Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1895 — THE CORNER STONE IS LAID. [ARTICLE]

THE CORNER STONE IS LAID.

Of The New Presbyterian Church. A .Successful BV^nt. The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new Presbyterian church, was performed Tuesday afternoon, with elaborate and impressive exercises. A procession formed in Washington street about 2 p. m. and marched to the church. It consisted of the Citizens’ Cornet Band, Officers of the church, The Ladies Industrial Society, The Order of the Eastern Star, The Daughters of Rebekah, Fire Company, Iroquois Lodge, Odd Fellows. At the church the exercises were: Prayer, Rev. B. F. Ferguson; ‘•Nearer My God To Thee,” Choir; Reading 84th Psalm, Rev. McKee, of Remington. Prayer, Rev. Dr. Utter. Lord’s Prayer, Hymn, Choir. Selections from New Testament* Rev. Voliva. Anthem, Choir. Why We Build This Church, Rev. Paradis. Musical Selection, Cornet Band. Address, Hon. S. P. Thompson. Rev. Dr. Rondthaler, of Indianapolis, then gave the principal address, after which he announced that it was desired to then raise additional contributions to the amount of 182,300 to complete the church. This entire sum was not raised, but very good success followed the request for contributions, and when the audience was

finally dismissed only §575 of the $2,300 was lacking. The total amount subscribed being $1,725. Some of the most notable of these additional contributions were. Ladies Industrial Society, $500; Geo. K. Hollingsworth, $200; Society of Christian Endeavor, $100; Wm. B. Austin, $100; John Eger $100; T. J. McCoy, $100; Geo. E. Murray, SSO; Rev. B. F. Ferguson, SSO; Mrs. Ferguson, $25, Miss Virgie Austin, $25. The list of the articles deposited in the corner stone consisted of pictures of Revs. Chestnut, Mayhew, Small, Duncan, Tressler and Baech, former pastors of the church; of Rev. Paradis, present pastor, and wife, a copy of the Democratic Sentinel containing a history of the church; a printed program of the day’s exercises; constitution of Rensselaer Fire Company &c. T4e formal ceremony of the corner stone laying was performed by Mrs. Paradis. .