Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1913-10-02
CORNER STONE
PUT IN PLACE
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES AT
LAYING OF CORNER STONE
OF NEW CHURCH

A more perfect day for the out
door ceremonies in connection with the
laying of corner stone could not
have been desired, or wished for, than
that Of last Sunday, when the corner
stone of the new Congregational
church was put into place with i'm
pressive ceremonies. The weather
was ideal, the sun shining brightly
all day, and it is estimated that 1000
people gathered at the site of the new
building at o'clock to witness the
laying of the corner stone, and hear
the special music provided and ad
dresses in connection with the cere-
mony.
A large number of seats had been
provided upon the temporary floor of
the church foundation, and many peo-
pie stood on the lawn in front of the
parsonage and in the street in front Of
the building. The Williston band,
under the direction of Prof. Onstad,
furnished some special selections.
Rev. Shaw, Pastor Of the local church,
was in charge of the exercises, and he
read selections of scripture appropri
ate to the occasion. Rev. Shaw was
assisted by the officers of the church
in looking after the details of the ex-
ercises. The choir led the assemblage
in the singing Of a hymn, and pray
er was offered by the pastor.
Rev. Shaw explained the plan and
purpose of the new building. He said
during the course of his remarks: -
"The new church is to minister to
the whole man-body, mind, soul and
spirit. It is to be not only for the
usual services of worship, but a COM
munity church and center as needed
for gatherings in which the commun-
ity generally is interested"
President Thos. F. Craven, of this
City Commission, who, in few we'll
chosen words, spoke of the pride
which the city takes in public i'm
provements, and cited the fact that
the time is at hand for the churches
of the city to build structures in keep
ing with the growth and progress of
the city along other lines.
In the absence of Pres. Rawson, Of
the Commercial Club, G. B. Metzger,
was asked to respond. Mr.. Metzger
is not only one of the oldest residents
Of the city, but was one Of the first
trustees. He made very appropri-
ate speech. He referred to the early
history and struggles of the church
and city, and spoke of the auspicious
beginning of the new building. John
Bruegger, the first treasurer of the
church, made response on behalf of
the officers of the church at the be-
ginning. Rev. E. Lewis Wall, of the
Methodist church, spoke Of his first
impressions of Williston, and of the
fact that Williston was apparently
behind in the matter Of churches ar
chitecturally, but that the new struc-
ture is an indication that the city
will soon meet these requirements.
Then came the. formal service of
laying the corner stone. Mr.. Shaw
read a list of the articles and docu-
ments, which had been prepared and
placed in a galvanized iron box, and
having placed the list in the box
sealed it and put it the corner stone.
Mr.. Anderson, of the Anderson-Sm
Construction Co., and Foreman John
son, leveled the stone into place, Mr..
Shaw striking the stone three times
with the trowl, as he repeated the
following words of scripture:-
"Behold l lay in Zion a chief cor
ner stone, elect and precious: He
that believeth in me shall not be con-
founded. Other foundation can no
man lay than that which is Jesus
Christ, and We are built upon the foun-
dation of the Apostles and Prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone"
The principal address of the day
was given by Rev. J. M. Sutherland,
D. D. of Cando, from the text: "The
stone which the builders rejected is
become the head of the corner. This
is the Lords doings and it is marvel
Gus in our eyes," He reviewed the
historical setting of the text, explain
ed the place and meaning of the cor
ner stone and it's Importance in the
building and the significance of the
days exercises in view of it. His
closing words were of congratulations
to the city-for which he prophesied
a great future and to the church and
the Christian forces of the city in
view of the prospect of such a splen-
did plant for Christian work and
worship.
Placed In Corner Stone
The following is list Of articles
placed in the corner stone:-
History of the church taken from
the wall of the old church, with brief
supplemental facts to date.
Picture of old church and parson-
age.
Picture of the church and Sunday
school in front, taken by Rev. Shaw
in 1910.
Picture of church with annex and
Sunday school taken in 1911.
Picture of the parsonage with Rev.
w. K. Bloom and Knighton.
Picture Of new parsonage, pastor
and family.
Picture of work and workers at con-
struction of foundation.
Program containing the order OF
services, and a list of the church Off
GERS at present.
Picture Of Main street, showing the
old church before the tower was erect
ed. and also showing the home of G.