Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-29
M. +. Church.

M. Z. Church.
The Methodist society in this city
was organized April LIST, 1867, with
20 applicants. In November, 1868,
the society commenced the erection Of
their wooden church, on Dock street,
and January LIST, 1870, the building
was dedicated.
Rev. F. w. May was pastor in 1871,
and was succeeded by Rev. l.. H.
Pierce. His successor was Rev. w.
Donnelly, who was in charge 1928
and 1874. Rev. T. c. Higgins was
pastor in 1875; Rev. III. S. White, in
1875; Rev. H. G. Northrup, in 1877,
1878 and 1879; Rev. j. w. Campbell,
in 1880 and 1881, who was succeeded
by the present pastor, l. III. Riddick.
The old church proved too small for
the growing congregation, and the
Hunt lot OH Chisholm street, near
Second street, was purchased in 1882,
and the work of building the new
church commenced. The plan was
drawn up by architect G. N. Cornell,
and the building is a handsome and
commodious one, of that style known
as brick vaneercd. 1t is better stu
ated than the old one, being almost in
the heart of the city, and while it can
not fail to be a source of pride to
the members, it is also an ornament to
the city. The old wooden church on
Dock street was recently sold to the
German and Polish Catholics.
The new brick church is 12l feet
long, 40 feet wide, and 20 feet high.
Under the building is a commodious
basement, and the foundation walls
are of native stone, laid in even cours-
es. In front of the edifice are num-
Der of fine shade trees, while others
are at the sides, and tend very much
to beautify the church. Two large
doors opening on Chisholm street, lead
to the chapel, which is well lighted,
and the ceiling lofty. At the end fur
thest from the entrances, is a slightly
raised stand, where the minister Off
ciates, and where the choir will
be located. Above the entrance is a
gallery. Back of the chapel is the
lecture room, 36x4O feet. BY open
ing the two large Gothic shaped doors,
just in rear of the pulpit, the chapel
and lecture rooms can be formed into
one room, at such times when the
chapel will not hold all the people
who attend worship. The lecture
room will also be used to hold the So
Gals in, and for Sunday School pur-
poses. At socials, the cooking will be
done in the basement, and refresh
ments will be passed up dumb wait
err, which opens into the lecture room.
Back of the lecture room are two
rooms, each Like feet-one will be
used rs an infant class room and Sun
day School library, and the other is
for the use of the pastor. The tower
of the church is IS feet high.
The pastors residence is on the
same lot, close to the church, and is
comfortable looking residence. Back
of it is the stable. The grounds have
been raised, and a walk laid on the
side of the church between it and the
pastors residence. The cost of the
structure will be about $4,000. Con-
siderable finishing and painting is yet
to be done, and when all is completed
the society will have good reason TO
be gratifed at the work they have
done.
The dedicating services, last Sun
day, we're largely attended, not only
by the members of the M. f. church,
but also by those of the Congrega-
tional and Baptist societies, who took
part in the ceremonies. The clergy
present were Revs. Potter, Blades,
Riddick, Little, and presiding elder
Richards.