The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-05
Rev. AdOlph LiIjengren Made
Enviable Record in Topeka:
He Raised Funds With Which
To Build Handsome Church.
HAS HANDED IN RESIGNATION
Wife Was Great Help to Him
in Topeka Activities.
Church Resolution High in
Praise of Pastor.

Rev. Adolph Liljengren, five years
pastor of the Swedish Bethel church,
Sixth and Harrison. Topeka. has ten
dered his resignation to the church
society, which will take effect on June
1. Rev. Mr.. Liljengren took up the
work of erecting new modern church
for his congregation when he arrived
in Topeka, and the new location on
Sixth and Harrison was secured. The
congregation was strongly in favor of
building a modern parsonage for their
pastor, but this was discouraged by
the pastor, who preferred a new
church.
When Rev. Mr.. Liljengren under
took the task of securing a new build
ing, there was not a cent in any fund
for that purpose The first money he
raised was secured at the fortieth an
niversary of the church society, in the
fall of 1914, and to this was added the
sS,50O for which the old church on
Polk street was sold. The balance of
the sum was, with little aid from 9TH
er members, secured by the pastor in
Topeka and thruout the state among
the mission churches. So successful
was the pastor in his efforts that two
years and three months after his ar
rival in Topeka, the beautiful church
structure was dedicated. The house of
worship has been admired by thou
sands for its attractive architecture,
and at Tulsa a duplicate of it has
been erected by an American church
body.
Faithful Worker.
In acting upon Rev. Mr.. Liljengren's
resignation. the church society gave
the following resolution of acknowl-
edgment:
"Rev. Mr.. Adolph LiIjenRren, hav-
ing rendered his resignation after five
years service in the Swedish Bethel
Mission church of Topeka, we desire
to give expression to our warm thanks
to Pastor Liljengren for his faithful
and Rrduous work in erecting our new
and beautiful church, and for his
great work in securing funds for the
building project. And we wish that
it be put on record that the last year
our finances have been in better
shape, and are still at this time. than
any other time in the history of the
church. and this is, in a great mea-
sure, due to Pastor Liljengren's work
and able methods which he has in
troduced in the church.
I'VE wish for Pastor Liljengren sue
cess and Gods blessing on the new
field to which the Lord may direct
him.
Edward Espelin. secretary for the
church society. Unanimously adopted
at the business meeting of the church,
. Wife a, Great Help.
Mrs. Liljengren has been of great
help to the pastor. A professional
nurse, she has often cared for the
sick and from all parts of the state,
people have sought her advice in Sc
curing doctors care in Topeka, and
the home of Reverend and Mrs. Lii
Jengren has always been open for such
patients, and Mrs. Liljengren has fire.
quently been present during surgical
| operations. Since last fall, Mrs. Lii
| jengren has devoted all her time to
the work among the sick, identifying
herself with the Public Health Nurses
| association. The Topeka Chamber of
Commerce sent Mrs. Liljengren an
acknowledgement for her services.
The resolution sent her reads in part:
I'm recognition and appreciation of
the spirit of loyal and devoted self
sacrifice manifested by you in caring
for the sick and afflicted during the
| epidemic of influenza, 191S-1919."
Reverend Liljengren has started two
publications while in Topeka, 1.-THE
! Sunflower," a young peoples paper,
and THE Sunflower Sunday School
| Quarterly" These publications have a
combined circulation of ten thousand
copies. Reverend Liljengren also
edited the History of the Mission
Friendss'' in Kansas and Missouri,
published a year ago.
Reverend Liljengren has not de-
cided on what work he will take up.
He may become evangelist in Kansas,
editor of the Canada Mail. an old re-
| ligious political weekly, and pastor of
| a. church in the Northwest