The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-06-24
SNEAKINC OPPO-
SITION TO W0R-
THY PROJECT
SergeantsyiIle Community House, the
Only Institution of its Kind in
the State, is the Object of
Petty Opposition.

22ergeantsville- For more years than
me average citizen can remember,
IRE old Sergeantsville Hotel has been
the centre OF convivial gatherings. 1t
was much better than the average
MOTEL, but it was a hotel lust the
same. At any rate it was the only
point Of interest TO the average man
about-town, IF you can say that of
a country village but it did not Of
Ter IN uplifting environment. 1t was
not supposed TO-
When wartime prohibition came on
j. K. Wilson, the last owner of the
property, decided to abide squarely
by the edict from Washington So
he closed up tight As hotel it had
no commercial value at all. Guests
were few and far between. The bar
IS what made it pay, and when the
bar went, the hotel went likewise.
At about that time d project was
on foot by progressive citizens of
the community to provide a commun-
ity center for all churches. social
organizations, clubs and orders that
existed for the betterment of the peo-
pie and country. John NJ. Jaqueth.
minister who combines that rare
faculty of business man-preacher so
seldom seen, was, and is still. the
minister at Methodist Church. With
characteristic energy he called the
attention of DR.. Frederick J Hubaeh.
District Superintendent of the New
ark Conference of the NJ E. Church,
to the exceptional opportunity Of Sc
curing this hotel property and turn
ing 1t into Community House DIR.
Huback became interested and after
sounding the people of the conSnuni-
ty. reported favorably to the New
ark Conference, and secured $4,000
for the purchase of the property.
And here it may be said that credit
is due J K. Wilson, the owner, for
his cooperation in the project. Pre-
viously he had refused an offer of
$4,000 for the property. Of course
prohibition decreased its commercial
value. But sympathizing with the
movement, he sold the property to
the church for just half what he had
been offered for it. And in addition
he contributed later to the improve
ments that were made But that is
getting ahead of the story.
So the property was bought by the
Methodist Church for a religious and
civic center. Contributions were So
licited from the townspeople, and
about $4,000 were raised. That was
not enough, and so the solicitation
was broadened in order to acquire
sum sufficient to make the Com
munity House respectable center
that would appeal to young and old,
and provide wholesome atmosphere
for religious and civic recreation and
entertainment. In Trenton then. some
S6,000 were secured from big spirit
ed men who appreciated the value
of such a project. These contributions
certainly could not be considered mer-
cenary or seeking gain. They were
too far removed THEY SIMPLY
SAW THE WONDERFUL ADYAN-
TAGEES OF SUCH A MOVEMENT.
A MOVEMENT THAT WOULD
HELP KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE ON
THE FARM AND PROVIDE SOME
THING TO MAKE HOME MORE
The Community House was fin
ishd around the first of the year. 1t
contains a chapel, or auditorium, OPP
en- to all organizations for meetings
at nominal charges to defray ope-
rating costs for light, heat. etc. Ito
be exact, this charge varies from Sc.
10 IS. with a Is per cent. discount to
churches and religious orders.) On
Saturday evenings motion pictures
are shown in the auditorium and
small charge is made to cover the
cost Of operation.
This provides wholesome amuse-
ment for young and old people alike.
Ii affords a wholesome place for the
Young people to go who would other
wise possibly go where they should
not.
Also there are committee rooms
that have already been used BY
Oranges. Parent Teachers, Y. M.
C. A. activities. Girls and Boys clubs,
Educational and Political gatherings.
Civic and Church meetings of every
description have been held there. In
other words, the Sergeantsville Com
munity House is doing the same work
being done by the city Y. NJ. c. A.
1t is owned by the Church. Sub
scriptions for its erection We're re-
ceived in large part from church PEG
pie, and those realizing its religious
and moral value. It is run for the
purpose of improvement and upiltt-
not for gain.
The laws of the country exempt
from taxation all religious, educat-
ional and governmental properties
Naturally the Trustees Of this Com
munity House applied for exemption
on the property. Everyone realizes
the Justice Of the request that IS, all
but a few. And that's what I'm get
ting at.
As a hotel the property had been
taxed at $4,000 In order to get an
expression of local opinion, the Trust
ees requested the Township Commit
tee. (which is composed Of Isaac
Haines. Charles Opdyke and John
Cray, to recommend exemption to
ICnntin11nd IN last nagel