The Mena weekly star., 1907-08-01
ME. CHURCH, SOUTH
 CORNERSTONE LAID
Masonic Order Conducts Ceremonies at New Building Tuesday Some History of the Church Or
 ganization.

Tuesday afternoon at its hall at o'clock and proceeded to march to tue First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, now in course of construction at the corner of Ninth St., and Port Arthur Ave-, where appropriate ceremonies of laying the cornerstone were held. T. J. Webster, the master, acted as grand master iu the ceremo- nies, assisted by Mark P. Oluey, A. w. Smith, A. J. Pool, C. A. Smith, L. w. Welch, J. A. Lewis, and T. J. Clayton, officers of the lodge, and by fifty of the mem. bers of the craft. w. M. Palm CT, who is overseeing the con- struction, acted as chief architect and furnished the tools for test. ing the work, which being accom-. plished with square, level aud plumb, the acting grand master spread the cement and the stone was lowered to its place overidg cavity containing copy of the Testament, ritual of church, Hymn book Western Methodist, The Mena Evening Star, The Mena Weekly Star, The Mena ws-Democrat, lists of member ship of all Masonic bodies here and their officers, list of city off, cials, list of state and county off cials, list of pastors of church since organization and list of off, cers of church al present time. Corn, wine and oil, emblematic of plenty, peace and health, were used, and after an invocation by Rev. William Cooksey as grand chaplin, the ceremonies of conse- crstion were conducted. Mayor Olney then gave a few minutes talk on Masonry and Methodism. followed by T. J. Clayton, who spoke on Masonry and it's relations to the church, and Rev. J. A. Hen. derson spoke on the history of the church and paid high tribute to the several pastors 1t has had and extended thanks to all who had in any way contributed to the building or the present occas- ion.
 The First M. E. Church, South, was organized in 1896 by the Rev. J. Y. Christmas, who has since passed to hls reward, and consisted at that time of a small number who met in an arbor. Later a house was built on Seventh street which. with the growth of the church has be- come too small, and new quarters had to be devised. The mem beTship now composes about 450 aud the spiritual condition as we'll as financial, is excellent.
 The ministers who have served this charge during its existence are the Revs. J. Y. Christmas, C. ]. Greene, c. Pope, J. K. Sanders, F. P. Doak and J. A. Henderson.
 The present board of stewards comprises the following: w. E.. Anderson. C. A. Smith, G. l.. Lochridge, Mark F. Olney, K. c. Maxwell, M. M. Osborn, E. J. Baker, J. E. Disheroon, J. w. Gardner, w. B. Montgomery and s. 2. Reynolds, and the trustees al building committee are as fo ows: w. E. Anderson, J. B. Li tlejohn. K. D. Sale, J. w. c rdnc-, G. l.. Lochridge, c. A.
  Saith, NJ. M. Osborn, K. C.. Maxwell and Mark P. Olney.
 Tine present edifce is of brick 57x83 feet, with stone trimmings and high arched art windows and will have a raised floor. Ample room is provided for Sunday school work, the basement being fitted up looking to this end. It will have a seating capacity of about 800 and when fully com- pleted will cost S10, ,o00 to $l2, 900.
 Being on the corner facing the park and in the center of the residence district of the city it will beo fac cess to all the mem- pership.
 The old church property on Seventh street has been sold to