The former house had been sold, moved to another spot, and was still in use, though perched high on the movers' timbers. Within its walls, in October, the newly formed Baptist church held its recognition service. On the last Sunday in November five services, all of special import, gave our first house, which had been our church home for twenty-three years, and around which so many hallowed memories cluster, an appropriate farewell.
We assembled for the first time in the chapel of the new one on the first Sunday in December, and there continued till March 11, 1897, when this second house was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, according to the ritual and usage of our church, by Bishop Edward G. Andrews, D. D., Ll.D. ‘On this rock I will build my church,’ was the text, and the sermon was simple, clear and convincing, a masterly effort of our beloved bishop. Other services followed during the week, and the society was settled in its new church home.
Space forbids details of this building enterprise. Its realization came only after much planning, labor and sacrifice. This latter house, with its tower bearing aloft the emblem of Christianity, forms the central figure in the vista seen westward from Cradock bridge, and occupies the spot originally selected for it in 1872. Its audience room, chapel, school-room and parlor occupy one floor, and all four open together if required. Kindergarten and class rooms are above, while a spacious dining hall and kitchen are in rooms below. Its cost was somewhat over fourteen thousand dollars.
It was with some surprise that the church, as well as the community, learned that their pastor, who had served
