The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-07-04
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

The Fiftieth Anniversary of the First
Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, was
celebrated on Tuesday in the handsome
edifce, which this prosperous congrega-
ton now occupies. This church whichis
branch of the Churchville church has
been in existence for the past fifty years.
Back of this occasional services were held
in Union church located on the present
site of the Masonic Temple in Bel Air
The congregation was formally organic
ed in 1852 and short time afterwards
erected a substantial building on Penn
sylvania Avenue, which is now occupied
by the Odd Fellows. This was used as a
place of worship until the present build
ing was erected. In the past half
century the congregation have had a
number of earnest ministers. Included
in the list is Rev. Ebenezer D. Finney, of
Bel Air, who is now pastor emeritus. Mr..
Finney became pastor of the church in
1871 and served until 1895. Of the LOG
members on the roll when he entered the
field, but IS remained at the expiration
of his pastorate. During that time 100
new names were added. 1t was during
his pastorate that the present church was
erected at cost of$10,O0O. This editice
is one of architectural beauty and will
seat 300 persons. The inside is finished
in walnut and soft mellow light is add
mitted through richly tinted memorial
windows. The present officials are,
pastor. Rev. Spencer S. Greenwell, elders,
w. T. Sawyer, John B. Hanna, George
r. Cairnes. J. Lawrence Mccormick and
! John D. Worthington, deacons, James
NJ. Reynolds, Ralph L. Wilson and Albert
T. Geattv. The roll of membership in
cludes 140 names.
Three services were held during the day
and large congregations were present at
each meeting. The music was rendered
bv a special choir under the direction of
Mrs. John H. Reckord with Miss Mary
A. Richardson as organist. Solos were
sung by Miss Helen Williams, of Balti-
more, and Mrs. Jessie Rockford West.
The church had been tastefully decorated
with ported plants and flowers and the
The opening theme for the morning
service was THE Church and the
Present" The exercises were opened by
an invocation by the Rev. S. w. Coe,
pastor of the Bel Air NJ. p. Church
followed by scripture reading by Rev,
Samuel c. WATSON, pastor ofthe Church,
vile Presbyterian Church. Introductory
remarks were made by Rev. S. S. Green
we'll the pastor and an address of wei
come was delivered by Elder George r
Cairnes. An able sermon was preached
by the Rev. Dewitt NJ. Benham.
The afternoon service was devoted
to 1.-THE Church and Its Past" An ad
dress was delivered by Rev. Joseph T
Smith, of Delta, who was present wher
the church was organized in 1852. Rev
E. D. Finney delivered an address or
"Twentv-Four Years a Pastor" Rev
Henry Branch, d. d., of Ellicott City
spoke on What the Church Has Accom-
. plished." Fraternal greetings from thu
Churchville, Bethel and Franklinvill'
. Presbyterian Churches were extended by
Revs. S. c. WATSON, w. A. Price and w
N Hyde, respective pastors. Alright al
: address on Church Auxiliary" was de
livered by Mr.. Harry N. Hanna. Alette
of greeting was read from Rev Kirby
Miller, who was pastor of the churcl
from 1895 to 1900. A paper on tn
Future From the Layman's Stand
point" was read by Elder William 7
Sawyer. 1t dwelt upon the encouragin!