Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-15
EMPTY CHURCHES
Startling Facts Presented to tho Con-
sreaationaI Council at Des Moines-
Number Of Empty Churches In
creasing to An Alarming Extent.

Des Moines, Oct. 15.--In the United
States, the Congregational church had,
In 1903, 1,0S2 church buildings that
We're actually vacant and cared for in
no way whatever. In this same year,
2,113 ministers were reported without
charges.
These were some Of the rather start
ling facts presented to the Congrega-
tional council in its opening session
yesterday by Secretary Asher Ander-
son. He declared that the showing was
hardly creditable.' and urged that the
council take the situation under earn
est consideration. Mr.. Anderson's re-
port was received with much interest
and created much comment.
After abiding to his first exper-
fences in his Office, the preparation of
the annual Year Book the apprecia-
ton Of his work and statistics, and the
new methods introduced, he continued
his report in substance as follows:
Two tables will be found full of sug-
gestions, those pertaining to member
ship and additions. In the first we
find that 1877 churches has less than 10
10 members;members; 772 from 10 to
"a; 1,162 from rs to 40; 1,422 from SO
to 80; GAS from $50 to 249; ATS from
ESQ to 449; 100 from 500 to 749; Al from
$50 to 1000; 16 have 1000 members and
more. In other words, 70 per cent of
our churches have less than $50 mem
bers. Our local numerical strength is
nothing great. This ought to be re-
membered when we are studying
church beneficence.
The other table is more interesting
still-tfat which shows admissions to
the churches; 2,571 churches received
ten and less; LOTS from eleven to
Twenty-Five; 400 from twentysix to
fifty; 100 over so; 1908. more than 20
per cent, received none.
We wish to refer to another thing,
that of vacant churches and unem-
ployed ministers. In the last year
book it will be found that there were
in 1903, 1852 churches actually vacant,
cared for in no way whatever. In the
same year book there We're reported
2113 ministers without charge. After
eliminating such as are variously en-
gagged, secretaries, agents, professors,
all Of whom should somehow be indi-
Gated, since they are in the service Of
the churches, there will be found a
large number Of ministers who must
be placed in the category wv. c." In
Connecticut twenty-four churches are
reported vacant, and 1923 ministers
without charge. In Illinois there are
sixty-two vacant churches, and 191
ministers without charge. In Massa-
chusetts we note fifty-four vacant
churches and ATS ministers without
charge. In New York, seventy seven
vacant churches and lilo ministers
without charge. In Ohio, forty-four
vacant churches, 10S ministers with
out charge. There are fifteen states
in which the number of vacant
churches is not largely in excess of
unemployed ministers. Among them
we find Indian Territory, Utah and
Mississippi. Large centers, like Chi
cago, New York and Boston Indicate
the great excess.
Here certainly is a situation to be
considered. In comparison with the
Presbyterians our showing is hardly
creditable. We believe it to be cues
tion for the council to consider. Some
clear positive declaration, on the part
of this body, in the way perchance of
relief. If not remedy, would doubtless
be acceptable.