THE REPUBLICAN

October 27, 1905

 

 

    

 

 

MAPLE GROVE M. E. CHURCH.

The Reopening of this Church, after extensive Repairs,

will take place on Sunday, October 29, 1905.

 

            In the Autumn of 1887 the Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal church was erected and formally dedicated.  This was following a year of gracious revival under the pastor-ate of Rev. O. B. Clark, when for seven weeks the little school house at Maple Grove was nightly packed with worshipers, and during which time there were more than fifty converts.  Bro. Clark’s faith and consecrated determination as a leader had overcome the hindrance incident to the occasion and the new church was fully established when Conference sent the next pastor, Rev. C. H. Betts, to the charge.  Succeeding pastors have been the Revs. S.A. Sheard, Frank Millar, Wm. Moyle, J. T. Leek, and our present pastor, Rev. W. J. Perry.

            The years have been blessed ones to those who have worked and prayed for the growth of His Kingdom in this little country place, and during the past year an effort was made to repair the church.  The improvements that have been made included a new galvanized steel roof, raising the church and building a new foundation, installing a new Gilt Edge Furnace, removing the vestibule that was in the front part of the church and the belfry that was on the roof, and building a tower 10 x 12 feet by 30 feet high with belfry on top of that and vestibule in the tower, repainting the exterior and re-decorating the inside walls at a total cost of nearly $700.  More is needed, such as a new floor, carpeting, pews, etc., but at present the means are lacking.  However, the people have responded well and we hope that enough will yet be given to defray the necessary expenses. With our present band trying so hard to accomplish these things memory contrasts the earlier days when amid many discouragements a faithful few gathered for weekly prayer service, generally by lantern light, and although very often not more than two or three were present and many said “why continue such useless meetings?” the promise was surely verified and God was with them and their little circle widened and grew.

            Many of those early followers have entered the Life eternal, yet “their works do follow them” and they indeed builded better than they knew.

            It is the desire of the people of Maple Grove to carry on the work so well begun in years agone and continued by pastors and people up to the present time.

                                                                                                            A. H. B.