Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-08-22
The New Congregational Church
Laying of the Corner Stone.

in this village. Many spectators
were present. The day was unplcas.
antly windy, and dust in unwhole-
some quantities filed the troubled air
AT four o'clock the interesting cere-
monies began, and were conducted
by Mr.. RE Murphey according to the
programme published in the HERALD
of last week. Music, vocal and in
strumental, was furnished by the
Choir, and the Rev. Mr.. Sims offered
prayer. The Rev. Mr.. Eaton spoke
for half an hour upon the growth of
architecture, treating the suggestive
| theme in an able as we'll as eloquent
manner. There was an address by
the Rev. J. Sims, one by the Rev. j.
T. Breeze, and another by the Rev.
Emery. Esq'r Burr read the follow
ing trustworthy HISTORICAL SKETCH
of the Lancaster Congregational
Church from the time OF its organiza-
ton down to the present day
The Lancaster Congregational
Church was organized on the 2lst
DAY Of May, 1913, with I members.
The first minister was the Rev. Mr..
r. Carver, who served the church
from Doc, 1911, 10 May, 1915. and
was succeeded BY the Rev. @. Little
field, who continued to supply tho
church from Aug, 1915, to Jan, ~,
when tho present pastor began his
! labora
The first election of trustees took
place in the year IS505 j, T. Mills
was chosen Clerk of the Board and
the same year subscriptions were 50.
licited for the purpose Of erecting a
house OF worship The Sabbath serv-
ices were then held in the school
house, which is now owned and oc-
cupied as dwelling by Judge VIM.
McGonigal. 1t stands on the north
east corner Of block No. 3.
la consequence of the absence Of
the Pastor, the building of the
church was not begun until the fol-
lowing season $3.50, when it was
enclosed and plastered, and immedi-
ateIy occupied for worship, by the
temporary use of seats obtained from
the church at Potosi, and Of a pulpit
furnished by the church at Platte
vile. The location of this house is
lots No. ! and 2 in block No. %. Its
dimensions were 40 fl. in length by
30 IT. in width the cost nearly 500 |
tho name Of the contractor, +. b. !
Tenney. The interior OF the church |
was subsequently completed, and in
the year 1860 it was enlarged by the
addition of 20 fl. in front
The corner stone Of the new church |
is laid this day, August 10, ISL
Messrs Alcorn and Muesse have con-
tracted to complete the building at
a cost Of about gil, 900.
The business on the part of the
church is transacted by the Trustees,
Messrs. Addison Burr, s. H. Farms
worth, Geo. Howe, JAS A. Jones and
b. White, aided and advised by Mr..
Geo w. Ryland. The architect is
9. w. Shinn, ofSpringfcld, Ill. The
Deacons Of the church are George
Howe and James A. Jones. The to-
tai number of members since the or
ganization Of the church 215, of |
whom 102 have been removed by |
death and dismission, leaving the
present mem bership 113.
S. w. EATON, Pastor.
The customary tin box was depos-
tied in its place by Deacon James
Jones Its contents were,
A copy of the Bible.
History of tho Congregational !
Churches in Wisconsin. 2 vols.
The last issue of each of the Coun.
ty Papers.
Sunday cereals and seeds
Sketch Of the history of this church.
After the corner stone had been
duly and properly laid, the assem-
bly, was respectfully requested TO
become motionless, as artist Van de-
wall was DESTROYS of taking photo
graph Of tho attractive and historic
al scene. Every one tried hard to
sit or stand still, and some were seen
to make mighty efforts at looking as
profound aud important as circum-
stances would allow. Pastor Eaton
now pronounced the benediction, and
then the multitude began to dispense.
This new building promises to be
in every respect magnificent struct-
ure a. well rs durable. It's site, on
the Dewey lot, corner of Madison aud
Cherry streets, just south ofthe court
house square, is one of the most prom
iuent and pleasant in the whole VIII
lage. The architect, Mr. G. W. Shinn,
OF Springfield, ILL.,, has shown his
! professional skill in most creditable
manner in the plans which he has
furnished for the building. The style
ID pointed Gothic. The outside meas
urement IS 50x8j it,, the height to
eornice -, and to upper ceiling 32.-
\ substantial frame is covered with
an eight inch brick wall, which is
strengthened by butresses. The
main spire on the north east corner,
which is alone 100 feet in height, is
handsomely ornamented with belt
ings Of cut stone, and terminates, as
does its smaller mate on the oppos-
tie corner, in finely carved final.
There are four entrances, two in
! front ard one on the nOrtn SIDE one
of the latter leading into the Pastors
Room, an apartment which should
never DC omitted in planning a
church
The wood work is to be grained in
imitation of oak, and have black wal
nut trimmings. The pulpit will be
a singularly beautiful object. 1t will
stand in an arched recess having
smaller arches at the right and left.
AT the right Of the pulpit stands the
organ, with provision for the choir,
thus gratifying the natural desire Of
the audience TO see the singers while
listening to them, and also the bet
ter enabling the choir to lead the
congregation, instead of doing the
singing for them.
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