The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-21
ITS SILVER JUBILEE
TWENTY-FIVE ANNIVERSARY OF
THE MAYFLOWER CHURCH.
Interesting Services Yesterday I'm
ComNemOration of the Event
The Church's

The twenty-fifth anniversary Of the or
ganization Of the Mayfiower Congregational
Church was celebrated with appropriate ex-
ercises at the church yesterday morning.
Rev. N. A. Hyde read a sketch of the his
tory Of the church, John L. Scott spoke of
the Sunday school, H. L. Whitehead re-
viewed the young peoples organizations
and /. r. Irving gave biographical sketches
of the different pastors of the church.
This church was the outgrowth Of a SUM-
day school planted in that quarter of the
city by the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton. Col. Irwin Harrison and Colonel Har-
per were the first officers of the school.
MI. 1. c. Hayes was afterwards very
active in this school. When the time came
for a church 20 be organized the Y. NJ. c.
A.. handed the enterprise over to a few
individuals who were willing to undertake
the work of securing a lot and erecting
thereon a church edifice. The late Edward
l.. Sinker and several other Congregation
alists were at the head Of the movement.
Mr.. S. A. Fletcher, ST., granted a lease of
the ground on which the building was
erected, free of charge. SO long as it was
used for church purposes. The lot after
wards became the property of the church.
The organization was effected by the aid
Of an ecclesiastical council. May %. 1859.
fifteen persons entering into covenant
on that day. At the close of the first year
the membership was fifty-six.
whose term of service Continued from May,
1869, to November, 1870. He was followed
by Rev. G. w. Bainnm, who remained
gan in May. 1872, and continued until April.
1858, q, period of sixteen years. Under his
care the a church ;a Ensasnds gained H IN men, m
NAMED with the church as pastor emeritus.
The fourth pastor was Rev. e c. Evans.
minated in April, 1880. His passionate was
successful, but he resigned to accept a call
to the First Corgregationai Church of
j. w. Wilson. commenced his labors in
May, 1891; and the church has RAPIDLY
progressed under his guidance; The mem
In his address yesterday morning DR..
Hyde said: There. is an individuality nin
this church that distinguishes IL a&i truly
as a person. This church has been noted as
t homogeneous body. A common sentiment
and spirit have prevailed among the people.
1t has been marked for its loyalty 10 the
common Christian faith, standing, as 1t
does, unequivocally on no narrow platform
Of faith, but on the broad basis on which
all evangelical Christians are united. 1t
has been distinguished for the family feel
ing that exists in the whole membership.
A prominent feature of It's history from
the beginning has been its missionary spirit
and its beneVOlence. Its contributions Tor
the benevolent causes or the denomination
and to local charities have been large All
departments are thoroughly organized. The
young people, especially, are most actively
at work.
'"The people have for some time felt that
they are hindered in their progress by the
unfavorable location Of their present edifice
on St. Clair street. They are. therefore,
making strenuous efforts to secure a new
home In a more desirable place. A lot has
been purchased at Delaware and Seventh
streets. Many of the congregation live in
that vicinity, and one and all are united
and enthusiastic In. the new movement,
and hope it will not Be long until they find
themselves in a Deaut1ful e0flce, several
plans of which are now under considera-
ton by the congregation"