The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1911-05-18
METHODIST CHURCH
CORNER Stone LAID
WITH MASONIC CEREMONIES-Ex-
ERCISES ATTRACT BIG CROWD
-.GREAT DAY FOR METHODISTS.

Kingstree, May 15:-To the glo-
ry of God and for the salvation of
mankind is the new Methodist
chYsch of Kingstree being erected
the Cornerstone of which was laid
this afternoon with Masonic cere-
monies in the presence of a large
number of visiting Masons and a
vast concourse of people from
many sections of the county. All
business was suspended in Kingstree
during the exercises, the school was
dismissed for the day at noon, and
a thoroughly representative audi
ence, composed of all denominations,
heard the address delivered and be-
held the beautiful ritualistic SER
vices performed by Kingstree Lodge,
Ancient Order of Free Masons, No
46. under the direction of Most Wor-
shipful Grand Master James R John.
son, of South Carolina. Assisting
the local lodge were representatives
from number of neighboring towns
and cities, which had been invited
to participate in the exercises OF the
day. Among those lodges who sent
delegates were the following: Ben
ton Lodge, of Timmonsville; Winyah,
Georgetown; Lebanon, Scranton; St
Peters, Manning; Mount Hope, st
Stephens; Indiantown, Williamsburg
county; Lake City, Lake City; Clar-
endon, Foreston; Hampton, Flor
ence; Harper's, Georgetown; Beu-
lah, Olanta and Inglesby, of Greely-
vile. At the conclusion of the ex-
ercises the visiting Masons were en-
tertained at barbecue and fish stew,
picnic dinner.
Today's celebrations mark hap
py epoch in the history in the his
tory of Kingstree Methodists; in
fact, the day is regarded as an aus
picious one for the entire communi-
ty. For, as stated by Presiding El-
der w P Meadors in his address to
audience, this is the first new church
erected in Kingstree in more than a
generation, almost two generations.
None of the good people here,
proud as they are of their city and
its progress, boast of their houses
of worship; indeed, it is generally
conceded that the church buildings
Ds3ere are far behind, in modern
structure and equipment, and even
adequateness, all other buildings or
enterprises of public nature. Up
until the present the Methodists
have worshipped in a small frame
building, whose accommodations had
long since been outgrown. Even
now the Baptists, Episcopalians and
Presbyterians have only small and
poorly equipped houses of worship.
That the erection of handsome
brick structure, with every conven-
;ence, beautiful to look upon, ample
to meet the needs of growing de-
nomination, will mean an incentive
to the other denominations, the be-
ginning of a greater pride in the
church homes, and consequently re-
sulting in greater accomplishments,
no one denies.
The new building, now in course
of construction, the completion OF
which will be on September l, will
have a seating capacity of six hun
dred. It will contain a large audi
torium, a separate Sunday-school
room, a number of class rooms and
a pastors study. The material
used is brick, to be covered with ce-
ment. Several stained glass win
dows will lend attractiveness to the
building, while its comfort will be
enhanced by the installation of a
modern steam heating plant, and
the latest and best pews. Situated
on a beautiful corner lot near the
center of the town, the new build
ing will present a most attractive
appearance. Upon all sides the
Methodists are being congratulated