The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-01-27
FREE FROM DEBT.
Shaftsburg Congregational Church
Dedicated to Its Sacred Offices.

| Perry journal, Jan. 20.
No prettier nor more conveniently
arranged church can be found perhaps In
the whole OF our great state. especially
when the expenditure of like sum of
money IS taken into account, than the new
Congregational church at Shaftsburg,
which was dedicated last Tuesday, 1t is
indeed beauty. and men who have had
experience IN building churches frankly
confess their surprise that sucn struc-
tire, representing the best of material and
workmanship, could he erected for such
sum as this building cost, which was
81, 1888 80.
On the arrival of the day of dedication
The church was faced by total indebted.
ness of 81, 12Os7 However, the Congre-
galional Church Building Society had
guaranteed the payment of the las, $500,
so that the amount to be raised Vas really
$6l2, When the dedicating services
were joined in by the pastor and the con.
gregatiOn near the close of the evening
service, not only was every dollar of the
necessary amount provided for, hut a
reserve fund reaching nearly $50 had also
been pledged
The exercises were very interesting.
The program was strictly adhered to with
the exception that President Sperry WAS
absent on account of sickness. which
necessilated the omission of ms sermon.
In its place short addresses were given by
the ministers present
SPECIAL mention seems due to Rev. f. B.
Allen, of Lansing, for SO faithfully and
kindly presenting the privilege of christian
giving that this beautiful edifice could he
dedicated free from debt. A most hearty
and unanimous vote of sympathy was ten.
dered him and his people on account of
the recent loss by fire of their new church
There is no doubt but that Shat sbprg
people will tnrn out in full force at the
dedication Of the church Rev, Allen and
his people are now planning.
The church is brick veneer 64x44
feet. The tower is SO feet high. The
auditorium is 3lx39, the lecture room
20x23, vestbule 0x9t, and the kitchen
S-6xl0-6
The vestibule entry faces the south. In
this there are two swinging doors, one
leading into the auditorium, the other into
the lecture room. These two rooms are
separated with sliding doors, which can
he handily raised when necessity requires
The inside work is finished 10 hard oil
the walls frescoed In three well blended
tints. and the windows are fitted with
cathedral glass.
The church is seated with oak finish
opera chairs, furnished by the Globe Fur.
niture Co., of Worthwhile, Mich The &c.
inch bell was purchased from the North.
vile Bell Co., of the same place The
pulpit is oak finished. the pulpit furniture
walnut finished and plush covered The
church is heated with Marshall furnace.
The lot on which the edlfice stands was
donated by County Treasurer r. f. Kay.
1t will not detract at all from the credit
due Others who have assisted in this splen-
did church building movement to say
that Mr.. Kay has taken very active and
vigorous interest in every detail. No one
is more pleased and proud than he of the
beautiful church that stands as a monu.
ment TO his sainted father, after whom il
is named.
There is but little doubt but the man to
whose heart this excellent movement has
laid the nearest is Rev, Thos RI. Warner,
the pastor. He must indeed be a happy
man. Much, of the success that has been |
attained is due to his untlring effort, his
careful business ability and his unques.
toned conservation to all that is great and |
good. 1t would be strange indeed if this |
people did not love and honor him. Here |
now in their beautiful little temple he and |
they can unite In ministering TO each |
other in the things OF God, and in united |
effort may present that Perfect Man to all |
who need a Friend
When time is taken to reflect IL seems |
indeed marvellous that thus band of christ.
ians should be organized on June 90. 1898,
into church, and that on January II, 4
1899, with membership of AZ, they should |
be able to dedicate a handsome and well
arranged and furnishd church, which had
been planned, built, and paid for IN the
days. Surely none otker
power than that of God had prevailed.
-R IA = =. TX |