The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-01
CORNER STONE LAID.
The New Plymouth Congrega-
tiOnal Church.
A HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
The Ceremonies Attended by q Large
Number of Peopie-Contents of
the Record Casket.

The ceremony of the laying of the corner
stone of the new Plymouth Congregational
church, at the corner of Third aud University
streets, in this city, was held yesterday after
noon at 4 clock. A large number OF the church
members and others were present, and the pro-
gramme carried out was interesting alike TO
those who have been associated closely with the
church for long time and those whose mem
bership or attendance dates from q recent
period.
The ceremonies were opened with a hymn by
the choir followed by q prayer by the Rev.
Chester A. Eels, the Oldest Congregational min
lister on the Pacific coast. His prayer was earn
est and eloquent Rev. John F. Damon, the
first pastor of the church, read from the Scrip
lures.
Deacon William H. Reeves read the following
historical sketch of the church, which had been
prepared by Mr.. J. II. Sanderson, one of the
original founders of the society:
Twenty-Five years ago the town of Seattle
contained less than thousand people. From
Commercial street, its center, radisted roadways
only, and on one of these, corresponding TO our
present Second street, the sunday worshipper
wendell his way either TO the "Brown Church.,
Methodist Protestant, or the "White Church."
Methodist Episcopal. But there were those
who went not In, and some OF the people
thought the time was ripe to plant another
church. The Presbyterians desired to organize
and take in the Congregationaists, but the lat
ter preferred TO organize and take in the Pres
QyLSr4aQe. lQere were LQObe WHO lOFSQ the
Plymouth Rock, and desired on this far Western
shore to use ii for sure and firm foundation on
which to build church which should glorify
God from generation unto generation.
The town was canyassed and many non-church
goers promised to assist. Accordingly, as pre-
liminary step, called meeting was held in a
little building on the hill known as the county
court house, situated on triangular strip OF
ground, now bounded by Third, James and
Yesler avenue. The ground, together with the
building which still stands, has since been
eA0 Dbl III
Association. Here the organization OF the
Plymouth Congregational Society was effected
October 10, 1869. The subscribers to the eonsti-
tuition were: s. P. Andrews, J: +. Damon,
William S Baxter, A. n. Merck, J. T. Jordan,
DR.. Calhoun, d. r. Lord, c. p. Stone, J. II.
Anderson.
Preaching service was at once instituted,
Rev. J. +. Damon agreeing to officiate temper
arily. The Sunday meetings were held in what
was known as fesler's hall, a room III the second
story of a building on the corner OF Mill (fesler
avenue) and Commercial streets. November Il,
1869, Sunday school work was begun with
twenty scholars and five teachers. There were
no singing books, papers or lesson leaves, but
enthusiasm prevailed and friendly spirit was
shown by other denominations. Singing books
were loaned by Mr. Hiram Burnett from the
Episcopal Sunday school, which convened at a
purchase other helps. Before long 1t became
evident that regular church organization was
necessary, both TO obtain home missionary aid
and to make more permanent the fast growing
work.
On January a. 1870, there convened at the
residence of J. H. Sanderson the following per-
sons, who adopted the confession of faith and
covenant of the First Congregational church of
San Francisco as the confession of faith and
covenant of the Plymouth Congregational
church OF Seattle, Washington territory: Rev.
]. F. Damon, George E. Farley, Mr.. and Mrs.
John w. Denny, Mr.. and Mrs. J. H. Sanderson.
On the following Sunday, January 10, 1870, the
members made public confession of their faith
and covenant, aud partook of the Lords Supper.
A business meeting was held after this service
for the purpose OF calling Rev. J. +. Damon to
act as pastor for one year at salary of 81 600,
5000 being donated by the Home Missionary So
eiety. The call was accepted, and Plymouth
church was now fairly launched upon its mis-
sion. The interest manifested by the people at
large was encouraging, the average attendance
at each of the preaching services being 100.
Circumstances soon rendered 1t impracticable
TO meet in Yesler's hall, SO building newly
erected, known As .the Pavilion" corner of
Front and Cherry streets, was secured. On ac-
count of failing health Rev. J. F. Damon was
compelled to resign November &C. 1871. From
this time until August 20, lS73 the church was
without regular supply Sunday-school was
maintained, though not without struggle,
meeting now here aud now there. To secure
permanent location OF its own beca ne the chief
aim OF the church, and they were blessed in
their endeavor A lot 60xl20 feet on Second
street, between Spring aud Seneca streets,
was donated by Mr.. Arthur A. Denny. A
large scow load of lumber was sent over from
Port Blakeley by Captain William Renton.
Funds were procured by solicitation among
members aud friends, and structure costing
$3.50 was erected The dedication sermon was
preached by DIR. G. Ii. Atkinson, August "a, 1873.
At this time Rev. Norman Mcleod accepted the
pastorate upon the condition that the church
aud the ensuing year marked an epoch of prog
ress On September 3, 1874, the church was
again without minister, Rev. Mr.. Mcleod ac-
cepting call elsewhere July Il, 1875, Rev.
James Hall was called for one year, but on May
q, 1876, his departure was made necessary by
sickness in his family and the pulpit was vacant
Ellis entered upon his duties January
16, 1878, the church finally became selfsupport-
ing. July 10, 1888, Rev. j. F. Ellis handed in his
resignation, aud on November 4, 1883, Rev.
years OF Rev. Mr.. Ellis pastorate brought many
young people from the Sunday-sehool into the
church 1t was during this period that the
was organized. On July II, 1854, occurred the
sad and sudden taking away OF our ever re-
membered and beloved pastor Rev. Frank Tay
lor, who was accidentally shot while out hunt
ing. Though less than year with
his people ne had won their affections, and his
removal ives mourned by the many, not only in
the church but in the city. Rev. Henry L.
Bates came to the empty pulpit December, 1854,
to minister TO a bereaved people. During his
pastorate a missionary activity was shown in
the maintenance of various city missions. Tay-
lor Memorial church was completed and some
went out TO work in the new field The Pilgrim
Sunday school was established and de-
rived it's support mainly from Plymouth
church. Material aid was given TO the Fremont
church and Others. Rev. H. l. Bates resigned
January g. 1889, his resignation to take effect
April 5, lss9. on April II, 1889, Rev. George A.
Tewksbury accepted an unanimous cali and
entered upon his duties in June, 1889. The fire
of June and the increasing congregations rem
dered the occupation of the Second street
church building undesirable Accordingly on
July 49, 1889, the present site, l20xl20 feet, cor
ner Third and University streets, was purchased
for $4,000, and a temporary building erected
thereon at a cost of $3.50 the same year Sep
tember Ii, 1889, council was called for the pur
pose of installing Rev, G A. Iewksbury pastor
OF Plymouth church This religious ceremony
was the first OF its kind in the history
of the church The removal from the old site
TO the new was an occasion for pleasant
"reminiscences and a conservation OF the new
ground. During this period the membership
greatly increased. and tho CONGREGATION filed