The Detroit times., 1913-02-08
l4EH AVENUE
METHODISTS NOW
IN NEW CHURCH
Congregation Has Fine Ediiice
as Result Of Merger of Ha-
ven and Arnold Churches
DEDICATION TO TAKE
PLACE IN NEAR FUTURE
Building Is One of Modern
Equipment, Gymnasium Be-
ing Prominent Feature

After a long period OF joyous antici-
patton. the congregation OF the new
Fourteenth-aye Methodist Episcopal
church Is now In it's new edifice, the
first service within its walls being
held last sunday. Possession OF the
new edifice, however, was only par
tia. as the auditorium Is not yet ready
for occupancy
For the past FIVE months that por-
.tion OF the congregation contributed
BY the old Arnold church, one OF the
merging constituents OF the new Four
teeith-ave. church, have been wor-
shipping In the gymnasium of the
with chairs, pulpit, piano and heating
apparatus for that purpose.
The other half of the new organiza-
ton. that contributed by the old
Haven church membership, had mean
while been meeting in their old house
OF worship on Bagg-st. But last Sun
day the basement and Sunday school
rooms of the new building we're suf-
ficiently I'm order 10 permit OF their
use for congregational purposes, and
swarm OF people from the neighbor-
hood. old and young, gathered for the
FIRST meeting in the new quarters.
With much work yet to be done
upon the new building. and with only
three Sundays intervening before
dedication, the church building COM
mittee seems very confident that
every nail will be driven and every |
yard OF carpet spread before midnight
OF March L. The new material is daily |
arriving, the pews and carpets are on
their way the glazingNis nearly finish-
ed the lights partially installed, the
pastors coy and convenient Office
and study receiving the finishing
touches. and telephone connections
and all features of the work seem TO
be moving on harmoniously together.
Church Modern Structure.
The church building Is In style a
modified Gothic, very substantial and
attractive In design, built of brick
and Bedford stone, with massive
square tower, large windows OF
opaiescent glass. electric lighting
fixtures OF the new indirect" type,
and ID equipped with modern Sunday
school rooms and apparatus, kitchen,
banquet hall, large gymnasium and
shower baths and lockers, steam heat
ing plant, safe-deposit vault. and the
usual accessories of modern church.
The new organization and edlhce
are the outgrowth OF q conviction
upon the part. OF the former Haven
and Arnold churches that the large
and prosperous territory lying Just.
between them, thickly populated with
stable and industrious community
OF middle class American people, was
being most inadequately served by
both organizations. No other Protes-
tant church was fully rendering this
service and this large and worthy
field was being neglected, both az 70
social and religious opportunities.
Meanwhile these two struggling
churches were clinging TO locations
which had once been convenient and
central, but had grown TO be most
announcement TO the people they
should have served, and difficult OF
access. II thus became the plain
duty OF both churches so TO adjust
their program as not &c neglect or
abandon, but most efficiently TO serve
the community In which they had
hcen placed. This involved the sale
OF both properties, the merger Of the I
and tho new location
and building. A new social center
for large neigh borhpod, a morally.
safe and wholesome gathering place
for the youth OF both sexes, an agrees
s'ye moral and religious program and
q public building which would do
credit to any part OF the city, are the
results.
Sunday School 10 Large.
The Sunday school ep<,llment al
ready exceeds 700. which puts IL in
the class of the city's largest Sunday
schools, while the new scholars CON-
stantly enrolling gives promise of
nst large enough to tax, TO the utmost, .
me capacity and equipment OF the
puiiuing. Aided by committee from
both schools. the pastor. Rev. /. T..
LoFejoy, Is now perfectiug the organ.
lzation Of the new school, which will (.
pe installed on the day OF dedication. ,
SIDNEY g. TApp WIcuEc