Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-02-19
NEW RIDGEWAY CHURCH,
DEDICATED SUNDAY FREE OF DEBE
The Beautiful New Edifce Credilr
to Our Sister Town. Sketch
of Building and Exercises
Of Dedication.

| The new Methodist church at RIdgs-
way which was dedicated on Sunday,
is certainly beautiful structure aadl
agreat credit to Ridgeway and vicinity
When completed it will cost aboas SG--
600. 1t is made of pressed brick in tbs-
latest modern style. The inside ID fD-
ished in hard wood, with beautiful arsS
steel ceiling, the ceiling and walls be--
ing tinted in flesh color and pink.
The pews were purchased Of tha--
Grand Rapids School Furnishing Co.
and are the finest to be had. The ER-
worth League room is separate fRomn
the auditorium by rolling pastTtioE@
and the seating capacity is about 508s
The windows are very beautiful. The-
organ loft is very pretty and when ~.
nice organ can be purchased for it, H.
will be complete. The pulpit furnish
ings are also of the best.
The heating apparatus was purchases
of e. w. Hoyt, Of Decorah, and is very
satisfactory.
The ladies will have very pleasa0s,
dining room and kitchen in the base---
ment, but it is impossible to finish thszns
for few weeks. Taking all into con-
sideration nicer church for the siss=-
of the town can not be found anywhere
in this vicinity and when the new belH
rings out its summons to church OK
Sundays we trust many will hear anS2
heed the call.
On Sunday, the 10th of Feb, 1902.
the new M. E. church at Ridgswax.
was dedicated free of debt
Words cannot express the happiness eS-
Ridgewayites at this announcent, fox
only short time before dedicatIoD-
The prospect was not as bright as
might be, but thanks to the generosity
of Hon. w. III. Klemme, one of oar
most prominent citizens, who donatetsF
thousand dollars, and with the
generous help of many from Ridge
way, Cresco and Decorah, and the
loyal help of our German brothers over
81, 500 was raised at the morning sep
vice. DIR. Guy p Benton, of Faye.tes-
preached very interesting sermon in
the morning and after the donations
were received, the dedicatory services
followed, after which the ladies of
Ridgeway, with the assistance of rnanxA
of the ladies from the county, served So
very nice dinner at the old church to-
between $50 and 200 guests.
At 800 o'clock Rev. Gammonss.
preached followed by communities
services, conducted by DR.. T. E. Flem-
ing, presiding elder.
At $50 supper was served at the OhM
church, and at O'clock the evening
services commenced with song SER
vice, followed by an exceedingly In
teresting and helpful sermon by Rev
XIX w. Robbins, of Decorah. A Few
closing words ny Drs. Fleming an6R
Benton closed one of the greatest days
Ridgeway has ever seen and all, thOss-
| who are interested in the Methodist
church and in any of the varieuss
churches in Ridgeway and vicinity rs--
joice that the beautiful church Of.
Ridgeway is built and paid for, ana
before we close this short sketch of the
days program we wish to say Ihas hC-
Mr.. G. r. Baker is due \ vote Of thanks
for if it had not been for his valuabss-
aid and business ability the little
church in Ridgeway might neves-
have been built; also to the rest Of ths-
buildisg committee who assisted sos
ably.
The music was rendered by doubse--
quartette from Cresco and was very
much enjoyed by all.
| Rev. w. V. Schlung. the GermaEs
Methodist pastor and our own minis
ter, Mr.. Hall, also assisted in the ser
vices on Sunday.
The church was prettily decoratesEN
with plants, and all congratulate
themselves that Sunday was very
successful day in every respect.
| Again we thank all who so kindly
contributed, the ministers from AWAY
who so willingly gave us their assist
ance, and the Cresco people who sang,
so beautifully for us.
L \ Al. 81