Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-20
METHODTSTS DEDICATE
NEW OFFICE BUILDING
Prominent Members of Other
Churches Extend Their Con-
gratulations.

Philadelphia Methodism, since Its
foundation leading the denomination
throughout the country, marked new
epoch in its history today when its $SOo,-
600 building at 18th and Arch streets
was dedicated In the presence oil
several bishops. scores of clergymen ana
hundreds of prominent laymen from this
city and other towns and cities IN the
Philadelphia conference, the six-story
building was dedicated formally with
elaborate ceremonies this afternoon at
2:3O o'clock.
Bishop Joseph f. Berry, who has been
one of the most active advocates OF the
building and was among the very first
TO urge its completion, presided at the
afternoon services. In the evening, when
a general congratulatory reception VIII
be held, w. S. Pilling, chairman of the
Committee on Plans and Buildihg' VIII
be in the chair.
Tho exercises were held in the assembly
hall, and the entire structure was thrown
open during the afternoon for Inspection
by the Methodsts and their, friends
William II. Helsler, chairman OF the
Building Committee, formally presented
tnG 10 Iue Dual VI VI AiDihN
sions and Church Extension of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the
Tract Society of the Philadelphia Con-
ference, the organizations for which 1t
was erected to meet the growing needs
of the many departments and general
work of the denomination in this vi
cinity.
Prominent Methodlsts from all parts
of the country we're present and leaders
of other denominations.
Among the most prominent Methodists
to have places on the afternoon program
Bishop Luther b. Wilson, representing
the Board of Bishops of the Methodist
Church. Bishop Wilson is the resident
bishop of New York and president OF
the Board of Foreign Missions.
Greetings were brought to the serv-
ices for the Foreign Board by the Rev.
Frank Mason North, corresponding sec
retary of the board; by Mrs. Wilbur P.
Thirkield. president of the Woman's
Home Missionary Society, for that body,
and by Mrs. Cyrus D. Foss. for the
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Of
which she formerly was president.
Responses to these greetings were
made by the Rev. DIR. George II. Buckley,
for the Tract Society, and by the Rev.
DIR. Charles NJ. Boswell, corresponding
secretary of the Board of Home Mission
and Church Extension.
In the evening several Christian de-
nominations in Philadelphia will be rep
resented. and the Rev. DR.. Floyd w.
Tomkins rector of Holy Trinity Eplsco-
pal Church, will make an address for
them. The Rev. A. HI Lucas, president
of the Philadelphia and New Jersey
Preachers Association, will represent
that organization; the Minister'S Wives
Association will send as its speaker Mrs
Virgil Z. Rorer, the president and
Colonel John Gribbel will give an ad-
dress on behalf OF the Methodist Epis-
copal Union of Philadelphia and vicinity
The new building will be occupied
Jointly by the Board of Home Missions
and Church Extension and the Tract So
clety of the Philadelphia Conference
Bishop Berry will have his offices in 1t
and it will house other departmental Of
fees and serve for the general activities
of the denomination in this vicinity.
portion of vt will be rented for business
offices The eastern end of the struc-
ture is for the Home Missions Board
and the western for the Tract Society.
1t is a beautiful steel-reinforced struc-
ture of Gothic architecture. Its ex-
terror is of Medford pink granite The
building Is fireproof and commands a
desirable location on the proposed Park
way.