will read the scripture les son and Mrs. Mark Woods and Miss Maud Hawk will sing. The program complete is as follows: 9:00 Informal greeting. i:.-i0 Orchestra Miss Lucy Heywood. piano; Miss Ina Ensign, violin; Mis. Lillian Eiche. cello. 10:00 "The Gloria. Hie Lord's Prayer." Hymn Xo. 13fi. Prayer, Rev. Hiram Ilurch. Scripture lessons Rev. J. F. Kemper, presiding elder; Itev. Jephtha Marsh. Hymn Xo. 6. Announcements. Duet Mrs. Mark Woods, Miss Maud Hawk. Sermon. Rev. C. II. Wilcox, D. D. Solo, Mrs. Mark Woods. Offerings, J. W. Powell. Doxology. Benediction. Dr. David Mamuette. 5:00 Sunday school and platform meeting. Orchestra. Singing Vested choir. Singing School. Prayer Rev. G. II. Moulton. Singing Vested choir. Address Mayor II. J. Wlnnett. Singing School. Address G. W. I Serge. Solo Miss Grace Franks. Address Mr. J. W. Powell. S:lrf Kpworth League. 7:00 Orchestra. "The Gloria.' "The Lord's Prayer." Hymn Xo. 7-4. Prayer Rev. Hiram Burch. Scripture Rev. A. P. Hull. Hymn Xo. 102. Solo Miss Maud Hawk. Sermon Itev. C. B. Wilcox. D. D. Solo Mrs. Mark Woods. Cello Obligato Miss Lillian Eiche. Offerings Mr. J. W. Powell. Dedication Rev. II. T. Davis. D. D. Xine trustees control the affairs of the church. At present they are George A. Adams. T. F. Lasch. H. K. Rurket. A. R. Talbot. J. E. Miller. George Parrish. C. W. Rieger. W. II. Hargreaves and L. A. Sherman. The board consists of business men. law yers and educators and Its members are well qualified to cope with the questions of management constantly arising. The stewards of the church are nine in number. They are especially dele gated to raise the revenues needed for church maintenance and support. The board comprises: A. SI. Davis. 1. C. Richards. J. S. Leonhardt. D. E. De Putron. A. H. Dorris, J. T. Mastin. E. It. Wells, E. R. Steckley. M. B. Reese. G. F. H. Schwake. H. A. Tebbetts. M. A. Warren and D. A. Itisser. Philip A. Sommerlad is treasurer and Wil-li.-.m H. Hargreaves secretary. The Epworth league Is in a flourish ing condition and is one of the strong est religious organizations in the city. The society is primarily for the young H