The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-14
WARM DISCUSSION
OVER NEW CHURCH
The Reverend Henry Gardner OBJ
iectS to Encroachment on
His Territory.
PRESBYTERY HEARS ARGUMENT
Pope Avenue Mission Desires to
Erect Church and +. West,
Secretary, Declares They
Have "Cinch.'

The advisability OF organizing the Pope
Avenue Mission into a regular Presbyterian
Church was discussed at length at yester-
days meeting of the St. Louis Presbytery,
and called forth spirited speeches from both
the prospective members who are in favor
OF the action, and the Reverend Henry
Gardner, pastor of the Lee Avenue Presby-
terrain Church who is opposed to it.
The Presbytery granted hearing to the
committee from the mission and ordered
that a committee be appointed TO organize
the church if they see the way clear. This
committee will consult the session of the
Lee Avenue Church, will thoroughly cam
vass the situation, and make report at the
July meeting Of the Presbytery.
The opposition of NJ. Gardner TO the pros
pective church Is because he fears it will
take from the membership OF his church.
as many of his congregation live in the
immediate neighborhooG of the mission.
lie pointed out that il is the poncy ana
Precedent of Presbyterianism not to en-
danger the safety of one established church
10 make another
The Lee Avenue Church is at No. 1912 Lee
avenue. The Pope Avenue Mission Is at
No. 4i4i Penrose street. less than ten blocks
r West. secretary Of the mission. and
one Of the heartieSt supporters of the pro-
| posed organization, in speaking OF the ques-
ton said:
APPEAL FOR CHURCH.
Competition is the life of trade. 1t is
unfortunate that the two churches are SO
close to each other, but We are tJohnny-on-
the-spot, and there are souls to save. II
the Presbyterians co not establish church
IN this neighborhood the Methodists will
II You Will grant our request am cure
that a strong church can be built up. for
from our location We have q 'CinCh.' "
His remarks were listened to with great
interest and some rerriment by the min
listers, and had its effect in determining the
Mr.. Gardner said that the mission had
been established under the care of his
church. and that its members had contrib
uted 10 the missions support: that Lee
Avenue was a weak church. not yet self
supporting, and that another congregation
in the neighborhood would greatly weaken,
lis chances of ever becoming so.
The, session of his church was unani-
mously opposed to the prebytery,s grant
known the matter would come up yester
day would have been present 10 protest.
He asked that the presbytery postpone ac-
zion for a month. and give his session
case.
The Reverend Doctor :. c. Niccolls said
that Presbyterians ought not to lose this
opportunity of planting a church.
IF we do it will be because We are afraid
70 ,tn MAKE yeniuTe whieh zen does not conform
seen a church that was not to some de-
gree harmed by j colony going out of It,
but these things are necessary"
GUARANTEE PASTORS SALARY.
The petition to the presbytery was
signed by sixty-three persons who guar
antee to raise $50 year for a minister's
| salary. 1t is proposed to form an alliance
I with the Jennings Presbyterian Church.
| which will hold services in the Penrose
| street building each Sunday morning and
| contribute 500 a year. Also TO secure an
| appropriation from the Board of Home
| Missions OF $50 annually.
| Henry Schroeder. superintendent Of the
Sunday school; +. Roeshe treasurer: F. NJ
| Ackley and Z. NJ. Smith appeared for the
| than year ago. and now has a building
which cost $2.+cp and will seat $50 persons
The committee which was appointed to
establish the church consists Of the Rev
| erend ]. II. Gauss. the Reverend Doctor II.
Macin the Reverend G. l.. Chalfant Elder
| A c. Stewart and Elder Robert Ranken
\ petition from the Walnut Park Pres
| byterian Church asking that a committee
| be appointed 10 investigate the church's
| affairs was read and granted
For some time there has been friction at
| this church between the furIue- pastor the
Reverend Mr.. Auf der Hede and part of
the congregation. Mr.. Auf der Heide re-
| signed. but Is still In control of the church
| as moderator. Elders of the church have
| made provision for supplies for the pulpit
| without consulting the moderator, and this
| has caused trouble
| The COMMITTEES appointed consists of the
| Reverend Doctor 5. c. Palmer. the Rev
| erend Doctor David NJ. Shilling ard Elder
| s c. Perkins.