Shiloh Presbyterian Church
Dedicated
Sylvan Grove News, 9 November 1916
The Shiloh Presbyterian Church was dedicated last Sunday. The day and roads were ideal for an all day meeting, miles away from the railroad. The house was overflowing all day. The church building is neat and attractive, situated on a hill four miles west of Ash Grove, on the main traveled road to Lucas. The church has two rooms and can really be divided into sections for Sunday school purposes. The church will be seated with opera chairs, with a seating capacity of 175. There are two memorial windows, one on the north and one on the south side of the auditorium. The north side window is a memorial for the Rev. H.C. Bradbury. The ladies of the First Presbyterian church of Lincoln Center contributed $17.50 for this window. The pulpit furniture was also contributed by the same church which will be a monument of generosity to that active church. The Sunday school was held in the old red schoolhouse across the road Sunday morning; the building was too crowded to have classes. Charles Falgers conducted the Sunday school and the Rev. H.C. Bradbury said the parting words. They were as pathetic as Jacob’s in Bethel, hallowed with many sacred memories, when the Kingdom of God came near to the hearts of men. With heartfelt sympathy, steeped in tears, the old prophet said, “Godobye, old red school house, we are going across the road to worship and work for God in the consecrated sanctuary.” The Rec. D.C. Smith preached the morning sermon, and the words of dedication was said and the dedicatory prayer was offered by the pastor. Miss May Fraye, accompanied by Miss Goodykoontz, sang a solo that was very well taken. In the afternon Rev. Bradbury gave a vivid description of the conditions in the early days. The Rev. Charles Falgern [sic; yes, it’s spelled two ways] spoke in fitting words on “Now the church is completed, what are you going to do with it?” Mr. Hower, county superintendent of public instruction, spoke well on the kindred relation of the rural school and the rural church and their contribution to the moral ideas and ideals of the age. Mrs. Heikus sang a solo, “Face to Face,” and Rev. W.R. Scott of Sylvan Grove spoke on the policies of the church, and greetings to the enterprising community. The Rev. D.C. Smith spoke again in the evening on Home Missions to a crowded house. The church was dedicated free of debt, $200 having been raised during the services, a few more dollars than was necessary. The church was built easy and in a short time, because the people had a mind to work. Many visitors were royally entertained in every way, but there were baskets full in every house after the feast, and the large hearted people were disappointed because more did not come. – Rev. Price