The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14

league and the Pastors Helpers COM
prise the societies of the church. DR.. r
L. Robinson is president of the board
of Stewards with DR. r. T.. McTyiere
vice president, and Judge b. Clay Jones'
secretary treasurer. Among the pastors
who have ably served the church and
this city are: Rev. L. c. Branscomb,
d. D.: Rev George w. Read, y. D.. :
Rev. Eugene n. Hawkins, whose death
occurred several years ago. !, V. John
s. Robertson. Rev. George L. Jenkins
Rev. w. e. Morris Rev. j. /. Hrittain
and Rev. ]. L. Sturdivant, who was
made presiding elder of the Bassemer
district at the recent conference.
Christian Church
In April, 1902, the Christian church
of Bessemer was organized. 1'he organ
Station was possibly the result of a
meeting held in the fall of 1901, when
a number of strong members of the
Christian church from different parts
of the county came here in the hopes
of arousing sufficient interest among
the few members to be able to erect a
church. The meeting, however, was
the means; of paving the way for a
much larger meeting the following year
which was conducted by Rev s. p
Spiegel and Prof. J. d. Patton. The
meeting was a great success and closed
with the Organization of the First
Christian church of Bessemer.
Rev. D.. p. Taylor, a young man of
noble character and splendid ability at
that time, was in college at Lexington,
KY. having. completed the work in the
College of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. uni
versity, and taking special work in the
College of Arts, was extended a most
cordial invitation to come to Bessemer
for the year 1902.
For several months the courthouse
was used as a place of worship. but this
arran cement was inconvenient and dis
agreeable in many ways. Tue little
band, with man to lead them. never
entertained a thought of failure and
moved steadily on until a move was
made to purchase a lot on Fourth ave-
nue. and Sixteenth street. which was
paid for in cash. A comfortable frame
church was erected in January, 1903.
with the assistance of the church ex-
tension board. The enrolment started
with 60 members, the present member
ship reaching about 900. The sunday
school is we'll organized, the - rrain-
ing for Service Course which was con-
Quoted for two years by Rev. Taylor,
being taken by nearly all of the teach
ers. The "Christian9Worl<e ersr an or
ganiZation of the women of the church
Is one of the best working societies in
the city and has as its efficient presi-
dent Mrs w. RI. Ham. A splendid class
room. which is neatly furnished, has
been built by the Baraca class.
Several months ago Rev. ID. +. Tay-
lor who was much beloved by his en-
tire congregation and highly esteemed
by sll who knew MIN. accepted call
TO the Christian church of Selma. He
was succeeded by Rev. f. e. POWELL
Who quickly won the confidence Of his
people and all who know him.
PRESBYTERIAN Church
inc First Presbyterian church Of
Bessemer was organized April 3, 1885,
with is members, the first officers be-
ing Elders H. T. Mathews, G. ". Tor
gerson and !. NJ. Jones; deacons, DR.. s.
Z. carson and w. r. Henderson. The
1lrst church was built on the corner Of
sixth avenue and Nineteenth street.
with additional rooms built later. The
congregation used this structure until