South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-08
Vision of One Man to Giz'e Benton HarbOr
One of Finest Community CenterS in West
Linked With Activities of Independent Church

BENTON HARBoR Mich. Feb. This is a story
OF a with big vison-who willing to fight
for it; and a story OF city which. going contrary
established tradition pays tribute appreciation
the public services the same man Of vision-thus
giving honor prophet in his country.
a result Benton Harbor is soon TO possess one Of
the finest community social service organizations
ia the middle located in the very heart of the
city and operated under Independent church. all Of
which has been made possible by Atty H. S Gray Of
this the by city itself. through Mayor
Fre2 P. Roshaes Of centrally located piece of prop
upon mich the building which comprise the
ohur".. edfce of Good Samaritan society furnish
me city large auditorium convention hall cap
able Of seating 5000 people provide social
service for general public demands is TO be construct
Cd. The structure will cost upwards Of 100000
CONTRACT ASSAMED
But-these the results. details of
story of Mr.. Gray's big vision Here are the details.
by
Six months ago the newspapers of the middle west
carried the announcement of the starting locally Of
unique suit in which legality o contract
made between the guardian of George F. Sonner aged
phianthrOpist of this city and Atty H. s Gray
questioned This contract, entirely phianthropic in
nature, caught the vision Mr.. Gray gave prom
Use Of rounding conspicuous public service
Mr.. sonner by its terms Mr.. Sonners estate
a about 100000 $4,000 the part OF
First Congregational church of this pur-
pose Of erecting a mammoth community center build
ing which to the entire city the hub or
its social service activities
Such elements of the contested pact which
attacked by distant relatives OF Mr.. Sonner
bachelor. the ground, that the
ing three years prior. Mr.. Sonnor, 90,
not competent to
However the trial. for, with the
stage all testing of the 100000 contract
the issues settled out of rather than
danger the object of the makers of the
through trouble breeding litigation
FORMS INDEPENDENT CHURCH.
Thus frustrated in his attempt to the city balk-
ed in his first effort to realize his vision Mr. Gray
ed. but he did not give He fought on-thinking
for time to carry out the provisions of the
contract himself, but he stopped this
for believing that his social service progress should be
linked to the activities of organized church. he
unable make this performance because differ
and jealousies Finding himself unable to
gain the cooperation all the Of his church.
the Congregational. and realizing that he
capped in reaching the of people, his OBJ
jec through the of any sectarian church. Mr.
Gray ready when conditions arose, to withdraw
from his old church which given so much Of
his time and means and with his pastor Rev. A c.
Diefenbach. who also his connection with the
church, launched a movement last September which
the city by surprise drawn the attention
OF the entire of Michigan Mr.. Gray did nothing
less than his vision Photographed COM
prehensive community church incorporated under
the of the Church of the Good Samaritan
church undenomnational in character without