Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-12
PEARL MEMORIAL CHURCH
Conversions Of New Methodist Hsuss Of
Worship is Laid
ALL MINISTER'S JON IN SERVICES
Preliminary Exercises Conducted in
Magnolia Hall 60 Avoid Chilly
Air Of the out
doors.

The ceremonies preliminary to the laying
OF tho cornerstone OF the new Pearl Memo
rial Methodist Episcopal church were OBJ
served at Magnolia hall, Twenty-fourth
street and Anes avenue, instead of out Of
doors, Sunday afternoon on account Of the
chilliness Of the weather. A large congrega-
ton was present, including practically all
Of the Methodist ministers Of the city
A program had been prepared and was
carried out under the direction of Presi-
dent Thomas r. smrEess of the Omaha
Methodist union as master of ceremonies.
Following a brief address by President
Sturgess a ritual service vas conducted
by Rev. George A. Luce. pastor of the
new church. The formal ritual service
governing ceremonies of this nature in
the Methodist church were Jointly carried
out by Pastors D. w. McGregor j. NJ.
Leidy, William Espln. Peter Munson and
r. Z. Hosman, with the responsive read
ing being conducted by Rev. Clyde Clay
Cissell and participated in by the congre.
cation. Rev J. Randolph Smith read the
ritual lesson from LIST Corinthians, iii:s-23.
Address by DR.. LoveIand.
The principal address was delivered by
Rev. Frank L. Loveland Of the First Meth
odist church He pledged to the new
the First church, its prayers and HELM
wherever and whenever possible. He dwelt
at some length upon the struggles Of new
churches, but admonished this new church
TO bear with fortitude whatever trials may
beset it and with the help Of Christ the
church would surely prosper. This church
should be as dear to you as your home"
he said, for around It will cluster many
hopes, many tender memories in the years
to come that will give you Infinite joy to
know that you were its builders, not
merely of the physical structure OF brick.
stone and mortar, but of its spiritual
structure"
The offering was then taken up, the sum
Of 500 being pledged in small subscriptions,
which represent but small part OF sub
scriptions hitherto given and to follow.
Excellent music was rendered by a spe-
cial choir. Upon the conclusion of the
program here the congregation, led by the
visiting ministers, marched to the new
church at the corner of 1>wenty-fourth
and Larimore streets. where the corner
stone was laid with brief and appropriate
ceremonies by Presiding Elder William
Gorst.
Contents of the stone
The tin box which was sealed in the
cornerstone contained a copy Of the Meth
odist Discipline, proceedings of the Metho-
dist conference of 1906, Christian Advocate.
Zion Herald, Central Christian Advocate.
Epworth Herald, Classmate, copies of the
Omaha daily papers, Methodist Hymnal
and a short history of the enterprise Of
the founding and building OF Pearl Memo
rial church. In his concluding remarks
Presiding Elder Gorst said: I'VE want
you to cast your eyes this way and look
upon this edifce. We want you and your
children to interest yourselves ia this
church. We need you in it's affairs. The
laying of this cornerstone symboIizes the
laying Of the cornerstone in the spiritual
Church OF Zion and means much for the
moral and spiritual welfare of the immedi-
ate community Give it your help and
support and you will be doubly blessed"
History of the Church.
Pearl Memorial society can hardly be
said to be the successor TO the North
Omaha mission" at $500 Sherman avenue.
though a number from that locality are
IN its membership and Sunday school
The little Mission chapel remains and
1t is the purpose Of the Methodist union
to continue some work there, after
brief interval
The distance from other churches. the
rapidly growing community and the large
number OF Methodist Episcopal people In
tho vicinity of Twenty-fourth street and
Larimore avenue not connected with any
OF the churches made this necessary en-
terprise and a splendid opportunity.
Al present the membership reaches
seventy-five. the Sunday school enrolment
100 and an Bpworth league of twenty-four
members Those who know the field and
near all that the people say have reason
TO believe that each of these numbers will
De easily doubled very soon after the new
edifice is completed.
The new structure, when completed. will
cost about 5000. and will seat about 225
IN the auditorium and 100 additional by
opening the lecture room. There win be
full basement, TO be used for SUNDAY
school purposes, dining room. socials, etc.
and In connection Herewith a thorouehIv
equipped kitchen.