Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-02-18
CHURCH NEARING
49D ANNIVERSARY
Of ORGANIZATION
BeIIeviIIe Avenue Congregations
alists Prosperous in All
Departments.

On Thursday, the day following
W~ashington's Birthday, the Bellevllle
Avenue Congregational Church will
reach its forty-third birthday.
On February 20, 1858, the church was
founded by a following of enthusiastic
churchmen, who realized that the
north end of the city, which had begun
to expand in population, needed a new
church. The work was taken up with
vigor, and, despite the subsequent ar
rival of several other denominations,
which sought a fertile field in the same
territory, the Bellevllle Avenue Con-
>gregational flock continued to grow,
until today, over two decades since its
inception, it is one of the strongest
churches in this city.
Two CONGREGATIONAL Churches in Cty.
When considering this commemorate
showing 1t must be remembered mat
there are only two Congregational
flocks in this large "city OF churches
the First Church, at Clinton avenue
and Wright street, and the forty-tnree-
year-old congregation in Belleville e
nue.. The church of this denominatlon
also is not governed by a district con-
ference board or a dominating general
official body that has the power to reg
ulate the pastoral, spiritual or f1nan-
ciaI policies of the church.
ForceRuI and Energetic.
The Belleville avenue church has
therefore attained It's encouraging
growth through the foceful energy and
activity of the members, who nave Tor
years reached out systematically TOT
the unchurched in the north end.
The list Of pastors since its organiza-
ton has beer a most notable one. The
present pastor, the Rev. James A. 80
landt, who succeeded the Rev. Theodore
Merrill Shipherd, who on September l.
1909, accepted q call to the First con-
gregational Church, In Lincoln, Neo,
has been most successful In his laDors
in this city. The church, during the
last year of the term Of DR.. Shiphero'
was extensively improved, several thou
sand dollars being expended on the re-
modelling and decorating.
DR.. Solandt came here last April anu
is proving one of the most resourcerui
divfnes that has filed the pulpit In
many years. The member of the
official board, who are entitled 10
credit for the encouraging condition
OF the parish, and who have been
affiliated with the church for years
are: Curtis R. Burnett. William
Holmes. George B.. d. Reeve, G. l.
whitfield, ]. w. Howard, A. H. Con-
over. DR.. William H. Ward, F. Z,
Alden, r. M. Sammis, Theodore Price,
David r. Brown, ]. II. McNish, e, M.
Sammis and It. A. Foster.
Sabbath school Prosperous.
The Sabbath school has prospered in
membership under the instruction OF
w. @. Hillman, superintendent; Alfred
Amerman. secretary, and the assist
ants, Vernon Conklin and a Van
derhoof. Mrs. w. G. Hillman, Mrs. S.
J.. Bald win and Mrs. C. L. Whitfield
have charge of the primary and hon,e
department.
The active women of the flock, who
have taken a vital interest In promot-
ing the growth of the several church
societies, are: Mrs. j. w. Howard,
Mrs. Frank r. Smith, Mrs. L. E.. Ryder
Mrs. ]. H. Dennison, Mrs, Grant Car
penter, Mrs. e. P. Dennison, Mrs. Ed
mund Rolf. Mrs. William A. Rice, Mrs.
c. @. Woolson, Mrs. Frederick Sam
mis-, Mrs. William C. Stinson and the
Misses Nettie W~arrender, Lottie Car
man, Edith Thompson, Theodore Skid
more, Alice Holmes, Florence Thomp-
son, Katherine Crawford and Lucy
Scholes.
The various organizations that are in
a most hourishing condition are the
Junior Endeavor Society, the Young
Woman's Auxiliary, the Young Peo-
pies Union, the Women's Association.
the Mission Band, the Home and For
eign Missionary societies and the Young
Mems Adelboi Club.