Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-27
MADISON
Much Interest Attended the Oc-
casiOn of Dedication of
Methodist Church
Basement

An occasion Of great interest to the
members Of the Methodist church and
parish and that will mean much to the
religious interests of the community
was the dedication Friday evening with
appropriate ceremonies Of the newly
finished basement Of the Madison
Methodist church.
The first Methodist church in this
pastorate of Rev. D. B. Holt at cost
Of $500. and dedicated free from debt.
Soon after this commenced the indus
trial development Of Madison and ow-
ing to the rapid growth of the village
and church, eight years later 1t was
found necessary to enlarge the church
building by adding two large wings.
This work was done at a cost of $1,000
and the remodelled building was re-
dedicated free from debt. One Sunday
morning In March 1900 the church
building was destroyed by fire. I'm
daunted by this disaster and almost
before the ashes were cold, under the
energetic leadership Of Rev. s. E.
Leach, plans were at once begun for
larger and better building. The work
was pushed and on Dec. 10 Of the same
year 4 modern church building cost
ing nearly $4,000, was dedicated free
from debt. At the time the building
was erected large but unfinished
basement was left. Two years ago un-
der the leadership of Rev. r. A. Rich,
an addition was built onto the back end
OF the church and pipe organ installed.
Owing to large and increasing Sum
day school during the past few years
and the need of a suitable place for the
development of the social life of the
church 1t was hoped that at some time
IN the near future the church base
ment could be fitted up for these pur-
poses. Last spring Rev. William Wood
was appointed to the pastorate of the
church. Plans began to be again dis.
cussed Tor the finishing of the base
ment. NO definite action was taken I'M
til Otober, when meeting of the
Official board was called and after con-
siderable discussion a committee was
appointed to secure estimates Of the
cost OF the job. After several more
meetings ending with a meeting of the
whole church it was voted to finish the
basement. A building committee con-
sistlng OF A. NJ. Holden. George w.
Haynes and Reuben w. Head. with
Rev. William Wood as solicitor of
iunos ana treasurer was appointed.
NO time was lost and work was com.
menced at once. First a fine cement f,oor
was put In. Partitions were put up. max.
ing a spacious dining room capable of
seating 70 persons. A large assembly
room, modern up-to-date kitchen. q mar.
LOT ana other improvements were made.
Inc rooms are beautifully finished with
nara pine wainscoating and wall board
prettily panelled off and tinted in light
coiors. New coal furnaces have been in.
stalled. The rooms are brilliantly light
ed with electricity and an ingenious at
tacnment Tor curtain in stereopticon
lectures, the whole combined giving q
working plant Of which many city
churches would we'll be proud. Through
the tireless energy Of Rev. William Wood
a large part Of the $500 needed was pro.
vided for before the day Of dedication.
The festivities commenced at P. M
with a social hour. A little after o'clock
the dining room doors were thrown omen
ana the tables were quickly filed, Bishor
Hamilton and the other visiting clergy.
men being given the seats of honor a,
small tables In the center. During the
progress Of the banquet there were a
number Of fve-minute speeches as fol.
lows: 1.-THE Activities Of the Local
Church." DR.. W. H. Kennison: "A Bigger
and a Better Sunday School," Reuben W.
Heald: paper. 1.-THE Ladies' Aid and the
Church We Love- Mrs. Eva Spear;
Men and the Church," by George Yves.
ton. teacher Of the mems Bible class: "A
Witnessing Church." by Rev. Gardiner
Wills Of North Anson; "Our Eyanselistic
Calling" Rev. H. C. 0lidden of Scion
our Indebtedness to the Sisters Of the
Church." Rev. E. E. Harrison Of starks
Militant Methodism." Rev. H, 8. True
man OF Oakland; 1.-THE Challenge Of To-
morrow" District Superintendent d. B.
Holt Of Auburn: greetings from pastors
OF the local churches: CONGREGATIONAL.
Rev. F. H. Means; Baptist. Rev. John A.
Harding; closing words by Bishop Hamil.
ton. Following this came a social hour
during which a victrola concert was
given in the auditorium. At $50 came the
evening program with Miss Alice J. Smear
as organist. The order Of exercises was:
Organ voluntary; singing hymn: Scrip
Eure reading. Rev. G. Wills; prayer. Rev.
H. s. Trueman: responsive reading; mu-
SIC by the choir; report Of building COM
nittee. by A. M. Holden: hymn; address
BY Bishop Hamilton. At the close of
The bishops address sufficient pledges
we're made to provide for the remainder
II the indebtedness. Next week will be
as jubilee week with special
'ervices each evening.