The Medford journal of that week announced the fact in a communication from Brother Wagner, over his reversed signature of ‘Rengaw Knarf,’ asking for cooperation, and containing the excellent suggestion, ‘If you can't help, don't hinder.’ This was pertinent, as some grim prophecies were ventured, such as ‘Before a year 'twill be made a tenement house,’ and others not well repeated, still better, forgotten.
Very soon the Ladies' Aid Society was organized, and by the time the chapel was completed had raised nearly four hundred dollars toward the enterprise, mainly spent in furnishing.
Meantime Holton street had been opened to Boston avenue, then just built, and from this street entrance was had to West Medford's first house of worship. Thither, on the evening of November 6, 1873, came an audience completely filling the house.
Introductory remarks were made by Presiding Elder Sherman.Rev. E. L. Jaggar, pastor of the West Medford Congregational Church, read the hymn—
Great King of Glory come
And with thy favor crown
This temple as thy home,
This people as thine own.The invocation was by Rev. A. E. Winship, pastor of the M. E. Church at West Somerville.
Scripture reading by Rev. W. E. Huntington of Roslindale.
Rev. J. M. Usher (Universalist) read the hymn—
The perfect world by Adam trod
Was the first temple built by God.
His fiat laid the corner-stone,
He spake, and lo, the work was done!Rev. Andrew McKeown, D. D., of Dorchester, preached the sermon from Isa. 28: 16, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a foundation stone, etc.’
Rev. J. A. Richardson of Medford (Baptist) led the responsive reading of the one hundred and twenty-second Psalm.
