Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1903-12-29
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
HAS BEEN ORGANIZED HALF
A CENTURY.
Golden Anniversary to be Observed
Tomorrow and Monday-Rev. J. M.
McEIroy, the First Pastor, to be
Present-Brief History Of Church.

guarded the interests Of the church
from the early days when Ottumwa
was a struggling village to the present
time, the members Of the First Pres
byterian church will celebrate the fif-
tieth anniversary of Presbyterianism
in the city Sunday and Monday.
What will add interest to the occasion
will be the presence of the first pastor
of the church, the venerable DR.. j. M.
McElroy, who witnessed the early
struggles of the church and shared in
its discouragements and successes.
Elaborate preparations have been
made for the anniversary celebration,
which will begin with the morning SER
vice, continue again with program in
the evening, and end on Monday even
ing, when an elaborate banquet will be
given by the women of the church.
Program Of Sunday Service.
The program of the services at the
church Sunday morning and evening
is as follows:
Sunday Morning.
Organ voluntary.
Doxology.
Invocation.
First Scripture lesson.
Hymn 29S.
Second scripture lesson.
Anthem, farmers Mass"
Prayer.
Hymn 800.
Otfertory.
Solo, by Miss Katherine Davis, os-
ceola.
Sermon, by Rev. F. W. Hinitt, D. D.,
pastor 1S95-1900.
Prayer. ...,
Hymn 139.
Benediction.
Evening Service,
Organ voluntary.
Hymn 533.
Scripture lesson.
Z Anthem, His Loving Kindness"
Prayer.
Hymn 302.
Offertory.
Address-Rev John NJ. McElroy, D.
D., pastor 1855-1S69.
Hymn 304.
History Of the church from it's or
ganization-D William l.. Orr, one Of
the organizing members
Duet, "Jesus, Savior, Thee Love-
Mrs. II. 3. Swenson, Carl McElroy.
Letters from former pastors-Rev
Herver B. knight, pastor 1869.1s81;
Rev. B. 3. S. Ely, D. D., pastor 1881
1894.
Hymn 90.
History Of women's societies Mrs
Matte Inskeep.
4 Benediction.
Toasts at Banquet.
Following is the program Of the so
cial meeting of the church and congre
cation, Monday evening, December %
$3.50 o'clock. Banquet given by the
women Of the church.
Senator s. Fl. Harper, toastmaser.
"The Early Church"-Rev. J. M. Nc
Elroy, ID. d.
"The Session Capt. ]. G. Hutchi
son.
"The Ministerial Association Rev
i P. A. johnson.
"Presbyterianism"-H Hon. T. d. Fos
ter.
christian Unity"-Dr. A. e. Craig
rrhe Trustees" .A.W. Buchan
. an.
J. Building Churchn-Rev F. G. Da
II vies.
"The Work of the Young People O
the Church'--Rev. ]. M. Bailey.
The Early Struggles.
The congregation of the First Pres
byterian church may well be proud o
their present comfortable house d
worship with its modern appoint
ments, and of the well-appointed par
sonage now owned by the church. Ant
yet they cannot dwell upon the pres
ent conditions without contrasting
them with those of the early days
when the pastor and congregation
I. were compelled to labor unceasingl.
q to provide and maintain a place o
: divine worship. The present churcl
edifice represents an amount of Ell
! fort and self-denial on the part of
y congregation Of small means, whic'
4 has probably never been equalled i
n the history Of any church in the city
4 The Church Officials.
: Throughout the early years tn
e church struggled, until step by step
advanced with the city until the pres
+ ent time, when, after fifty years, th
v congregation has prepared to assembl
S and celebrate the anniversary of tn
n planting of the seed that has born
e such good fruit. The following ar
u the officials of the church:
Z Pastor, Rev. r. F. Stoltz, D. D.
,fl Ruling elders-Dr. VIM. L. Orr, ].
e Hutchison, c. E. Boude, S. H. Harpe.
= George A. Brown, E. q. McElroy, !
= DUNCAN.
n The trustees-A. w. Buchanan, pre-
fdent; M. B. Hutchison d. A. Emer.
w d. Strong, G. O. Taylor, Allen Johl
\. ston, Alex. Mellis, T. G.. McElroy.
IN The First Presbyterian Sermon.
i The first step taken which led t
: the organization of the First Presb.
terian church in this city was the il
- vitation extended to Rev. S. G. McCun
= OF Fairfield. by a number Of the earl