The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07
IM'CAbE METHODIST
EPISCOPAL Church
ORGANIZED IN 1878
Members Of Congregation liker
Growth to Parable OF
Mustard Seed

Members Of the congregation Of
McCabe Methodist Episcopal church
Of Bismarck liken the growth OF their
institution from small beginnings to
the parable Of the mustard seed, re-
enacted in the modern day.
The planting Of the first small seed
dates back to 1873. Through the ef-
forts Of Rev. J. M. Bull, the first lit
tie M. z. church Of Bismarck was
built In 1879. For financing this
project it was necessary to look. In
part, to neighboring states for help.
Much praise Is due the untiring ef-
fort Of Rev. Louis Magin (l904-0o)
who, with his faithful official board
Several members Of which still are
active In the church,, had the cour-
age to undertake the building Of q
new church. It 3 readily recognized
that 1t was . stupendous undertaking
for . little band Of "a members, them
selves poor and with small prospects
Of money in sight.
Broke Ground In 1906
It was . memorable day on Aug.
20, 1906, when the first ground was
broken. preparatory to the erection
Of the new edifice. Women Of the
congregation turned the first spades
full Of sod.
On June II, 1908. Bishop H. Moore
officiated at the cornerstone laying
ceremonies, assisted by Rev. s. A.
Danford, then district superintendent
Of the Fargo district.
On April 1. 1909, in the last serv-
ices which were held In the old frame
church prior to moving into the new,
Rev. Magin preached on "Christ's
Need Of Ours and Us and Looking
Backward. The congregational hymn
was % For q Thousand Tongues to
Sing" expressive Of the gratitude Of
the people for the fact that that
which q few years before had seemed
an impossibilty had become . reality.
The outstanding event Of many
years was the beautiful and sacred
dedication service on Easter Sunday,
April II, 1909, with Bishop Robert
Mcintyre and Rev. Magin presiding.
On that day, for the first time, the
church auditorium was opened to the
public. The bishop preached on my
House Shall BE Called q House Of
Prayer. The church was dedicated
free Of debt and named In honor Of
Bishop McCabe. who had visited here
In 1893, and was held In special re-
gard for his deep piety.
The Sunday school rooms Of Nc
Cabe church were finished In the fall
Of 1915. Chief credit perhaps Is due
to the enthusiastic labors Of Rev. w.
]. Hutchinson to that end.
Pipe Organ ID Gift
Christmas Sunday Of 1922 marked an
other epoch in tho church's history,
when announcement was made Of the
surprise gift Of q 5000 pipe organ
for the church auditorium, donated
by Mrs. Caroline Donnelly Taylor, one
Of Bismarcks pioneer women and
formerly . member Of the church In
Bismarck. Installation Of the organ
was completed In June. 1923.
In summing up the achievements
Of this church In the last 10 years.
the extent of It's spiritual influence,
it. good financial condition, It's sue
cess can be attributed in large meas
ure to the untiring work Of Rev. WAL
ter =. Water, who boasts the unique
record Of having served Is pastor Of
this church for that long period, con-
trary to Methodist custom.
McCabe Methodist Episcopal church
+ only one Of many In the Capital
City having for It's chief motive the
ninistering Of spiritual needs Of the
community. It Is the only excuse
for the churchs existence. McCabe
church, with . growing membership
Of about 600 persons, has met = def
mite need IN the life Of Bismarck,
ministering alike to rich and poor,
high and low.
q Pastors Have Served
Ministers who have served In
the McCabe pastorate incluoe Revs.
George w. Barnett 187e-lo7o, James
N. Bull 1S7o-l8o2, James q. Rhodes
1857 1003, p. E. Palmetto 1888 1854,
Peter Glare l884-1806. william :. Cook
1886 1855, J. N. Van Every 1855 1850.
10. +. Bollinger 1soo-l8oO. Samuel =.
Ryan 1So0-l0o2, 8. +. Beer l0o2-18o3.
p. J. Reeves l0o3-lao4. william spoor
loel-lSo7. James Anderson loe7-lo0l.