The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-13


tinguished himself for heroism in
the rescue work at that time.
F. H. Bentley served as pastor from
March, 1904, to January 1908. He
and his wife are remembered and
loved by the congregation. They did
good constructive work in the trying
years following the flood. David Lyon
was pastor from January, 1908, to
May, 1912, the longest pastorate so far
in the history of the church. Under
his ministry the church grew in spir-
ituality and missionary zeal. Among
the evangelists who have conducted
meetings for the church may be men,
toned Ira Romig, w. H. Scrivner,
George E. Lyon, o. f. Hamilton, j.
NJ. Lowe and M. Lee Sorey, the latter
dedicating the new church in 1912.
Present Pastor a Topekan
The present pastor is John D. Zim-
norman, a native Topekan. He was
baptized erd ordained in the Third
Christian church His first pastorate
was at Horton, Kan. Later he
preached at Winchester and Norton
vile. He has served for five years as
state Christian Endeavor superintend-
ent of the Christian churches. He
was recently chosen as secretary of
the temporary organization of the
interdenominational commission of
Kansas. He has taken a large in
| terest in civic affairs, and is a fra
ternai delegate to the Topeka Indus
trial Council.
Shortly after the beginning of the
present pastorate, in the summer of
1912, the church building was raised
up six feet, modern basement con-
structed under the entire building,
and the superstructure entirely re-
quilt. The church is now as we'll ar
| ranged and as we'll equipped as any
of its size in the city. There is talk
OF another addition to be built IN a
year or two. The church work is in
charge of board consisting of the
pastor, four elders and twelve dea-
cons. The total financial budget of
the church amounts to about fifteen
dollars per member annually
Inc church is proud of it's mis-
sionary record. Not only are all of
the missionary boards remembered
with regular offerings, but a number
of people have gone from the church
into missionary activities Besides
those already mentioned Mrs J. Nc
Danlel Stearns, who was an influen-
tial member of the church for several
years is now national secretary of the
Christian WOman's Board of Missions
Geo. E. Lyon, another member of the
Christian Missionary society, and A.
+. Robinson, one of the elders, is a
member of the state board Paul T.
Basye is office secretary of the state
1oard: the church maintains strong
Woman's Missionary society, and does
actlVe work also through the En-
deavor societies and the Bible school.
Graded Bible School.
The Bible school is well graded and
is doing efficient work. The school
meets regularly in two sections. Mrs
j. T. Anderson is superintendent Of
the elementary school and Professor
A. j. McAuister is in charge of the
adult school. The average attend
ana steady growth is made year by
year.
The Christian Endeavor society is
actlve. Claude J. Duncan is presi-
large Tor any room except the main
church auditorium, and are held there
each Sunday evening.
Junior Congregation.
One department of which the whole
cnurch is very proud is the Junior
largest of its kind in the state. Mrs
John Anderson is in charge of the
juniors, with Mrs H. A. Hutchinson
as encouragement rn of the primary sec
meeting rooms, and are doing a fine
grade of work. The boys and girls
are being drilled in Bible study,
church work, missions and Christian
at the same hour as the morning
church service, and has an average
attendance of seventy-five or more.
Their room is we'll equipped with
piano, choir platform, church news
and is decorated with mottos. charts
and maps. %
Other Church Organizations.
Miss Ada Hamer is acting presi-
dent OF the Woman's Missionary So
clety, which has approximately fifty
members Oscar Beeler is president
OF the choir of twenty voices, and
roscoe Dawson, of Washburn, is
musical director. A. E. Robinson is
chairman of the church board, and III.
RI ie fv-na
T. Rowe is president of the ladies;
union, which is doing very good work.
The members raise about s4OG each
year Tor the church. The church has
members. The net increase in men-
bership last year was sixty-six. Every
feature of the work is growing. due
TO the loyalty of the membership. and
the general condition of the work is
the best in the history of the church.