The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-07
Cabanne Congregation Will Decide
Morrow Whether 10 Join in
ST. Johns Project.
DR.. MESsIcKS BROAD IDEA.
He Favors Magnificent Mother
Church for All Southern Meth
odism, but VIII Not OPP
pose Consolidation.

IG-nDETOW the tdDdIlllt s'N-t'i'''' ~ -
odist Church will consider the question Of
uniting with ST. Johns Southern Metho-
dist Church and assisting in the erection
Of the magnificent Sicooo0 church eclfice
which ST. Johns congregation proposes 10
build. The Cabanne congregation Is with
ont a house of worship. its services being
held in the Academy building. For many
months the congregation has been discuss
ing the ACCESSIBILITY Of building. and had
almost decided 10 erect Il creditable church
structure on Union boulevard and peimar
avenue when St Johns congregation took
up the question of building In 'ne West
End, and the matter Was temporarily
dropped.
The Reverend Doctor Brinkey NJ. Messlck,
pastor Of Cahanne Church, which first ad-
vocated the establishment of a West End
church for all Southern Methodism. is not
satisfied with the movement originated by
-. Johns cOnGrega ton for the erection OF
a church editice west Of Taylor avenue with
in the next eighteen months. Doctor Mes
sichs idea IS not that st. Johns Church
should remove TO the West End. or that
Cabanne Church should build a fine house
in the West End. or that any other individ-
ual Southern Methodist congregation should
move 10 that locality or build there. but
that all the Southern Methodist bodies in
the city should unite in the establishment
Of a great church In the West End, which
being the child of all. should eventually be
come the mother church Of southern Meth
odism in this city. and remain for proba-
F!y twenty-five years.
Doctor Messicks Plap.
Last night Doctor Messick made the fol-
lowing statement 10 The r. public: Il have
no idea what action my congregation VIII
take on the matter of uniting with ST.
Johns Church. L have not sounded the
members and have not brought the matter
up before the Board of Stewards of the
church but I announced 10 the cougrega-
u Iah rob took nm. ha
question "f building in the West End. that
as soon as they had reached an agreement
] would give them chance to vote on the
question of uniting with St Johns Church
IN the movement. There is doubt that
ST. Johns congregation will be glad to have
us unite with them.
We would strengthen their membership
Of about $50 and would relieve them Of part
of the burden of building their expensive
church. But the question is whether the
Cabanne congregation will he willing to
unite with q congregation proposing 10
build so far from the home Of majority
OF them.
.'As / understand the intentions of St
Johns Church. its members propose sim
ply TO remove to the West End and 10
erect magnificent church building to cost
Sl1.6o. probably on the corner Of Kings
highway and Washington avenue That
VIII be very far from great many MEM
herS Of the congregation OF the Cabanne
church. Many of them were making sac
mar bouievards. and l fear that the idea
OF going several blocks farther yet will he
rejected by manS of the congregation. As
L have stated. however. l am not qualified
10 say what action they will take. for L
have not talked to them about the matter
Personally. l would favor the union of
the two churches. Undoubtedly. the move
ment for the establishment of a great West
End church for Southern Methodism should
neither should it. In my opinion. be con-
fined TO two congregations. My pet idea for
several years has been the establishment of
a great West End church. to be the off
spring OF all the Southern Methodist
churches and TO become the mother of them
all SUCH church would. of course. draw
from all the Southern Methodist churches
but. as all would he interested. none would
be envious OF its growth.
VIII Not Oppose Union.
When I took charge of the Cabanne
Church about a year ago / thought we
would have a church building and the idea
has been freely discussed.
Undoubtedly the congregation needs
and wants church building. and If 1t is
not possible TO secure a united movement
of all the Southern Methodist churches in
the city along the lines have mentioned. |
am of the opinion that il would be best for
the Cahanne Church to unite with ST.
Johns Church. provided the members do
not feel that the eG.tice the ST. Johns
congregation proposes to erect, will be 100
Tar distant from their homes.
TT. IN any event, | shall not oppose The
ulliop of the two churches. My objections
If they be called such, are simply to The
fact that the splendid movement for the
advancement Of the Southern Methods,
Church of St Louis should be confined 10
one or two churches. / would rather see
great West End church. the child of all
the Southern Methodist churches IN the
Church "'''
Il trust / shall not be misunderstood Z,
ms matter. i think the movement under
taken by St. Johns Church. or. rather n
Jew members of that church. is a great ono
but L would like to see II become a li,tl,
more comprehensive in its scope If nv
congregation are willing to unite with 81
JOINS church. shall approve of their de-
cision- The day has undoubtedly arrived
when the Southern Methodist churches of
81 Louis should come to the front with
SUCH broad movement as / have outlined
keeping pace with the spirit of church ey,
tension. which has marked the history of
the last few years of our CITY,"