The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-11
ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Elm Fark Church Nill Celebrate That
Event This Week.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN PAST
Congregation Has Been Steadily In.
creased Since the New Church Was
Dedicnted-Those Who VIII Take
Part in the Services.

Ne'' IA 'hS oSiNiSSS'
An event in the religious history of |
Scranton will be the celebration this |
week of the first anniversary of the |
dedication of Elm Park church, an edi-
flee which has been justly termed the |
pride of Scranton" Standing as it
does in the foremost ranks Of church |
architecture in the city it has much |
which endears it to the people of Scran- |
ton and the story of its erection and
destruction by fire upon two occasions
forms an interesting chapter in the his
tory of our city.
The history of the church from its
organization is deeply interesting. The
original church of the congregation
stood on Adams avenue and was built
in lS42 at cost of $500. At the time
it was called THE Village Chapel" and
while under the supervision of the
Methodists was used by other evan
gelical denominations as a place of
worship. The ministers who officiated
in the Village chapel were Revs. Will
lam RoAnd, E. Owens, Ira Wilcox, John
ID. Stat Gd, John Mulkey, o. +. Morse
and II. ..Williams.
A More Imposing Church
In 1855 work was begun on the brick
church on Adams avenue, and in about
year the basement was completed
Since that date the following ministers
have served the church in the order
named; Revs A. II, Schoonmaker, DIR.
George Peck, b. w. Gorham, George G.
Bancroft, ]. V. Newell, ]. A. Wood n.
w. Everett, b. d. Sturdevant, J. c.
Mobiles, Philip Krohn, George 2. Porter,
j. Y. Walker L. C. Floyd, j. G. Eckman,
DR.. j. h. Smith, G. p. Masden, l.. c.
Mullor, DR.. j. E. Price c. c. Mclean
and DR.. w, II. Pearce. Four hundred
dollars and donation worth at least
| 500 was the lowest salary paid since
1854 and $4,000 the highest. In 1879 the
Adams avenue brick church was en-
larged and beautified at cost of about
$4,000 and the reconstructed edifice
dedicated in January, 1880.
The Elm Park plot was purchased in
March, 1891, as the site for the present
church, ait a cost of $50 900, and the Incl
dents of the fires by which the church
was twice destroyed are SO fresh upon
the public mind that repitition is un-
necessary.
A total Of 100000 have been spent
upon the present church and the two
buildings which We're destroyed. The
dedicatory services We're held on Dec. 7
to II, 1893, since when the regular SER
vices have been conducted with marvel
Gus success. The congregation is con-
staptly growing.
Membership of the Church.
The church has at present a member
ship of over 800, a Sunday school of 700
scholars and an Epworth league with
an attendance of 500. The Women's
Home Missionary society with a men,
bership of 10 does excellent and noble
work among the poor and the Women's
Foreign Missionary society of $50 strong
is instrumental in raising a substantial
offering annually to further the work Of
missions abroad. The organization of
the Kings Daughters, which has 125
members, each one of whom is pledged
to render Christian service, is doing very
effectual work in a quiet manner. The
Literary and Scientific society with a
membership of forty young men is also
of great value as being the means of
affording instruction to the younger
members Of the church.
During the past year 250 new men,
bers have been admitted into the
church, the Sunday school has doubled
its membership and the revenue of the
church has increased two-fold within
the short period Of twelve months.
Anniversary Services.
The anniversary services will COM
prise many functions of social as we'll
as a religious nature. Tomorrow even
ing a meeting of the members and their
friends will be held, when William Con-
nell, president Of the board of trustees
W. A. May, secretary of official board
G.. F.. Reynolds, secretary of board of
trustees and William H. Peck, treas.
urer of church funds, will deliver brief
addresses on the following sub jects
The Yesterday and Today of Method.
ism in Our Midst" Lights and Shad
ows in Elm Park Life" THE Possible
ties of Elm Park Church" and "ThC
Young Element a Factor of Power
The addresses will be interspersed will
songs, duets and choruses. On Thurs
day from noon to p. m. the annivers
airy dinner will be served and supper
from 6 to s o'clock. The bill of fare will
be most elaborate, including all thu
tempting dishes from roast turkey t
the most delicate desserts. Tickets ar,
sold at so cents each.
On Sunday Rev. J. NJ. Day, d. d,
chancellor of Syracuse university, {
, we'll known theologian, will deliver tn,
anniversary sermon at the morning ser
vice. The Rev. ]. Richard Boyle, d. D.
will preach in the evening.