Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-03-24
Contributed to the Register.)
CHURCH DEDICATION.
The Handsome New Lutheran Church at UHill
Consecrated to the Worship of God.

On Sunday morning last the new
Lutheran Church at Uvilla was dedl-
Gated to the worship and service Of
God in the presence Of a very large
concourse people, in accordance with
the beautiful and impressive liturgy
of the evangelical church.
The membership of this church is a
part of the Shepherdstown Lutheran
congregation. For the convenience Of
those living in the vicinity Of Uvilla
as far back as 1848 and 1850, services
were held here. In 1856, during the
ministry of Rev. DR.. Shelter, a new
church was built of brick, 81 feet by
40, which served until 1877, when,
during the ministry Of Rev. DR.. Hol-
land, the edifce was remodeled and
beautifed at cost of $3.50. During
the past three years the congregations
have been growing, and an enlarge
ment of the capacity of the church be-
came a necessity. The proposition of
the pastor, Rev. c. H. Rockey, for a
new church was most heartily en-
dorsed and the movement begun in
July, 1897. The cornerstone was
laid in September, and the work pushed
on vigorously until its completion and
dedication last Sunday.
The building committee was COM
posed of Messrs. ]. D. Derr, A. 5.
Link, A. P. Reinhart, Chas. G. Moler
and the pastor, This committee Sc
sured subscriptions sufficient to meet
the cost of the new building before the
contracts were given out, and this
was practically done in three days
systematic canvass.
The series of dedicatory services
began on Friday night last in the new
church. Rev. G. G. Everhart, Of
Shepherdstown, preached the opening
sermon, his theme being " Consecra-
ton to Christ. On Saturday night,
the weather being more clement,
large congregation was present to hear
Rev. Charles S. Albert, D. D., literary
editor of the Lutheran Publication
House, Philadelphia. DR.. Alberts
theme was Christian Helpfulness.
On Sunday morning the weather was
threatening, but before the hour for
service the clouds cleared away and
the large church was filled a half hour
before service commenced. The
crowds still kept pouring in from all
the towns around, from Harper's Fer
~ to Martinsburg The ushers had
provided additional seating for aisles
and side rooms, but when all availa-
bic space was occupied, with scores in
aisles, vestibule and approaches, many
were still unable to get inside the
door. The altar and pulpit were
handsomely and artistically decorated
with flowers and potted plants, add
ing much to the beauty Of the new
church. Services of dedication began
promptly at II o'clock. The pastor
conducted the liturgical service, and
DR.. Albert delivered mastery and
eloquent sermon on the theme appro-
pirate to the occasion, "The church a
pillar and ground of truth. 1t was
listened to throughout by the large
congregation with undated interest.
After the sermon an opportunity for
voluntary offering was given. There
was no begging for money necessary
to complete the work, as this matter
had been ATTENDED to before the work
began. The voluntary offering, how
ever, amounted to $5l.23. The fnan-
ciaI report was then read by the treas
urer of the building committee, Mr.
A. S. Link, the summary Of which We
give below. The pastor, Rev. c. II.
Rockey, had advised the auditing of
this report previously by four men
taken from the congregation, so as to
satisfy all concerned with the accuracy
and discretion in handling all moneys
by the treasurer. This report, read
by Mr.. ]. L. Eichelberger, followed,
stating that the reports were correct,
The church was then formally set apart
to the worship and honor of God by
the pastor, assisted by Rev. Drs. Al
bert and c. L. Keedy. This conclud-
ed the dedicatory service. At 7 P. m.
the closing service of the series was
held. Rev. DR.. c. L. Keedy, presi-
dent of Mar College, Hagerstown,
Nd, preached on the theme The
Nearness of Christ. The singing at
all these services, which was Of high
order and added greatly to the exer-