Westminster Presbyterian church, for the first time in a year and a half, last evening held services In their own house. Since Sept. 5, 1895, the date of the burning of the old church. in which children had grown to maturity. and pastors become hoary in Christian service. Westminster congregation have been church wanderers. For a time after the fire they united in service with First Baptist church. Then they leased the old Grand opera house building, and when the Grand was converted into a storage room,Westminster people sought and found shelter at Lyceum theater.
Here for the past year, at both morning and evening service. large audiences have collected of men and women anxious to hear and gather in the wisdom which fell from the lips of Rev. Pleasant Hunter, pastor of the church. During all this time. however, the church has felt the loss of its building. and looked eagerly forward to the time when its services should again be held beneath its own roof. That wish is at last been realized. Only the parlors of the church are yet enclosed, but a special effort on the part of the contractors has competed these rooms. which will hereafter hold the prayer meetings. the Sunday school and the young people’s society meetings.
The most important work of the church will thus be allowed to go along without hindrance. while the Sunday services will as yet be held at the Lyceum. The rooms now ready for use are most beautiful in design and arrangement. giving an idea of the magnificence of the entire edifice when completed. It will be without doubt the most perfect church building in the West.
-The St. Paul Globe
Friday, March 5th, 1897