Evening journal., 1889-10-16
ASBURY CENTENNIAL.
HISTORICAL PAPERS THAT WERE
READ YESTERDAY.

siding Elder Murray Read an Inter
esting Paper on "rhen--Now.''--The
History Of the Church to be Read.
The third days celebration of the cen
tennial of Asbury Church began at 2 80
o'clock yesterday afternoon with John G,
Baker presiding James G. Pickels was
elected secretary.
William H. Billany read the history of
Grace Church, granddaughter of Asbury
Grace Church was built because st.
Paul's was too small for the large crowds
which attended. On the evening of No
vember II, 1854, a meeting was held in a
class room OF St Paul ulsChurch. There 6efe
present: The Rev w. j. Stevenson, j.
r. Cause, George w. Sparks, Delaplain
Mcdaniel, H. F. Pickels, Dr. George
Pepper Norris, Edwin Wilmer, JOB IL.
Jackson, G. f. Rudolph, S. M. Harring
ton, w. H. Billany. A committee was
appointed to secure plans. A second
meeting was held in the lecture room of
the church on January 8, 1865, George
| w. Sparks presiding. There was
great enthusiasm and it led to
| the organization of board of
trustees: Daniel NJ. Bates Delapain
Mcdaniel, c. F. Rudolph, Job H. Jackson
John MessiclS, Or. George Pepper Norris
Jarrett Megaw, George w. Sparks and
j. T. Cause. But three Of these are liv-
ing. George w. Sparks was elected
chairman; S. NJ. Harrington, secretary
W. a. Billany, treasurer.
On March 90, George w Sparks, J.
Taylor Cause and job IL. jackson were
made building committee and the trus-
tees adopted plans furnished by Thomas
Dixon OF Baltimore. The lot at the cor
ner of Ninth and West streets was pur-
chased on April 6, 1895, for $4,000 and
the building committee was instructed
to begin work immediately. George w
Sparks dug the first spade full of earth
for the church and chapel The corner
stone of the church was laid by Bishop
Simpson on October 2, 1865. The solicit.
ing committee worked molly ard a
great deal of money was subscribed The
ladies of The church cleared SO, 600 by q
fair in Institute Hall This fair was the
means Of winning many members TO the
church. The first service was held in
the lecture room on Sunday morning,
i March 25, 1866 Rev. w. J. Stevenson.
the pastor, preached The Sunday school
! held is first session on that afternoon
{ with J. 7. Cause, superintendent. Th'
) morning session was in charge of VIII
liam H. Billany. The public rental o.
! pews took place on Friday evening
March 30, after the first prayer meeting
The sum realized was $3,610.
The chapel was dedicated Sunday, jun
g 80, 1866, and was presented as a centen
airy Offering for the 100 years of God
s grace TO the Methodist Church in Amer
lea. A stone with suitable Inscription
r was placed in the main church edifice, il
. commemoration of the occasion.
J. At meeting of trustees on May Q
: 1866, the building committee was in
d structed TO proceed with the work Of tn
e church. They had started out t
!. build a $4,000 edihce. BY tn
}, first of 1857 they had received subscriI
S of $50, 216, Of which amount SO, 729 wa
:, unpaid. Beside this 81, 900 was neede
!. to pay bill and loans The trustees de
T. cided to ask the people for $4,000 o
,eI Sunday April z, 1857 Bishop Am,
}. made an eloquent and powerful appe
Z. and the sum Of $15, 800 was raised in lei
/, than an hour.
The church was dedicated on Thursdf
|. morning, January 80, 1868, cold al
rainy day. but the church was crowde,
Bishop Simpson preached the dedicatol
n sermon and George w Sparks presente
the building for conservation. The CO.
Of the structure, including the organ al
furniture was $4,000 A debt
he 100000 was left for the attei
le tion of future generation. In 49,
d S43, 900 was raised toward this debt TIE
rs years later $6s, 0O7,5S was subscribed t
ward the same purpose. Members of Il
of church held congratulatory meeting {
se Friday evening. November z, 1879 al
ID addresses were made by Bishop SimpsC
a. and Reys DIR. Todd and Stevenson.
R The church is now in a good condition
2, services are well attended and contrib
a, tions are large Since the opening Of q
J church large amount of money has bel
l. expended for various purposes, as fc
D. lows:
Salaries, etc -. ..;....,..,......-...S " ,bSS
r, Conference collections. ............... 1920
v Missions. ..........-..-. 5o44S
j S169. .i05
81 utl,,-o IL e,.o,;