The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-23


large number Of people were present
at the nsw Wash0urn Str eet Presby-
ierian church, where corn stone lay
lUs TX ,rcises were held, on Saturday
afternoon The services were opened
by tho pastor. Rev. d. W. Skellinger.
after which Rev. ]. w. Williams, of
Dunmore, led in prayer. A large plat
form had been erected on the north
western corner on which the choir and
members Of the clergy stood The choir
rendered hymn 069, Christ Is Our
Corner Stone,' in an excellent man
her. under tho leadership of Reese
Watkins. A Scripture reading was
given by Rsv. L. c. Floyd, pastor of
The Simpson Methodist Episcopal
church.
On account of drizzling rain, which
b gan to fall. the cornerstone was then
laid by Mr.. Skellinger. A copper box
was placed therein. which contained
copies of the Scranton papers. New
York Tribune, New York Evangelist,
Philadelphia Presbytery, copy OF the
history Of the church, and list OF
members, organizations, accounts, Of.
ticers and funds OF the cnnrch.
In the absence of Garrett Smith.
president of the board of trustees, Pro-
fessor George W. Phillips read very
interesting account of the church from
its organization TO the present day.
He said: Several conferences having
been held to consider the advisability
of organizing Presbyterian church in
Hyde Park. thoss most Interested met
ut the house of J. G. Plante,
NJ. D., on August IS, 1854, with
Rev. Burr Baldwin. Of Montrose,
as moderator Devotional exercises
were held and it was decided
10 effect the organization Of a church
After reading doctrines and articles Of
faith pertaining to Presbytsrianism,
and finding them in harmony with
their belief, the following persons
agree to associate together as a church: ::
J. G. Plante. Mrs. Alice E. Plante,
Mrs Caroline Pier. Mrs. Mary G.
Welles. Mrs. Miranda Jayne, Mrs.
Catherine Huftorb Alpheus B. Fuller
and Mrs, Anna Fuller. A delegate was
sent to the meeting Of the Presby terry,
and was asked that this new church be
taken under its care.
On Aug 20 the above named persons
gave public assent to the articles Of
faith and covenant. Thus the First
Presbyterian church Of Hyde Park was
constituted by prayer by Rev. Burr
Baldwin. and the Lords Supper ad-
ininitered. In 1866 the church was
incorporated under the name of "The
First Presbyterian church Of Hyde
Park, Pa" The first recorded election
of elders was on Jan. II, 1857. Their
first building was situated on Bromley
avenue, north of Lafayette street, and
WAS dedicated Jan. 15 1857. The
second buiHing. on the corner of
Washburn street and Hyde Park ave
nue., WAS dedicated to the worship of
God on Aug. 13, 1863 under the direc.
ton of Pastor A, l.. Clark. Rev. Mr..
Clark was the first regular pastor and
was ordained and installed June II,
1861. He continued his charge until
1870 The next year Rev. W. B. Cullis
assumed the charge. which ne held for
three years.
In the spring Of 1874 Rev. D. K.
Freeman was installed as pastor, dur.
ing which time the church increased
and prospered. The next pastor, Rev.
w. |. Stems, was installed on Oct. 10,
1882, and maintained his faithful labors
in the field until June l. 1891. Ga Oct.
20 of the same year the present pastor,
Rev. D. W. Skellinger. was given the
charge. During 1871 and 1872 the
church building was greatly enlarged
and the name changed to the WASN'T burn
Street Presbyterian church
The buildipgwas badly damaged By a
cave-in Of the mines in 1889 and it was
evident that new church would be.
come necessity. In April 1892 active
measures were taken and several meet.
ings were held to discuss the question,
Last year the contract was given out
to Haven & Williams. The last SER
vices were held in the old church on
May 13. The work Of removing the
parsonage and the foundation for
the new church, is now complete and
we today lay the corner stone of u new
era with the prayer that God will bless
our undertakings and make the work
rebound to His glory. The fast falling
rain made 1t necessary to conclude the
ceremonies, and benediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. A W. Coope' # the
Hampton Street Methodist nal
church.