The Dickinson press., 1892-02-06
Bit Of History.

The PRESS of q recent date con
tanned an article descriptive of the
new Episcopal church edifce in Dick
inson, just finished, and the following
bit of interesting history relative to
the church and church work in this
section is taken from u letter by Rev.
G. "A. Chambers in the Bismarck
Tribune:
In November, 1889, the Rev. G. A.
Chambers, now of Bismarck and Man.
dan, by appointment of the bishop,
assumed the charge of this almost
new, but important field Of labor.
Services previously had been very ef-
ticiently maintained for eighteen
months by the Rev. G. E. Dobson.
For about two years. however. during
the absence of Mr.. Dobson, the servi.
ces were necessarily suspended, but
the Ladies' Guild kept actively at
work, and during this period accumu-
lated Il fund of about $3.50. When
MI. Chambers took the charge of af-
fairs, this sum, OF the greater part of
it was set apart to assist in keeping
up the necessary expenses. At that
time, although u church, as a matter
Of necessity, was frequently talked
of, still there was nothing in hand to
begin with, and no property Of any
kind to be applied to that purpose.
That a church building was absolute.
ly essential to the carrying OH of the
work successfully, seemed patent
to all. and was strongly emphasized
10y the fact that the first five Sundays
in which Mr.. Chambers ofiiciated. the
services were held successfully in five
different places. In the latter part of
April, 1890, however, the bishop
visited the mission, and at the re-
quest of the minister in charge called
two meetings of the congregation,
and ut the second one, a building COM
mittee was appointed and a subscrip.
ton paper started. The first sub
scription and the largest, except that
of the bishop, was offered by the Rev.
MIR, Dobso,. in IL short time the
amounts pledged being in excess OF
$4,000. an architect was secured tc
furnish plans. In the August follow
ing, lots having been secured in
most central location by the Hon. N
q. Lawrence, ground WAS broken ant
the corner stone was laid in place by
the Rt, Rev. W, D, Walker. bishop Of
North Dakota. assisted by the Rev
G. A. Chambers, minister in charge
After the laying of the corner stone
on account of the lateness of the sea
son. the CHARACTER Of the superstruct
ure, and the impossibllity of securing
workmen: work was suspended unit
the summer of 1891. At that time
through the energy Of the building
committee, building operations wer'
resumed and carried to completion.
At the opening services on the It'll
inst. the bishop was unable to b'
present. TO the bishop rightfully be
longs the credit of initiating ant
carrying OIL the work to q successful
completion. Only through his libel
atty and kindly interest was it posi-
4. BILE of accomplishment. His assist
ants who ably seconded his efforts
were the then minister in charge
Bev. c.: T. Dobson, Hon. and Mrs: \
/. C. Lawrence, j. j. Freeman and Mrs
b. T. Fowler.
The new st. Johns church, Dickir
: son. marks an era in Episcopal churc
:; work and building III Northwestern
: North Dakota, as it was the frs
church building in the trans Nilsson
country in North Dakota. The churc
/. in Mandan. however, was first opene
for services, as it was purchased, nj
built. Two years ago there was nc
a single Episcopal church building
Y North Dakota, west Of the Missouri
At present there are four; two
these are in the Indian field, an
. managed by the bishop in persol
These two latter are either built, {
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