The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-10-29
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. Wright Tells How 1t Was
Built and How the Money Was Raised.

Rev. Mr.. Wright of ST. Lawrence
church preached yesterday morning from
the text found In Psalm 1871: lex
cept the Lord build the house, they labo
in vain that build It," His remarks were
devoted largely to an account of the
building Of the church editica OF the Con-
gregational societylof Munjoy hill, known
as st. Lawrence church. He said, in part:
Three years have passed since the dedi-
cation of this church edlhce. / have
frequently been asked to give a history
of it's erection and 1 have long desired
to do so.
This morning 1 will speak to you about
How we built the new church, - drawing
the facts OF the narrative partly from
the parish records, but more largely from
my own knowledge and memory of the
work.
At an adjourned annual meeting of
the st Lawrence parish held January %,
1889, the first action was taken in refer
ence to the matter of building new
church edihce. A committee was then
appointed to report concerning "the views
of the parish on the expediency of erect
ing a new hOuseHof worship on the site
OF the old church. This committee report
ed April 3D. 1889, In substance, that the
views OF the parish were not favorable
to any immediate effort to this end. But,
seemingly in Difference to the wishes of
the minority, Messrs w. l.. Blake,
George l.. Gerrish and S. II. Thompson
were appointed a committee to solicit
subscriptions. This movement resulted
in a subscription fund Of between four
and five thousand dollars, part of which
was paid in. This fund was considerably
increased by system of weekly offer
ings. The proceeds ($l50) of a successful
entertainment given in City hall by our
young people, were added to the fund.
For want OF general support, however,
the effort was suspended. This proved
to be providentiaI failure, for had the
movement suco eeded we should probably
be worshipping in new improved church
building on St. Lawrence street, and
this editioe would never have graced our
beautiful hill.
Looking back upon this apparent fail
ure, sac In 1T, under Divine grace, a
positive advance towards the desired
end. BY that effort we strengthened the
general desire and hoIe for a new
| church ed1hce, and secured a fund in
hand, which was afterWard made avail
able for the purchase Of the site OF this
building
Five years passed away and nothing
further WAS done. Not until Septem Der
20 1895, was any parish action taken
concerning the matter. On this date
special parish meeting was called to de-
eide what shall be done In regard to
the purchase or the so-called ''skating
rink lot."
Deacon Arthur C.Libby or this church,
learning that this property was to change
hands, informed me OF the situation, and
said he would purchase it for the Par
ish If made sure of its endorsement 1
advised him to interview certain mem
bers OF the parish and get their approval,
and then go ahead. This was done. 1t
was mid summer. There was no time
to get parish action. Certain 1nuividu-
ais, prominent as church and parish
leaders, Consulted together, and de-
oided ID purchase the lot and no d it as
prospective church site even If the par
ism should disapprove. The lot was Sc
cured by Mr.. Libby paying down Sl00
to bind the bargain. The purchase
price was $500 Mr.. Libby's receipt
Tor that SlOO, bears date September Is.
1854 memorable day IN the history OF
our church building enterprise, for Mr..
L1bby's prompt action on that day made
the erection Of this edfdce possible. He
Will probably never have an opportunity
to do greater ser 10 to this parish and
community than ho has rendered by his
wise and disinterasted enterprise in this
matter. The five gentlemen OF the par
ish who supported him in his proposal
ana action have also laid the St. Law
renee people and the entire community
under lasting debt OF gratitude to
them. In this and in other important
matters it has proved most fortunate
TOR our interest that we had on the par
ish COMMITTEES a competent lawyer ana
a successful real estate agent.)
Another fortunate, not to say pro-
vidential fact, concerning the 8, ouHng of
a church site, was that the a Joining
lot, needfuI ktO complete the ch0rch site,
was the property Of a mem Der OF the
parish who was willing to surrender it
for this purpose. Deacon j ohm Cousins
sold his lot to the parish upon which he
had hoped to erect new home for him.
self. Failure to secure this lot Would
have defeated all plans and endeavors
In all these fortunate circumstances
L clearly discern the hand OF Divine
Providence working with us in our
new church enterprise.
There was however, at this time, no
! thought in the minds or our parish Off
GERS Of any attempt to build a church in
the near future. In truth, none expected
to see the new church editice for years
to come, and yet, within two years after
the date of Mr.. Libby receipt for the
500 binding the purchase bargain of the
church site, this editiee was completed
and ready for dedication.
How this was brought about forms
another chapter in our story about "HoW
We Built the New Church.
On January 1, 1886, occurred the 25th
anniversary OF the union between the
pastor and people Of this church and
parish On the morning Of that day the
pastor reviewed the long period during
which minister and people had walked
and worked together in harmony.
In closing, he saids 1--WE have under
taken a great work. The site for new
church ed1hce has been secured. The
enterprise is begun, when our eyes shall
behold it's completion none can predict.
Hitherto hath the Lord helped u.s.
Let us go forward in the way He Is lead
ing us-belleving that If we do WOrthily
what tho Lord gives us to do and makes
possible for us to do we shall have His
benediction and the unfailing grace
OF His help"
In the evening there was a joyful COM
memoratton OF this anniversary. Many
of the city pastors, representing all de-
nominations, were present Drs. Dalton,
Fem, Lindsay and Jenkins, and the Rev.
Vim. Carruthers OF HoIyoke, Mass, were
the sneakers Warm and apDreciatiVe