Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-30

REV. RALPH FERNALD LOWE
The annual report to the NJ. E.
conference of the superintendent of
the Augusta District is as follows:
I. Pastorates and Personalia
-. In assuming my new work last
April found New Sharon and
Mercer left to be supplied Before
long James B. Ross, local preacher
from Phillips, became pastor and he
has done remarkably WELL Industry
and Starks for some time have been
a problem unsolved. 1t Is the old
stary of weakness due to deaths and
removals.. However, continuous SER
vices have been held in Industry,
first by Conrad e. Kennison, and
later by Brother George A. Tinkham,
a local preacher who lives there.
Starks had services the warmer
half of the year.
Our plucky little church at Bing-
ham lost it's beloved pastor, Mrs.
Mary f. Sampson, last September.
This elect lady, daughter of one
preacher and widow of another, had
greatly endeared herself to her de-
voted flock. Ill health alone caused
her resignation. At present the
church is we'll cared for by Gordon
S. Grundy, student at Colby and
a brother of our brother, Rev. L. w.
Grundy.
Brother Albert E. Morris. who
was appointed to Augusta last April,
was we'll received, but was never
able to do what his ambitious spirit
aspired to achieve. Early in Sep
TENDER he passed away. In No
vember Brother Carl N. Garland
succeeded him and has thrown him.
self with characteristic vigor into
his new work. The Green Street
Church is a center of energy. A
very much larger budget than ever
before has been provided for and
every department is moving forward.
During the summer North Pownal
and West Durham were supplied by
Rev. Percy S. Ridlon.
Readfield Depot has been supplied
regularly throughout the year.
Mechanic Falls and Minot lost
their pastor some months ago, but
the work is being satisfactorily car
ried on by Rev. Howard S. Long, a
student at Bates College. Our be-
loved retired brother. Rev. w. f.
Holmes, a former pastor, has been
here visiting daughter.
In the autumn Brother Fred NJ
Staples removed frfom North Var
mouth to Bailey's and sOrr,s Island,
his place being taken by Rev. j. K.
Remick.
On April Miss Gladys W. AID
rich, died of pneumonia in the par
of her father. Rev. H. f.
Aldrich of Winthrop. She was a
young lady of great promise, fine
Christian character. the oldest child
in the family, a member of the
Senior Glass in the High School.
Gods comforting presence is felt by
the bereaved family.
Last summer Rev. A. H. Graham,
our pastor in Gorham, n. H, lost the
oldest member of his parsonage, an
aunt, in the ninetieth year of her
life.
Brother L. w. Grundy. our pastor
at North Arson. and his wife under
went surgical operations last sum-
ever, he has had to have his opera
tons repeated, and. while recover
ing, is unable to attend Conference.
Mrs. II. 0. Megert, wife of our
pastor at South Paris, has been
seriously i'll for long time, but is
now somewhat more comfortable.
Three days before Christmas,
when children are talking about
Santa Claus, that red cheeked. jolly
Did fellow stopped his well-filled
sleigh before our parsonage in Scion
and left in the expectant arms of
Rev. and Mrs. J. G.. p. Sherburne
their first-born child, a girl baby
whom they have named Jeanne.
.~- 2. Material Projects:
The most outstanding material
in the. district is the COM
olete rebuilding of. Calvary Church.
Lewiston. This plan, held up so
ong on account of legal entangle-
nents and lack of money, was,
lndeP the vigorous leadership of the
pastor. Rev. John G.. Rogers, brought
o a successful issue about Christ
hat the present modern looking and
perfectly equipped edifice had as
5asis the old Hammond Street
church. 1t is, to all intents and
purposes, new creation. The pipe
,rgan, by a happy freak of fortune.
8 a far better one than the one the
church had purchased. The total
amount thus far expended is $4,000
including the organ. There are no
ioating bills and the remaining debt
will be taken care of by the old
Park Street property. 1
All this external improvement has
,een accompanied with a cores
bonding upward movement of church
ife and activity. On Dec. 20 the
hurch was dedicated by Bishop
anderson. assisted by the superin-
endent, in the presence of a very
arge and deeply interested congre-
tation. After years of hesitation
ston now faces the future with
lope and enthusiasm.
A beautiful and well-appointed
parish house for social and educa-
ional purposes has been built on the
hurch grounds at Strong. 1t was
dedicated Jan. IA in the presence of
he superintendent, neighboring and
ormer pastors. and a house full of
,eople. 1t has demonstrated its
Isefulness. The total cost was
bout $4,000, of which less than a
thousand is unprovided for. In a
ity it would have been cheap at
5000.
For many years a parsonage has
,een needed at Lisbon Falls. Re-
ently bargain was found for
5000. Through donation from
ur Board of Home Missions and
church Extension of money to our
redit on this district. and because
f local gifts, over one-half has been
aid in and the balance is provided
or by mortgage on very easy terms.
his means that every charge as
low arranged for on the district has
parsonage.
A federation has just been formed
etween the Congregationalists and
at oxford whereby the
incoming pastor will occupy the
parsonage. He will
lso supply Welchville. For years
here has been no resident pastor