The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-08-02
Dedication of the New NJ. E. Church at
West Hickory.


Last Sunday, July 3Oth, was day of
happiness and rejoicing for the congrega-
ton of the Methodist Episcopal church of
West Hickory, for it witnessed the d6di-
cation and final turning over to them of
the beautiful new church building pre-
sented through the noble generosity of
Messrs. Orion Siggins, of West Hickory,
and Il. d. Collins, of Nebraska. The
dedicatory services were conducted by
Bishop c. C. McCabe, and he was assist
ed by the pastor. Rev. e. d. Mowrey,
Rev. w. o. Calhoun, of Tionesta, Rev. j.
X. Whippo, ofStockton, n. Y, Rev. S.
b. Torrey, of Erie, Pa, and Rev, II. X.
Steele, of Townville, Pa, the last three
being former pastors of that charge.
The inclement weather of the morning
no doubt deferred many from attending,
yet the hour set for tho service, l0:30 a.
m. found the church filled to overflowing
with members and many visitors from
nearby towns. The program as an
nounced last week was substantially car
ried out. Prior to the dedcatory SER
vices 'he rite ofbnptism was administered
by Bishop McCabe to a class of ten adults
and thirteen children.
The sermon was delivered by Bishop
McCabe, from the text as found in Exo-
dus 25:S: "And let them make me a
sanctuary; that l may dwell among
them" 1t was an eloquent discourse
suited to the occasion and it was evident
that this grand old servant of the Master
has lost none of his power to sway the
minds of men, Tor at times his hearers
were moved TO tears and again to smiles.
A the conclusion of the sermon the trus-
tees, Messrs. Orion Siggins, 7. d. Collins
and j. G. Carson, were called to the chan
eel rail and the edifice was formally dedi-
Gated by the Bishop to the service and
worship of Almighty God. The services
were made more enjoyable by two finely
rendered solos by Mrs. j. F. Sheasley, of
Kittanning, who gave as the voluntary,
"Open the Gates of the Temple" and Mr..
F. A. Shaw, of Tidioute, who gave the
solo "Alone With Thee" The congregs-
tional singing was led by DR.. VIM. G.
Morrow, Mrs. Sheasley, and Mr.. f. A.
Wheeler, with Mrs. W. G. Wilkins pre-
siding at the organ, and was entered into
with spirit by all.
At three o'clock in the afternoon plat
form meeting was held in the new church
at which "reminiscences were given by
Bishop McCabe, and Revs. Mr.. Mowrey,
Mr.. Whippo, who was tie first pastor
after the organization of the West Hick-
DRY class little more than ten ears ago,
Mr.. TOrrey aud Mr.. Steele. Mr.. Siggins
was called on, but being too modest to
appear, the audience gave him the Chau-
tauqua salute. Mr.. Collins was then
called on and in a brief speech gave the
history of the old church and tine circum-
stances which led them to build the new
church. The audience was again highly
favored by solos by the Bishop, Mrs.
Sheasley, Mr.. Wheeler and Mr.. Shaw.
In the evening at 1880 Bishop McCabe
preached again to an audience that filled
every seat in the house, taking his text
from Isaiah 6O:22: "a little one shall
become thousand, and a small one a
strong nation: / the Lord will hasten it
in his time" Services will be held every
evening this week, except Saturday.
We have not sufficient data to give
technical description of the church build
ing, but it is of modern architecture,
and comfortable in all its ap-
and is credit to the COM
munity as well as lasting memorial to
the generous donors. 1t stands in the
center of the town, on South Main street,
on lot donated by Mr.. Orion Siggins.
The structure is built of wood, from
plans drawn by Benjamin d. and Max
Charles Price, architects, of New York
City. The main entrance is into vesti
bule at the northeast corner and leading
up to this are the steps of finely cut
stone which could hardly be surpassed
in massiveness and beauty. These steps
cost over $500. They were built under
the supervision of the late John p. Hill,
of President. He took great pride in the
work and often expressed desire to be
present at the dedication of the church,
but it was not to be, as he was stricken
with fatal illness and passed TO the other
shore on March 1st last. From the vesti-
Dule swinging doors lead into the audi
.orium on the right and to the lecture
room on the left. The auditorium, which
IS 32x4S feet, is built in amphitheatre
style and is furnished with very comfort
able patent curved back oak pews, placed
in semi-circle and converging toward
,he pulpit which is set in an alcoYe at
he center of the back wall. To the right
Of the pulpit is the ch DIR loft. and at the
eft is a door leading to the library,
which is l2xl6 feet. The auditorium is
lighted by two large and harmoniously
,olored stained glass windows, one at
each side, and several smaller windows
set in the back wall. In front of the
and connecting with il by
means of rolling doors, is the lecture
-oom, 14x2S feet. In this room is pla, ed
beautiful memorial window, the central
igure of which is adapted from Plock-
lorsts painting OF" "The Good Shepherd"
The interior finish is in red oak, natural
inish, and makes handsome appear
Ince. The high arched ceiling of the
auditorium is finished in the same wood
nd cat n ~ with bracket vuork Thar. ia