Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1920-07-21
DEDICATION OF
CORNER STONE
Exercises at New Mission Church
Building Sunday Festive
and Inspiring Occasion

anu inspiring occasion
Corner stone laying exercises for
the new house Of worship of the Swed-
ish Evangelical Mission church of
Willmar was held last Sunday after
noon. A very large crowd of people
were present, many from neighboring
communities. The day was beautiful
and the weather ideal for an out of
door festivity like this one. The walls
of the new structure were about half
finished and the first floor is in. I'm
provised seats were arranged inside
for the audience. Many found stand
ing room on the walls and bricklayers'
stagings.
The services were opened by a hymn
sung by the audience followed by a
Bible reading and prayer by DR.. O..
Zahr who also addressed a few brief
remarks to the gathering. The choir
then rendered choral song after which
Rev. G. N. Tegnell, the local pastor,
offered summary of the work accom-
plished by the building committee
elected to supervise the work of con-
struction. The pastor stated that the
sum of eighteen thousand dollars had
already been raised by contributions
from the members of the church and
substantial donations from local busi-
ness men and friends of the church.
oil H..
erection of the church possible the
pastor extended the hearty apprecia-
tiOn of the congregation. He then
proceeded to read the lengthy list of
contributors where donations were list
ed from one thousand dollars to those
of smaller denOmina tions.
The address which officially cele-
brated the laying Of the corner stone
was ably delivered by Rev. A. E. Palm
quist of Saint Paul, who is the Presi-
dent Of the Northwest Missionary So.
ciety of the Swedish Mission Coven-
ant. He chose as his subject a very
suitable Scriptural text over which he
gave a powerful and telling sermon
He declared that as Christ was made
the corner stone and the firm founda.
ton for the salvation of mankind al
tho he had been rejected and discarded
by men so must his children on earth
serve as corner stones and aids il.
lifting up a depraved and fallen hui.
manity He pointed to the work OF
the centuries during which men, now
long dead, have reared temples and
remained steadfast in the service OF
the Lord and he felt confident that
manh1nd could now, and in the future
trust and accept the help of God AL
mighty with feeling of security and
peace. The forefathers believed and
'died in their honest faith and are elo
quent examples of true Christianity
furnishing staunch precedent tc
Christians of these times. If such
leaders and noble hearts could find
solace and peace in that faith so like
wise may present day and future pro
fessed Christians He stated that the
congregation has set out upon a noble
and rewardbearing task when they
decided to begin the building of that
beautiful temple as thru it's agency and
work thousands Of souls may be res
cued and needful service rendered tc
society and the state. The new church
has a mission, the speaker stated and
is built for purpose which is a. trib
ute and an honor to those who have
made it's construction a reality.
After this address the choir render
ed a second song. Rev. A. Modig o.
| Kerkhoven and Rev. Carl Strom of Sa
lem both addressed the audience
speaking in the main with the same
thots in view as were expressed b!
Rev. Palmquist. They both stressed
the necessity of the building of suc1
church and the blessings which will
be the fruit of the work spent in it,
erection.
| Following the program. Rev. Teg
nell announced that those who want
ed to subscribe and have their name
written on the scroll to be placed il
the corner stone and had not done S,
already would be given the Opportun
ity at once and several persons spOk
up and contributed several good size,
sums. Then tin box, which is to b.
placed within the corner stone, wa
brot forth and the following content
placed within it: The Constitution O
the Church, a copy of the New Testa
ment, the names Of those on tn
Building Committee, the address ca
endar of the members of the congre
cation, a copy of the Sions Basun,
copy of the Young Peoples hym
book, copy of the Missions Vanne1
Veckobladet and the Sunday Schoc
Friend and also copies of the follow
ing newspapers: Willmar Tribune
Willmar Republican Gazette, Wilma
Journal, Minneapolis Tribune an
the Minneapolis Journal. After tn
ceremony Rev. Oehler of the Episct
pal church in the city pronounced tn
benediction.
Eaule Lake Ladies' Aid