Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-20
Distinguished Men
Take Part in
Services
Edifice Is of Modern
Architecture and
Construction
Loyal Members Of Devoted congrega-
tlon Gather Sunday Morning and
Make Successful Effort to
Clear Indebtedness

The dedicatory services of the First
Methodist Episcopal church of Sawtele
which were solemnlzed Sunday were OF
the most impressive character. Prom
inent speakers participated in the event.
which was the most notable that has
ever occurred In the religious circles of
this town.
Long before the regular church hour
the edihce was crowded to the doors
by members, participants and friends
anxious to view the dedicatory exer-
cises.
Rev. A. w. Atkinson, presiding elder
of Los Angeles district, delivered the
dedicatory sermon Sunday evening. It
had been intended that the services
should take place in the morning, but
the members asked that the remaining
debt of $2500 be raised before the church
was dedicated-a church starting on
its way free from any debt.
The sum was pledged and the services
were appreciated more with the CRATE
full assurance that the Indebtedness
would be raised. Rev. Mr. Atkinson,
who rendered the dedicatory sermon.
touched upon the history of the church,
the fidelity of it's people, their wish to
start on their future church lines with
u clear path before them. then made ali
eloquent appeal to the people to work
with their pastor and work with the
.ame zeal in the future as in the past.
He spoke of the great step in the work,
by providing a place so beautiful and
that showed every thought of the pride
in the fidelity of the members to the
church.
Rev. George Bovard, D. D., president
CT the University of Southern Califor-
MIA, made an eloquent address in the
fstl 1Nxy faNn
Iico Heights Methodist Episcopal choir
of, Los Angeles, whose selections were
a,,p1 opriately and charmingly rendered
Gy the singers.
In the evening Rev. Mr.. Wilson of
the Soldiers home preached and music
was furnished by the Sawtelle choir,
consisting of DR.. G. w. Peck, director;
Mrs Kipp, Mrs. Ella Clark, Mrs. Will
liam Clark, Arthur Hudson Weaver
and Farley and j. w. Wilson.
This is the sixth house of worship
here and it's history is briefly told as
follows:
Society organized by DR.. G.. F. Bo-
ward August 23, 1903; incorporated Octo-
ber A. 1904; lots purchased January 81,
1906; ground broken May 29, 1905; build
ing finished October 81, 1905; cost of
lots and unfurnished building, $3760.
This left quite an indebtedness of
4 which 1890 was raised Sunday by sub
scription at the morning services. The
building committee comprising Rev
E. c. Wright, ]. c.. Grinton and DIR. G.
w. Peck have been ably assisted in the
financiering of the building plan by the
Ladies' Aid society.
Elmore Nudge, a local contractor and
builder, had the contract for the build
ing and the church was designed by
B. D. and M. C. Price of Atlantic
Highlands, n. j., and the result is a
model of symmetry and beauty. The
church which is beautifully and con-
veniently located on Seventh and Colo
RADIO streets in the very heart of the
town, and as the picture shows, is of
Gothic architecture.
The interior is in Oregon pine finished
in the natural wood; the broad chancel
rail shows the natural grain of the
wood as does the artistically con-
structed altar.
The pews are arranged is a semi-cir-
Gle and give the appearance of tiers
upon tiers. due to the "bowled" floor
the highest row Of pews being upon
a direct line with the chancel rail-
The large windows are stained deli
cate green which gives a mellow glow
throughout the church. A large chan
delier and forty-six groups of electric
lights render this the best lighted build
ing in town.
The classrooms, church choir and
vestry are models of convenience and
simplicity. Seating capacity, 600. The
pastor of ehe church, Rev. Arthur
Johnson, Is native of Ohio, and be-
fore coming here, he had been a mem
Der of the Ohio M. E. conference and
for several years presiding elder of
that body, and for five years pastor
of the Newark, Ohio, M. E. church.
He holds diplomas from eastern in
stitutes which entities him to write
after his name M. A. and B. s. Mr..
Johnson is a very able speaker and
has been a Jealous worker in the promo
tion of the church.