Laying of cornstone1890
Laying of the Corner Stone in 1890
Source: Weekly Argus News, July 5, 1890 p 1
The corner stone of the Christian Church at Waveland will be laid on Thursday July 10th. Over 40 fraternities and churches will participate. Lt. Gov. Ira J. Chase, Elder J.P. Ewing and other distinguished persons will be present and assist. All are cordially invited.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 19 July 1890 p 6
“According to Ancient Custom – The Corner Stone of the Waveland Christian Church is Laid by the Free and Accept Masons of Indiana” – The good town of Waveland welcomed a great many strangers within her gates July 10 to witness the laying of the corner stone of the new Christian Church. They were present from Ladoga, Rockville, New Market and other places, but the largest delegation was from Crawfordsville, there being just 50 tickets sold from this place. At about 11 o’clock, Elder OP Badger of Greencastle, whose pastoral duties are divided between that place and Waveland, called the crowd to order and the exercises were opened with a hymn by the choir. Elder JP Ewing of Frankfort offered prayer after which the choir again sang. Elder Badger then introduced the orator of the occasion, Lt. Governor Ira J. Chase. He first told the story of the Pilgrim fathers, their privations, struggles and final victories, and then recounted as a parallel case the founding of the Christian Church 80 years ago. To illustrate how rapid had been its growth he stated that in 1857 when he was in Chicago, there was not a Christian Church outside of that city for 100 miles around. The speaker next referred to the remarkable rapidity with which the prejudice of sects was disappearing. He could remember the time when it was impossible for a Presbyterian minister to occupy a Methodist pulpit. But happily that broad spirit of tolerance was steadily growing and for himself and his church he welcomed it. The name Christian had been adopted by his sect in the same spirit that it was used by the YMCA. Elder Ewing occupied the few minutes that remained before the dinner hour in an appear for money and raised nearly $100 without any trouble. After one more selection by the choir, the crowd then adjourned to the new Deitrich block where the ladies had prepared a big dinner. The inner man was fully satisfied at 25 cents per man. At 2 o’clock the corner stone ceremony proper was begun and was entirely in the hands of the Masons. The Grand Master of Indiana had deputized LA Foote, PGM to act in his stead on this occasion and had sent him the regalia and gavel, which was presented by the department of Indiana in 1851 by William Hoyt. The gavel is made of cedar from the tomb of Washington. Major Foote selected the following officers to assist him: JL Deitrich, WM of Waveland as DGM; JT Warfel, WM of Ladoga as SGW; Theodore T Goebler, WM of Rockville as JGW; James Wright, PM as G. Tr. Charles Goltra as G. Sec; TD Brown, PM as G. Marshal; LE Acker, PM of Waveland as SGD; Tyre Whittington, PM as JGD; Thomas M. Rose of Ladoga, as GT and Rev. OP Badger as GC. All attired in white aprons the Masons formed at the hall and arrived at the foundation of the new church at 2 o’clock. The superintendent opened the exercises by formally requesting the Grand Master to lay the corner stone which duty he accepts. The Grand Chaplain led in prayer after which the Masons solemnly responded “so mote it be.” A special choir composed of Miss Minnie Conner; Mrs. A J. Kleiser; JQ Russell; Wm Bridges and Miss Lizzie Acker, organist, rendered a Masonic song entitled, “We meet on the Level and part upon the Square.” The Grand Secretary read a list of the articles place in the cooper box which is as follows:
Second annual report of the Waveland Schools, 1890/
Roster of Garland Post NO 423, GAR, a copy of the by-laws and a badge.
Brief history of the K of P of the world and of Rathbone Lodge No. 232.
Directory and roster of the Masonic bodies of Crawfordsville and list of officers performing the ceremonies of laying this corner stone July 10, 1890.
History of the Christian Church Sunday school of Waveland.
Roll of Giltner Camp No 156, Son s of Veterans.
History of the Ladies Aid Society of the Christian Church of Waveland.
Copy of plans and specifications of the new church, names of building committees, contractors, subcontractors, architect and stone workers.
Names of the Town Board of Waveland.
History of the Christian Church.
Archives of Waveland Lodge No. 300 F&AM.
A Hold Bible.
List of the Society of Christian Workers.
A copy of the Waveland Independent July 3.
A copy of the Crawfordsville Daily Journal of July 9.
Letter head of the bank of Waveland
List of the subscribers to the building fund.
Letter head, envelope, card and companies represented by LE Acker and a Phoenix Fire plate.
A copy of the Christian Standard of July 5, published at Cincinnati.
The box was then place in the cavity of the stone which had been made in the top. The stone was lowered and the proper officers in turn and with appropriate words applied the square, the level and the plumb to the stone and found it true. The same officers also applied the three elements of consecration to the stone, corn the emblem of plenty, wine the emblem of health and oil the emblem of peace. The ceremonies were beautiful and impressive and were listed to with marked attention.
The new church is beautifully located on Main Street near the center of population and is surrounded by a number of shady locust trees. It is of brick and will have a seating capacity of 340, divided between an auditorium and a chapel. The cost of the structure without seats or inside furnishing is $5,000 all of which is subscribed. The rest of the expense will reach $1,000. The first Christian Church of Waveland was organized in 1840 and since that day its growth has been steady and substantial. The corner stone is of lime stone and about 200’ square and is placed at the southeast corner of the building. The inscription on the front is, “1890, Christian Church, Building Committee: FN Johnson; LE Acker; F. Smith; J. Warrick; JB Dooley; CH Johnson, Clerk; WF Sharpe, architect; PM Conner, builder. The movement to erect the new church was begun last November during a revival conducted by Elder J.P. Ewing. The church members and the citizens of Waveland have cooperated in a work which when completed will be a credit to the town and the church.