The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-07-18
CORNER STONE
DEFTLY LAID.
Appropriate Exercises Attend an
Important Church Event.
PROMINENT PASTORS TALK
south End Reformed Mission VIII Soon
Have Splendid Edi2ce In which
to worship Good Work
Accomplished.

to worship Good Work
Accomplished.
ON Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock the
congregation of the South End Reform
ed mission laid the corner stone Tor the
new building now in course otconstruc-
tion. The weather was somewhat in
clement, therefore the general part OF
the program was observed in the old
church building on Charles street. The
attendance was extremely large so that
standing room was hardly available.
Several out of town ministers assisted
in the services and the program with
few exceptions was carried out sub
stantially as published in the News
Democrat.
Promptly at o'clock Pastor Strass-
ner, OF the, congregation, began the
ceremonials with an address Of welcome
to the immense audience, thanking
them for their presence, and following
with an invocation. The congregation
Joined in singing hymn, which was
followed with the reading of the scrip
lures and an invocation by Rev. Koz-
over OF Cleveland, in the
German language. The address
of the occasion by Rev. o.
p. Foust, of Massillon, was preceded
by hymn by the Sunday school. "The
Corner Stone" was the subject OF Rev.
Foust's address. He referred to the
present laying OF the corner stone and
commended the congregation for the
energy displayed by them in the erec-
tion of the new church building. "The
chief corner stone is Jesus Christ to
him all christians should adhere" said
the speaker. The remarks were inter-
esting and very appropriate for the
occasion.
This speaker was followed by Rev.
Zartman, of the Reformed Congrega-
tion, at Fort Wayne, Ind. Rev. Zart-
man is we'll known as forcible speaker
and at one time ministered unto one OF
the local congregations. He referred
to the upbuilding of the mission and to
the work that was still before them,
stating that he was satisfied that the
building of the church would increase
the strength of the congregation and
generally commended the members in
their undertaking.
The Strassner quartet followed with
'Te Deum Laudamus" rendered in their
own inimicable manner. "Three
Years Old" was the toast assigned Rev.
II. Clay Ferguson, of Calvary
Presbyterian church. Rev. Fergu,
son is always an interesting speaker,
and his remarks in answering
the toast were attentively listened to.
He spoke of the beginning of the mis-
sion work in the South End by Rev.
Strassner just three years ago, and the
difficulties which he encountered in the
formation of congregation, and he
referred to the present excellent con-
dition of the church.
Rev. G. w. Brewbaker was the next
speaker. His subject was "Tender
Plants" He spoke of the extreme
youthfulness of the congregation, and
he commended the members for the
zeal they exhibited in securing new
members and the energy with which
they undertook the building of the
church. He said they should continue
In their zealousness and do all the good
they can, and hoped and believed they
would have very fine home.
Rev. G. E. Manchester and Rev. j.
A. Hall, who were enlisted on the pro-
gram for short remarks, were unavoid.
ably absent.
The laying of the cornerstone was
then proceeded to. The hymn GLOW
Firm Foundation" was sung by the
assemblage, and the preparation of the
documents and material to be enclosed
in the stone was concluded. Enclosed
in the stone were copies of the News.
Democrat and other local papers, a
bundle of church papers, list of the
present members of the church, the
contributors to the building fund, a
copy of the constitution of the congre-
CATION and photograph of the old
church building. These were inclosed
and sealed in two glass jars to keep
them from deteriorating.
The South End Reformed Mission
was three years old on the third OF last
May. The congregation at its start
consisted OF only very few members.
Today 1t numbers several hundred.
On the morning OF the first Sunday In
every month German services are cele-
brated, other services generally being
in the English language. Rev. Strass-
ner, the pastor, formerly presided in
the First Reformed church In East
Tuscarawas street, this city. He ex-
pressed preference for mission work
where it was most needed and there
fore took up that part of the work and
with great labor and energy built up
the present membership almost unas.
sisted.
The congregation contemplated a
new church building from the start
but the proceeds were not obtainable
.. because of the few members, and it Is
therefore with enthusiasm that they
worked energetically to enlarge their
membership list and eventually secure
funds to enable them to proceed In
their building. The new structure
will be built of frame with brick We.
neer. Two vestibules will lead into
the front of the building, surmounted
by tall steeples. There will be an aud
itorium As feet by 30 feet in dimensions,
also committee room and ante-rooms.