Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-20
"REMINISCENCES SERVICES
Held at Butler Street Nj. E. Church Yester-
day-List of Former Members-Im-
provemenrs Made In the Church.

Devotional and reminiscence services were
held last night at the Butler Street NJ. E.
Church, corner of Butler and Fortieth streets.
The services were conducted by Rev. Mr..
Pierce, pastor of the church. assisted by Rev.
John Baker, pastor of the Uniontown NJ. E
Church.
Rev. Mr.. Baker was pastor of the old
Fortieth Street Church in 1864. His pastorate
expired the same year that the foundation of
the new church was laid. He told some pleas
ing "reminiscences of the early history of the
Butler Street Church. Among other things he
said; ~ remember well. when the l6O members
of the Fortieth Street Church first talked of
buying the four lots at the corner of EOrtieth
and Butler Streets on which to build church."
He then told how these 160 men,
bers raised two subscriptions to buy
the lots for which 81 700 was paid. After the
lots were purchased the ladies of the church
held fair and made enough money to increase
the whole amount to $4,000 With this money
the church was built. He further sald at that
time it was big undertaking and the members
made many sacrifices to carry their object to
successful termination.
He also told of the appointment of Rev.
James Miller as the first pastor of the new
church. While Rev. Mr.. Miller was pastor of
the church it was dedicated by Bishop Slmp-
son.
THE CHURCH's EARLY HISTORY.
Mr. John Matthews told several "reminiscences
of the early history of the church, as did also
D. J.W. Covert The latter read a list of names
of the first male members of the church. This
list was comprised of about 20 names, allof
whom are now dead with the exception of five.
The church has gradually increased in mem
bershlp since 1t was established, until 1t now
has one of the largest congregations In the
State.
The building was lately improved by an addi-
ton built to it. In the last month workmen
have been constantly engaged remodeling the
church. New seats in the amphltheater style
were placed in the auditorium. The walls and
ceiling of the church proper were frescoed in
tasteful colors and designs, as were also the
walls of the two church parlors.
The new seaIs which were placed in the
building are of oak bodies and cherry ends,
both in their natural colors
THE GROWING IMPROVEMENT
Is monster pipe organ. The organ has two
manuals and a pedal, great manual of 754
pipes and swell manual of s3S. The pedal has
81 pipes, and there are % stops.
The dimensions and weight of the organ are
as follows: Height "a feet, width IS feet
depth 10 feet, weight 5000 pounds. There are
l,504 pipes in all.
The music box was built by Granville Wood
& Son, of Michigan. and cost the church
$1,000. The whole improvements in the church
cost s.. .000.
The seating capacity has been increased. and
now accommodates about 800 people.
New doors were also placed inseveral places,
and fine beveled-edged plate glass was used as
panels.
On Sunday the congregation will celebrate
its twentieth anniversary. The programme for
that day is as follows:
$3.50 A. NJ, devotional service conducted by j. G.
Matthews, in church parlors; 10:30 A. NJ, sermon
by Rev. Lucien Clark. ID. D., of New York: P.
NJ, Sunday school platform service conducted
by $. Hamilton Superintendent. Several distin-
guished speakers will be present, among them
Hon. Lewis Miller, of Akron. q. 7:i5 P. M. an
eventide praise service conducted by the pastor;
P. M, sermon by Rev. W. b. Watkins, ID. D., Of
New Brighton, Pa.