The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-09-05
DOCTOR N. P. BURNS
TO DEDICATE NEW
METHODIST CHURCH
To Preach Sunday Morning Dedica-
tory Sermon-Rev. A. H. Mckee,
Detroit to Preach in Evening
SPECIAL MUSIC BOTH SESSIONS
Many Out of Town People Planning
to Attend Dedication Services
Arrange for Crowd.

10 attend UeQ1caC1On SERVICES
Arrange for Crowd.
Under the leadership of their pas
vor. Rev. Charles Flesher the men,
bers of the First Methodist Episcopal
church of this city have completed
the construction of their new church
and Sunday will conduct dedication
services, to which the public is cor
daily welcomed.
DR.. M. P. Burns, superintendent
Of the Minneapolis district, has been
engaged to preach the morning SER
mon and dedicate the church. Rev.
A. H. Mckee OF Detroit will preach in
the evening"
special program has been pre-
pared for both morning and evening
services. Mrs. Strickland will sing
selection and Pastors White and
Chandler will also take part in the
program. The services will begin at
1890 in the morning and o'clock
in the evening.
Historic Sketch.
Methodism in Bemidji, Mimi, be-
gan May Oath, 1898, when Rev. Rob-
ert Forbes, D. D., presiding elder of
the Duluth District of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and Rev. o. J. Gary
Methodist pastor at Milaca, Mimi,
held service in the Presbyterian
church.
At that time a board Of trustees
was organized consisting of Maurice
J. Leak, James Driver, Jay L. Rey-
nolds, Matthew Phibbs, Rev. Robert
Forbes, D. D., and Rev. o. J. Gary.
Early in June of that year Rev. A.
E. Rowson was appointed preacher in
charge and conducted services, first in
the courthouse then located on the
corner where Netzer's drug store now
stands, and in the Woodman hall in
the Troppman block.
At the annual conference held at
Hutchinson, Mimi, in the following
October, Rev. Geo. Watson was ap-
pointed pastor. One Sunday, Deem
Der 4th, 1898, the First Methodist
Episcopal church of Bemidji, Mimi,
was organized with the following
persons as charter members: Mr..
and Mrs. Maurice J. Leak, Mr.. and
Mrs. James Driver, Mrs. S. C. Bren-
non. Mrs. Avery Smith, Mrs. Lottie
q Pike and Mrs. Matthew Phibbs.
Rev. Watson was pastor for three
years and during his administration
= church building was begun. In 1901
,elev. George Swinnerton was appoint
ed to the charge and finished splen-
did building which was an honor to
the faith and courage of the people
at that time. The other pastors who
have served the church are Grant
Teeters, U. S. Foster, J. B. Smith,
Isaac Peart, J. H. Denniston, G. E.
White and Chas. H. Flesher.
July 10Th, 1909, the church was
struck by lightning and completely
destroyed.
In the spring Of 1910 work was be-
gun on excavating the basement and
in tle Fall the basement wa - for a
new church were built and the rough
Moor laid. In June 1911. work was
resumed and the superstructure was
enclosed and the basement finished
and occupied.
In May, 1913, work was resumed
and the building completed at to-
tai cost of $4,000. It is rectangular
in shape and library style of archi-
lecture facing SO feet on Beltrami
avenue and Ga feet on Ninth street. 1t
Is modern in all it's appointments,
having Sunday School rooms, cloak
room, pastors study, choir waiting
room and two galleries and will seat
over 400. Memorial windows beauti-
fy the auditorium. The basement
contains furnaces, fuel room, toilets,
kitchen and dining room.
The completion of this building is
a credit to the members of the church
and the citizens of the city who have
made it possible and due credit must
be given to friends from other cities