The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-05-07

Gay had been arranged for the cere-
monies, for the reason that many
persons had desired it to be on that
day, as they could not conveniently
attend at any other time. He said
tat there were those present who
could remember the erection of the
first old frame church in 1897, and
who could remember when the society
was but few in numbers and worshiped
in a wagon shop; while scores were
present who had witnessed the cree
ton and dedication of the brick struc-
ture in 1857, the largest church edifce
in the county at that time, which has
recently been torn down, the site
covered by the foundation walls of
the present large, substantial, and
beautiful building in course of con-
struction.
That the boys and girls present
would be glad in after years to re-
member that they were present upon
this occasion.
He also stated that he desired their
pres ence for another reason, and that
was, that churches could not be built
without money. That at the breaking
of the ground, when the congregation
was not nearly as large, the offering
amounted to $50, and from this i'm
mense audience a handsome sum
ought to be realized. After the offer
ing which amounted to little over one
hundred dollars was received came
the important part of the program
to wit, the laying of the stone. 1t was
presented by c. f. Yorks from whose
quarry the other stone are obtained,
upon which is chiseled in raised letters
''First M. +. Church, Bloomsbury,
1896" which was done by Mr.. Evans,
the contractor.
In the stone will be placed copper
box, the gift of L. E. Whary and wife,
containing the following articles:
A Bible, the gift of John J. Wagon
seller.
A Church Hymnal, the gift of Rev.
B. c. Conner and wife.
Discipline, 1899, the gift of Lloyd
T. Sharpless and wife.
Conttreaee Minntts, 1896, the gift
| of Clinton c. Peacock.
Origin al Class Book, dated 1892.
Subscription book for the old frame
church, dated Dec. II, 1896.
The History of Methodism, in
Bloomsburg, written by l. w. Hart
man and wife.
Copies of the Christian Ad5oeat.
the Epw0rtA Herald, the PennsyL
rama JfetAodiSt Tile bloomsbury
Daily, the Bloomsburg Republican,
Bloomsburg COLUMBIAN, the Blooms
burg Sentinel
The names of the class leaders,
trustees and stewards of the church
the names Of the building committee
the names of the officers, teachers
and scholars of the Sunday School
the names of the members of the
choir; the officers and members o.
the Epworth League, the officers Of
the Junior League with short his
tory of the organization, also Junior
League badge: officers and members
of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society; Photograph of the old church
and tabernacle, catalogue of Norma
School, and paper of the Norma
School.
Prayer was offered by ]. w. Henson
who IN a fervent manner invoked
Gods blessing upon the enterprise
and thank Him that He had put i
into the hearts of the congregation tc
erect this temple. The doxologl
was sung, the benediction pronounced
by Rev. H. Johnson, of the A. M. K
church, and then the exercises came
to close.
The church is being constructed O
beautiful grey stone, which are OBJ
tanned at the quarry of c. f. Yor!;s
and is trimmed with Indiana linn
stone, and when completed will be on
of the finest edifices in Central Penn
sVlyania.