St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-24
PULPIT AND PEW.
Some Matters Of Interest Concerning
the HandsomeSt Church in
Minneapolis.
How Westminster Church Has Marked
the Material Progress of
the City.
The Earnest and Fervent Man of
God Who Occupies the
Pulpit.
Twenty-EiShth Anniversary of the
Establishment of Andrews and
Westminster.

Among the many handsome edifices of
Minneapolis proudly pointed out to the
visitor NJ the Flour city. there is none which
more particularly attracts attention than the
Westminster church and few which better
deserve it, 4 magnificent brown stone
structure, occupying a commanding position
at the intersection of NicOllet avenue and
Seventh street. with a graceful Spire cutting
the air to a height of los feet, it not
only takes first rank among the
churches of the city, but stands as a
dial to mark the city's material progress.
Twenty-Five years ago the congregation
wOrshipped in a small frame building on
Washington avenue, and paid $500 as its
share of the $1,000 salary of a preacher,
who presided jointly over the deStinieS of it
and the St. Anthony church; to-day many
of the same congregation hold their devo-
ton in church valued ut 5000, OOO. with a
revenue OF $4,000, contributed by the
largest and wealthiest gathering of religion
lists in the city.
Twenty-eight years ago yesterday the
church was established by the PreSbytery
Of st. Paul, it and the church of ST. An
thOny, now the Andrews Presbyterian
church, having been given birth together.
Eight members were then enrolled, only
three now living, viz: l.. II. Williams. Mrs.
5. L. Oliver and Mrs. ID. Petit. Rev. Dor
rance was the first minister, and the earlier
years OF the church Were passed in a small
frame building at the corner of Washington
and Third avenues south. Rev. Levi
Hughes of LoganspOrt, Ind, succeeded to
the Passionate and III turn was succeeded by
Rev. j. \. Mckee. At this time one min
lister had charge of both churches at salary
Of $1,000, of which Westminster eontribu-
ted $500. st. Anthony $500, and the Pres
bytery of st. Paul the remaining $780,
Rev. Strong and Rev. Robert \. Condit of
OswegO, y. Y, followed in turn. the church
in the meantime having been removed to a
diminutiye frame structure on the
north side of Fourth street, between
NicOllet and Hennepin avenues. At this
time, January, 1865, Rev. Robert F. Sam
pie was called, and on March following
assumed charge. Under his leadership the
church grew and prOSpered. The building
was successfully enlarged until il became
necessary to seek a new temple. especially
so rs the little church had become sur
rounded by high buildings and was in the
heart of the business district.
THE NEW CHURCH
was finally decided upon in 1879 and the
work was begun in the spring of 1880. The
site at the corner of NicOllet and Seventh
street was purchased for $4,000 and the
church was erected ut a cost of little less
than 100000. No outside help was neceS-
SaTy 10 its erection. Members of the con-
gregatiOn who, in 1870, could ill-afford the
weekly 10 cents dropped into the cOntribu-
ton box, bad proSpered and
could. in 1880, count their
wealth by tens of thousands. Generously
and freely they gave their means and the
present beautiful temple arose and was
completed. On March IL. 1888. it was
dedicated, Rev. Herrick johnson of Chi
cago preaching the dedicatOry sermon.
With the completion of the church its work
did not falter, but took on renewed energy.
Five tiouriShing churches drew their sus-
tenance from Westminster and to-day the
Franklin Avenue, the Fifth church on
Western avenue, the Bethlehem. the Bloom
ingtOn Avenue and the Highland park
churches all look TO the Westminster as
their parent. And yet, such is the vitality
of the church, that to-day new local mis-
sion is in contemplation.
PILLARS OF THE CHURCH.
Westminster is said to be the wealthiest
in the city including among its members,
the largest number of wealthy and intlu-
entail citizens. It's revenue from pews and
prices paid are Individually and collectively
the highest in the city. Pews were dis
posed of at auction, the purchasers paving
not only the cash amount of the purchase
money, but also an annual rental running.
in cases, as high as 10 per cent. The high
est price paid was $4,000, which
was the cost of the pew of ii. G. Side,
who also pays a rental OF S125. \. NJ.
Reed paid the same amount but his rental
reaches but $50 per annum. j. i. Gil
fillan paid $4,000 for his central pew and
contributes an annual rental of S135. j.
h. Side pays the highest rental, S165.
his pew having cost him St,S50. w. w.
McNaIr has purchased 500 worth of
pews, the rental of which he devoted to
the church; his own pew cost
him $1,000. Eugene NJ. Wilson and
Maj. Heffelfimger each paid $1,000
for pewS. W. II. DnwOody paid 81, 500.
DIR. .. J. Evans, 81, $50; L. ID. Skies and
G. III. Petit, 81, 500 each; L. b. Jamcy.
81, 300. and William VI. Tenney, S1.150.
j. W. johnson is one of the heaviest con-
tributOrS. his pew having cost him Just
SIS Col. McCrOry paid $3.50 for his
privilege and Supt. o. V. TOuSley S475 for
his. Among the other high price renters
are ID. r. Wagner, S15O; Charles and
Henry Side $3.50 each, and Attorney
General Hahn 800.
REV. DIR. SAMPLE,
the efficient and beloved pastor of the
church. is now upon the eighteenth year of
his passionate. The features of no minister
H.