The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-30

Just visit Edgewood That is, if you are looking for a place where everybody Is interested in building up the highest standards for the whole life of the com b,unity. and the whole life of every man, woman and child in the community, as to his physical, mental and spiritual well being.
 How did it happen? Through the Edge wood Community Church. eIsnt this the mission of the church, the same that was left it by the God-Man who came to minister to the whole man, to his every need, and to the needs of men in relation to each other? If the church neglects or forgets it's mission, of course there are lodges, and civic associatio and clubs, and social service organiza- ticns, the community spirit of each of which has been inspired by the church, that will be overworked in fulfilling a great ministry to the city and to rural etfe aBut social reform and social serv- ice without Christianity hark back to Confusciansm" Somebody did, who was good and great, said that, somebody who surely thought along the same lines that the Rev. T. s. Hickman thinks. The little minister" who Is pastor of the Edgewood Community Church, and who has been instrumental in combining the ' scr11munity efforts of the Edgewood cit izens through the channels of the church, Is of Quaker ancestry. His paternal an eestors came to America with William Penn and settled in Pennsylvania, later moving to Ohio, where MT. Hickman was born. Very natural that the pastor should have taken his Quaker ideals and principals of service and non-sectarian- ism with him when he aligned himself with the Presbyterian Church, U. s. A. IT. 1910
 rEverybodys queer but thee and me, tlnir art a
 Perhaps we are queer, most of us who ereep off in our own little corners to mutt ter our own little creeds, all by our own little selves. But here comes MT Hickman to Edgewood with happy con science, a hospitable heart, and some clear thoughts reflected in his blue eyes when he declares:
 ..No. I don't think there will be any 6enominational compartments in heaven. And I don't think the church should be sectarian here in it's ministry to the community" This gospel of MT. Hick- hans, of a common effort for com hon cause, is one of the big reason that there is a Community Church in Edge wood in which six denominations coop crate in all community interests.
 The Edgewood Presbyterian Church formed the nucleus. This was organized In 1913 with forty members, and strug-
 
 gain. It was doIng practically nothing { to function in the life of the community. Its doors were closed except for service Hnce month. But since MT. Hickman JrivaI two years ago, and since compln- Ing the community efforts of all denom- nations in Edgewood, struggling sec tarian church has been transformed into fulI-fledged community church with services every week, and doors that Will be open every day in the week. Metho- dists. Baptists, Episcopalians, Congre- rationalsts Christians and Presbyter- ians. from every section of the United States. none of whom is strong enough numerically to maintain church, are cooperating in all activities pertaining to community interests, while each IS still affiliated with it's own denomlna- honal board in denominational work.
 ..Do you mean a Baptist is no less Baptist if he belongs to the Community Church, and that
 community churchman in deed and
 will
 rs nevertheless Methodist still?"
 was the inquiry.
 .Just that" MT. Hickman assured, smilingly. ''The only creed we have IS hn acceptance of Christ as Savlour'