Springfield Church

(1922-)

The Gospel Messenger April 29, 1922 page 268 Vol. 71 No. 17

DEDICATION OF NEW CHURCH AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

 The new church, erected at Springfield under the direction of the Mission Board of Southern Illinois, will be dedicated on Sunday, May 7. The Sunday-school hour, beginning at 9:30, will be devoted to a special service for the children, with out-of-town speakers. Following this, will be the dedicatory service proper, conducted by Eld. J. W. Lear, of Chicago. A basket dinner in the basement will be enjoyed by all, at the noon hour. In the afternoon, at 2:30, an expressional service will be held, at which visiting ministers and prominent citizens will give expressions of friendly greeting.

  The evening service is planned with the viewpoint of inspiring a fuller dedication of life. Special music will be rendered at each of the services during the day. The song service will be directed by Bro. Herbert Mohler, of Cerro Gordo. We anticipate a large attendance at all of these services. Mrs. J. C. Shull.

The Gospel Messenger May 27, 1922 page 330 Vol. 71 No. 21

DEDICATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

History

The Church of the Brethren, under the direction of the District Mission Board, began work in Springfield in September, 1920, with a tent revival, conducted by Bro. J- C. Shull and wife, of Chicago, for the first two weeks, followed by Eld. W. T. Heckman, of Cerro Gordo. Mrs. Etta Haynes was secured as mission worker, and she entered upon her field at the beginning of the revival. She built up a remarkable Sunday-school, using for several months the mission Home as a place of worship. Miss Lora Wagoner, of Virden, assisted Mrs. Haynes during the winter months.

  Brethren W. T. Heckman and J. C. Shull alternated the preaching appointments until Bro. Shull and wife took up the pastorate in June, 1921. The mission home continued to serve as a place of worship for eight months after their arrival.

The new church building, at 2115 Yale Boulevard, was begun Oct. 24, 1921. The corner-stone service was held Nov. 20. The first service was held in the basement of the church Feb. 5, 1922. From the earliest beginning the richest of blessings have been manifest in the work. Fourteen have been baptized during the last few months.

Features of the Building

Exterior.—The church is a brick structure, compactly built. Two large Gothic windows in the gable fronts, facing the main streets, add to the beauty of the building. A striking exterior finish is effected by the blending of the many colors in the brick, and the beautiful art windows trimmed in white. There is a liberal use of stone trimming.

Main Floor.—The main entrance leads into a large vestibule, equipped with cloak-rooms. The auditorium design is that of the circular seating. The pulpit and baptistery arc just opposite the entrance. Opening off the pulpit and platform to the right, is the pastor's study.

First Church, Springfield, Ill.

Disrobing rooms are back* of the pulpit, each having direct

entrance to the baptistry. These, rooms may also be used for Sunday-school classes. The baptistery is equipped with a sliding door which is to be opened after applicant has entered, and closed before exit. To the audience it has the appearance of automatic action. Along the east and north walls are six Sunday-school class-rooms, separated by rolling partitions; which can also be arranged to form two large units for the Sunday-school, or all opened up to form a large addition to the main auditorium. The entire seating capacity of the church is 500. The trimmings of the main floor are in oak.

Galleries.—Two large galleries can also be shut off from the auditorium. One gallery, with a level floor, has been equipped for the Ladies' Aid Society. A little room, at the apex of the galleries, just opposite the pulpit, has been provided for the stereopticon.

Basement.—The arrangement of the basement is very unique. A large main room serves as social room and auditorium. Six rooms on this floor can be used for classrooms. A fully-equipped ladies' rest-room and a modern kitchen have been installed.

  A large store-room adjoins the kitchen. There are two outside entrances to the basement and two stairways leading to the main floor. The trimmings of the basement are in white enamel.

  The Day of Dedication, May 7

The weather was most beautiful and the crowds were large. Members from the various parts of the District turned out in large numbers. Especially were Virden, Girard, Cerro Gordo and Champaign well represented. The church school hour, 9:30 A. M-, was devoted to the children. Bro. B. C. Whitmore, of Cerro Gordo, talked to the primary children, and Bro. W. T. Heckman, member of the Mission Board, gave the message to the Juniors. These messages were very much appreciated by all. A capacity audience attended the dedicatory services at 10:45. Bro. D. W. Shock, pastor of Girard, read the opening scripture and led in prayer. Special music was rendered by the Virden, Girard, and Cerro Gordo churches —a pleasant feature of the day's program. Bro. Herbert Mohler, of Cerro Gordo, had charge of the congregational singing, using the new book "Hymns of Praise."

  The dedicatory sermon was preached by Eld. J. W. Lear, of Chicago. With his characteristic vigor and power he developed his theme, "The Place of the Pulpit in the Life and the Thought of the People." Bro. Lear strongly emphasized the power and importance of the Christian pulpit. An original poem, at the close of the sermon, tenderly gripped the hearts of all. Following the sermon, the dedicatory prayer was offered by the pastor, Bro. J. C. Shull. Bro. G. W. Miller, the president of the Mission Board, stated that the church had been erected at a cost of approximately $31,500. An offering of $1,070.00, special music, and the benediction, brought to a close this eventful service.

  The noon hour was greatly enjoyed by those who par-took of the basket dinner in the church basement, and also by those who went to the city parks to spread their baskets.

  At the Fellowship Service, 2:30 P. M„ the visiting ministers gave brief addresses, and prominent citizens of Springfield cordially welcomed the Brethren. A number of the representative Brethren ministers gave short addresses by way of response to the city's welcome. Fellowship and good-will were the predominating note of this meeting.

  At the evening service, 7 o'clock, after a period of praise in congregational Singing, Bro. Lear preached to a large attendance, his subject being: "Our Father's Open Door Policy."

  To the people of our District, May 7 was just such a day as we all enjoy when we attend our District or Annual Conferences. Prayers and good wishes were expressed on every hand for the development of the Lord's work in this new and promising field, and we were made to realize that our Mission Board had taken a forward step in the missionary activity of the Southern District of Illinois.

Springfield, ILL.

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 25, 1922 page 746 Vol. 71 No. 47

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Another important epoch in the history of the Springfield church has just passed. After the dedication of the new building, May 7, we looked forward to the time when the work would be sufficiently strong to justify a permanent organization. As a most fitting climax to our soul-stirring revival meeting, the church was organized Sunday, Nov. 5.

  Eld. S. S. Blough, of Decatur, and Eld. I. J. Harshbarger, of Girard, were appointed to effect the organization. Other duties preventing Bro. Harshbarger's presence, Eld. G. W. Miller, President of the District Mission Board, assisted Bro. Blough.

  The congregation will be known as the First Church of the Brethren of Springfield. Bro. W. T. Heckman, of Cerro Gordo, was selected as our elder. The pastor, Bro. J. C. Shull, was ordained to the eldership, and Brethren John Lemons and Lawrence Sturgeon were chosen as deacons.

  The first revival, held in the new church, closed in the evening. The pastor conducted the meeting for the first week. Then Bro. Moyne Landis, of Sidney, Ind., continued for two weeks. Seventeen were baptized, making the total number of charter members fifty. In the morning our banner attendance at Sunday-school reached 141. A basket dinner at the church made it possible for us to carry out the full program of the day. Soon after dinner there was a baptismal service, followed by the organization and ordination services. For the Springfield people and visiting brethren and sisters from adjoining churches the day was one of inspiration and joy. Mrs. J. C. Shull.