The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-10-07
CHURCH DEDICATION
CONTINUED from page u

Samuel Ross, William Payne. Fe-
males-Margaret Payne, Harriet
Payne, Cynthia Dimick, Laura Jones.
And also the following persons pre-
sented themselves for church member
ship, by publicly processing Christ be-
fore men: Henry Dimick, Lucinda
Fritz and Jane Dimick, and, after an
examination of their views Of Bible
doctrine and their relation OF Chris
tan experience, they were received to
unite with the above individuals in
church fellowship.
It was then moved that 1--WE proceed
to be organized as church OF Christ
by adopting the following articles OF
faith and covenant and consecratng
prayer by the moderator"
The records here show the Con
fession of faith" they adopted, and
that this organization was to be known
as the First Congregational Church Of
Princeton. Brother William Payne
was chosen clerk of the church and, as
Brother Ebcnezcr Payne had been an
elder in the Presbyterian church, he
was appointed a deacon in the church.
We have also the honor to have with
us this morning four descendants OF
those men who were such faithful
workers in the church those many
years ago-two daughters Of William
Payne and two daughters of Dexter
Payne.
The Rev. Royal Twitchell remained
as pastor of the church for three years,
the meetings being held in the various
homes. In 1871 the church elected it's
first trustees, creating them from the
elders. Also in 1871, church build
ing being contemplated, building
committee was appointed consisting
of A. S. Bigelow, grandfather of Ben
jamin Soule, Samuel Ross, father Of
Mrs. Barker, to whom a window is
dedicated, and C. "A. Hampton.
There seems to have been some
trouble just then for while as some,
overzealous in their collecting for the
new church building, had promised
votes to those who were not church
members. These votes were to help
decide the location of the new church.
But that and other matters being
properly adjusted, the church was
built and dedicated on March 16, 1878,
the Rev. C. A. Hampton being pastor
at the time.
The list of members at that time
follows: Samuel Ross, N. J. Ross,
Mrs. A. S. Bigelow, Mrs. Morehouse,
Mrs. V. Atkins, Mrs. C. Dimick, Mrs.
M. Hatch, Mrs. J. Judkins, Mrs. c.
Carew, Mrs. C. B. Hampton, Mrs. M.
Knapp, ]. S. Bennett, S. B. Walker, P.
harrington, C. A. Hampton, H. witch
ell, S. A. Jewett, Thomas Goulding,
Mrs. Mary Goulding and N. G. Dun
ming.
In May, 1872, for the more perfect
organization Of the, church, consti-
tuition had been adopted. They also
adopted a little different confession
of faith.
In 1873 the church voted to rent the
pews to help raise the minister's sal
ary September, 1874, seems to have
been the first time that the making
Of weekly collections was established,
as the records show that such was vot-
ed. We have no record Of what the
minister in the earlier days received
in salary, but know it must have been
meagre, for, in 1876 the church voted
to pay $3.50 for the minister's salary.
Part of the church expenses were be-
ing borne by the congregational
Church Missionary society and, were
until late in the ninetics when all
church debts were pc.id up.
It was during the passionate of Rev.
C. D. Moore that the church became
self-sustaining and all minutes will
testify that this church has a good
record for keeping the minister's sal
airy paid up.
In 1879 the Dorcas society was
organized and all the mon are willing
to concedc that this society has been a
tower Of strength through all these
years.
The church has conducted -four
ishing missionary society for many
years, so th:t besides liquidating it's
debts and keeping up it's running cx-
pcnses, it sent generous donations to
missions iii Turkey, China and other
places, and gave literally toward the
support of schools Cor the Indians and
for the mountain people of Tennessee.
At school in Joncsboro, Tenn. they
long maintained room and adopted
boy and a girl until they We're edu-
Gated. The girls name being Dorcas,
the Dorcas society was particularly in
terestcd in her,
Two ministers, who proved to be
shining lights in their profession,
were ordained here in the church, Ger
aid Stanley Lee in 1888 end j. M.
Hurlburt in 1893. Mr.. Lee is noted
author, lecturer and critic of today.
The old church stood on Main street
in about the middle of the block facing
west. 1t was moved to the site of the
present church in 1899.
For many years, in fact until the
erection of the Jcsmcr opera house,
it was the only public building of any
size in town. It was used constantly
for lectures, Memorial day exercises,
weddings, funerals and so forth. The
first graduating exercises of our
Princeton high school were held in
this church building.
We are glad, therefore, that in our
new edifce is Incorporated large
part Of the original structure which
contributed for so many years to the
comfort and happiness Of the COM
munity, besides being the meeting
place for worship of many faithful
souls throughout all these years.
M