The Washington times., 1913-12-21
SOCIAL. CENTER HAS
VARIED ACTIVITIES
Unique Movement Had Its In
ception in Small Weekly
4 Bible Class. tAx

Within five miles of Washington there
has been going on for nearly three
Years a unique movement, combining a
country church. the all-around features
of the Y. NJ c. A. and a cooperative
society. The Vanderwerken Neighbor-
hood House moyement began in a
small,way and took the form of small
weekly Bible class, held for month at
a time at a given house, and fortnightly
seciaIs in which the people INDUCED in
the oId-fashioned square dances, going
20 Jerusalem" the singing of college
songs, and having general good time.
Starting with eight or ten fan9sies,
both the Bible class and the house
socials speedily gathered so many peo-
Pie that the houses became uncomfort-
ably crowded and general talk began Of
buying a lot and putting up building
which would serve as ncighborhood
center, as church, Bible school, for
social gatherings. and public welfare
movements
A large property owner became inter
.ested and Of his own accord onered
Vanderwerken -Station: This vary speed
ily was followed by a gift of several
hundred dollars, worth of building ma
terial from a building that was beins
Torn QpWEl< $780,
e.erne. from -naauy quarters which re-
suited finally in the building OF the
present attractive social center, WITH
assembly hall, having large open nre-
place, Kitchen, and dining room, with
steam heat and modern plumbing and
all conveniences.
Small Contributions.
Most of the contributions toward this
movement came, of necessity, in small
amounts, and so great was the interest
of some fourteen members that they de-
voted a part of their vacation tc work
ing on the building itself, One mem
her put in the well, another Installed
the plumbing, one put in the eiessrlc
renter work. A manufacturer OF OPP,
ttcai instruments. hearing of the move
ment, volunteered nlagnincent paiop-
ticon for use in lectures.
Although the central feature Is oIre e
xinced that 1t would be shoTt-sightea 70
erect a building in the country which
could only be used once week tor
church service. They desired to make
the building center of all movements
having as their object the public wei
fare; a building which the citizens as
sociation would feel free to patronize'
a building where people of all denoni-
nations would feel free to attend fec-
SOSloiSp oito SAis~A
Easy To Get Lectures.
Located near Washington. it has been
comparatively easy to obtain lecturers
from the departments to talk on subjects
Ike .'The Raising OF Fruit, The
Home Market Garden The Use of
Dynamite on the Farm" Electrical
Appliances in the Home" and other
practical talks. :.
Scciais and entertainments are carried
on frequently, and the prayer meeting
is BIZ no means neglected. Once
month the ladies OF the church give
supper and the plans for the COMING
winter include a class in English Tor
foreigners, and boys gymnasium class
Will be started as soon as funds can
be obtained to meet the cost of gymna-
sum apparatus. including dumb-b bells,
,aads and mats. Among the leaders
is a man of wide experience as physical.
director, who will conduct this boys
class. - .-'. =
From small beginnings an encourag-
ing cooperative movement has been Ge-
Veloped. Within the past few months
the members have purchased together
household goods now representing thcu-
sands of dollars, and in every instance
have been able to not only save money.
but to solve the problem of delivering
bulky goods to scattered country hoEles.
with the added feature of forming
habits of making cash payments end
buying in quantity.
Community Spirit,
Aside from the religious work, develop
meut of community spirit has been
most marked. 1t can be said of or:ly
limited number OF cities, towns, and
communities that their citizens possess
local pride. The people living in the
neighborhood OF Vanderwerken are
convinced that they have the best SUI
IIrb. the most beautiful country, and the
finest people to be found near wash
ington.
This can be traced to the fact that
they are working together for the bene-
fit OF one another and the benefit of
the community. In this work they for
get TO criticise one another's faults. and
in their efforts for public welfare have
no time for chickering's and iealousies.
Their leaders are convinced from their
experience that the average country
church could we'll be turned into a
small ''neighborhood house.. become q
neighbCThood center. and that the coun-
try clergyman of the future should pos
sess The qualifications of the social
worker. the Y. NJ. c. A. secretary, and
The promoter of a cooperative society
AS well as the qualities OF a spiritual
leader