The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-28
Bishop Kilgo Will Officiate in
Exercises
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Handsome New Structure at EnsIey Is
Nearing Com pIetion-Eastern Star
Lodge to Celebrate Birth
day of Founder
BY G. II. MANDY

NOON at CLOCK Dy 6Snop JOnn "
Kilgo of Durham, N. C. The Rev. f,
w. Brandon, presiding elder Of the Bes-
semer district, will be master of cere-
monies. The cornerstone will be laid with
the stately ceremonial of the church rit-
ual. Special music will be rendered by
the large chorus under the direction OF
Choirmaster NJ. NJ. Hughes. The address
will be made by Bishop Kilgo.
The new church building is located on
the corner of Avenue @ and Twentieth
street, Ensley. 1t will cost when complet-
ed approximately $4,000. 1t is a handsome
and imposing edifice, and reflects much
credit on the energy, perseverance and
self-sacrifice of the church membership.
Bishop Kigo will preach this morning
at Il O'clock and will take up special
Offering for the church building fund.
At o. clock in the afternoon the corner
stone will be laid. At the evening SER
vice the Rev. Frank P. Culver, presiding
elder of the Birmingham district, will
preach at the request of the bishop, who
will be present at the sci ice.
History of the Church
The Ensley Methodist Episcopal church,
south, had its inception in a little Sun
day school that was started in the furnace
quarters in 1893 by the Rev. S. e. Will
loughby, with Mrs. j. f. Randall, Joseph
Martin and others as teachers Services
were held in the schoolroom from time to
time by the Rev. w. E. Morris, the Rev.
S. E. Emmerson, the Rev. Sam Parrish.
Mr.. Blacey, Mr.. Wiloughby and other
clergymen- In March, 1895, they moved
into the old laboratory building on Seven
tenth street, where Mr.. Martin became
superintendent The teachers were Mrs.
Randall. Harry Spurrier, John Stacy,
Miss Mae Belle Randall, organist.
Largely through the influence of G. b.
Mccormack a church lot was secured
from the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail-
road company on the north side of the
railroad tracks, which was decided to board
of trustees for the Methodist Episcopal
church, south. The trustees were Joseph
Martin, John Mandy and R. Ayes. The
deed was executed September 8, 1896. A
building was erected which was used, not
only by the Methodists, but by other de-
nominations, for religious purposes. In
1898 the city of Ensley, being then in an
embryonic state, and the location being
somewhat undesirable on account of the
close proximity of the new industrial
plants that were then being erected, the
church lot was exchanged for the lot
on Avenue G, where the handsome new
building is now being erected.
In November, 1885, the Rev. j. I. Will
liams was appointed pastor in charge and
served as such for four consecutive years
Services were temporarily held in store
house on Seventeenth street During the
second year of his pastorship a frame
building was erected on the church lot,
which was used for church purposes until
1901, when 1t was removed and q brick
structure built, which was intended for
a Sunday school room, but to be used as
church until 1t should be found con-
meantime the church membership grew,
the matter of extending the church build
ing became imperative, and on being
duly considered 1t was found that the
hitherto contemplated plans were wholly
impractical. owing to change of street
grades and other conditions, and it was
decided to tear down the old building and
build a new house entirely
New Building Commenced
The new building was commenced under
the able passionate OF the Rev B. B.
Glasgow In 1908, and rapid progress was
made toward completion. Owing to the
M a,-n1 49,
stnngency, 1t was found necessary to
suspend operations for many months. In
the early part of the present year the
work was resumed, and by the untiring
energy of DR.. Simpson, pastor for the
arst six months, and DR.. Bowen, the
present pastor, the wern has gone stead
!ly forward, until today the building Is
practically ready for the roof, and will
be carried to a speedy completion.
Since the organization of the church in
1893 1t has gone steadily forward, in
creasing Its membership each year. The
following pastors have been instrumental
in its growth: Rev. j. ]. Williams, who
was pastor from 1888 to 1902, inclusive
Rev. G. W. Read, D. D., from 1909 to 1906
Rev L. r. Written from 1905 to 1907; Rev
B. B. Glasgow from 1907 to 1909; Rev. Dr.
Simpson. who served the church about
six months, and DR.. J. A. Bowen, the
Of all these pastors the church has ex-
perienced much prosperity.
Since the organization of the church i
years ago, about 1900 members have come
into Its communion. A number have
moved to the Second Methodist at Shady
side, some have passed TO the great be-
yond, others moved away, dismissed by
certificate or otherwise disposed of; still
there is on the roll today about 600 mem
on ~ xxyhn O ard
to the contamination of their earnest de-
sire when the church they are laborins
40 hard to build shall be conseorated and
dedicated to the worship of God.
Eastern Stars to Celebrate
Cunningham chapter, No. a. Order OF
the Eastern Star, will celebrate the
birthday of the founder Of the order
Robert Morris, on August 81 at the
Nagles' hall on Nineteenth street All
interesting programme has been pre-
pared, which with incluce an address by
DR.. r. NJ Cunningham on the life OF
the founder of the order Refreshments
will be served. and everything done tc
make the evening one Of much pleasure
All Masons Of high or low degree, and
their wives, daughters. mothers or sweet
hearts are invited to be present w. T
Palmer and others wifi render vocal Sc
I9Ct1OnS- Inc IHuSlC Will De
furnished by the Ensley italian band.
Mrs. Shaw Entertains Music Glass
Mrs. Clara l.. Shaw entertained her
pupils Thursday afternoon from to IL
o'clock at her studio, 3005 Avenue +. Ems
ley. She gave them quite an interesting
talk on finger exercises or pianoforte
technics. Among those present were Mrs
NJ r. Johnson, Miss Edith Scott. Miss
Ola Scott, Mrs McJohnson, Miss Myrtle
Snow. Miss Ola Snow, Miss Anna Ward