Page 146 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

and Mrs. T. P. Jordan was Church School Superintendent. These buildings
constitute the church plant as it stands today, 1949.

During Rev. Paul Redfem’s pastorate in 1943, the church decided to provide a new
sanctuary for its growing membership. Several thousands of dollars were raised
during the first campaign for the building fund under his direction.

During the pastorate of Dr. R. A. Guy, 1944-1947, the building fund was increased
to about $22,000.

Fire destroyed the roof of the church building in December, 1946, but the damage
was soon repaired.

As the membership and church attendance grew, the need became even greater to
erect a new sanctuary. The Quarterly Conference and the church’s congregation
took action resolving to start building. Under the Bible leadership of Rev. A. A.

Koestline and the building committee, plans were completed and ground was
broken for the new building, August 29, 1949. As this brief historical sketch is
written, the new sanctuaiy and chapel are being constructed on the northwest
comer of the church’s property, facing Alachua Street. The building is constructed
of red brick to match the educational building. Thus the dreams of the
congregation are being realized. The cornerstone will be placed at five o’clock,
Tuesday afternoon, December 13, 1949. The ceremony will be led by the Bishop,

Roy H. Short, of the Florida Conference. It is hoped and planned that the building
will be ready for dedication on Easter Sunday, 1950.

In 1948, a Wurlitzer Organ was purchased for the Church Sanctuary, and in 1949,
an Electric Tower Amplifying System was installed in the church.

The church has always been a missionary one. Some of our early minutes report

that the entire Sunday School was a missionary society.

A life certificate membership in the missionary society was presented to Mrs.
Harriett Wright in 1856. The oldest Record of a ladies’ organization is dated
January 1, 1887. This was a Ladies Aid Society, the forerunner of the present
Women’s Society of Christian Service.

The president’s name is not given in the record, but the following officers were
named: Treasurer, Miss Mary Hancock; Secretary, Mrs. E. P. Ammons; Electors,

Miss Josie Ross, Leola McNeil. The roll consisted of the following members: Mrs.
Frances, Mrs. Emma Chalker, Mrs. Frannie Chalker, Miss Mary Hancock, Mrs.

138
www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 644B81FB-81A1-47B2-8D77-49DC2A1A0BE8