Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-20
DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
Completion Of the Associate Reformed Pres.
byterian Church at Chester--Growth and
Prosperity of the Chester Congregation.
Description ofthe new Church. Sketch Of
its Pastor. d. edicatory Sermon, Etc.
rBY OUR OWN REPORTER.


Description ofthe new Church, Sketch of
its Pastor.-De edicatory Sermon, Etc.
BY OUR OWN REPORTER.
1t has been truly said that the school house
and the church are the great pioneers of in
telligence and morality; and as the intellect
ual attainments of a community may be meas
ured by the growth and development Of its
educational facilities, so may its moral worth
be determined by the number of spires point
ing heavenward-it being conceded that the
number of worshippers are in ratio with the
number of houses consecrated to the worship
of God 1t is, then, with no small degree OF
pleasure that the ENQUIRER notes the e:ec-
ton of new church edifce, or the constitu-
ting of church-no difference Of which
Christian denomination it may be-and we
extend our congratulations to our sister town
of Chester, on the completion, in that place,
of the church of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterians, which was formally dedicated
to the worship of God on Saturday last
Rev. w. M. Grier. D. D., President of Frs
kline College at Due West, preaching the ded,
icatory sermon, assisted by Rev. Robert La
than, of Yorkville.
The church of this denomination in Ches
ter was organized in the year 1871, with
membership of IS, and has been steadily
growing until its number is now trebled. In
1872 the congregation purchased the old
Methodist church and lot on which it stood,
paying 81, 100 therefor. In this house, built
many years ago, and unadapted to the re-
quirements of the present day, the congrega
ton continued to worship until within twelve
months past, when the notion occurred to one
of the membership. Joseph Wylie that
they could build a new church and to man
of his indomitable energy the conception of
the idea insured the consummation of the OBJ
iect. True, some doubted. and others hesita-
ted but Mr.. Wylie and other sanguine men,
bers persevered in the work, until all obstacles
to the undertaking were removed, and the re
suit is the completion of beautiful edifce
from designs by Sloan, Philadelphia archi
tect.
The house is wood, built in Gothic style
and while the exterior is somewhat unique in
appearance as contrasted with the architectu
raj designs of the neighboring church build
ings, utility and economy are nevertheless
apparent. The building will seat probably
300 persons comfortably, and besides its di.
mensions in this respect, it is also supplied
with a sessions room and study for the pas
tor-both these rooms being part OF the main
building. Space between these rooms, in the
west end of the building, forms all alcove
which is finished for the purpose of pulpit,
so to speak; though the style of pulpit so
common is entirely dispensed with, an ele-
waited platform, with a neat altar in front,
constituting the stand from which the preach
er speaks. This platform is of sufficient di
mensions to seat dozen persons, if neces
sary, and it, as we'll as the floor Of the church,
is neatly carpeted. The pews are tastefully
constructed, finished in native wood highly
polished, and all are cushioned in crimson
rep. Six beautiful chandeliers are pendant
from the ceiling and the room is heated with
two stoves. The house is painted on the
outside in light stone color, and the wood
on the inside is finished in imitation Of oak.
Mr.. G. A. Albright was contractor for the
| wood work, and the masonry and plastering
was done by Mr.. j. r. Simril. Such is a
brief desert ption of the building-all the
materials for which were purchased by or
through Mr.. Wyie and laid down at net cost,
| which reduced the cost of the building from
the original estimate of $4,000, to about S2,-
$50; and Notwithstanding the low cost at
which it was built, it presents as neat an ap
pearance and possesses as many facilities and
conveniences as many modern-constructed
churches costing three times this amount.
The church is under the pastoral charge
of the Rev. J. P. Marion, minister Of rare
ability and exemplary piety, who has been
serving this congregation for the past four
years. He is q native Of Chester county, a
graduate of the University of Virginia and
besides his pastoral services since his call to
Chester, he has labored for a number of years
! in mission work in Arkanas. Heis yet young
man, and being close student and Jealous
worker, with fine theological, scholastic and
literary attainments, he will accomplish much
good, while bright distinction in the church
awaits him. At present, his time is equally
divided between the Chester congregation
and the congregation of White Oak, in Fair
field county but after the present year, it is
the desire of the Chester congregation to Sc
cure his undivided services.
The first sermon preached in the houst
was on Friday night last, by Rev. Robert
Latham, who took for his text the 18th verse
of the 9th chapter of Paul's First Epistle to
the Thessalonians "Quench not the spirit"
At II o'clock next day the formal dedica
tory sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr.
Grier, to a large congregation, including q
number who came in from the surrounding
country, as we'll as several who attended from
greater distance. tn .~
After reading the first chapter Of Haggai,
the minister addressed his hearers with few
congratulatory remarks, saying it was hap
py day for the congregational successful
accomplishment of their cherished scheme,
the completion of the beautiful building, in
volving heavy expenditure in a season Of
almost unprecedented financial depression.
Surely this is memorable event in your
history-an occasion in which measure of
selfcongratulation is allowable. When |
look back over the history of this organiza-
ton and note its constant and rapid growth !;
its annual contribution to religious objects; !;
its harmony and brotherly cooperation ; and
finally its crowning work in this house Of
God, there is much that is fitted to encourage
the hearts of pastor and people-much that
should stir in our hearts the sincerest thanks
giving to the Father of all mercies. -
Organizing in 1871 with but eighteen mem
bers, YOU have, in less than ten years, about
trebled your numbers. Very soon you pur-
chased a house and lot costing eleven
hundred dollars. While sustaining your
own local work, you contributed to various
calls of the church, not allowing your To-
cal work to affect assessments Of your Pres
byterv. We feel that it is a matter Of con-
graduation, that with pastors salary for last
Year more than paid, and others helped, we