The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-03-04

meeting, 1t was voted that commit
tee of three be appointed to see If a
suitable building lot could be obtained
upon which to erect a house of wor-
ship, Deacon r. L. Mitchell, Deacon
Goodwin and Calvin Cleveland being
chosen as that committee.
May IS, 1888, the first annual meet
ing was held and it was voted to adopt
certain laws, which included the Cor
poration, adopted for the more con-
venient management of the entire
business concerns of the Church and
which was known as the Bethany Bap-
fist Church of Skowhegan, Me. AT a
meeting held September 1st, that same
year, the committee on church lot re-
ported that large desirable one can
be obtained on the corner of Madison
and Pleasant Sts'' 1t was voted to
accept the report and discharge the
committee. 1t seems that plans
were put into operation for the build
ing of the new Church. Rosmus L.
Mitchell being made chairman of the
building committee. A memorial
window was received from Mrs.
Charles Blanchard of Philadelphia, in
remembrance of her parents, James
and Betsey Parker Cleveland and the
edifice was dedicated free of debt
January 10, 1890. The cost was
$20,570.63, and one of the donations,
which was received to be used, how
ever, for the current expenses of the
Church, was $1,000 from John Weston,
who was long resident of Skowhe-
gan. but is now deceased.
The lot upon which the building
stands was purchased of Mrs. Ann II.
Jacobs, Sept. 1888, and the price paid
was $5,125. Buildings were situated
thereon including a livery stable, so
this price was reduced by rentals and
sale of buildings to $4,470.45, while
the figures previously given as the
cost of the building, including steam
heating system and furnishings. The
Church received $4,000 from the Maine
Baptist Missionary Convention and
$500 from other sources, leaving the
remainder or ST., 270.63, as the amount
raised by the Church and congrega-
ton.
The dedication was an important
event in the history of the Church.
The weather was all that could be
desired according to the records and
long before the hour of service, the
Church was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity, many being unable to gain adj
mittance. The pastor Rev. C. V. Han
son presided and the order of exer-
cises was as follows: Invocation,
Rev. A. J. Rackliff, then pastor of the
Congregational Church; hymn, 20
Could l Speak the Matchless Worth;
reading of Psalm 122 by Rev. S C.
Fletcher of Dexter; report of the
building committee, r. L. Mitchell,
chairman; reading of Isaiah 60, by
Rev. w. H. Spencer of Waterville;
hymn. Il Love Thy Kingdom Lord;
sermon, Albion w. Small, Phi D., pres
ident of Colby University, Text, 1st
Timothy, 3:15. THE Church of the
Living God, the Pillar and Ground of
the Truth; prayer of dedication, Rev
A. T. Dunn. d. D., corresponding sec
rotary of the Maine Baptist Missionary
Convention; hymn of dedication, tune
Eventide, composed by Louise Helen
Coburn; prayer. Rev. r. c. Owen.
Oakland and benediction by the pas
tor. Rev. c. v Hanson. The singing
was by the congregation and was
under the direction of George " Nash
e. f. Towne led with the eornet and
Miss Eda X Smith now Mrs Eda X
the organ. Many out-of-town minis
tcrs were present and took part In the
services
The FIRST record NJ communication
between the new church and the orr
giual church was made on the date Of
Feb. IS 1891. when the bethany pep
pie received a letter from the FIRST
Church. inviting them 20 unite vita
them In a reception 10 Mrs. Belle
clahin. a missionary To the Congo.
barring this same year sept - and y.
The kcansbee Association held its
sis,y Second anniversary With the
brittany. psopis. The attendance 10
rcporssd az having been large aad
representative ous
II seems that up IA MAJ Isss. ths
services we're held IA the aftstnooa IN
stead OF the ieFssaea on May 4. The
aFss fasvnooa service saa hsla and Il
Ia Fsearasd that Pastor Naasaa
sssaeasa . sssman wttA The Msva.
TAG ~ hss tksmss oa Mas lssA. sAs
asss roll call Uss Aala aaa ever los
~ss. pssssas ~ the AAasss. osh.r