The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-17

funerals and church services. The
bell had been in service so long that
the tongue was flattened on both sides.
The freight on the bell was paid by
Mayor Sims of Topeka as his contrtbu-
ton to the Seaprook church. The bell
has been used at Seabrook for almost
twenty years and still hangs in the
church tower.
George Parsons, one of the charter
members of the church. arranged for
much of the work without any COM
pensation.
Church improvements.
1t was some time after the church
was dedicated before the basement
was finished as a Sunday school room
large part of the finished lumber
for this purpose was donated by
Charles Thomas, son OF Jonathan
Thomas.
Several times since its construction
the exterior of the church has been
painted and the interior .has been re-
decorated. This has been done al
most entirely by outside friends of
the church Edward Osborn. Mr..
John Switzer, Mr.. Fassler and Mr.. J.
b. Sims. all of Topeka, have been
especially kind in financing improve
ments. E. B. Merriam. of course, has
been the chief supporter of the
church. being always ready with help
when help was needed.
kirkpatrick First Pastor.
The first pastor to take up the work
at Seabrook was Rev. J. Z. Kirkpat-
rick, who is now professor of history
and political science at Washburn col
lege. He it was who worked both
early and late with much earnestness
and zeal to make the new church a
success. Although he stayed only
two years, he made many friends and
was loved by many who were sorry to
see him depart. Only those who were
most intimate with him have any idea
as to the amount of work and self
sacrifice contributed by him to the
people whom he served.
When DIR. Kirkpatrick resigned to
accept another call. a worthy success
sor was found in the Rev. p. B. Lee,
who for eleven years toiled unceas-
ingly to make the church grow and
prosper. 1t may be said that to him
belongs most of the credit for its
growth and influence. He was a friend
to all and took a vital interest in the
community life. He was alwayt sym
pathetic and willing to be of service
to those about him. No one ac-
quainted with Seabrook can forget the
name Lee and it Is with pleasure that
we look back over the successful ef-
forts of one who ceased his work here
only when called to his final reward
After the death of Rev. Mr.. Lee, the
Rev. w. G. Wheeler took up the WORK
and for two years served as the leader
of the community. He did much tn
church and he also made many i'm
provements in organization and equip
ment- Under his leadership the men
of the community formed a Brother
hood and the Boy Scout organization
was started among the boys.
A Greater Seabrook.
After two years Mr.. Wheeler re-
signed. to take up a professorship at
Washburn, and Rev. A. Z. Seibert took
the pastorate. For three years he Ia
bored with the people to build up a
greater and a better Seabrook. II is
impossible TO give with any detail the
struggles discouragements and vic
tories of these four pastors. Each has
contributed his part to the upbuilding
of the community and has passed on
to other work.
First Sermon Sunday.
AS to the future, we can only con-
lecture. For the past few months
Seabrook has been without a pastor.
but through the kindness of Prof
Kirkpatrick and Prof Wheeler, serv-
ices have been arranged for every
Sunday. The Rev. Robert Bussey OF
Centralia has accepted a call to Sea-
brook and will begin his services here
Sunday He comes with the highest
recommendations He is experiences,
energetic. enthusiastic and of friend
ly disposition and is especially inter
ested in young people and educational
work The Seabrook people feel that
in the Rev. Mr.. Bussey they will find
a mar especially qualified to take up
the work here and make the church
and Sunday school the center of the
community life and interest.
The present officers of the church
are: Trustees r. c. Olbrecht, ID. n.
McAllister. T. A Titus; treasurer, Mrs.
r. J. McCafferty; clerk, Mr.. II. E
A Moseley: deaconesses. Mrs. Hast
ingS and Mrs Everett