The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-08

BISHOP h. G. MORRlSON
breaches THE SERMON
E. X. Campbell Reads Short History
of New Coneregation-Many In
teresting Papers Placed in
the Cornerstone.
The cornerstone of the handsome new
Five Points Methodist church had been
laid and large number of the prominent
members of the church, in going to their
homes on Eleventh avenue, glanced back
over their shoulders toward the east to
behold one Of the most splendid rainbows
they had ever seen. Standing at Highland
circle and looking toward the edifice in
course of construction a complete semi
circle spanning the horizon from north
to south formed a frame to set off the
work so far completed on the church.
The rainbow was most distinct and
most brilliant, all the colors being WISH
BILE, and coming not more than minutes
after the cornerstone had been sealed, it
looked. indeed, as II the Great Architect
of the universe was we'll pleased, and had
placed one of the most beautiful frames
possible around picture equally as beau
tiful, and one that will endure, a church
erected to His glory.
The building which is being used tenn
porarily as the Five Points Methodist
church was, despite the threatening
weather. taxed to its utmost capacity
yesterday afternoon on the occasion or
the services preceding the laying of the
cornerstone of the permanent house of
worship.
Not only was there large outpourlng
of Methodists, but every denomination
seemed to have been represented in the
audience.
The services were opened with a hymn
appropriate to the occasion, sung by the
congregation. The Rev. f. p. Culver,
pastor of the Eleventh Avenue Methodist
church, lead in prayer; and after song
of the Five Points church was read by e.
X. Campbell This sketch was prepared
to be put, with other things in the cor
nerstone and contained a record of the
principal events relating to the church
from its origin up to yesterday. 1t was,
in brief, as follows:
Historic Sketch.
An organization was formed early in
February, 1908, by the ladies around Five
Points looking to the formation of a
Sunday school for the children in the
vicinity. This movement was brought
about principally by ladies of the First
Methodist church living in the Five
Points neighborhood on account of the
danger involved In crossing the railroads
on the way to the First church. A meet
ing was held at the residence of DR..
Cunningham Wilson and it was decideddo
organize the Sunday school.
About the first of March, following, r.
S. Munger was elected superintendent Of
the Sunday school and Vassar Allen as
sstant superintendent. There was a
membership Of fifty-three. Interest in the
movement took rapid strides and in May,
1903, 1t was found to be urgent that week.
ly prayer meetings be held These
services were established, and in August
a movement was started to hold regular
meetings every Sunday morning. The
Rev. Dr. James II. Mccoy was requested
TO conduct the services in connection
with his work for the Alabama Christian
Advocate, he being then editor, and con-
scented to do so. A chapel was then erect
ed at the cost of about $500 and in Sep
TENDER the Rev. Dr. Mccoy was holding
regular services on Sunday morning and
Wednesday evening.
In October 1908 certain members of the
congregation set about to organize a
church and 1871 members were secured,
being principally from the First Metho-
dist church. On the following Sunday
thirty members were received into the
church by the pastor, on profession of
faith. This membership has grown until
at present the church has 1886 members.
In October, 1904, the proposition for tho
purchase Of a lot for a new church was
taken into consideration, the congregation
having grown sufficiently to warrant the
movement. 1t was FOUND that the site
on which the new church is now being
built could be purchased for $4,000, A
collection was taken and more than the
required amount was received. In No
vember, 1906, the erection of a new build
ing was determined Upon and a building
committee was appointed, with r. s.
Munger as its head. A canvass for the
building fund was made and 100000 was
subscribed by members of the congrega-
ton Later on a canvass was made out
side the membership and 1t resulted in
raising an additional $4,000
The Rev. DR.. James II. Mccoy was ap-
pointed pastor of the Five Points church
by Bishop A. Coke Smith and is now COM
pleting his fourth and last year as pastor
of the church.
Those participating In yesterdays serv-
ices were Bishop III. C. Morrison. the Rev.
s. l.. Dobbs, presiding elder of the Bir-
mingham district; the Rev. r. A. Chad
wick, editor of the Alabama Christian
Advocate; the Rev. F. p. Culver, pastor
of the Eleventh Avenue Methodist
church, and Mr.. Munger, chairman Of
the building committee.
Bishop Morrison.
Bishop Morrison made the address of
the occasion, and by way of introduction
spoke of the great work of building
churches now in progress the world over.
He observed first that the present was
peculiarly building or an architectural
age with the church. not merely that