Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-08-19
Dedication of Finnish Church.
EXERCISES ATTENDED BY MANY, BoTE
Firms AND AMERICANS.

| SUNDAY was an important udy iot
the large number of Firms in Paris, az
on that day was dedicated the new
church erected this season, and now
practically completed, near what Ia
known as Kings Four Corners. Most
of the Firms in the town were present,
and good number of the native Amer
leans from the vicinity and from South
Paris, making gathering Of several
hundred people. The weather was
warm and pleasant, adding to the en-.
joyment of the day.
The Finnish Evangelic Lutheran
Congregation Church was established
some time ago. Charles Whitman is
president of the organization, Oscar
Tikander secretary, and August Cum.
mings treasurer, and these men consti-
tute an executive board which has had
charge of the work.
A piece of land for the church was
purchased about year ago, and some
outdoor meetings were held. The
building was started early this season,
and it is now dedicated to serve the
spiritual needs of the Finnish people.
Gilbert E. Shaw was in charge OF the
work of building.
TIE new church stands on the east
side of the road, short distance above
the Four Corners, and directly opposite
the King school house. 1t Is 25xS5 feet
in its main portion, with q good sized
entrance vestibule added on the front,
with tower and bell. The building is
of wood, with basement wall of concrete
blocks. In the basement, which Ia 8
feet in height, there are dining room,
kitchen and fuel room. The posts OF
the building are twelve feet, and the
ceiling is carried some distance into the
roof, making an auditorium OF good
height. Pews are installed to make Q
seating capacity of nearly one hundred,
and this can be considerably increased
by the use of chairs. Heating at present
will be by stoves. The auditorium is
we'll supplied with the necessary fur
niture, including an organ, and on Sun
day simple and very effective decorations
OF flowers and green trees were used.
Besides the local pastor, Rev. Aleksi
Rata, who has been at West Paris for
some time, there were here for the
dedication on Sunday several represent.
atives of the Finnish church from the
larger places, including Rev. Emil j.
Paananen OF Worcester, Mass; Rev.
b. Vuornos of Sandwich, Mass; Rev.
S. II. Ronka of GAINESVILLE, Mass. Rev. 8.
Ilmonen of Brooklyn, N. Y, who played
the organ and led the singing; Rev.
Evert Maattsla of Maynard, Mass; and
Mr.. Anti Sormunen of Peabody, Mass,
q layman, who was here az representa-
tive of the Finnish Evangelic Lutheran
Church Conference Of the Eastern States.
Following a song service in the fore
noon, the first Of the days formal
services was conducted in English at II
O'Clock. To accommodate the English
speaking guests, the Firms vacated the
building, which was then filled by an
audience of at least 125 native Ameri-
cans. The service was conducted by
Rev. Emil Paananen, who spoke at some
length, declaring that the signs indicate
that the second coming of Christ Is near
at hand, and earnestly urging all to
accept Christ as the only means OF
salvation from the devil that 10 in the
world.
Following him, Rev. Evert Maattala
spoke briefly, expressing surprise and
| REotiuCdtiOh ~ tbC hhLhOSA va Aeh''~
Americans who were present, and ex.
pressing las the previous speaker had
also dope) the gratitude of the Finnish
people for the assistance they had re-
ceived in the enterprise.
In the interval between services,
dinner was served In the dining room
which was we'll patronized, and light
refreshments were also on sale on thl
grounds. Pictures of the building ant
the international assembly" were taker
by photographer.
The formal dedication service was q
2 O'Clock, and that and all the othel
services of the afternoon were conducted
in the Finnish language. OF the Fipnisl
people, there were doubtless ct leas
two hundred in attendance during tn
day.