The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-10-12
UNITED EvANeBL1oALs HAPPY.



Rev. Sweigart, Of Ashland, preached a
powerful sermon to the Bethany United
Evangelical congregation in Dougherty's hall
yesterday morning and another in the even
ing, and also assisted the pastor, Rev. |. J.
Reitz, in conducting communion after preach
ing at the latter service. Just before closing
the evening service the pastor formally an
nounced that the trustees Of the congrega-
tion had purchased during the past week the
church building formerly used by the English
Lutheran congregation and it is expected
that the edifice will be ready for occupancy
in about six weeks. He urged upon each
one in the congregation, as well as all
friends, to give the trustees all the help they
can.
This is a happy approach to the end of a
long season of turbulent experience which
the congregation has had through an unfor-
tunate split at the head of the old church.
1t was originally precipitated by a
dispute between factions as to where
the general conference should be held.
One faction, adherents Of Bishop Dubs
maintained that it should be- held in
the Eastern Pennsylvania District the
adherents of Bishops Esher and Bowman
claimed Illinois was the proper place. Ei ch
faction stood by its claims and two CON
ferences were held. The matter was carried
into the courts and the Esherite faction was
sustained its conference being declared the
legal one This faction then called upon the op-
posing congregations to come within its juris-
diction, or forfeit their charters and properties
but this all the Dubs congregations refused to
do. Some at once made the forfetures, but
others held out, the members of the con-
gegations claiming that they had built their
churches by individual contributions and
that they We're the real owners Of the pro-
pertes. One of these was the Shenandoah
congregation. The matter was again carried
into the court and the claims Of the Esherite
factions were again sustained. 1t was stated
that in as much as the congregation had placed
the properties in the name of the general con-
ference and the Esherites had been declared
the legal head Of that conference they were
entitled TO the properties. The Shenandoah
congregation. like many Others in the state,
vacated. The church. parsonage, etc, at the
corner 6f Cherry and West streets was left to
the Eshetites and they now hold it. The old
congregation had held it for over twenty
years and invested in it from $4,000
TO $4,000. The property consists of
a church, two dwellings under it, on
the West street side, and a parsonage
and dwelling for the janitor on the Cherry
street side. Only year before the property
was vacated about 49, 600 had been spent in
improvements. The feeling of the old con-
gregation was so strong in favor of Bishop
Dubs that not one was left to stand by the
old church and they re-organized as the
Bethany United Evangelical church.V 1t is
about a year since the eiectment took place
and during that time the congregation has
been worshipping in Dougherty's hall.
The church just purchased is located on
North Jardin street, between Centre mad
Lloyd streets. 1t is very neat little editice,
but must be enlarged to accommodate the
new owners. 1t is understood the front will
be brought flush with the street and an addi-
ton Of 20 feet will be added to the rear, II
will also be necessary to remodel the interior
of the edifce to some extent in order TO af
ford room for the Sunday school independent
of the general assembly room. This will
probably be provided for by portable parti
tiOn. Definite plans for the change have no
been made, however but workmen will be
gin ut once to make excavations for the addi
ton at the rear The sentiment of tn
public is strongly in favor of the congrega
tion and little difficulty will be experiences
in securing help to pay for the church an
d improvements In one day last week til
pastor raised 81 800 by subscriptions. Sey
eral members of the congregation have al
ready subscribed sums ranging from $50 I
$500