THE EDIFICE FROM THE NORTHWEST
The Building and Finance Committee
John G. Hewitt, Chairman; William J. Turner, Roy G. Kerr, William Smith
The Executive Committee
John G. Hewitt, Roy G. Kerr, William Smith.
The Men and Women’s Contest Committee
Andrew J. Hewitt, Mrs. William Smith
Architect and Builder
Mr. Curtis S. Bainum
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the Church and more particularly on behalf of the Building Committee, it is eminently fitting here to record our very high appreciation of the proficiency and professional skill of our Architect and Builder, Mr. Curtis S. Bainum, who together with a large corps of contractors and co-laborers, has so successfully completed, under varying and trying conditions, this magnificent, creditable and very satisfactory structure.
Here also it is proper to express to the Sister Churches of our order in this city our very deep sense of gratitude to them for their most cheerful and generous and indeed wholly unexampled and unparalleled financial and friendly assistance in this worthy enterprise. In this connection, FIRST CHURCH and PILGRIM CHURCH deserve special mention -- each of these churches having freely contributed over FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS.
The many firms and individuals who have given liberally and self-sacrificingly for years to support the work and to increase the prestige of the Church in the community, by undertaking to build this new and distinctly modern edifice are too numerous to specify here, but the name of Mr. Harry M. Pflager, President of the City Missionary Society and a prominent member of Pilgrim Church deserves to be written in letters of gold for his noble backing of this whole enterprise, without which it would have been impossible to proceed with the work.
The Congregational Church Building Society has also promised, towards the payment of last bills, the sum of Five Thousand Dollars.
Pastor
Reverend William Smith
Clerk
John G. Hewitt
Treasurer
Roy G. Kerr
Deacons
Robert R. Shelton
William T. Bishop
Andrew J. Hewitt
Dr. Chauncey G. Wright
William J. Turner
David James
Trustees
Harry Skelcher, Chairman
Andrew J. Hewitt
James N. Null
Roy G. Kerr
John G. Hewitt
George P. Roberts
William J. Turner
Dr. Chauncey G. Wright
William T. Bishop
Organist and Choir Director
Mr. Julian Y. Hewitt
Quartet
Mrs. J. Y. Hewitt, Soprano
Mr. L. M. Finley, Tenor
Miss Ruth Blair, Contralto
Mr. Roy S. Rauschkolb, Baritone
The Officers of the Sunday School
Superintendent, William J. Turner
Assistant Superintendent, Roy G. Kerr
Secretary, Paul J. Hewitt
Treasurer, John G. Hewitt
Musical Director, Edward E. Braznell
Pianist, Miss Orelea H. Bishop
The Officers of the Ladies’ Aid Society
President, Mrs. William Cummings
Vice-President, Mrs. Samuel Bishop
Secretary, Mrs. Robert L. Thompson
Treasurer, Mrs. William Greaves
The Officers of the Ladies’ Missionary Society
President, Mrs. William Smith
Vice-President, Mrs. Harry How
Secretary, Mrs. Samuel Bishop
Treasurer, Mrs. William J. Turner
The Officers of the Brotherhood
President, Robert E. McKinley
Vice-President, John F. Peters
Secretary, William A. Hewitt
Treasurer. James W. Guest
Memorial Church is located in the center of this large and growing community to minister to the life and well-being of all its citizens. In its ministry, it shall know no class, caste, creed or condition. Its aim shall be to assist any or all as opportunity offers. And it shall constantly endeavor to minister to the social, intellectual and spiritual life of the community in the best possible manner.
As a religious organization, whilst avowing, advocating and seeking to conserve Congregationalism in this section of Saint Louis, its primary purpose is to further the interests of the Kingdom of God on earth, under a policy so broad as to include all Christian people; and it therefore extends, in the most hearty manner and spirit, a most cordial invitation to all the followers of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to unite with us and to work with us for the triumph of the Kingdom of Righteousness. We assure all such a most cordial and hearty welcome to our fellowship.
Memorial Church will also seek to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Saviour of men, and to do all in its power to fit men for fellowship and service with Him and His people here, and to make His name and power known to the ends of the earth.
Sacred Overture -- The Kingshighway Presbyterian Sunday School Orchestra
- Mr. J. H. McClure, DirectorProcessional -- By the Sunday School and Orchestra
Hymn (Tune, Aurelia)
The congregation will rise with the Pastor and stand until after the Invocation
The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the word;
From heaven he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.
Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endued.
'Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore --,
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won;
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly
On high may dwell with thee.
Responsive Reading -- The Reverend Morris E. Alling, Fountain Park Church
Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them; and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.
0 send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacle.
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein;
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord; or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who bath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully;
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek him; that seek thy face, 0 Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory!
The Lord strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; yea lift them up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord of hosts: He is the King of Glory. Gloria
Gloria Patri
Invocation -- The Pastor
Quartet -- Unfold Ye Portals – Gounod
Scripture Lesson -- The Reverend Dwight S. Bayley, Maplewood Church
Prayer -- The Reverend A. K. Wray, D. D., Hyde Park Church
The Dedication Offering
Offertory
Offertory Prayer – (The congregation standing.)
"All things come of thee, O God, and of thine own have we given thee. Amen."
Sermon -- The Reverend Horace F. Holton, First Church
Selection -- Orchestra
Addresses -- (Five minutes each.)
Ouartet -- The King of Love My Shepherd Is -- Shelley
Presentation of the Keys to Memorial Church on behalf of the Building Committee by Mr. Harry M. Pflager, President of the City Missionary Society and a Member of the Building Committee
Reception of the Keys on behalf of Memorial Church, Mr. Harry Skelcher, Chairman Board of Trustees
The Act of Dedication -- (The congregation standing and uniting.)
Pastor -- Blessed be thou, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all.
People -- Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Pastor Being prospered by the good hand of the Lord our God to finish the work, which in his providence we were called upon to perform.
Pastor and People -- We do now, with. gratitude and joy, solemnly consecrate this church.
Pastor -- To the glory of God, our Father, by whose favor we have built this House.
To the honor of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord and Saviour; To the praise of the Holy Spirit, the source of Life and Light;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- For worship in prayer and song; for the ministry of the Word; for the celebration of the holy sacraments;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- For the comfort of those who mourn; for the strengthening of the weak and tempted; for help in right living;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- For the fostering of patriotism; for the training of conscience; for aggression against evil;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- For the sanctification of the family; for the guidance and nurture of childhood; for the salvation of men;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- For the help of the needy; for the promotion of brotherhood; for the extension of the Kingdom of God;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor -- To the memory of our beloved dead; to the gentle and true of former times; to all who have unloosed the bonds of ignorance and wrong;
People -- We dedicate this House.
Pastor and People -- As a. tribute of gratitude and love, a free-will offering of thanksgiving and praise, we, the people of this Church and Congregation, consecrating ourselves anew, do now dedicate this church building in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Dedication -- The Reverend Charles L. Kloss, D. D., First Church, Webster Groves
Hymn -- (Tune, Portuguese Hymn.)
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord!
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say, than to you he hath said to you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Benediction -- The Pastor
Postlude -- Orchestra
Organ Prelude -- Preludrum -- Redhead
Hymn 247 -- I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (Congregation standing. )
Invocation -- The Pastor
Quartet -- March of Progress -- Meyerbeer
Scripture Lesson -- The Pastor
Prayer -- The Pastor
Hymn 154 -- Face to Face (Congregation standing)
Announcements
The Evening Offering
Offertory
Offertory Prayer -- (Congregation standing )
"All things come of thee, O God, and of thine own have we given thee -- Amen"Reception of Members -- The Pastor
Quartet -- Come Unto Me -- J. W. Lerman
Sermon -- The Reverend William Van Derveer Berg, Associate Pastor Pilgrim Church
Prayer -- The Reverend Mr. Berg
Hymn 288 -- "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." (Congregation standing.)
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper -- The Reverend Mr. Berg and the Pastor officiating
Hymn 257 -- Bless Be the Tie (Congregation Standing.)
Benediction -- The Pastor
Organ Postlude – Andantino DeSouatine -- Neuftedt
The first church building was a small frame structure 20x40 feet, situated on West Park Avenue, between Sublette Avenue and Pierce Avenue, one block south and about four blocks east of the present site. Work on this building was begun, April 13, 1882, and the building was finished and completely furnished, June 20, 1882. It cost, including lot, $550.00.
It was in this building that "The Cheltenham Congregational Church of Saint Louis" was organized August 20, 1882, and from which have emerged both the organization now properly called "Memorial Congregational Church" -- after the sainted Dr. Goodell, a former Pastor of Pilgrim Church, who took great interest in our work -- and the unusually attractive, adequate and distinctly modern House of Worship which we dedicate today.
The second edifice is the one shown above, which is still standing on the corner of Sulphur Avenue and Way Street, two blocks east and three blocks south of our present location. It was dedicated, October 7, 1888, sold to Mr. Charles Happ, February 13, 1911, and finally vacated, Sunday, June 9, 1912, after a period of nearly twenty-four years of splendid service. It cost, including lot, $5,500.
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