Thursday, April 30, 2009

Church News 1889 New building at Lee's Summit

September 15, 1889

LEE'S SUMMIT

St. Paul's.
The church at this place had a very small membership twenty years ago, and was glad to have a missionary service once a month, at night, of a week day, from the rector of Grace church, Kansas City, the Rev. A. Batte, recently of Snow Hill, Md. Before that about 1867, Rev. Mr.Johnson held service, sometimes in the ball room of an old hotel, in little stuffy halls, up stairs, with horribly low ceilings, etc. We were also indebted later to our Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian neighbors for a place of worship.The obvious inconvenience of this arrangement spurred the ambition of a faithful few to attempt the building of a church of our very own. Encouraged by the good words and blessing of our dear Bishop Robertson, who donated the first $25 for a building fund, by unremitting diligence, audacious begging and the gifts of our fellow towns people, of all denominations, not forgetting other towns in and out of the States from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we obtained enough money in seven long years to build a little church. All gifts were accepted with gratitude, and all moneys expended with care, from a nickel to an hundred dollars; that being the largest sum given by one person. The bell was presented by W. W. Moore, of Kansas City, and the pews by the Church of the Holy Communion of St. Louis.
The property was cleared of debt, and ready to be consecrated three years ago, but the death of Bishop Robertson, the delay in securing his successor followed by the press of work awaiting Bishop Tuttle's attention, prevented until now the consecration.
We were made happy by having two whole days given to us by Bishop Tuttle, who wished to have the consecration services on the Lord's Day. In the face of a threatened rain the house was filled by an attentive and interested congregation, thirty-six accepting the privilege of receiving the Communion from the hands of the Bishop. We now have a regular service and minister, the Rev. J. W. Dunn, a church of our own and a large increase of communicants making us fee very much encouraged, and thankful for our prosperity. We by no means intend to sit down with folded hands. We need a set of cushions for our pews and a larger organ, and have pondered seriously the articles in the Church News regarding proper and pious ways of raising money for church purposes.
Any church that has an old library for Sundayschool to give away, or to sell at a reduction, would do us a favor by writing to tell us about it.

1 comment:

  1. Time Line from above: Sep 15, 1889 article.
    1867 Meetings Rev. Johnson
    1869 Meetings Rev. Algernon Batte
    1877 Started building Fund
    1884 July 16 W. B. Howard deeded
    Lot 1, Block 22 at $0.00 to trustees
    1884 Construction started Aug 1884
    1884 Church completed Sept- Oct
    1884 Pump Organ purchased
    1884-1886 Bell donated by W.W. Moore of KC, MO
    1884-1886 Pews donated
    1886 Church cleared of debt
    1889 Church consecrated

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