The Key West citizen., 1954-11-06
Cbu'rbOf MRock SbomA Amazing
Gr0utb Since Foundation In 1853

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The American, from long years
Of glorious experience, is an inde-
pendent animal. In matters Of re-
ligion he is most positive, his emo
tons and convictions run deep, and
he freely asserts his views.
Like the reformer Of old, the av
crage American puts his Christian
faith above all denominational diff.
ferences.
Such a group Of Americans as
sembled shortly after Easter in
1853 TO discuss the prospect Of a
new church. Some had been disap-
pointed in denqminational policies
and so they asked the Rev. Ralph
Rogers, a former Army Chaplain
and a member Of the North Indi-
ana Methodist Conference TO con-
fer with them regarding their
plans.
Mothers Day Service
The Rev. Mr.. Rogers agreed TO
preach for them on Mothers Day,
May 10, 1853 and talk matters
over. The service was held in the
Scottish Rite Temple at which
time about one hundred people at
tended.
They we're asked to indicate
whether or not they wished to or
ganize a new church. Around for
ty people expressed desire to
form the new church.
AS a result OF this survey a COM
mittee was appointed to secure
meeting place. The JayCees offer
ed their teen-age center in Poin-
ciana and the next two meetings
we're held there on May II and "a
1853.
Sunday School
A large number OF children
came to the Sunday School and
william II. Hill was elected as the
superintendent. The church serv-
ices we're well attended and the
committee set to work to find q
permanent meeting place.
The committee finally found an
available place at 535 Francis
Street and the first service was
held in the new location on May
81.
II was fitted up with a piano,
chairs. pulpit, song books and
equipment for the regular church
services, and while II is crowded
ii has served In a way until a bet
ter place can be found.
Name is Chosen
The first congregational meeting
was held az the Poinciana place for
the organization of a church on
May "a.
At that time il was decided to
adopt the Presbyterian form Of
government and they also voted on
an appropriate name which was,
The Church of the Rock.
They then proceeded to elect Of
ficers which were as follows: FL
ders: Ralph d. Noble, Richard f.
Evans, Wallace b. kirke, Atwood
G.. Sands, Fred w. Enander. vii.
liam W. Hill, and Robert II. Garri.
son.
Deacons: George G. Ehrhar.,
Everette P. Winter. James A.
Gamble, Sr., James A. Gamble.
Jr., Harry NJ. Baker. Elmer F.
Nonnemacher. Mrs. Walter Bell,
Mrs. Joseph Brent. and Mrs, En-
ory Harris.
Trustees: Everette P. Winter,
George G.. Ehrhart and w. Curry
Harris.
Officers Still Active
All of these officers have. con-
tinued 10 serve on the active list
except Elmer F. Nonnemacher
who has recently moved TO a new
home in Pennsylvania.
No church can operate for long
without a good Sunday School.
From the beginning the children
have been faithful in attendance
and william w. Hill was made the
first superintendent of the new
school.
He has lately been replaced by
Ralph d. Noble and the Sunday
School has moved steadily along
under the wise administration of
these men.
Bible School
The school conducted Daily
Vacation Bible School the last two
summers with an enrolment the
first year of 81 and with g. the
last summer.
These schools have been popular
with the youngsters and each year
they have asked that il might con
hnue longer.
The women of the church have
been active from the beginning.
The first president of this body
was Mrs. Everette Winter and then
Mrs. Ruth Baker who served until
recently when she was replaced
with Mrs. Margaret Pritchard.
Women Active
This organization has conducted
their monthly study periods when
they applied themselves to the
study OF the Bible and the various
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