The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-17
FOREST TCITY'S new Church
House Of Worship for the Baptist
Society Dedicated.
HISTORY OF CONGREGATION
A Brief Review of the Work Of the Mem
bcrs Since the Organization Of the
Church in lSS7-Dcdicatory
Ceremonies.



Forest City, Jan. 16.--The dedicatory
services of the First Baptist church of
Forest City took place yesterday. The
Baptist denomination in this place took
the first active steps in forming a So
Getty, May s, 1887. when a Sunday school
was organized through the efforts of
Joseph Lewis and George Matteson.
The Sunday school was held in the
school house and George Matteson was
the first superintendent. Rev. David
Morgan, of Carbondale, conducted SER
vices for them occasionally Rev. N.
c. Naylor then visited the struggling
flock.
On Aug. 10. 1887 vt was decided to or
ganiZe a church, to be known as 'The
tNrSt Baptist church of Forest City.
Ihey decided to unite with the Abing
ton association. The membership at
this time numbered twelve, and was
composed of the following persons:
Joseph Lewis, James Surine. Flora
Surine, George ~. Matteson, Florence
Matteson, S. A. Snedeker, Foster Sam
ders. Addie Sanders, Virgil Il. Case
Celia knarr, Henrette Seemans and
Richard Thomas.
Rev. r. r. Hammond was the first
permanent minister, being called here
on JAN l, 1883. During his pastorate
which ended the following June, it was
decided to build a house of worship, and
lot was purchased at the corner of
Delaware and Dundaff streets. A call
was given to Rev. j. l.. Williams, of
Cold Springs, n. Y, and his labOrs COM
menced Oct. IA, 1883. He worked earn
estly and pushed the work of building
"a new church, so that on Jan. "a. 1889,
the corner stone was laid. The dimen-
sions of the church are 40X60 feet with
an annex 20x44 feet.
First Services Held.
In May, 1889, services were held in the
annex, and on Oct. / the first services
were held in the auditorium. Mr.. Will
Jams resigned in July, 1892. In the
following October Rev. ID. p. happens
succeeded the vacancy left by Mr.. Will
Jams. During Mr.. Lappens' two years
pastorate the society grew stronger
| and the interior of the church was hand
somely furnished. Mr.. Lappens re-
signed in July, 1894, and Rev. J. II.
Egan is the present pastor. At present
the church membership numbers over
100. AS stated above the dedicatory
| service took place Tuesday, the intro
| ductory service commencing at 1890
O'clock. The invocation was made by
Rev. j. r. Egan. The choir rendered
an anthem, after which Mr.. Egan read
| portion of the Scriptures. Rev. II. b.
| Kennedy, of the Presbyterian church,
| offered prayer. Then the history of the
| church was given by j. l.. Williams.
| In the course of his remarks he spoke
of the many difficulties which We're
overcome and the triumphs which were
achieved.
In the afternoon at 2.30 o'clock the
dedicatory services We're held. The
ninety-first Psalm was read by Rev.
Mr.. Kennedy. Rev. Mr.. Williams
! chose as his text for the dedicatory
sermon l Timothy, iii, l. After the
rendering of an anthem by the choir,
| Rev. Mr.. Tiden, a representative of
| the Bridgewater associat ton, made an
excellent address. The solicitation ad-
dress, by Rev. j. l.. Williams, fol-
lowed. Nineteen hundred dollars was
| the present Indebtedness of the church.
Mr.. Williams succeeded in raising about
| $1,000 by the close of the afternoon
| meeting. Last evening the services
We're largely attended. T. NJ. Peck, of
Carbondale, gave an excellent address
| on Our Home Churches" This was
followed by an address by Rev. Mr..
Butland. of Throop. who spoke on "Our
| Abingdon Association" Rev. w. c.
| Tilden spoke in pleasant and interest
ing manner on the work of the Baptists
! and the results. Rev. J. c. Hogan was
| introduced, who made some congrat-
ulatory and other pleasant remarks
| Rev. j. l.. Williams then renewed the
work of solicitation and was successful
in having over $1,000 subscribed. A
| large number of visitors were present
| from Carbondale, Uniondale and other
places.