The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-13
RICE new PASTOR OF
0RT.LAND AVE. CHURCH
SKETCH OF THE NEW MINISTER
FROM SOUTH BEND.
He Finds It Hard to Account for His
Call to nneapolis-Thinks It Due
to Sermon Preached in South Omaha
In 1903 and Heard by Member Of
the Minneapolis Congregation.

Rev. P. J. Rice of South Bend, Ind,
who has accepted call to the passionate
of Portland Avenue Church Of Christ,
received his invitation from the Mime
apolis church as pleasant surprise.
Sunday morning, April 20, when Mr..
Rice was about to leave his home at
South Bend to attend morning service,
a messenger handed him a special de-
livery letter. Opening it, he found it
contained a call from the Portland Ave
nue. church, Minneapolis.
How he happened to receive the call
is considerable of problem to the
been able to visit Minneapolis to ascer-
tain the details, but he is Of the opinion
it may have been the result Of a sermon
he preached in South Omaha, Neb., in
1908, at which was present a member
Of the Minneapolis. congregation. Tho
Mr. Rice fully appreciates the compli-
ment of the call from the large Mime
apolis church, it is with some sadness
that he will leave his parish and host
of friends in South Bend.
The matter was brought to the atten-
ton Of the official board Of the First
Christian church at South Bend last
Friday, at which time Mr. Rice decided
to accept the call. Accordingly his
RESIGNATION was handed to the official
board following the morning service
Sunday, but was not mentioned in the
service. He will probably not come
to Minneapolis until the latter part of
| June. He accepts the call most reluct-
antly, yet feeling that he is offered an
opportunity to work in larger field
where his services appear to be in
demand.
Mr.. Rice assumed charge of the pas
toral duties. of the First Christian
church of: South Bend on Sunday
March %, 1900, as the successor Of Rev
George B. Van Arsdall, who resigned to
accept al call to the Central Christian
church. 9. Peoria, Ill. Mr.. Rice is 8
native of Ohio, having been born in
Medina county, Sept. 20, 1867. He was
reared on farm, the son of parents OF
devout Christian instincts, who raised
him thoro Christian.
district school and in the high school al
the countyseat, he taught school TO:
several years, then entered the prepare
tory department Of Deniston university
Granville, Ohio, in the fall Of 1886
Two years later he was a student il
Hiram college, Hiram, Ohio. from which
he graduated in the ministerial elias
steal course in June, 1892. He began
active service in the cause Of Christian
decided to serve the Lord, he devoted
himself assiduously to Bible study ant
to other studies essential to the making
of good minister. His first preach
ing was in Scion, O., in the spring O.
1885,, Later. while still in college
he preached in Girard and Brunswick
that state. ...r p,
While still student in Hiram col
to Miss Eva Phelps. Mrs. Rice is
splendid woman, of marked Christia,
personality, one of those women deepl,
Interested in her husband IS work AM
success and thoroly equipped for tn
wide sphere and earnest work Of
minister s wife. Leaving college MI
and Mrs. Rice went to Findlay, O.
where they remained until 1893, whel
Mr.. Rice received call to Fort Wayne
Ind, where he remained until 1900
when he accepted call to South Bend
His ministry in Fort Wayne was re
markably successful. He was Target.
instrumental in the erection of th
Christian church in that city, one Of tn
finest in Indiana.
Mr.. Rice's pastorate in South, Benz
has been marked by unusual success
took hela of the w4Fk nth
vigor for the last six years. His cor
gregation is not only one of the larges
in the city, but it is made w. OF tn
people of fine intelligence. The mos
: between Mr.. Rice and his congregatio
ever since he became pastor and tn
severance of these relations is tn
cause of deep regret on the part Q
and members .--