Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-07-25
Homecoming At Wesley Chapel
Well Attended

The Homecoming Sunday at Wes-
ley Chapel was success in every
particular All the churches of the
McKendree circuit of which Wesley
Chapel is a part, were well repre-
sented, and in all approximately 800
persons were present. A union Sun
day school Of the churches was held
at 10 o'clock. Chester S. Strong re-
viewed the lesson. Rev. R. A. Pelt
of Toronto, o., preached a fine SER
mon at IL O'Clock, which was fol-
lowed with a bountiful picnic din
ner served by the ladies' aid So
ciety, on the church lawn, under a
tent furnished by the Miller Under
taking Co., which was keenly ap-
preciated.
Beginning at two o'clock an in
teresting program was carried out
with Rev. j. D. Keller presiding.
Talks were made by Rev. w. HI.
Gibson; Mr.. Irven Travis, who rep
resented his wife Mrs Jennie Whip
pie Travis, perhaps the oldest living
member of that church; B. F. Reed,
Ernest McMurray, VIM. Shilling,
Miss Corintha WhippIe, and Walter
Farra. A history Of the church was
read by w. G. Gilbert. A letter
from Dr. j. M. Shafer of Tacoma,
Wash, who was pastor on that
charge 81 years ago, and later pas
tor at McConnelsville, and for five
years district superintendent of the
Cambridge district, was read Rev
Shafer has attained the highest
place in the ministry, of any pastor
who ever served Wesley Chapel.
Other letters read were from Hen
ry w. Vanoster, mayor of Elyria;
j. T. Henderson of Oberlin; H. A.
Strong, Fort Scott, Kans, and Rev.
w. H. Stewart, of Dennison; and
there was telegram from Atty S.
c. Durbin of Wichita, Kans., read,
and greeting by G. NJ Kirk
e. w. Duvall gave reading. Spe-
cial music was furnished by the Ad-
amsville male quartet, and the Mt.
Zion male quartet. Betty Bulen and
Gaynelle Keller played a piano duet
The congregational singing was led
by Rev. Keller, with Miss Helen
Barkhurst at the piano The church
was nicely decorated with flowers.
w. G. Gilbert had charge of the
details of the Homecoming. The
history of the church as read con-
tanned some dates published in the
Democrat several weeks ago, to
which were added many interesting
facts. Rev. Kinney was the first
pastor; and the name of the church
was the suggestion of the late Jane
Anderson Henderson. The late A
G. Whipple held the record for the
longest period as Sunday school
teacher there, having taught 40
years. Edward Offord and VIM
Henderson were licensed to preach,
while members of this congregation.
Nancy Smith who died in the year
1890 was the last survivor of the
charter members.
Mr.. Frank Taylor of Kennebec
ridge was perhaps the Oldest living
Sunday school pupil present at the
Homecoming, he having attended
Sunday school at Wesley Chapel 68
years ago. Perhaps the most noted
person who ever attended services
at that church was Mary Reed, mis-
sionary in India. Her brother w.
F. Reed, was present, but because
of the condition of his health, re-
Trained from making talk.
Rev. Pelt and Rev. Gibson were
by their wives, and
other visitors from out of the coun-
ty included Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Phipps and two daughters, F. M.
Henderson Gnd Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest
Columbus; Rev. c. H.
Bay, Mrs. Lena Gilbert Durant and
daughter Juanita, and Mrs. Bessie
G.. Nolan, GAINESVILLE; Walter Farra
and friend, Steubenville; Charles
Mrs. Hattie Frame, Mrs.
Mary Reed, Rural Dale, and Mrs. E.
7 Hughes Lansing q