The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-09-27
RICHMOND CHURCHES
A POWERFUL FACTOR
City Noted for Church Edi-
fees Belonging to De-
nominations.
LARGE MEMBERSHIPS
Many Residents Attend Serv-
Eyer Of the Progressive
Pastors.
LARGE MEMBERSHIPS

The tais tv-fCur churches in Rich
nlond have experienced a remarka BILE
growth during the last two years, not
in the number of members enrolled,
but in the number attending the Sun
day services, according to local pas
tors. Richmond has many fine
churches, well distributed over the
city as to make church easily access,
ible to the citizens anywhere
Since 1911, it is estimated that the
total attendance of Sunday services
has increased from 1000 to $500 or
more while the Sunday schools have
had an increase in attendance almost
as large. There are $4,000 church
members in the cityNand $500 children
are enrolled in the Sunday schools
Churches Prosper.
This city has reputation of having
more church members and more
churches in comparison to the popula-
ton than most other cities. Method
lists, Presbyterians. Friends, Episco-
pals and two Catholics are a large
asset to the city. There are five col
ored churches with a membership of
about 800 here.
The st. Mary's Catholic church has
under construction a magnificent edi-
flee on North A street between Sew
enth and Eighth. When completed
this will be the finest church in the
city in architecture. The First Church
Of Christ Scientist is now lodged in a
beautiful little structure which the
members built in 1912 The St An
drews Catholic church has one of the
most active and possibly the largest
congregations in the city. The work
IF ba x,h,, ;e,, Ill oil 4,
citizens of this and other cities.
Church Changes.
During the past year there have
been several changes in the churches.
The First Christian church congrega-
ton was divided and out of the con-
,gregation leaving, grew the Central
christian church which since January
of this year has grown from a group
of twenty or thirty members, to a
strong congregation of more than 200
members. This progressive church is
outgrowing the rooms in the Masonic
temple and will build a church build
ing soon Since the last Methodist
conference, the Fifth Street M. E.
church was placed under the pastor
ship of Rev. Arthur Gates, pastor of
the Grace NJ. E. church, although the
congregations have remained separate.
Richmond has a ministerial associa-
ton consisting Of almost every minis
ter IN the city. 1t rs progressive or
ganization which holds meetings every
Monday morning and has been influ-
entail in correcting defects in the
church organizations of the city. The
association has brought the churches
in closer touch and helps not only the
ministers but the congregations as
we'll.
Friends Are Strong.
The Friends are strong sect here
There are five Friends churches here
which within the past two years have
been characterized with a progressive
spirit. All the church buildings of
the Friends are historical and the his
tory of the religion here is interesting
The total church property has not
increased materially since a report
was made in 1911. At that time the
tproperty of the churches represented
a million and a quarter dollars.
Church Directory.
A directory of the churches follows:
First Church of Christ Scientist
christian Science), 1417 North A
street. readers.
Central Christian church, Masonic
Temple, Ninth and North A streets,
Rev. R. c. Leonard, pastor.
African NJ. E. (colored), corner of
Sixth and South B streets, Rev.
George G. Sampson, pastor.
Apostolic Holiness Mission, Elev-
enth and South H streets.
City Mission, 334 Main street.
East Main Street Friends church,