The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-13

and after the expiration of the pastorate
of Rev. N r. Quackenbush, the 80
ciety went into eclipse. Many doubted
whether the Universalists would ever
rally again and hold services But there
were some genuine Universalists in Ben
ton Harbor who entered into no other
church utilization and looked forward
hopefully to the future. The Ladies
Aid Society kept up it's meetings and
| created quite a little fund for the future.
1t was their original purpose to work on
steadily and amass sufficient money for
the purchase Of lot. At length the
| time came for decisive move forward.
Three years ago last spring, Mr.. Frank
d. Conger. of our we'll known Conger
family, visited The UNIvERsAL1sT Office
and talked over the situation with the
| editor. The result was an invitation ex-
tended to DIR. Cantwell to visit Benton
Harbor and survey the ground. The
first meeting was held in Yores opera
|
was in attendance. DR.. Cantwell made
second visit and met with a cordial re-
ception and took occasion to recommend
an immediate movement and regular
services. DIR. j. w. Hanson filled sew
eral appointments. kev. l.. W. Brig
ham and Rev. Miss A. j. Chaplin also
assisted in the earlier services. The
services proved interesting and the con-
gregation grew so rapidly that it was not
long before the society decided to have
regular pastor. In casting about for
the proper person, Rev. Geo. A. Sahlin.
then of Ryder Memorial church, Wood
lawn, was invited to come over from
| Chicago and assume control. He &C.
cepted the call and went into the ardu-
Gus labor of building up the society with
vim which has proved characteristic.
He brought about the reorganization of
the society as it now exists, April 2,
1893, and the opera house was exchanged
for Conkey's hall. Soon after the So
ciety again moved into Odd Fellows
hall where until June 30 regular services
have been held.
Two years ago the Goth of last February
the society decided to build church.
With small fund from the old organi-
cation and money secured through the
energetic efforts of the Ladies' Aid So.
ciety, lot was secured in Pleasant
street and paid for. Last fall it was
unanimously voted that the building Of
the church should proceed without de.
lay and the present handsome edifice is
the outcome.
The matter of plans and specifications
was left in the competent hands of Sid
ney j. Osgood of Grand Rapids. who,
during few years, has designed more
than eighty churches in different parts
Of the country. The following building
committee was appointed: j. B. Graves,
chairman, Allen Brunson, T. T. Hobbs,
s. G. Antisdale, j. g. Davis. S. B. Van
Horn, j. w. Pearl. S. M. Austin and
Rev. Geo. A. Sahlin, the first six consti-
tuting the board of trustees The La
dies Aid Society, under the presidency
of Mrs. W. D. Downey. volunteered to
buy the pipe organ, carpet and the pull
pit furniture. The society has been
moderately. in fact. gratifyingly prosper
GUS in the face of general financial
stringency. 1t feels hopeful and from
it's past record it draws ample encour-
agement for the future.
The committee having charge of the
organ fund consists of Mrs. j. w. Pearl,
| Mrs. S. B. Van Horn and r. A. Knee
land. Capt. Walker had the contract
for the mason work of the building and
Mcclellan & Son that for the carpenter
work.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.
From the excellent cut which is pre-
sented, good idea of the outward ap-
pearance of the building may be formed.
1t is constructed of white brick with
pure white stone and galvanized iron
trimmings, and rests on high ground,
giving good view and allowing the sun to
produce delightful effects by his rays
falling softly through the handsome
stained glass windows. The main en-
trance in the base OF the tower is artistic
in design. and impresses one with sense
of beauty and worship even before the
church is entered. Above the door is
large stone beautifully carved. the GEN.
ter panel showing cross in relief. just
below the bslfry and projecting from
each corner are white gargoyles through
the mouths Of which run the cave pipes