The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-14
TWENTY-FIVE ANNIVERSARY AT
OAK PARK.

ODlIy OuuTCU, Odh L drb, IeeN. ~. L !.
Johonnot, pastor, celebrated the twenty
fifth anniversary of it's organization on
Friday evening, March 6, under very
pleasant and happy auspices. The an
niversary had been looked forward to
with great interest for several weeks
and extensive preparations had been
made for the occasion. The evening
was one of the pieasantest Of the season
and everything conspired to render the
occasion a delightful reunion of the par
ish and its friends.
From to Z reception was held in
the main audience room of the church,
at which gathered some $50 of the mem
bers and their invited guests, with many
friends from other churches in the viii
lage. 1t was fraternal gathering of a
delightful character. The old members
of the church who we're present received
many congratulations on the happy an
niversary of the beginnings of the So
ciety and young and old rejoiced over
the results of the quarter of centurys
loyal and devoted work.
At 7:15 the company repaired to the
vestry of the church where the ladies
had prepared a banquet worthy Of the
notable occasion. The tables we're
beautifully decorated and arranged in
handsome style, and spread with all the
concomitants of an enticing feast. Grace
was said by DR.. Cantwell and an hour or
more was rapidly passed in the enjoy
ment of the viands which we're admir-
ably served by corps of young ladies.
Shortly after the speaking began and
continued for two hours and more. Mr..
Dwight jackson, chairman Of the com
mittee. presided and first introduced the
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Johonnot. who made an
address of welcome, congratulating the
parish on it's history of twenty-five years
and thanking the members for their
kindness to him during his passionate.
The program then followed the fol
lowing order: Historical Sketch, Mrs.
Phebe M. Butler; Reading of Letters
From Elk Pastors by Miss Emily G.. Cur
rier; Address by DR.. A. ]. Garfield; Ad
dress, Mr.. 7. J. Skillen, Chairman of the
Board of Trustees; Solicitations, DR.. j. s..
Cantwell and Rev. 7. B. Gregory; Ad-
dress, Rev. Mrs. Celia p. Wooley; Fra
ternal Greetings from the local pastors.
Rev. r. H. Pooley, Methodist Episcopal
Church; Rev. Francis II. Rowley, First
Baptist Church; Rev. W. A. Bartlett.
Second Congregational Church. Short
speeches by Charter Members.
The entire program passed off very
pleasantly and the addresses were all Of
an appropriate order. The fraternal
words of the village pastors we're especi-
ally kind and noteworthy. Among the
letters was one read from Rev. Robert
Collyer. enclosing a gift for the new
organ of the church. Mr.. Skillen, in his
remarks, announced the pleasing intel
ligence that $1,000 had been contributed
as an anniversary offering for the organ.
The ex-pastors represented by letter
were Rev. j. W. Kinds. of California,
Rev. H. d. L. Webster, and Rev. Augusta
j. Chaplin, now in Europe. The Rev. Mr..
Hoyt of the Presby terian church of Oak
Park, sent a courteous letter of regret, as
he was not able to be present.
The occasion was further signalized
by the reading Of the following original
poem.
On the 25th Anniversary of Unity Church
Oak Park, March 6, 1896.
BY f. o. GALE.
on Times headsnd we stand, who are spared
OF that band,
| That quarter century flown
Here united TO praise The dear Father whose
ways
Find conception in goodness alone.
While the few who are left. have been sadly be-
reft,
| We have ne yer once questioned His love.
Who well-knowing the best, made our friends
truly blest
By inviting them sooner above.
And as now there appears. through our smiles
and our tears,
| The dim years of the past in review.
The sweet faces long missed, and those lips Il al
we kissed,