The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-14
GREAT CROWD SEES
Dedicatory Services at Ply
mouth Church.
Or. FISK'S GREAT SERMON
Citizens Contribute Literally
to Pay for PewS.

~ ~
Sunday morning last marked a mem
orable epoch in the ecclesiastical history
of Wichita, and as well marked land
mark in the general review of the city.
plymouth Congregational church, that is
the new edffice, was formally dedicated
and the occasion was one that the older
members Of this church will all their lives
recall as sort of family reunion. and
the newer ones as a prominent Landmark.
During the boom when Wichita first be-
gan to feel her strength, there were four
CONGREGATIONAL churches in this city; one
located on Paramount, a suburb Of the
city, and then known as Paramount Con-
gregational church; one on Fourteenth
and Fairview avenue, known as May
flower church; one south on Lawrence
avenue known as Olivet, and the central
organization which was always called
plymouth" named after the birthplace
Of its first pastor Today Plymouth and
Paramount alone remain, and they are
fourishing, live churches, each with
strong, active membership, and both
working together for the upbuilding of
the general membership and for the cause
10 which they are pledged Plymouth
Congregational church has passed
through the ups and downs and tasted
the bitter and the sweet, but now this
church organization stands proudly forth
with one Of the finest church edifices IN
the city, recently completed and practic-
ally free from debt and with an earnest,
active membership, which will mean much
to the citys good in the years to come.
Those Of the old time membership pres
ent Sunday morning could not refrain
from a little reminescence, a sort Of re-
prospective view into the past They re-
call the earnest and resultant efforts put
forth by the first aston, Rev. Mr.. Har-
per. Later. during the exciting boom"
period, the services Of Rev J. H. Parker,
who resigned to take up the work Of
Paramount college, then a young ladies'
seminary, as intended, and always as
now, q wad Of Congregationalism. Then
came the interregnum during which the
church worshipped with supply minis
tiers for a long time. Then came Rev. J..
D. Milln1en who took up the work and
with his lovely family of sons and daugh-
tiers did much to maintain life and re-
new vigor in the society. Then came an
other lull, which was finally supplanted
by the pastOrate Of DR.. Bissell perhaps
% ., fc4o ~ ha
gospel who ever favored a Wichita pull
pit. He resigned to accept a chair in the
LeIand-Stanford university in California,
and was succeeded by the two bright and
energetic young men, the Rev. J. Sydney
Gould and Rev. ]. H. Ward, the latter
now OF Emporia- These two thoroughly
Banctified and earnest men took Up the
work in the city and did duty in all the
Congregational churches which then re-
manned. They We're succeeded by the
Rev. J. A. Thayer, who has accomplished
a grand work in this city, and though
taking up task which seemed at the
time a most heroic one, has faithfully
performed his duties, and not only done
great service in the spiritual cause, but
Tbuilt up a strong active church organ
ization and given to the society through
his persistent work a new church build
ing, in which the enlarged body may
worship and feel that the work they
have undertaken to do is not any longer
handicapped for want of room.
On Sunday morning nearly thousand
people were present to enter the new
church and witness the impressive cere-
monies Of dedication. The auditorium Of
the building seats about zoo people.
Chairs We're provided for about 200 more,
and the last aisle was crowded with those
who were obliged to stand. 1t is esti-
mated conservatively by the ushers that
at least 800 more were turned away.
There was little room for decorations. but
the small space about the pulpit and the
choir was prettily decorated with jars Of
VIII tie chrysanthemums, potted palms.
and roses. on the rostrum behind the
pulpit were seated the following members
of the clergy Of this denomination, some
of whom have been associated with the
best Of Plymouth's history: Rev. J. H.
Parker. ten years ago pastor of the
church. now of Kingnsher. Oklahoma in
the capacity OF lerrlt 0rlal superintendent
for the Board of Home Missions. Rev.
Thomas Harper, now of Oklahoma City
and for years a prominent worker in Ply
mouth. and the son OF its first pastor.
Rev. Joel Harper, brother Of the former.
a graduate OF the public schools of Wich-
ita, and long member Of the local So
ciety. Rev. W. \. Bosworth, pastor Of
Paramount Congregational church; Rev.
/. P. Broad, superintendent Of Home
Missions for the state of Kansas. who has
many times filled the pulpit when there
was no regular pastor, and REV. D. NJ.
Fisk D. d. Of Topeka.
In the choir were the following: Mrs.
Bryan. soleist: Mrs Wilson. Mrs. Darl-
ing. Mrs. Robertson and Mrs. F. W. Bent
ley. solosr: Messrs. Pierpoiut, Hawley
and Hammer.
The program as prepared for the occa-
sion was as follows; Piano prelude. by
Miss Gertrude Calhoun: doxology by the
choir and the congregation; invocation ny
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