The Key West Citizen Newspaper, February 21, 1952, Page 4

west Civizan ‘Thursdey, February 21, 1952 ' History Of The First Presbyterian Church Key West Presbyteriangm was ¥———........._____ born in the City Hall, the 26th of April, 1999 During an eight dey evengelis- tie mission, April 25 to May 2. vate dtev. J. W. Roseborough of §t Johns Presbytery held an or- +, @aMigational meeting and receiv- ed tnto the first Presbyterian °% twenty-six by four en confession of of the leadership of the Rev M Avery plans were devel- pea for an annex. Mr. Edgar Stark drew up the plans and with some financial assistance from the Home Mission Board, the addition was completed and dedicated in 1948. . she continued interest in the : Senool indicates the present te. The congre- ning for further : { additional land be purchased, hope to be able to house the children now attend- na the school. The years ahead w etermine the wisdom and he faith of Presbyterians in Key Nest Fa] ii H 7 3 WORKERS History should be an imperson- snd objective report. Accord. ely the history of the First Puesbyterian Church would be neomplete without reference to people who have made the church n reality While members and friends will evaluate the services f people differently, many good j workers may not be included in ony. list. Those here mentioned will include those sufficiently ac- tive or holding such positions as | to be included in the official ree- ords. Naturally all cannot be men- tioned for many have rendered yeoman service too often un-no- ‘wed, and space would not permit a complete list. A few of those jwho Rave made valuable contri- butions to the progress of the church should be mentioned. Among those to be incl | Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Elgin. | couple came into the church it was first organized and are only charter members still | this church. Mr. Elgin has }as @ deacon, elder, Bible it f tte ‘i FEE ist z g bor cold. Mrs Elgin attends occasion- ally only because of ill Except for a short period Citizen Staff Phot FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH if i +++ Southernmost In The U.S. A.) s""Bicin was in business im Mi- | MINISTERS pastor except for two years in 3" . oo Se members a Pram tb 926 and 1927 and at she , ne 16e 4 “ ba sty Noh a Sn and 1927 and at short inter Mr. Elgin was agent for the P| wing the initial evangelistic, It should be mentioned that & yap hy 5p which ne! mission of the Rev. J. W. Rose- | uring the early days there were had @ dock at the foot of on! AF ; capable men who could conduct | Steet. the present location of the} borough in 1909, the pugnacious n spirit of determines kept alive the little con dregation. The normal and natu al objective is to have and main tain @ regular church. This is difficult without a paster. The lo cation of Key West, separated ax it Wes so many years from the Gulf Oi! Co. It was Mr. Elgin advocated as early av 1915 the congregation purchase a for a church. On June 20, } ‘the Rev. Mr. Sinks reported there was a debt of $90: church lot. Six days later gin reported that the services for the congregation in a most acceptable manner. Among them was « Captain F. O. Maxson on duty at this station, Mis inter est in the church and his leader | ship proved most helpful to the little flock, and kept the spark of Presbyterianism alive in the com ft 3 85 | ee 8 ee ee et enn ae mn = me eee eee es eee z Eng : ry inflvenced the inclination of min f family has been active in the for years. Mrs. Gibson has been most active in the Women of the Church and is now the efficient Pastor's Aide. Jesse, the daught- em has been so reared in the church that she can handle most any position. As a little girl she was herded to the Bible Schoo! where with only a few children she had opportunity to wateh the, Process of church administration. She has taught in the school, play ed the piano for the church and Bible School, sings in the choir and for a year served as Church . There are many famil- ies like that in the church and they are the salt of the earth Another such family is that of Mr. and Mrs, W. M. Whitley. Mr Whitley has served as deacon, eld- er and clerk of the Session. He was recently elected t> the office of trustee and continues to be active in the work of the church. Ilis wife has served as President of the Women of the Church and has proven an able guide and mentor in the deliberations of that body. Space does not permit the list- ing of all the fine families faith- fully working in the First Pres- byterian Church but suffice to say that with an otticial family of some twenty-five deacons and six elders, the church continues to be in excellent hands. Add to these all the workers in the Bible School, the youth groups, the Wo of the Church, and it can be i tet ye y tS " silence the churches 14:30) but| Peter saw fit one Tab- te life for, “this woman was 5 : : ? E i Hs i Fy 4 ij F | i ? F ef : i iz 3 i i : A : i : : : ; i ities il j il as i sf l 5 ap mainland by water, later connect. | Unity was elected women did more f ed by railroad and ferry, and fin. | PASTORATES pert. ; : ally by the splendid highway and; 1909 — 1912 Visiting Clergymen counsel In order to provide funds bridges, has determined the fluc-| _ '9!2 —- 1 March — 7 July Rev. carries ‘on the the Presby- . tuations end activity of the MH. H. eee a the de- women opened a Tea Room church. Those conditions have also 1914 — 19 dune Starch 1015 2 took turns isters who were reluctant to be Bev. John McWilliams, 9 months i foo far separated from good|, 1915 ~~ 1916 Rev. R. S. Rogers, | i.e song hard ; schools and Vitvuries, This ac-|% months : «church, was Mr: Andeew i Bie counts for tie sporadic activity — iy sored 7. ler. They both worked to obtain a 2 Mare! rel le . ‘nade a. © he church han bed to be sate |*¥. PW Sinks, t yonr. |S COS Seerand te eae he chureh haw 0 be satis ; : , “ll tion of the time, Following the first lite 4 obtain : Chureh in the Harris evange!istie meeting the littl - building programs. Mr. Miller 16 May’ — 31 May 193) 1927 Visiting Clergymen ' i 7 it was thought served ax deacon, . 378 i : jflockr sought decperately for Rev. A. de Barrett, 4 years elder / a" @ sothe MPC: | pastor. During the first yeor int BY. ‘ wy, tee and it was largely the ‘al to interest new mem | Rev. K. Ww. tines and laber Rev. ire be = 104) Rev. his implicit faith and unselfish : john Gekeler, 10 years. rvice that to bers. Rev. ¥. Peyton Walton! ® 1. Dupuy passed this wey and 1941 -— 7 & 27 June 1943| **Y"" oa water, Missions conducted services in the old 7 Sept. — 27 June 1943) vived and prospered in Key West. and ferry, of the Home . : Reb. M. G. Lyerly, 1 year 9 mos ‘ : woe We conduct the mist pRissonic Tempte. In April of 1910 ’ . His widow, Mrs. Andrew Miller, ; ston. rat him was the Rey lhe Secsltes vouneted’ tie. D. B Pe hare C sctionn a ett |x & regular attendant at all the nd W. J. Garrison and » ret Whetstone, “to urge upon the oe “ej as i pe services when she is in the city. : of this effort fourteen new ment- Prospytery th: importance of hav ey. Molt Recent. atl Working in the same office with | bers were added » | nye ister at an carty dite” | "*¥ how Avery, oie years. | Mr. Elgin was Walter H. Norman. : those , 1949 —- 15 April — Rev. Rolph! Mr Norman wer interested : en r no pastor could be Rogers © Guk um on end Presbytertanism led te aeeept phe ‘tent that he was quite active fl : - M , MEETING PLACES AND 4 e next year in Marna PROPERTY n : later to beeume in Birected Mr. Whetstone,’ ‘Tho Presbyterian Church of | (ht, Sreaniaational creme & 4 at of the igferk, “to correspond with the Key West ne City |e one oe ee or ; pone ey ; cy West was born it the City | er April 26, 1909 in the City Hall. : wee . @ an un effort to find «| Hell. The little congregation then! te was re-elected an elder at : pastor.” During that year the Rev obtained the use of the Masoni¢ | meeting January 27, 1034 end was ' erends W. P. Chalmers end W. B. ‘Tomple where services were held | Stive in procuring the : Withic pened this way and con- |) y visiting clergymen and during jot for the first chapel. Hi ‘ ducted services for the congrega-' ao brief pastorate ef the Rev 1. health made it necessary for 4 tien By Moreh 1992 they had suc- i! Newmen in 1912. Upon the or to relinguish bis official cetded i persdading ‘the Rev. vival of the Rev. John MeWilt| with the Church 1. , Newsrun te accept the eat! We ak pastor im 1914, services| Another prominent worker m } He remeinod with the ehuoch un ' ducted in the Harris! the church during the eurly ; th the Tt) cf July when he ve. wetil 1924 when theltrving days wes Mr. end Bre. i} x tittle chepel was buih on South) Edward Crain. Mr. Crain ren a} if er Hithe con Hon drifted) Street the present loration of the beak store on Green street but : alot: witout © oro vervicrs unameN gave unstinting!y of his time for i thigh: 19°99 conducting » Bible As earty as 1915 th f chureh work. He hed been reared w nd meeting for w the church were pian fh © an Epiecopahen but through the erties whenever a transient building They report ‘oat influence of his Presbyterian wife | yA Passed thie wa Do. time thet they had sufficent fulds and sensing the great need @f the § 1 Tore MeMillon of th for the initial payment on tot. Key West Church, he joined and ~ | Miegion ibore te t However it was net until Febru-| became an ardent worker in the Decomis = of that yeor and pron. ary 1924 that the chureh lot was! church. Being able to speak Span- leet to find for them a past purchased from Mr. end Mrs. ish he would gather s group of iat all poosibier A Dr. Morr tenry L. Thompsor at the corner Cuban boys on Sunday afternoon @ the congregation the fotlown, of South and Whalton Streets for, and teach them the bible. Where- March om June 1th the Rev. che sum of $850.00. With the heip ever he and his wife could get it John MeWilie a: acceptet the of the Hone Mission Board and! g together they * Pastorate, lie remai.od only about wader the able leadership of the Kine months when he resigned in| Rev. P. W. Sinks, the first little jobs Mareh 1915 hape! was constructed and was y treasurer. Por a shart time in 1916 the -veady for eceupancy early in 1925 Up t » year . Atwood Rev. R. S. Rogers supptied t hen they invited the Pre : Sands held the position of deacon Pu'pit. Prom tiret time on fo eet in Key West ond treasurer. While" he contin- gmext seven years the chur ‘ little chapel pr 1 ues as an esteemed deacon, his fn In fect t ate until the arrival of ft health made it that he fea » represent:.tiv ‘¢ Barrett in 1927. The » give wo the work tregsurer ~ Home Miss t then began plant for «after fifteen years of faithful ser- site continuing t ‘ commodious burl ' vice. This office consid- } 1918. The Rew. J. FP. Wire { in 1928, 14 April, two lots were ersble time in crediting secounts, the Home Mission Board advised seed from Mrs. Plo A paying current perhaps that they continue the work. It Tynes, a Widow, on White worrying a bit where the je wntil 1823 then, that Washingtem Streets for #5. money is to come . This job T. Peston Walton of Hu The Home Micton 1 paticnce and | Mas Board errved with the, terested im the iland erty and other posttin [Rev W. J. Garrison and after a with their assistance the ¢ Edger i church building was plan “a and built at « cost of SI200000 iy was dedicated 15 November 14). The feeilities of the finally proved inadequa'« ne Church Bible School and under few services were able to revive interest in the church. The follow - ing year the Rev. P. W. Sinks ac-; cepted the pastorate and served for about a year. From that time forward the church hes hed « i E $ f } I, if [ & 7 | gf burt ii ijzt i £ isi LH 3 i f i i i f i 4 | fe fel ifr | wis Hl rt i ii ill #58 Ht = # af i Hf i ifi rt i E it i f $8 23 af i i i g E ? ji i | ity and spiritual ex. treordinary service. The a Ruth. Isaiah and Proverbs portray the ideal virtues and services of women, Chapters could be written about the religious activity of mod. erm women. The women of the Presby terian Church have been active in the the church, i i i ; be SHH ij if i 2 é F z i { =: i i i f : i i izé fi Ee i i | i py : 5 | il add = : tant chfreh job to be can always find a cheerful women faithfully loyally ot the ian women have 4 way of get-| ting things donc i ihe young people, the young mar ried couples, and the eiders as well a | Former VCT'U Head Dies ef | ' : EE ali bh ssPEFSs 5 + ie rf 7 Fz : sf eff piTiFRe isegtl hive Zz % ag (@ Wirephy *o MRS. IDA B. WISE SMITH. - (above) who headed the W men’s Christian Tempera Union from 1983 ty 1044, dic at the lowa State Ment Institute ot Clarinda, Feb. } Where-ever there is an impor- helm. have been far across the sens doing a hard, dirty, bloody job ...a job of de- fense - for you, Don't forget that bunds ere now a better buy than ever Hecause now every Series b Bund you own van automatically go on earning interest every year for 20 vars from date of purchase instead of 10 a: before! ‘This means that the bond bought for $18.76 can return you nat just $98--Kut on suuch a0 $33.20! A pda wk en sade rene hand For your secu- y. your country’s too, United States Cetus Bout ened aeeaapomeonens them as one of the safest forms of investment. PEACE IS FOR THE STRONG... BUY U.S. DEFENSE BONDS NOW. ‘The U9 Government dome mnt for this advertinng The Teaser anhe, for ta denntern the AG tang | owned on SPONSORED BY THE KEY WEST CITIZEN ost