The Robesonian., 1918-03-18
Special Service in New Church.
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Continued from page 1)
connected with the church, for which
he said he was indebted to Mr.. J. A
McAllister, whose place he filled in
speaking of "Our Own Church" In
1852 few people Of the Presbyterian
faith got Rev. Jas. Mcpherson of St.
Pauls to preach for them. IIe serv-
ed them 2 years. In 1854, 13 people
met in the court house and were or
ganized into church by a committee
appointed by Fayetteville Presbytery.
The first communion service was held
in the Methodist church, rendered for
the purpose by its pastor. Rev. J. D.
Martin. Just before the Civil war a |
small building was put up on the site
of the present old church. This was
building was erected. In 1905, when
membership had grown to 1854; the
membership is now I'll or 172
A man had been sent to the church,
he said, who in the face of what seem
ed insurmountable difficulties had
quietly perfected plans and almost
before they knew it the entire mem
bership was determined to bui'd a
new church. Each of the beautiful
art-glass windows had been paid for
by various ones, A round art-glass
window over the pulpit had been paid
for by Johnnie Barker, who died not
long age, out of nickles and dimes
he saved up during years that he was
on a bed of afflicJion. Some one
would give an organ, which would cost
several thousand dollars, and that
would be a magnificent gift, but, he
said, it would not be more than is
represented by the $15-window that
Johnnie Barker gave.
Laying of Corner Stone.
A cold but gentle rain was falling
during the laying of the corner stone
and the ceremony was brief but dig
nified and impressive. After short
prayer by the pastor the list Of con-
tents of the box was read, as follows:
Bible; Historical Sketch of the Lum-
berton Presbyterian Church; Presby-
terian Standard of March 13, 1918;
Christian Observer of same date;
Robesonian of March II, 1918; Trib-
une of March 6, 1918; minutes of 3
meetings of session: Oct. 27, 1916,
Feb. s, 1918, March 12, 1918. Follow
ing this the pastor, with the aid of
elders, deacons and a mason, fitted the
stone into it's place with appropriate
sentences from Gods word and proper
dignity.
Handsome Church Building.
A description of this building was
given in The Robesonian of the 1lth
inst. It is of the temple style OF
architecture and is one Of the nand-
soonest church buildings to be found
anywhere. 1t would do credit TO a
town many times the size of Lum-
berton. A cut of the church, with
further description, will be published
! in The Robesonian as soon as the
grounds have been cleared eff SO that
a photograph can be taken.
Ground was broken for the church
ir June, 1917. The building commit
tee was as follows: Rev. DR.. G. F.
Moorehouse. chairman; Elders J. A
McAllister, T. A. MeNcill, M. G. Nc
Kenzie, J. P. Russell, H. B. Jennings
Deacons A. w. Mclean, H. M. Meal
lister, A. H. Mcleod, J. S. Mcneil
A. T. Mclean, Alex. H. Mcleod, T. A
McNein, Jr., w. K. Bethune, w. l.
Grantham.
Inc cnufcn was Planned Dy LII
Moorehouse and was built un Ter his
general supervision. 1t is splendic
monument to his determination anC
genius and faithful labors of love.
;. In his talk on "Our Present Needs
DR.. Moorehouse said that the church
only lacked $4,000 Of being paid for
and that this amount he expected K
see raised in the near future. Con
e tributions at this service amounted
to over $500.
Rev. H. A. Grantham, pastor O
; Trinity Episcopal church, and Rev
i, 1. P. Hedgepeth, pastor of severa
$ Baptist churches, were invited to TAX
! part in this service, but were out O
= town.
Fayetteville presbytery will meet il
: this church in April, the first time tn
Ilunnberton church has entertained til
. presbvtery in about 10 years.