Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-28
VANCE CHAPEL DEDICATED.
The New Presbyterian Church at
Altenheim Formally Opened.
Impressive Services Held Yester-
day Afternoon-A Remarkable
Event-At Least a Thousand Peo-
pie Attended-TheN New Church
Pronounced to be the Finest in
This Section-The Dedication.


Pronounced to be the Finest in
This Section-The Dedication.
According to arrangements, the beau
tiful Vance Memorial Chapel, at Alien
helm, was dedicated to worship yes
terday afternoon. The number of peo-
pie who attended was surprising. The
church was taxed to its utmost capacity
in order to make room for the people
who came from Wheeling, Pleasant
Valley, and for several miles around.
Some came from as far as West Lib
erty and Roney's Point. Commencing
at one o'clock, several sections of cars
were run out from the city on the
Wheeling and Elm Grove motor line
At two o'clock the church was COM
fortably filled, but about twenty min
utes past that time two more trains of
people from Wheeling came out. This
was added by others on the o'clock
motor. In order to get as many in
side as possible, the large Sabbath
school room east of the auditorium
was opened and also the infant room.
Chairs were placed in these rooms and
in the rear aisles to furnish extra seats.
All the aisles and also the entrances
to the church were completely crowd
ed, several hundred people being
forced to stand during the services.
At the least estimate, one thousand
people were present at the dedication,
The church building, both inside and
outside, was much admired, and it was
acknowledged by all to be the finest
and most modern church building in
this section. The situation is lovely,
and the beautiful lawn and spreading
trees at the north and west sides give
a pastoral appearance that is charm
ing. Although the building has been
described before and full description
given in Sundays Register. with an
illustration of the edifice in Saturdays
paper, yet very few people that were
present yesterday had had a view of
the interior until yesterday. Magnifi-
cent is the word used to describe the
effect produced by the style of archi-
lecture and the loneliness OF the finish
and colors of the exterior. Flowers
and potted plants. placed in front of
the pulpit, added to the general appear
ance.
The services commenced promptly at
half-past two o'clock. The clear, mel
low tones of the chimes were sounded
a half hour previous by Mr.. Joseph l..
Rhees. They were rung again
Just before the services commenced.
The dedication services were unusually
interesting and impressive, made so by
good music, good preaching and a de-
vout spirit
Following an organ prelude-Easter
March-played in a mastery manner by
Organist Joseph L. Rhees. Miss Grace
Updegraff sang an impressive solo, en-
titled, The Better Land" Invocation
was spoked by the venerable Rev.
Laverty Grier, pastor of the Stone
church. at Elm Grove. THE Strain
Upraise." was a splendid voluntary
by the choir, composed of Miss E. Grace
Updegraff, Mrs. PEBBLES Tatum, E. r.
Billiard and H. w. Hughes. Rev. Jos.
Speers read an appropriate selection
from the Scriptures. H. w. Hughes
sang a well rendered solo, Il am the
Way
The installation of James V. Bradin,
as one of the elders Of the church, took
place Immediately afterward Rev, DR..
u. A. Cunningham, the officiating
clergyman, propounding the usual
questions to the elder-elect and the
members of the congregation. The
other elders and officials, as named IN
yesterdays Register, being installed at
the time of the organization of the con-
gregatipn, a week previous to last
Thursday After hymn, which the
congregation and the choir united in
singing. the dedication sermon was
preached by Rev. David NJ. Shilling, of
Allegheny. who is cousin of Rev. DR..
Cunningham. Rev. Mr.. Skilling's SER
mon was an exceedingly thoughtful
composition and was delivered with
forcefulness. 1t was very appropriate
70 the occasion. The following is an
abstract:
Rev. Mr.. Shilling took as his topic
"The Strength of the Church Ele-
n,ents CT the strength Of tie
church mentioned were the power
of the Holy Spirit, the power of wealth,
power of prayer, personal influence and
conservation. The strength OF the
church is found in the sincere consecra-
ton of the lives of its members to the
service of Christ. With their lives
filled with the Holy Spirit; with their
material wealth at command; with
their personal influence so great. and
their nrayers so earnest and fervent.