The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-05
Dedicatory Address by Rev. Herrick
johnson, of Chicago, and Report
of Building Committee.
CHURCH COST OVER 100000
ALMOST ENOUGH SUBSCRIBED TO
WIPE OUT THE DEFICIT.
Union Service in the Evening in Ma
ture of "A Love Feast-Statement
of Rev. NJ. l.. Haines.


the First Presbyterian Church, at the cor
ner of Delaware ana Sixteenth streets. was
we'll attended. When the services began
every seat the main floor of the spa
cious auditorium was occupied and many
chairs in the foyer were filled. The gallery
was also comfortably filled. The new church
has been in course of construction for
good many months, and although services
were held in the Sunday school room a
week ago, yesterday marked the first serv-
ices in the auditorium. Expressions Of sat-
isfaction and delight were general on the
part of the members Of the congregation as
they looked about upon the appointments
of the audience room of their new home.
The auditorium is exceptional in it's solid
elegance and impressiveness, and is said to
be one of the finest in the State. 1t has
seating capacity of 700 persons, and with
the gallery and foyer 1000 people can be
accommodated.
Preceding and following the services the
members Of the congregation. assembling in
the aisles, the foyer and the two reception
rooms, were enthusiastic in mutual congrat-
ulations over the happy outcome of their
building undertaking. Many persons from
other churches were in the audience. Dur
ing the twenty minutes preceding the serv-
ices Mr.. W. H Donley. the organist. brought
out the qualities of the great organ. which
Is superior one in every respect. 1t is the
one used in the old church. but it has been
much enlarged and improved. The organist
plays the instrument from the choir gal
lery, the connection being by electric ac-
ton. The new chorus choir numbered thirty
rbA
music one Of the most enjoyable features of
the services.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORTS.
After the opening services the building
committee came forward and through it's
chairman, Mr.. John H. Holiday. made a
report to the congregation Of the work 1t
had done. The committee as first
appointed in February of 1901 con-
sisted of General Harrison, Mr. HI.
H. Hanna, Rev. NJ L. Haines, Mr.. John
H. Holiday and Mr.. C. c. Foster. After
General Harrisons death Mr.. j. w. Lilly
was appointed in his place. A year later
Mr.. John L. Wild took the place Of Rev.
M L. Haines when the latter went to
Europe.
The total sum expended by the committee
was little over 100000. OF this amount
ST 500 remains yet due. Then the COM
of the building to the board of trustees
with a brief and fitting talk by Evans
Woollen, president of the board. Following
this the pastor of the church, Rev M. L..
Haines, made a short address, saying In
part:
1.-THE opportunity is not given me to-day
to express-save by the briefest word-our
appreciation of the value of the services
which the building committee has rendered
to this congregation. The members have
discharged the delicate and difficult trust
e<A6 % N a
widespread and genuine satisfaction.
TRUEsT COMMENTATOR.
Their work as now completed Is the
truest commentator. These very walls are
vocal as witnesses of their wisdom in plan
ming and their fidelity and thoroughness in
execution. The building in all its depart
ments did not grow Of itself. Every detail
| had to be thought out first, and then pa
tiently worked out. Simple, but impress
i've and church-like in form and construc-
ton, comfortable and ample in all its va
ried appointments, we have here church
home in which we and our children can
have just pride and comfort and JOY in
Gods worship and service. Some of you
| we'll remember where we started In this
work. minister who stood in our pulpit
| one Sabbath, and who had gone through
| laid emphasis upon the blessing we ought
| to find In the doing Of this work. And II
| has been so. We have been kept together
In unbroken harmony Yes, we have been
sweet fellowship of work which God In
| his power laid upon us. There have been
differences Of opinion over details but no
| divisions Of heart that l am aware Of.
| Behold how good and pleasant 1T Is for
| brethren to dwell together in unity. We
have been enabled to keep the unity Of
| the church in the bond OF peace.
RICH VALUE OF CHURCH.
% f,rllxx ~
power and the rich value of a church OF
God to US. This is fellowship of men and
women united by the hottest ties for His
best purposes. The great thing about q
church is not the building, but the Chris
| tan fellowship of the men and women in it.
| Oh, beloved, what shall We render unto
| God for all His good and loving kindness,
There is one service which we can rem.
der and to which we are called at this time
| 1t has already been indicated by the chair
| man of the building committee. At a meet
| ing Of the men of this church last Tuesday
| the unanimous opinion was that we should
| this first glad Sunday, give to the member:
| Of our church and congregation the priv
ilege of meeting and providing for the def
| icit. A large part of that deficit was thu
result of the rapid rise in the cost of build
ing material and construction two years
| ago. Either we had to abandon the plan:
for the edifice we had carefully worked on
or we had to go in and rely upon the people
| to meet the larger demands. L believe tn,
| wiser course was chosen
DR.. Haines then called for pledges from
| the congregation and subscriptions to tn
| amount of about $4,000 were given. 1t il
expected that the remaining sum will b,
| easily secured from the members of ,th'
' congregation not present.
Following this was the impressive ant
| formal service of dedication, after which
| Rev. Herrick Johnson, of Chicago, delivered
the dedication sermon, his subject being
1.-The Mission of the Church to the World.
UNION SERVICES.
Last night union services were held in tn,
| church. in which a number of the congre
cations of the city Joined. Short addresse:
were made by Rev. Hiram w. Kellogg o.
the Central-avenue Nj. Z. Church. Rev. j
Cumming Smith. of the Tabernacle Presby
| terrain Church and Rev. Thomas j. Villers
of the First Baptist Church. The church
was well filled with members of the three
congregations and the services were beau
tiful throughout 20 Santissima" was tn,
organ prelude. played by w. II. Donley
after which the choir Of thirty voices SANG
| s.C.od he Merciftll" The inyocat ton was Dro