The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-02-22
MERGER OF CHURCHES
HERE IS DISCUSSED
Continued from Page One)

5. That the two present pastors
be associate pastors of the merged
church,
St. Andrews church, 524 North
Fourth street, was organized
under the name of the Second
Presbyterian church on November
q, 1858 by the Fayetteville Pres
bytery. The name was changed to
St. Andrews on September 49,
1888. The ministers who have SER
we'd the church and their tenures
are the Rev. Martin Mcqueen,
stated. supply, 1859 to 1868; the
Rev. H. B. Burr, stated supply,
1870 to 1878; the Rev. C. M. Payne,
pastor, 1874 to 1884 the Rev. John
W. Primrose, D. D., pastor, 1885
to 1890; the Rev.. A. D. Mcclure,
D. D., pastor, 1891 to 1920; the
Rev. ]. E. Purcell, D. D, pastor,
1920 to 1923 the Rev L. Fairly,
DID,, pastor, 1924 to 1929; the Rev
c. H. Storey, DID,, pastor, 1929
to 1913; the Rev. Frederick w.
Lewis, DID. supply pastor. 1943.
The Church of the Covenant, 2
South Fifteenth street, was estab-
lished January 6, 1918 with a
charter membership of 118, includ-
Ing IS who came from the First
Presbyterian church and 80 from
St. Andrews church. The church
building was built by DR.. James
Sprunt and w. H. Sprunt as a
memorial to their parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Alexander Sprunt. In
1921 tn e educational building,
Kenan Memorial, was built by
Mrs. Jessie K. Wise as a memorial
to her parents. The two regular
pastors are the Rev. ]. Oscar
Mann, for nine years, and DR.. J..
Harry Whitmore, since 1927.
The Church OF the Covenant has
membership of 900 and St.
Andrews church of about $50.
The statement presented to the
congregations follows in part:
Recently a matter of very seri-
Gus and far reaching effect on
Presbyterianism in this commune
ty has been brought before our
Sessions, and after careful thought
and some preliminary investiga.
ton the Sessions direct that the
subject be brought before the con-
gregations at this time. It was
directed that this statement be
read and that a copy of same be
handed to each member of the
congregations for their further
study and consideration.
"It is well known fact that
the long years of existance of St
Andrews Presbyterian Chu r C
have been filled with great anc
far reaching good in the service
of Gods kingdom in this communi
ty, however in recent years i
is becoming more and more ap
parent that the membership of it,
congregation is moving away from
the present church location. The
officers of that church have beer
giving careful thought to thi.
situation and have had two course!
of action under consideration
Either to refurnish the presen
buildings and bring them up tt
date, or to dispose of their presen
location and rebuild at poin
nearer the center of their member
ship. While this was being con
sidered tn e Pastors of S t
Andrews and of the Covenant hae
personal conference of SOM
length, and out of this persona
discussion developed the though
of possible merger of St
Andrews and the Church of thu
Covenent.
Both of these churches have {
rich heritage as they have come
down through the years under
Gods blessing and guidance. After
prayerful consideration and much
through the joint Sessions of these
two churches feel, if the way be
clear for a merger, that the pro
gress of His Kingdom in this com
munity and of Presbyterlanisn
may be greatly strengthened by
these two churches coming to-
gether into one congregation. Il
is felt that the work would thus
go forward with renewed z a l.
But the officers fully realize that
obvious difficulties may only be
harmonized through the Christian
patience and love of all concerned
1T is the opinion of the joint
Sessions that after several weeks
have elapsed, in order to develop
the sentiment of the two congre.
cations that a formal congrega
tional meeting be held in I
church, if the way be clear, tt
vote on the suggested merger
The proposed merger is a mat
ter entirely for the congregations
actions and the Session offers the
above only for the guidance O.
the congregation in their delibe-
ation."
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