Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-01-26
The New Church Dedicated.
UNIvERsALIsTs OF SOUTH PARIS HAVE
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES IN THEIR HOUSE
OF WORSHIP.

| SNiNGhoALiciS UT ooClu TAhio ia -
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES IN THEIR HOUSE
OF WORSHIP.
A day long anticipated by the Uni
versalistS of South Paris was last Wed
nesday, when their new church building
just made ready for occupancy, wa'
dedicated with fitting ceremonies. A
large number of visitors from Norway
and other places were in town for the
occasion, including several Universalis
clergymen. Full and careful prepare
tions had been made for the event, tht
pastor, Rev. J. H. Little and many
others having worked indefatigably, and
all arrangements were carried out az
planned.
The first service was at T.. NJ, wher
the auditorium was well filled. The
music for afternoon and and evening was
by the regular choir of the church-Mrs
II. E. Wilson, Miss Grace Thayer, james
Dunn and George A. Briggs, with Mrs,
Penfold organist.
The afternoon service included Script,
ure reading by Rev. A. w. Pottle of the
South Paris Methodist church, prayer by
Rev. F. +. Barton of Bethel, sermon by
Rev. W. j. Taylor of Lewiston, and the
benediction by Rev. ii. 5. Pinkham OF
South Paris.
Rev. w. j. Taylor, preacher of the
afternoon sermon, is one of the ablest
speakers of the denomination in this sec
ton. He took for his text, Haggai 30:
1.-THE glory of this latter house shall be
greater than of the former, saith the
Lord of hosts; and in this place will
give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. ~
He recounted the circumstances of the
beginning of UniverSalist preaching in
| America by John Murray at Good Luck,
n. j., in ITO, and paid honor to Murray
as one who dared to speak his convic-
lions. He then reviewed the growth of
Universalism since that time, and sum-
married. the important points of the
theology of 1.-THE larger faith" In con-
clusion, he exhorted UniversaliSts, as
heirs of rich legacy from the fathers,
to greater zeal and conservation in the
service of God.
At half-past six supper was served by
the Good Cheer Society in their hall to
members of the parish and congregation
and the visitors. The tables occupying
the entire hall were filled
The dedication service proper was at
$50 p. NJ, when the church was all
thrown open, and was filled to its capac-
ity. Prayer was offered by Rev. w. }.
Taylor, and Scripture read by Rev. c. Il.
Tenney of Auburn. After an anthem,
Rev. f. w. Pierce of South Paris gave
the historical address, from which few
facts are here condensed:
The beginnings of Universalism in this
section date back to the year 1900, when
the movement began at Norway. The
church at Paris Hill has been established
more than forty years, but the movement
at South Paris is comparatively recent.
In 1891 Rev. G.. G. Hamilton, then set
lied at Mechanic Falls, conducted a few
sunday afternoon services in the hall
here, the late Frank A. Thayer and w.
l.. Farrar being especially instrumental
in securing him, but this arrangement
was not long continued.
In 1900 Rev. w. w. Hooper, then
UniversaliSt state missionary, began
coming here at intervals, conducting
services in the hall, talking with the
people aud melting them to forward the
work. AS result of his labors, there
was organized, Oct. 10Th, 1901, a ladies
society, known as the Good Cheer So
ciety, which has been an important
factor in the financial and social depart
ments of the work.
In March, 1902, the First Universalist
Parish of South Paris was organized,
and soon afterward call was extended
to Rev. W. w. Hooper to become pastor
here and at Paris Hill. This call was
accepted by Mr.. Hooper on the condition
that steps should at once be taken toward
building house of worship. The peo-
pie not feeling like pledging themselves
to this, the call failed. Candidates were
then heard and call was extended to
Rev. J. III. Little, who accepted, began
his pastorate June LIST, 1902, and still
remains here.
A Sunday School was organized in
July, 1892, with 80 members, the num-
Der now having increased to 20. About
the same time church was formed,
with seventeen members.
In October of the same year a church
lot was bought and the foundation was
put in that fall. Lumber was procured
during the winter, and work upon tho
building began as early as practicable in
the spring.
The building committee was made up
of the trustees of the parish, A. E..
Shurtleff, s. p. Stearns and w. B. Rus
sell, with the addition of r. n. Hall, j.
F. King, and Franklin Maxim. r. n.
Hall was chairman of the committee
and had general charge of the work.
The plans were made by S. p. Maxim.
By the first of July, 1908, the building
was closed in, and Good Cheer Hall in
| the basement was finished so as to be
ready for occupancy. The services
which had before been held in New Hall
were thereafter held in this hall, which
to the present time has been used for all
church purposes.