The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-19
THE CORNERSTONE LAID.
THE NEW NEW HOUSTON STREET
METHODIST CHURCH.

Interesting Ceremonies in Con nection
With the Commencent of the EdiAce
The History of tie Church The Old
Church Built in Fifteen Days-The
Difficulties Under Which it Was
| Erected.
The cornerstone of the new New Houston
Street Methodist church, now in course Of
erection, was laid yesterday afternoon at
o'clock, with fitting ceremonies, In the pres
ence of large crowd Of people.
Besides the pastor, Rev. David
F. Riley. there were present
DR.. W. s. Bowman of the Lutheran
church, Rev. J. F. Dripps of the Inoepend-
emit Presbyterian church, Rev. T. H. Blenus
of the Christian church and Rev. A NJ
Wynn of the Wesley Monumental church.
DR.. Bowman opened the exercises with
prayer, after which the people sang, "All
Hail the Power of Jesus Name" followed
by prayer by Rev. J. F. Dripps.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Rev. d. f. riley then read a short his
tory Of the New Houston street Methodist
church, prepared By Rev. J. w. Simmons,
first pastor Of the church. The old church
was built in January and February of 1877,
through the efforts of Rev. J. w.
Simmons then assistant pastor of Wesley
Monumental church and city missionary
His work led him to see the necessity of
church building in that part of the city,
and he urged the matter at a meeting OF tne
Wesley Monumental church about the lat
ter part Of January and met with hearty
| response, $500 being subscribed for the
work at once.
A building committee consisting of Rev.
E. Hight, G. II. Dorsett and David
Porter was appointed. and the liberal
contributions of Robert Mcintyre and
others made the building possible. The
| erection of the building consumed Just if
teen days, and the church was dedicated on
the fourth Sunday i'll February, just one
| month after the suggestion was made TO
| build. The following Sunday a Sunday
school was organized with 100 members,
and Gen. George p Harrison was elected
| superintendent. which position he held until
his death. Rev. J. W. Simmons sery ed the
church during 1878 and 1879.
THE PRESENT PASTOR.
The history Of Rev. D. F. Riley's connec-
| ton with the church was read, he having
assumed charge Jan. l, 1890. 1t has been
| through his efforts that the new building
| has been secured.
Rev. Mr.. Simmons history of the church
and the history of Rev. Mr.. Riley's connec-
ton with it were placed in the box, which
was deposited within the orner-stone, as
were also lists of the board of stewards of
the church and of the church officers.
Among other articles placed in the box
were photograph Of the old church and of
Rev. j. w. Simmons, a photograph of the
old church as remodeled by Rev. j. p.
Wardlaw. copy Of the MORNING NEWS OF
Sept. l, 1886, containing an account OF the
terrible earthquake of Aug. 81, copy of
the MORNING NEWS of Nov. IS, 1850, a
copy of the Savannah Local, picture OF
Rev. d. F. Riley, a copy of the minutes of
the South Georgia conference of 1889, a
copy of the Wesleyan Advocate and one of
the Christian Advocate. and several coins.
| THE CORNERSTONE.
Col. r. d. Walker laid the corner stone.
The cap bore the inscription:
.'.....'.'s.....,..
| Cornerstone Laid
Nov. IS, 1850.
| Built By