Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-14
UNION CHURCH WORK
PROVES SUCCESSFUL
IN PRETTY OAKMONT
Grace Chapel, Which Rep
resents Six Denominations,
Is a Monument to Cooper
alton.
atlon.

Grace Chapel, In the beautiful town OF
oakment, Delaware County, along the
Ardmore trolley line, is an excellent eN-
ample OF what can be done in any COM
munity when the church people cooperate
for Christian service through union
organization. on October 4, 1905 feeling
the need OF Christian work In the growing
village and knowing that 1t was impos-
slble for any ono denomination to succeed
alone, union Sunday school was or
Eanlzed in the pnrlor of one of the homes.
Just six years later, on October last
the congregation of prosperous church
that has grown from the school, had the
pleasure of seeing tho handsome new
Grace Chapel dedicated.
This new church-home, with a COM
Portable parsonage, was erected at
cost of more than $1,000, and the last
payment is to be made on it about the
first OF next month The chapel-it
should be called n church, for It Is better
than hundreds OF buildings that are called
churches in the towns around Philadel-
phia-is thoroughly modern and Is well
adapted to all the uses of the conBrega-
ton and its affilated organizations. 1t
is of beautiful architecture and adds
much to the beauty of the town. The
interior is neatly decorated, and magnih-
cent memorial windows, the gifts or
members. add much to its attractiveness.
Much of the success OF the congrega-
tion has been due to the untirlng efforts
OF the minister, James II. Feely, for
merly a local preacher Of the Methodist
Episcopal denomination, but since May,
1918, a licensed lay evangelist of the Pres
byterian denomination. Although Mr..
Feely, who is u native of Clarion, Pa,
has been busy doing everyday work
every day since coming to Philadelphia
In 1884, he has found enough time to
make q remarkable record in religious
work.
After coming here. he pursued course
OF study in the Theological School of
Temple University, and did much evan
gelistic work in this part of Pennsyl-
vania. When he became interested in
the Oakmont Sunday school work, he
was enthused by the united support given
him by the residents generally and by
working together the people and Mr
Freely have built in Grace Chapel mon
ument TO Christian people that is strong
argument for church union.
The Grace Chapel congregation was for
mally organized as self-governing
organization ON Easter Sunday, 1918 1t
started with II members, T of whom
were received by letter and 80 on con-
fession of faith. Now II has 1O4 members.
and it's Sunday school, Young Peoples
Society and Ladies' Aid Society are all
active and have done much for the
growth and prosperity of the work.
When the chapel was dedicated, the larg-
est single gift was a donation OF $1,000
from the Ladies' Aid Society, presented
through Mrs w. II. Roberts. It's presi-
dent Many OF the active workers were
Phlladelphlans among them being the
superintendent OF the Sunday school, d.
w. Stewart
Six denominations are now represented
In the church membership, and 1t is ex-
pected that representatives OF two other
denominations win be admitted by letter
soon. Baptists. Methodlsts. Presby.
terians, Episcopalans. Lutherans and
Friends are all working together for the
success OF the church and In the inter
ests OF the religious growth OF Oakmont.
The bylaws OF the organization are so
broad that members OF no Protestant
denomination need hesitate TO enter 1t.
Provisions are made so that the Gus
toms OF the denominations to which the
members formally belonged may be con-
tinued
ons Of the members said few days
ago:
1--WE have not forgotten our old de-
nominations, but we know that It was
impossible for any one OF the denomina-
tions to support church here itself,
and therefore, we just got together and
have done the work as though we were
All OF the same creed. We are all
working for the same result. anyway,
so why shouldn't we unite for Christr
Mr.. Feely Is 4 business man as well
as minister of his flock. From $3.50 every
weekday morning until $50 every after
noon he is engaged In helping the inter
ests OF the industrial ana commercial
world as the sales manager for the Reeh-
Marbaker Company, wagon manufae-
he must do In the evenings and on Sun
days. 1t Is doubtful II there is a buster
pastor in the country.