The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-30
WEST END METHODIST CHURCH.
The Dedication Exercises that Took
Place Last Evening.
A Description of the Pretty Home OF
the Society.

forts of Rev. David Pratt, who has obtained
deserved reputation as a church builder,
the West End Methodist Society purchased
a lot situated on the westerly side Of Con-
gress street, opposite the head of Burnham
street. The land cost $1,000, $500 having
been generously donated by the West End
Land Company. The plans of the new
church were drawn by Fassett & Tompson,
the we'll known architects, and these were
given free to the society, a fact thoroughly
appreciated by them and for which they are
very grateful.
Work was at once commenced on the edi-
fice the corner stone laid October End, and
last night the society dedicated their new
church with appropriate services. The au-
dience room Is 37x44 and has a seating ca
paci'y of 240. The cnancel is 10x26, on eth
er side of the chancel is pastors room and
organ loft. The church is entered by two
large vest 'bules, s OKLA in size. The vestry,
15x26, is separated from the audience room
by sliding Partition, 50 that IL necessary it
can be used In connection with the audience
ROOM The ladies' parlor is directly over the
vestry. The tower is SO feet high and is ar
ranged for bell. The church is of modern
Goth: style with clerestory. The win
dows on the front and two sides are cathe-
dral glass richly stained. A bell for the
tower has been generously presented by Mr..
Bailey of Winthrop.
The first pastor of the society was Rev.
John Gibson in 1876. and the meetings were
held in Harmon's Hall. Rev. John Strout
followed him, the church membership being
10. Then succeeded Rev. Mr.. Gibson again,
Revs. w. FL. Holmes, Parker Jacques, Will
liams, Kimball, w. p. Merrill and David
Pratt.
Interesting exercises in celebration of the
opening were held in the small, but nea YES
try, the body of the church being still unfin-
ished. aad the probability is that it will not
be completed until warm weather. Much
praise is due Rev. David Pratt, the pastor of
this small but energetic flock of Methodists.
the number of church members there asso-
ciated not numbering over 80, for the energy
with which he has pushed the building, the
work having been from the first under his
supervision. Now 1t rises church of grace
full proportions and attractive appearance,
handsome monument to his skill and that of
his parishiOners.
All available room in the vestry, none too
spacious for such an occasion, was occupied
when the people rose to sing, in opening the
"doxology." After the reading of script
ural selection by the presiding elder, Rev.
W. ). Jones, who had charge of the exer-
cises, Rev. F. w. Smith earnestly
prayed for the welfare of the So
ciety. Then the pastor gave a
concise statement of the con-
dition of affairs, telling how they bought the
lot and built the church. The corner stone
was laid on the third Of last October, and he
was very happy on the occasion of this first
meeting. One thousand dollars had been
borrowed from the Maine Conference, for
which there would be no demand as long as
the interest was paid, but $500 was needed
about $1,000.
Rev. Theodore Gerrish said he was glad
to be present, and was much surprised to
see such beautiful and convenient church.
1t was his duty to raise the funds of which
there was then imperative need, and after
representing, the necessity from all
sides, both humorous and pathetic.
his earnest pleading finally resulted
In the pledging of $20S, few dollars more
than was asked for, and very creditable
SNAA w Ao'oO AZ al uuuiCuCc VI uU BFedl6T
proportion.
Rev. G. s. Inge, of Pine street church. said
he was there, not for the purpose of speak
ing, but to meet with and congratulate the
society. He. was glad to be in Portland,
among people SO thoroughly church going
and so willing to cry out amen for every
thing moral and spiritual. He had lived In
many cities in the Union, but among the
most OF them. while there was always
readiness to advance business interests, when
it came to those of tie church there was usu-
ally solemn silence. "But, to the credit of
Portland" he said, ''the people are In ad-
vance OF any place of its population in the
United States that ever have visited. The
new church unique, tasty, and credit to the
people, and he hoped that no feeling of an
ger or strife would ever enter its walls, but
that they would all dwell happily and low
ingly together
The venerable Rev. d. B. Randall said he
had always felt deep interest 10 the West
End, and that he used to 20 over occas ional-
ly to preach when he was pastor at Pine
street. He thought the Methodists of the
H oGknr had a Seen rather fSs deficient in
times past He rejoiced in what
had been accomplished in that society, aud
said they were going to have one of the most
convenient and pretty little churches in
and was glad to know the ladies' had a
kitchen in the building, though when he was
young that would have been considered most
improper
Presiding Elder Jones heartily congratu-
lated the people on what had been done He
said tnat Rev. Mr.. Randal's mention of the
surprise cook stove in a church ediice
would have caused the fathers, recalled to
him the time when they had to shiver all the
morning. and when 1t was almost considered
dissertation Of the house of God to play any
instrument therein. But in this age Of ad
vancement different feeling prevailed. Too
much praise could not be given to Pastor
Pratt for his energy, perseverance and in
d0mitable courage which have to the accom-
plishment of the work. With only about 30
members connected with that branch of
Methodism, 1t had seemed stupendous and
almost impossible task. He rejoiced with
the people.
With the singing of a hymn the small but
happy congregation dispersed to their vari-
GUS family hearthstones, though not without
many backward glance of pride and ad-
miration at the edifce they could now call