Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-28
M'KINLEY CHAPEL.
Cornerstone Of the CoIored
Baptists'. Church Laid.
MUSIC, SINGING AND ADpRIssys.

Oas Of the DIggess Bassrpsisss Ever Ua-
dsrtahsn ~ . Csogrsg.sisa II the Raos
In Ininois Well Uaasr Wsy-A B.iiaips
70 Cost several rhousand Dollars.
The cornerstone Of Mckinley
chapel, the new house Of worship
which The colorsd Baptists are erect
ing at the southeast corner of Sixth
avenue and Tenth street, was laid
with imposing ceremony yesterday
afternoon In the presence of large
assem- olage Of people. The whi.s
folks turned out in large numbers,
manifesting spirit OF helpfuiness
and encouragement for their colorsd
brethren in their most commendabl
undertaking.
The exercises began at 8 O'Clock.
Seats provided for several hundred
we're filed. and the streets surround.
ing were crowded. Rev. ]. w.
Washington. the pastor of the Second
Baptist church, and to whose tireless
energy the success Of the building of
the new place o; worship is largely
due. acted as master OF ceremonies.
Bleuer's band played 3 selection /;
Rev. J. W. Malone, of Davenport, Of
fered prayer, and the choir sang.
An address by Rev. c. E. Taylor,
pastor Of the First Baptist church,
followed. He said Pastor Washing
ton and his people were to bs con-
graduated on their heroic undertak-
ing and marvellous success. Citizens,
he said, always take interest in new
entsrprises-the court house. post
Office, for instance. Each building
speaks for itself. Great merch and iss
horses represent commerce; court
house, law; postof6oe. news distribu-
ton. Each is erected Tor . specific
purpose. The house Of worship also
speaks to the community. Its spires
pointing heavenward says 1t Is erect
ed for the service of the most high
God. Politics and religion 90
hand 10 hand. especially when
colored people are concerned, de-
clared E. d. Sweeney. who followed
with an address. In referring to the
appropriateness in naming the chapel
after President Mckinley, who. he
said. he considered the greatest liv-
ling statesman in the world today.
He never looked into colored mans
face without seeing written across
his forehead that every man wa.
born free. The co!ored race 10 Q
Igrowing monument to L!ncoln's
memory, and the manner in which
the race is responding TO the oppor.
tunities offered them In an educa.
tional way speaks volumes for theil
desire to rise. Mr.. Sweeney spoke
lof tho schools Of ;he south where :he
lcolored young men and young WON.
en- are becoming thoroughly edu'
Gated to grappls with the worlds
business problems, and concluded
by paying high tribute to the pro
igressiveness OF the race.
Afr. ssArls Speaks.
States Attorney c. J. Searlo fol
lowed with brief remarks. in which
he congratulated tho people wh,
were building the new chapel
and contrasted the condition Of th,
colored race Of 30 years ago with to
day. noting the rapid st~ps " hiol
} have been taken in one short gener
alton In an educational way: II,
spoke Of how the colored folks usst
to worship in the woods; went te
meetings in calicoes. Now they ar,
dressed Is well az their white broth
: srs and sisters and. too, have theil
palatial edifices in which to WORSHIP
Ged.
i There were also remarks BY Rev
c. o. McCulloch, Rev. l. w. Alien
Rev. L j. Phillips and NJ E. Murf
The stone, which was cut by y. q.
Hull. was set in place by john Ssid.
Ter. In the cornerstone was p,acse
q copper box, which contains his
tory Of the church, names of cit,
and county officers, names of CON
tractor. carpenters and hricklayer.
and stonemasons, bible. officiA state
ment Of the court house, names O
members Of Bleuer's band, business
card OF Rock Island Art Stained
Glass company. Mckinley Inaugural
lunch. program, copies OF RocI
ISLAND ARGUS aud Union, caurcl
covenant and csins.
Interpreting the speech,s there
was music by the blnd and Mss
Matte Ingram, Of Molile sang .
solo, Miss Sarah Pearson, of Rock
Island. and Eugene Greene. OF DAv.
port. sang q duet. The beaed,otion
was pronounced by Rev. l. r
Stennis. The hat was passed in the
audienoe and E108 50 was contrib.
uted in cash, aside from a mum Der o
pledges made toward assisting in de
fraying the church debt. The cost
Of building the new church will b,
about $1,000.
History OF the Church.
! The Second Baptist church was Or
ganized in Rock Island Oct. 8. 1878
BY Rev. u. Rollins. of st. Paul, as
sisted BY Rev. J. 8. Maybe OF the
First Baptist church. Rock Island
Seven members were secured. They
were Mr.. and Mrs. Sandy Terry
Mrs. Celia Morrison, Mrs. Jane Nor.
rison, Mrs. Jane Tayl or. Mrs. Lydis
Ousley and George Hubbard. Rev.
r. Hawkins Was the first pastor.
IEaopOa HrhksrA anN C.uNv T>~--