The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-02

thS WY
The large congregation Of the Provi-
dence Methodist Episcopal church yes
terday celebrated in an elaborate man.
ner the flftieth anniversary of the
churchs organization. A number of
cIergymen who had served the church
as pastors in past years were present
to assist in the celebra ton: and to add
tn the happiness of the occasion, a
bond for $1,000 representing the last
Indebtedness on the church was burned.
The jubilee celebration began in the
morning at 10 o'clock, with u praise
service led by John Laird and follow
ing this, the Rev. Mr.. Rogers, OF
Brooklyn, Susquehanna county, who is
over so years old, offered prayer.
An historical sketch of the church,
which had been prepared at the ex-
pense of a great deal OF time and
trouble, and which was remarkable for
it's completeness and accuracy, was
read by Miss Laura Hawkey.
G. w. Benjamin spoke briefly on
"Hcnored Names" referring to some of
the representative citizens of North
Scranton who have since passed away,
but who were proud in life to call
themselves members of the church,
mentioning the names of William
Silkman, Artemus Miller and Ambrose
Mulley in particular. He also referred
to some of the leading members of the
church who are now living. mentioning
the names of j. 4. Nyhart, S. S. Wint,
w. b. Christmas, and others.
THE EARLIER DAYS.
A half hour was next spent in listen
ing to "reminiscences of earlier days,
interestingly given by the following
clereymen, who We're at various times
pastors of the church: Rev. DR.. Il. w.
Van Schoick, of Cold Water, Mich.
Rev. w. l.. Thorpe, of Plymouth; Rev.
William Edgar, of Owego, N. Y, and
Rev. DR.. NJ. D. Fuller, of Jermyn. Rev.
Charles H. Newing, pastor of the Dun
more Methodist Episcopal church,
which is an off-shoot Of the Providence
congregation.
S. w. Nyhart, the church treasurer,
and w. G. Reese, treasurer of the debt
fund. presented reports showing how
the last debt of s1,e50 had been created
and giving an itemized list of the sub
scriptions received for the purpose of
paying it off.
Mrs. Lydia Crane, who was the larg-
est single contributor to the debt fund,
was the one selected to burn the bond
for the last $1,000 of the debt, and a
hymn of Thanksgiving was sung as the
paper blazed up merrily and was de-
stroyed. The morning exercises We're
brought to a conclusion with a sacre-
mental service, conducted by Rev. DR..
Austin Griffin, the presiding elder of
the Wyoming conference.
Brief addresses on the following sub
jects were the principal features of
the programme at night: 1.-THE Future
of Our Sunday School," Rev. DR.. NJ. d.
THE Future of Our Epworth
League" Rev. w. L. Thorpe; "Prepar-
ations for Revival" Rev. A. ]. Van
''left; Work During Revival" Rev. Il.
w. Van Schoick. The pastor, Rev.
George A. Cure. conducted consecra-
lion service and there was special |
music by the excellent choir, under the |
leadership of Prof. j. II. Cousins.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The brief historical sketch of the
church which is presented herewith is |
from the excellent paper read |
by Miss Laura Hawkey.
1t is known that the Methodists of |
Providence held services in a meeting
house as early as 1894. This meeting
house was destroyed by a tornado
shortly after the above mentioned date
md was not rebuilt Worship was
continued in what is now known as the
liba Knapp home on East Market
street until 1S45, when a school house
lcar Weston place was occupied. The
Providence Methodists assisted the
in erection of church
It the corner of North Main avenue
md Oak street in 1S49 and continued
o worship there until four years later
when they built a church of their own.
The lot on Providence square on
which the present church now stands
vas given to the Methodist society on
Tuly 20, 1850, by Edward Griffin. In
November 1851, the judges of Luzerne
ounty were petitioned for n charter
the First Methodist
Episcopal church of Providence" and
,pon this being granted the erection of
he present church was begun and was
inally completed on April /, 1858, when
t was dedicated.
The church, as originally dedicated,
vas 36X52 feet in size but in 1867 an ad-
ition was built enlarging the base
nent so as to accommodate the rapidly
rowing Sunday school. In 1S71-72,
wenty feet was added to the front of
he building at cost of $S 900. The
hurch was re-dedicated when this inn
rovement was completed, Bishop
mes, of Boston, preaching the dedica-
ory sermon.