The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-16
ITS ANNIVERSARY.
Jefferson ST. Church Observes
Fiftieth Birthday.
An Interesting Program OF Exercises
Success ully Carried Out.

In honor Of tho 5tOh anniversary of the
jefferson Street Baptist church there was
a suitable celebration last evening by the
members of the church. shortly after
O'Clock a goodly mum Der Of ladies and
gentlemen gathered in the vestry and
enioyed an excellent supper. which bnd
been prepared by committee of ladies.
The supper was all the more satisfying
because every one was in a happy mood
over the glorious anniversary.
After about an hour and half had been
devoted To supper and conversation the
party repaired TO the auditorium, where
the service was TO be held. 1t was a
pleasant sight that greeted the eyes of
tho worshippers, for the platform had
been decorated with flowers and potted
plants in manner that showed rare
good taste.
The sunday school orchestra, which
is an excellent one. furnished instru-
mental music and the Y. NJ. &. A. quartet
sang number of choice selections during
the evening
The singing OF the doxology opened the
service and was followed by an inyoca-
tion by Rev. William ii. Palmer. Rev.
A. James, the acting pastor Of huggics
Primitive Methodist church, read selec-
tions from the Scriptures. Then Rev
Mr. Palmer gave "a history of the church
as it did all the more important facts in
the many years Of labor Of the mem bers
or the society.
1t was at n convention OF the Rhode
Island Baptist State Association that a
committee was appointed TO acquaint
itself with the city OF Providence as a
missionary field. One Of the first places
selected by this committee to begin In
creased work was Smiths Hill. SO salts
factory was the result OF the inquiries
made by the mombers Of the committee
that in March, 1916. there was meeting
held at which committee was appointed
to get estimates for the cost of n new
church. In May of the same year IL was
decided To erect church at the corner
of Davis and Common streets. The
church, when built, was 50x35 and the
money. or at least the most OF It, for the
new church, was raised by subscriptions
OF So. The dedication took place in
November and the holding Of services and
Of Sunday school were begun. Since
that time the work has been faithfully
aud earnestly done. IL was on June IL,
lSi7, that the services Of recognition as v
Baptist church took place. The first regu-
lar pastor was Rev. Mr.. Richards. After
about 20 years in the original church
structure the members determined TO have
church more suitable To their increased
prosperity and mum bers so the fine Trick
structure at the corner Of jefferson and
Common streets was erected.
Prayer was offered by Rev. DIR. Bun ker,
missionary TO Burmah, when the pastor
concluded his historical address. An in
teresting letter dealing with the far gone
struggles that the society had was read
which had been written by an old mem ber.
Rev. DIR. Henry NJ. King of the First
Baptist church brought the Rres tings of
bis society and referred to tho noble self
sacrificing work of the mem bers Of the
church from its earliest days. Rev. DR.
Warren Randolph who succeeded Rev. Mr..
Richards as pastor OF the church said
when he became pastor the church had 4S
members and when he left IL had s5 mem
bers. The next speaker was Rev. DIR.
Mukoever, the predecessor of Rev. Mr.
Palmer and he spoke pleasant words Of
conGratulation.
Rev. Ernest G Wesley of the Park Street
Free Baptist church, the church neigh
bors of the jefferson street society, do
Iiyered one of his customary felicitous
addresses. He spoke in an earnest manner
OF the good work Of Rev. Mr.. Palmer.
After "A violin solo by Mr.. Edwin Bas.
sett which was well rendered, Rev. James
n. Ever of tho Union Baptist church
spoke briefly. The services closed with
the benediction by Row. DR.. Randall