The Minneapolis journal., 1901-12-07
Pulpit and Pew
THE UPTOWN CHURCH
Question of Removal Agitating Sew
eral Down Town Congregations.
ASSOCIATION OR CONVENIENCE
Opposing Views Set Forth by Repre-
sentatiVeS of Leading Down
Town Churches.

Minneapolis has reached that stage of
progress which has brought church sites
once on the outskirts of the village into
the center of business activity. A seri-
Gus problem is gradually coming up to
each organization for solution. AS the
church buildings become worn and fall
into need Of expensive repair the ques-
uon comes up: Shall we move up town,
or stay where We are?" Westminster
nearly encountered this rock several
years ago. Fire settled the question. The
edihce was swept by flames. leaving the
decision an easy one
Plymouth church comes next. 1t is in
need of certain expenditure to preserve
the integrity Of the building. Business
interests seem to demand the property.
The question Is being discussed now.
Meetings have been held to consider the
matter and members have been given an
opportunity to express their views. A
committee is studying the question and
viii recommend some course. Opinion is
divided. Some believe that the nature of
the body requires it to go up town nearer
the membership. Others believe that
members viii not turn out better If the
building is next door.
To Hennepin avenue church the same
question presents itself, although not so
strenuously, as for many reasons it is
probable that a move will not be serious
ly considered. The HenneIin avenue
church must have a new building Can
II do better work further up town? A
committee has plans for the future under
consideration.
What of the Transients!
BoOth-Tucker when here presented rea-
sons why his organization could attend
OF v1-1y7 Of aT.fn in,
class of persons, who have too much pride
10 attend the wealthy downtown
churches. But what of the transients,
the downtown roOmers and boarders?
Who shall care for them?
David Percy Jones believes that Plym-
outh church should go up town at this
time. He clearly states his reasons w
J. Dean, prominently connected with the
Hennepin avenue organization, hopes that
no move will be made by his church. In
1act, he does not believe that the ques-
Ilon VIII be considered, but that a build
ing Will be erected at the old corner. Mr.
Dean says:
believe that 1t is the duty of churches
located down town to stay where they are for
the reason that so many young men and so
many young women in the city boarding
within short distance of the churches should
nave church privileges and it ought to be
made as easy for them to attend as possible
1t is not harder for me to come down to
service or any church function than it is to
come down to business or to any other en-
tertainment in the heart of The city. l feel
that the support of the churches and the at
tendance on prayer meeting or any gathering
or the church is binding on members Of
the church as the support of a business and
the growth OF the churches is as necessary
for the well-being of the city as for the
growth of business If all churches are in
an
better for each individual church to stay
where it is. I think it is the duty and the
place Of Hennepin Avenue church to remain
where il is. Our church is now as near the
center Of membership as 1t could be placed.
Hennepin Avenue church is growing where
1t Is and consequently should stay where it is.
In Favor of Moving.
Says Mr.. Jones:
Certain churches admittedly have a genius
for evangelistic work in down town districts
Plymouth church has shown its partial
adaptability to this so-called down town
evangelical work. But historically it was a
church of families and is essentially a neigh
borhood church and always has been. That
is why to return to its old time influence it
should move somewhere near the center of
the parish in order to carry out more effect
ually the work of a church of it's character.
Plymouth church is doing mission work by
having two most thriving missions-Bethel
and Drummond hail. which are an outlet for
the energies Of those wishing to do that
sort of work and are an evidence of the effec-
tive missionary work being done by the
church. The church is not seeking to shirk
responsibilities.
In a general way I like to see a few
churches stand guard In downtown dis
trcts and those which can be manned to
do that sort Of work effectively ought to stay,
buf oh md m dn hat ird
of work, self-preservation being the first law
OF nature, they ought to go where they can
and will do the right kind Of church work
aud that for which they adapted.
I feel that the situation at Plymouth church
calls for a move. There might be other
churches, perhaps the Hennepin Avenue NJ E.
church. which has a bias in that direction,
which ought to remain down town. The Hen
nepn Avenue situation is not similar to that
at Plymouth, because Plymouth has been
practically crowded out by noise and traffic.
The church is dilapidated and requires re-
pairs which would be very expensive.
Broadway Tabernacle, in New York, at
Thirty fourth street, l noticed when east is
looking for a good site up town at least as
far as Sixtieth They have an offer of about
$780, 600 for the small property which they
own and can buy new site for $50 600. This
is an example where a church cannot main
tain itself and do work on the old site. 1t
is following the natural trend of moving
up.'' This body will strengthen itself greatly
by the move on account of the great value
of the site and the prospect of increasing its
membership.
You ask what to do with the downtown dis
tricts? I give it up. Perhaps they might be
taken care of by well-equipped missions
manned by persons well fitted for the work
If the people won't come to our churches We
must go to them and build churches and in
very large cities I regard the settlement as
the solution of many moral questions. Es-
tatlshed right in the heart Of the city they
make center of refinement and religion.
Pulpit and Pew.
DR. Leavitt II. Hallock will preach Sunday
evening on Chinese Exclusion" at Plymouth
Congregational church.
The Northwestern Spiritual Society will
hold its meetings Sunday night at Richmond
hail. Eighth street and Nicolet
At the First N. f. church, Sunday evening,
Rev. Vim. Love will speak on Governor Van
Owing to illness in the family of the Rev
T. w. MacLean, the Rev. DR.. F. T. Webb
will officiate at St Marks church Sunday
morning and evening.
At the Western Avenue VI. E. church to-
morrow night, the American customs in
courtship and our divorce laws will be dis
cussed by the pastor Rev. J. c. Shetland.
Rev F. W. Shurtleff will deliver the last
sermon in the series on Home Makers" at
the First Congregational church Sunday eve