The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-17
A QUARTER CENTENNIAL
IT Is CELEBRATED BY THE DOW
NEY-AvENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Church Was Established i'm 1878
-ReminisceDt Addresses Made
by Speakers.

Yesterday was the quarter-century ami
versary of the Irvington Christian Church,
and appropriate services were held last
night in commemoration of that event. The
church was originally organized Sept. 49,
1885, with congregation consisting of
eighty-three members. The first meeting
was held in the chapel of Butler College, the
first pastor being A. A. Burgess Services
were held in the chapel of the university
until the fall of 1893. at which time the
present church edifice. corner of Downey
and Julian avenues, was erected, at
cost of $4,000. At present the congrega-
ton numbers more than $50, and the church
debt, which at first almost equaled it's
entire cost, has been reduced to about
$4,000
The exercises last night consisted of brief
addresses, almost wholly reminiscent of the
early days of the church. S. NJ. Houston,
one of the original members of the church,
said that the removal of Butler College
from the city proper to its present site
in Irvington, brought about the necessity
of establishing a church i'm its immediate
vicinity. Mr.. Houston briefly related how
the college happened to be brought to Ir-
vington. He said that the trustees had
announced their intention of selling part
of their property In indianapolis, the pro-
ton of an endowment for the college, and
of purchasing a smaller site. There were
many applications from different cities
throughout the State for the college, Mr.
Houston said, and IL was only after
most strenuous effort and a gift of $50 900
that Irvington succeeded in securing the
prize. The first discourse ever delivered
to the congregation OF the present church.
according to Mr.. Houston. was by j. o.
Hopkins, a trustee of the college Mr.
Houston concluded his remarks by saving
that he was very proud of the advance
ment the church had made, and in fact, he
was proud of every thing in connection
with the church. except the debt which en-
numbered ii.
Professor Allen Benton, at the conclusion
of Mr.. Houston's remarks. read the original
articles of incorporation of the church. and
mentioned the names of the charter MEM
bers of the church who are still living and
are members in good standing. They are
Mr.. and Mrs. S. NJ. Houston, Mrs Milton
Hopkins, Mrs. Tibbett, Miss Anna Tibbett
Miss Ella Mccullough. Mrs. NJ. L. Burgess
j. " Combs and w. s. Moffett.
Rev A. 3. Philputt, pastor of the Central
Christian Church, spoke briefly of the re-
lation OF a pastor TO his congregation. He
said this relation should be clear and well
defined, as otherwise the pastor and his
congregation might work at cross purposes
The ministry is a very ancient office, he
said. and should be a ministry of service
Confusion arises about the work of a
minister he said, because there exists con-
fusion as to Christ's purposes The minis
ter becomes a Paul Revere. warning men
from the wrath TO come, and he Is q priest
who propitiates God in behalf of his peo-
pie He said Christ came to earth TO
bring to all men sense of justice and
right and it is now become the duty of
the minister to awaken in all men the
sense of duty TO God. The minister can
only effectively do his duty, said Mr. Phil
putt, when he receives the earnest CO.
operation of his congregation. Others who
made brief remarks were III. r. Pritchard.
f. NJ Norton. pastor of the church, and
Rev. Jabez Hail.