The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1907-09-26
HONOR DEAD RECTOR
Memorial Church Built 10 Honor
Of Late Henry N. Simmons
Dedicated on Sunday
ELABORATE SERVICES HELD
Rev. Newton Mann, of Omaha. First
Pastor of the Church, breaches
Dedication Sermon.-Trib-
ute to Dead and Living

With songs of praise and words of
congra tulations from many distin-
guished churchmen the Henry M.
Simmons Memorial church for the
use of the First Unitarian So
ciety of Kenosha was formerly dedi-
Gated on Sunday morning and the first
services IN the new church brought
to the city many distinguished church
men. The dedication of the church
was one of the most unusual church
festivals ever held in Kenosha.
Great crowds attended the services
for the day, beautiful flowers decked
the altar and the chancel, but the
really unique feature Of the dedica-
ton was the fact that the new church
was opened and consecrated to the
service of God without the people be-,
ing asked to pay cent toward the
''church debt. When the church
had been planned z. G. Simmons
made proposition to the congre-
cation to pay $4,000 toward the
cost of the church if the mem.
bers of the. congregation would
raise $4,000. The statement of the
Board of Trustees yesterday made by
the Hon. r. H. Slosson of the County
Court showed that the congregation
had raised 81, 400. and Mr.. Simmons
had given more than $4,000 to secure
the completion and furnishing of the
handsome building and the report of
the president Of the society ;showed
that the church had been dedicated
ALSO u ely without debt.
lue services of dedication were on
a most interesting nature. The real
dedicatory service took place in the
morning and the church was filled to
its capacity with members andifriends.
The service opened with an organ
pastoral played by Mrs. Lucy.M. Will
liams, Of Springfield, Ill, after
which there was the ritualistic open
ing OF the church service readssby the
Rev. Florence Buck, pastor of the
church and the members of the con-
gregation. Following was:the dedica-
ton anthem sung by chorus of
eighteen after which the Rev. Newton
Mann, Of Omaha, the first pastor of
the church, read the scripture and Of
fered fervent prayer. Mr.. Edwin
Howard sang "The Lord is my Shep-
herdo' in very charming manner
and after hymn sung by the con-
gregation Mrs. Clara Hunt Howard,
one Of the most beautiful singers ever
heard in Kenosha, Sang. .Handeps
"Angels Ever Bright and Fair"
Then came the dedication sermon
prea ched by the Rev. Mr.. Mann. He
spoke on the subject "The Temple of
the Lord. He said in part:
1T is great joy to be present and
mark this occasion-an occasion OF,
rare interest from more than one
point of view. That a foundation so
substantial, so attractive, so costly
should have been laid for liberal re-
ligion here where its adherants are
comparatively few speaks volumes
for the devotion, the zeal, the gener-
osity of this people and volumes for
the persistence, the untiring work of
the minister under whose guidance
this notable achievement has been
accomplished. 1t is refreshing to
come upon preacher who can do
things-the more sos in this case as
the thing done carries with a demon
stration which unhappilly is still
needed IN some Unitarian quarters.
It would seem that there should be no
question further, at least in our ranks,
of woman's rightful place.in the pull
pit. Assuredly that question is not
likely soon to be raised now by any
minister of the less gentle sex who
has the grace to wait until he,has first
scored an equally brilliant success"
Mr.. Mann then spoke of.the uses of
the church and the great value of the
church to the community and later in
his sermon he paid tribute to the
late Henry NJ. Simmons and to z. G..
Simmons. In speaking of the dead
minister he said: "This church
comes to enshrine the memory of one
and another who have directly or in
directly helped to build it or who saw
it in far vision or who year by year
learned to rest their tired spirits
within its hallowed walls. I see ris-
ing up before me at this moment the
dear shades of company, who on
this very spot, forty years ago lacks
ing few months, joined with me in
the dedication of the little church
which has given place to this and one
and all they must ever associate them
selves in my mind with this structure
ia whose erection we may believe they
rejoice. Most of all will this church
borrow q sanctity from that rare and