The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1912-11-15

The services accompanying the dedi-
cation of the new First Christian Church
in Union City will be held on Sunday,
Nov "a, in the new building on Second
street, south, with sermon by Rev. w.
H. Shelter, of Memphis.
Much has been said of the erection
of the handsome new structure, its
architecture, elaborate details, and i'm
posing features, and since these mat
ters have been considerably enlarged
upon little history concerning the
society and its organization might be
specially interesting.
From those who have the records we
find that the pastorate began with the
mnistrations of James Holmes, and in
succession followed Elder Ford, II. D.
Bantau, E. r. Osborne 1860 to 1869
During this period James Creath S meet
lHS OCCuilSu Uubc, ISOC.
In 1874 Rev. ]. H. Roulhac was in
charge and a record was made of the
baptism of Jennie Friel, w. G.. Huff
man 1876, w. L. Shelton, 1S79-S0, T.
r. Osborne, one of the most sincerely
beloved and universally esteemed men
of the church, was pastor until 1889,
A. Saunders 1890-93, DR.. Dabney 1893
90, G. G. Brown 1S96-97, w. III. Shef-
fer 1897-1902, j. A. Reynolds 1902-3,
w. ]. Shelburne 1903-5, j. j. Castle
berry 190510, Rev. j. E. Stuart, the
present pastor, 1910.
Among the influential preachers Of
the early days was HI. d. Bantau. Gen
eral Gibbs gave him a lot on Florida
avenue, now owned by David Cockrill,
known as the Wyatt lot In the old rec
ords is found record of his compensa-
ton as follows: For 1884, 5000; for
1855, $31. 60 The historian could not
think this was all he received. But the
most of the early preaching gas done
by what the chronicler called travel
ng brethren. -
The First Christian Church was Or
lied at Republican meeting house Oct.
90, 1S4S, some few miles west of Union
City. In the fifties the place of wor-
ship was moved to a schoolhouse three
miles northeast of Union City. When
the town of Union City was laid out
General Gibbs donated to the congre-
CATION lot in the Gibbs addition, cor
ner of Second and Lee streets Here
they built their first house of worship
in 1857 or 1858. This was a frame
structure facing north with pulpit be-
tween the two doors. In this house
they worshiped until 1862, when the
Federal troops destroyed the building,
using the material for winter quarters
in the furthermost northeastern part of
town. After this the congregation wor-
SHIPPED in the Old Academy on the hill
on Florida avenue. 1t was in this house
that the great meeting was held by
Jacob Creath of Kentucky, in which
81 members were added.
Under the ministration of Rev. A.
Saunders in 1S90-93 part of the men,
bershIp withdrew on account of the in
PRODUCTION of the organ in the song
and the second church was
formed. But the church continued to
grow.
Reference is made to the number of
services and methods of looking after
the interests of the church.
Here follows some comment by the
present pastor:
: THUS FAR HATH THE LORD LED Us. :"
1t is well for us at this iuncture OF
he work to review the way by which |
We come. 1t is right to know the
successes of the past, the
that we may be helped by the
rood and avoid the evils. We cannot
-eview a work like this without seeing