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The First Baptist Church of Union City - A Community and Faith Cornerstone |
The First Baptist Church of Union City, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1859 and in 1862, Reverend A.B. Bush became its pastor. During his term, a place of meeting was erected on South Street and Second Avenue which stood for over fifty years. Then on a Sunday afternoon in 1923, a group of church members and friends gathered for the laying of the cornerstone of the new Union City First Baptist Church.
Coleman’s Band and Speeches
The celebration began with the stirring music of Coleman’s Band as it marched up South Street in time to a brisk beat. The band followed the lead of several small boys who led them to their place on the platform on the topmost step of the new church entrance. People gathered and the choir and the speakers of the day took their places on the platform between the band and the spot where the cornerstone lay with the derrick and ropes above it, decorated with the American flag.
Reverend Clifford S. Joshua, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Union City, currently under construction, took charge of the celebration. He introduced Reverend S.J. McArthur of the Baptist Church of Erie who asked God to bless the people gathered for the laying of the cornerstone and to grant many blessings to the building of the new church. Reverend Ralph Stafford of the Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs brought greetings from his church and from the French Creek Baptist Association.
Mrs. Gladys Shreve Owens of Wellington, Ohio, and her sister Mrs. Arthur Chapin sang an excellent duet, accompanied by the third sister, Mrs. Cecil Shreve Munn of Cleveland, Ohio.
In a short speech, Reverend Benjamin Ginader of the First United Methodist Church of Union City said that church people could accomplish wonderful things when they put their shoulders together for progress. He pointed out that the new Baptist Church would be an ornament to Union City and increased the assets of the town.
Reverend Ashley S. Wilson of the Union City Presbyterian Church brought greetings from the Presbyterians and remarked that he looked forward to dedicating a completed church and added his blessing for the Baptists. The Reverend MacPheters of Lincolnville Baptist Church said that even more important than laying the corner stone was Christian unity and brotherhood.
Logan Dyke, One of Union City’s Best Known Civil War Veterans, Speaks
Logan J. Dyke who had been superintendent of the Sunday school in the old church over fifty years ago, then spoke for the members of the First Baptist Church of Union City. He gave his left arm that this country might be free from slavery, and served as Commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Standing in the full rays of a torrid sun, Logan Dyke gave a remarkable address for a man of his years and he spoke with force and feeling as he gave his words for the church. His said:
“I have been asked to say a few words today as representative of this church on this auspicious occasion. I had much rather someone else had been chosen better qualified to speak than I feel that I am. However, it has always been a rule of mine not to shirk responsibility though others might do better.
“We are thankful for the friends who have met with us today to assist in having this corner stone of a building which has long been needed. The old church building erected more than fifty years ago had become like some of us, old and antiquated. And was illy fitted for the needs of the present.
“We who have lived more than four years are rejoiced that our children and grandchildren have better opportunities than were our when we were children. We can look back to the days of log houses and even log churches. Only as we look back and review the past can we realize the changes constantly going on around us. Only as we look back and review the past can we realize the changes constantly going on around us. Only God and his works are permanent. Christ is the Cornerstone of His Church and any foundation other than that will be a building on sand. It must fall. We should ever remember that God’s church is not the building, but the people that worship within its walls. God’s will is that all men should be loyal children, but become as one. He sent his disciples forth with a great commission and with the assurance, “Lo I am with you always.”
“Many times in days that have passed as we have met in the old church building we have felt His presence in the hearts of His people. Many excellent pastors have there labored zealously to bring men and women to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and they have there yielded to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and have acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior.
“It is our prayer that those coming after us who will have better equipment will live more worthy lives and better represent their Mast Jesus Christ than have we who have lived in the past.
“Christ said, “Ye are the light of the world,” not the building, but his children. And no matter how good a church building may be erected if His professed followers do not exemplify His teachings, men and women will not be drawn to this building and the labors and prayers for its erection will have gone unanswered.
“As the sun shines on us so brightly and beautifully so we will look forward and pray that the Son of Righteousness may shine upon the efforts now being put forth for the erection of this building and that it shall be a lighthouse to this community and that the members of this church and those that may be born within its walls may ever be a light to the people of this city.”
The Laying of the Cornerstone
Logan Dyke’s speech was followed by a solo very pleasingly rendered by Mrs. L.D. Shreve, accompanied by Mrs. Blanden. Reverend Samuel J. Arthur of the First Baptist Church of Erie brought the greetings of that church and congratulated the audience on having such inspiring speakers, beautiful singers and fine band. “I feel so inspired may I but appropriately say God be in the midst of us.”
Reverend Clifford S. Joshua, pastor of the Union First Baptist Church, made the address of the laying of corner stone. He said, “As you see this cornerstone laid, I beg of you think of Jesus Christ and rededicate your life to His service. Ask God to make you the men you ought to be, and the woman you ought to be. From today on live your life in harmony with the Christ.”
A copper box was placed in the center of the corner stone containing the papers of the organization of the former church in 1859. There was a picture of the one surviving charter member, Mrs. J.W. Tuttle, who was 89 years old. A copy of the Bible was also placed in the box as well as a picture of Mrs. Treat, aged 79 years, mother of Arthur B. Treat, a deacon of the church. There was a picture of Mrs. Myra Shreve, copies of the minutes of the meetings when the organization of the old church was decided upon and Rev. Rathbun of Clymer was chosen moderator. There were copies of the minutes of the meetings when the organization of the new church was decided upon, the list of members of the present church, the officers of the present church and the officers of all the organizations of the church. There was a copy of the church covenant, copies of the Baptist Watchman and Examiner, two Baptist church papers. A copy of the Union City Times and Enterprise announcing the corner stone ceremonies were tucked into the box along with pictures of Reverend Clifford Joshua and Reverend Margaret Joshua. The box was then closed and as Reverend Joshua signaled the massive stone was swung into place at the northwest corner of the church, the corner facing the intersection of South Street and Second Avenue, at 20 minutes past 5 o’clock.
The entire audience than stood still and offered a silent prayer. William Gates, chairman of the building committee, then expressed his thanks to those who had taken part in the event and to all who had assisted financially or otherwise in the erection of the new building.
The afternoon ceremonies came to a close when the church members marched to the corner stone and placed on it their offering to the financial support of the building. That new First Baptist Church of Union City has withstood the changes of time, weather, and fluctuating congregations. The cornerstone still survives as a symbol of people of faith like Reverend A.B. Bush and Logan Dyke.
Coleman’s Band and Speeches
The celebration began with the stirring music of Coleman’s Band as it marched up South Street in time to a brisk beat. The band followed the lead of several small boys who led them to their place on the platform on the topmost step of the new church entrance. People gathered and the choir and the speakers of the day took their places on the platform between the band and the spot where the cornerstone lay with the derrick and ropes above it, decorated with the American flag.
Reverend Clifford S. Joshua, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Union City, currently under construction, took charge of the celebration. He introduced Reverend S.J. McArthur of the Baptist Church of Erie who asked God to bless the people gathered for the laying of the cornerstone and to grant many blessings to the building of the new church. Reverend Ralph Stafford of the Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs brought greetings from his church and from the French Creek Baptist Association.
Mrs. Gladys Shreve Owens of Wellington, Ohio, and her sister Mrs. Arthur Chapin sang an excellent duet, accompanied by the third sister, Mrs. Cecil Shreve Munn of Cleveland, Ohio.
In a short speech, Reverend Benjamin Ginader of the First United Methodist Church of Union City said that church people could accomplish wonderful things when they put their shoulders together for progress. He pointed out that the new Baptist Church would be an ornament to Union City and increased the assets of the town.
Reverend Ashley S. Wilson of the Union City Presbyterian Church brought greetings from the Presbyterians and remarked that he looked forward to dedicating a completed church and added his blessing for the Baptists. The Reverend MacPheters of Lincolnville Baptist Church said that even more important than laying the corner stone was Christian unity and brotherhood.
Logan Dyke, One of Union City’s Best Known Civil War Veterans, Speaks
Logan J. Dyke who had been superintendent of the Sunday school in the old church over fifty years ago, then spoke for the members of the First Baptist Church of Union City. He gave his left arm that this country might be free from slavery, and served as Commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Standing in the full rays of a torrid sun, Logan Dyke gave a remarkable address for a man of his years and he spoke with force and feeling as he gave his words for the church. His said:
“I have been asked to say a few words today as representative of this church on this auspicious occasion. I had much rather someone else had been chosen better qualified to speak than I feel that I am. However, it has always been a rule of mine not to shirk responsibility though others might do better.
“We are thankful for the friends who have met with us today to assist in having this corner stone of a building which has long been needed. The old church building erected more than fifty years ago had become like some of us, old and antiquated. And was illy fitted for the needs of the present.
“We who have lived more than four years are rejoiced that our children and grandchildren have better opportunities than were our when we were children. We can look back to the days of log houses and even log churches. Only as we look back and review the past can we realize the changes constantly going on around us. Only as we look back and review the past can we realize the changes constantly going on around us. Only God and his works are permanent. Christ is the Cornerstone of His Church and any foundation other than that will be a building on sand. It must fall. We should ever remember that God’s church is not the building, but the people that worship within its walls. God’s will is that all men should be loyal children, but become as one. He sent his disciples forth with a great commission and with the assurance, “Lo I am with you always.”
“Many times in days that have passed as we have met in the old church building we have felt His presence in the hearts of His people. Many excellent pastors have there labored zealously to bring men and women to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and they have there yielded to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and have acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior.
“It is our prayer that those coming after us who will have better equipment will live more worthy lives and better represent their Mast Jesus Christ than have we who have lived in the past.
“Christ said, “Ye are the light of the world,” not the building, but his children. And no matter how good a church building may be erected if His professed followers do not exemplify His teachings, men and women will not be drawn to this building and the labors and prayers for its erection will have gone unanswered.
“As the sun shines on us so brightly and beautifully so we will look forward and pray that the Son of Righteousness may shine upon the efforts now being put forth for the erection of this building and that it shall be a lighthouse to this community and that the members of this church and those that may be born within its walls may ever be a light to the people of this city.”
The Laying of the Cornerstone
Logan Dyke’s speech was followed by a solo very pleasingly rendered by Mrs. L.D. Shreve, accompanied by Mrs. Blanden. Reverend Samuel J. Arthur of the First Baptist Church of Erie brought the greetings of that church and congratulated the audience on having such inspiring speakers, beautiful singers and fine band. “I feel so inspired may I but appropriately say God be in the midst of us.”
Reverend Clifford S. Joshua, pastor of the Union First Baptist Church, made the address of the laying of corner stone. He said, “As you see this cornerstone laid, I beg of you think of Jesus Christ and rededicate your life to His service. Ask God to make you the men you ought to be, and the woman you ought to be. From today on live your life in harmony with the Christ.”
A copper box was placed in the center of the corner stone containing the papers of the organization of the former church in 1859. There was a picture of the one surviving charter member, Mrs. J.W. Tuttle, who was 89 years old. A copy of the Bible was also placed in the box as well as a picture of Mrs. Treat, aged 79 years, mother of Arthur B. Treat, a deacon of the church. There was a picture of Mrs. Myra Shreve, copies of the minutes of the meetings when the organization of the old church was decided upon and Rev. Rathbun of Clymer was chosen moderator. There were copies of the minutes of the meetings when the organization of the new church was decided upon, the list of members of the present church, the officers of the present church and the officers of all the organizations of the church. There was a copy of the church covenant, copies of the Baptist Watchman and Examiner, two Baptist church papers. A copy of the Union City Times and Enterprise announcing the corner stone ceremonies were tucked into the box along with pictures of Reverend Clifford Joshua and Reverend Margaret Joshua. The box was then closed and as Reverend Joshua signaled the massive stone was swung into place at the northwest corner of the church, the corner facing the intersection of South Street and Second Avenue, at 20 minutes past 5 o’clock.
The entire audience than stood still and offered a silent prayer. William Gates, chairman of the building committee, then expressed his thanks to those who had taken part in the event and to all who had assisted financially or otherwise in the erection of the new building.
The afternoon ceremonies came to a close when the church members marched to the corner stone and placed on it their offering to the financial support of the building. That new First Baptist Church of Union City has withstood the changes of time, weather, and fluctuating congregations. The cornerstone still survives as a symbol of people of faith like Reverend A.B. Bush and Logan Dyke.