Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-09
CHURCH REOPENED
Broadway Presbyterians ir
Their Reb lit Edifice.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNEX DEDICATED

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNEX DEDICATED
Impressive Ceremonies Attend the Occa-
sion on which Sister Congregations Join
In Rejoicing Over the Grand Improve
ment-The New Orxau
Some two months ago the Broad
way Presbyterians abandoned the
audience room of their handsome
church on the corner of Twenty
third street and Seventh avenue to
give way to the Improvement maker.
During the period intervening be-
tween then and yesterday services
were conducted in the Sunday school
room on the second floor. Yester-
day the audience room doors were
thrown open and to the concourse Of
| worshipers who assembled q wonder
full transformation had occurred.
The walls had a brighter and more
artistic shade, and everything had
an air of newness and comfort.
There had been a complete renova-
ton. making it, together with the
additional extension, one of the most
handsome as we'll as commodious OF
churches, the improvement, includ-
ing the Sunday school annex and
organ, mourning an expense of
nearly $50, 900. Thus the Broadway
Presbyterians saw the fruits of their
unsolicited generosity and endeavors,
and they rejoiced over the advent.
They felt proud of their efforts and
they had every reason to. Begin
with the dedicatory exercises in the
Sunday school at 9:15 in the morn
ing. there were services OF an i'm
pressive and jubilant nature in the
church at different intervals. closing
with the evening exercises. in which
the several Protestant congregations
participated. At the dedication of
the Sunday school there were hymns
by the children, salutation by the
superintendent, prayer and reading
OF the scriptures. Then DIR. j. w.
Stewart, as chairman of the building
committee, transferred the keys
to A. M. Blakesley, representing the
board of trustees; Rev. w. S. Mar
quis pronounced the dedication
prayer; DIR. }. w. Stewart and Rev.
ID. z. Marquis made appropriate re-
marks, and after the secretary's re-
port and more singing the benedic-
tion was given.
Reopening of the Church.
Immediately following occurred
the reopening Of the church, through
which for the first time rang forth
the deep and mellow strains of the
massive pipe organ, which instru-
ment was manipulated by Miss Agnes
Bixby. For this service a special
musical program had been arranged.
In the choir there were: Mesdames
G. G. Blakslee William Whenever,
Misses Flora Dorrance and Aimee
Huey and Drs. c. X. and a. H. Nc
Candies, and H. E. Van Duzer and
j. A. johnson. Several hymns and
anthems were rendered and DIR. C.
K. McCandless sang 1.-The Good
Shepherd" In the course of re-
marks by Pastor w. S. Marquis he
said: .'This is day we have looked
forward to for many years. Twelve
years ago when l came among you
it was evident that our Sunday
school quarters were inadequate for
the steadily increasing membership.
The matter was discussed among
members and an occasional meeting
was held over it. In 1889 the
necessity of increased room was en-
phasized by the pastor. The initial
movement toward this end was made
by the Young Peoples association.
which set to work and purcha sed q
lot. The following year plans for
building were selected. Then an
other voluntary movement was te-
gun by the congregation in subscrib-
ing the necessary finances. This
continued on the monthly INSTALL
ment plan for two years, at the end
OF which $500 had been contributed.
Then it was decided to proceed
with building and in 1894 the con-
tracts were let. Yet though there
has been obstacles to contend with,
it have been a great source of gratifi-
cation to the pastor and church Off
GERS to know that these improve
ments have been started onlv
through voluntary desire OF the
congregation" Choir and congrega-
tional singing followed and there
was q sermon by Rev. ID. c. Marquis,
professor in Mccormick seminary,
Chicago, a powerful and convincing
talker.
In the afternoon at 8 o'clock there
was a sacramental service; at $3.50 D.
m. young peoples prayer meeting,
and at ESQ q union service of the
Protestant churches at which Rev.
ID. c. Marquis also spoke.
The improvements.
In the erection of the SUNDAY
school annex. purchase of an organ
and Improvement of the church. the
Broadway people have accomplished
much in comparatively short time.