The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-08-16
NEW CHURCH BEING ERECTED ny
THE AFRICAN METHODIST d
PEOPLE.

There is being erected church edi
flee on the corner of 18th and Croker
Sts., which when completed will be one
best equipped structures of it's kind
for colored folk, west of the Mississippi
river. This building will be used as a
social center for the citizens and col.
ored soldiers from Camp Dodge. It will
| contain rest rooms, reading rooms
shower baths, dining room, kitchen, day
nursery, employment bureau, etc.
The African Methodist denomination
has fourished in the state Of Iowa since
1872. The local congregation has wor-
shipped at Second and Center Streets
in a frame building for forty years
The prosperous city of Des Moines has
attracted large numbers of our people
within her gates, the recent migration
from the southland has swelled our col
ored population many times over, and
the colored churches have grown in pro-
portion. It does not take a prophet to
tell what the reconstruction period of
the world shall bring, even to Des
Moines.
The present location and accommoda-
tions of st. Paul A. M. E. church are
inadequate to meet the demands of this
growing congregation. It is impossible
to estimate the value Of a community
church. It acts not only as help and
inspiration to the neighborhood but to
the city at large.
The new st. Paul stands in radii
of 700 or more colored families and is
one Of the best located colored churches
of the city, and is in position to serve
the city in its numerous campaigns for
civic righteous or in what ever capacity
it may see best.
The location of one of the largest
cantonments in our midst, has brought
thousands Of colored men to our city.
st. Paul A. M. E. church has played
host to hundreds. Twenty-Five young
men took part in our G. E. last evening
and declared their allegiance to God and
their country. The service was most
inspiring. Our service flag which hangs
on the front wall bears silent testimony
Of the men this church has sent to the
front to fight for God and democracy.
The pastor has caused to be printed
the name Of the church on the parson-
age doorstep, that he may be able to
serve some one who needs his help and
advice.
The church is nearing completion and
it is necessary that they raise $5,0OO.0O
to meet the pressing demands. The
congregation has worked heroically,
laying on the altar as large a sum as
&OSO ~, ono Sabbath dav
Appeals have been made through the
columns of the Register for financial
assistance from our white fellow citi-
zens, some few have responded, but we
are not discouraged and neither do we
feel that you are turning deaf ear 70
your colored brethren s appeal. We
come to you again asking that 500 white
philanthropists Of Des Moines send to
our address $500 or more, if you believe
in the future Of the young negro Of this
city and of this country, and you will
be receipted by the Secretary of the
Trustee Board, O. l.. Glass, Sixth Ave.
The pastor is grateful for the assist
ance rendered by the business men Of
Des Moines and have their names and
amount of money given to be deposited
in the archives Of the new st. Paul.
Yours for Christ and humanity,
s. 7. BIRT,
Pastor s.. Paul A. M. E. Church,
1919 rrno1,or CT