Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1914 — Resignation of Rev. Winn As Christian Church Pastor. [ARTICLE]

Resignation of Rev. Winn As Christian Church Pastor.

Rev. W. G. Winn, pastor of the Christian church and one of the most popular ministers who ever held a church pastorate here, has tendered his resignation and will leave Rensselaer within the next few months. He has not determined upon a location and will probably deliver trial sermons at several places within the next few weeks. No immediate steps will be taken to choose his successor here. 'Rev. Winn is a preacher of far above ordinary ability and his sermons have attracted many outside the church, while his energetic work as pastor has resulted in a great improvement in the church organization. ■ When he came less than three years ago the church was still quite a little in debt. His first labor was to pay this off. Then came the task of making extensive iminvolving a big change in the arrangement of the church, the making of a basement which provided a large dining room and a large kitchen and rest rooms. Also the installation of a new and adequate heating plant. Rev. Winn was active in doing the actual work and the splendid result is a credit’ to his supervision, together with that of F. M. Parker, chairman of the building committee. In all departments of the Church his efficiency was shown and his decision to go to a new field found much determined opposition. His resignation was presented to the board of trustees about a month ago with the understanding that it wias to remain a secret until he had definitely determined on a location. The secret, however, did not keep and the entire congregation was soon aware of the fact and Sunday a business session was called and Rev. Winn read his resignation, which was accepted at his earnest request. The entire community will regret Rev. Winn’s removal, for during his pastorate it is certain that a closer relation between the protestant churches of Rensselaer has resulted than ever before, while his broad charity has led him to take an active interest in the welfare of the community in all respects. It is to be hoped that a successor can be procured who can so acceptably fill the joint fields of preacher, pastor and citizen.