Cañon City record., 1900-12-13
CORNER STONE.
Services of the Laying of the Corner
Stone of the First Presbyterian
Church Thursday Afternoon.

The day dawned clear and bright
and at 2 p. m. Thursday vast con-
course of people gathered at the
corner of Seventh and Macon to
witness the laying of the corner stone
of the new Presbyterian church,
which event has been looked forward
to for many months.
Mr.. S. H. Atwater, chairman of the
building committee, acted as master
of ceremonies, and in few words
told of the pleasure this occasion
afforded the members of the commit
tee and indeed every citizen of the
city interested in this enterprise. He
then called on ]. X. Brewster, senior
elder and charter member of the
original organization, for the invoca-
tion prayer. Rev. H. B. Cook, pastor
M. E. church, read the scriptures
from Sd chapter of lst Corinthians.
Judge Sam. P. Dale, Elder, gave a
short but interesting talk on the
changes and progress in our city
during his residence here and by way
of comparison noted the growth of
the church, stating that while few
years ago the present building was
sufficient to accommodate the people,
now it is entirely out grown, and to-
day we are gathered to lay the corn
er stone in larger sphere for christ
ian work; he then proceeded to place
the zinc box which contained the
latest edition of the Messenger" /;
Canon City RECORD; Clipper; Times;
Denver Republican; Easter issue
RECORD; Church Manual; Prayer
meeting topic card; Membership roll
since organization of church; Presby-
terian confession of faith; The Holy
Bible; names of pastors; history of
kindergarten and adult S. s.; Chris
tian Endeavor; Christian Association; I;
Band of Hope. The mortar was then
spread and the handsome corner stone
was lowered to position and squared
up by the Judge and Architect Rit-
tenhouse. On its face was carved
"A. d. 1900" The stone is very
handsome; its dimentions are 2x2-4
by A.
The pastor, Rev. Harry N. Wilson,
made the address of the occasion in
his usually eloquent manner, eliciting
the closest attention from the audi
ence. The RECORD would be glad to
print the address in full but space
forbids. Among the important state
ments made We noted this special one:
I look upon this building now rising
in strength and beauty, first as an
enduring and living monument of past
acts of self-sacrifice and loving ser
vice. Let us not forget this day that
others have labored for and we have
entered into their labors. This
edifce should tell story, too, far
and wide, of the value of Home Mis-
sions. Do Home Missions pay? This
was a Home Mission church. Its
organization was only possible be-
cause we had Board of Home Mis-
sions, and until but twenty years ago
the Board aided in its support. Now,
in such brief epoch, to be able to
erect such building as this what
an object lesson to our whole church
of the wisdom in the bestowal of
their gifts"
Rev. w. j. Fisher, pastor Cumber-
land church, made the closing prayer.
An invitation was given for all who
wished to inspect the structure to
remain and they would be escorted
around by the architect and full
explanations made. The benediction
was then pronounced by Rev. Father
Waldo.
A temporary floor had been placed
Immediately back of the corner stone
and sufficient number of chairs to
accommodate the elders, deacons and
trustees of the church and pastors
of the city. During the services
many kodack snap shots were taken.
A careful estimate shows the number
of persons present to exceed five
hundred. The most memorable day
since the organization of this church
is December 6. 1900. For twelve
years this new building has been up
permost in the hearts and minds of
the membership and after many dis