Waveland - various celebrations
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 11 July 1890
The good town of Waveland welcomed a great many strangers within her gates yesterday to witness the laying of the corner stone of the now Christian church. They were present from Ladoga, Rockville, Now Market and other places, but the largest delegation was from Crawfordsville, there being just fifty tickets sold from HUB place. At about 11 o'clock Elder O. P. 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 J, P. Ewing, of Frankfort, offered prayer after which the choir again sang. Elder Badger then introduced the orator of the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Ira J. Chase. He first told the story of the Pilgrim fathers, their privations, struggles and final victories, and then recounted us a parallel case the founding of the Christian church 80 years ago. To illustrate how rapid had been its growth ho stated that in 1857 when he was in Chicago, there was not a Christian church outside of that city for 100 miles around. Tho 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 ho welcomed it. The name Christian bad been adopted by L-is sect in the same spirit that it was used by the Y. M. C. A. Elder Ewing occupied the few minutes that remained before the dinner hour in an appeal 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 whore 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 L. A. Foote, P. G. M., to act in his stead on this occasion and had sent him the regalia and gavel, which was presented the department of Indiana in 1851 by William Hoyt. Tho gavel is made of cedar from the tomb of Washington. Major Foote welcomed the following officers to assist him: J. L. Deitrich, W. M., of Waveland, as D. G. M. J. T. Warfel, W. M., of Ladoga, as S. G. W. Theodore T. Goebler, W. M., of Rockville, as J. G. W. James Wright, P. M. as G. Tr.: Charles Goltra as G. Sec. T, D. Brown, P. M., as G. Marshal L. E. Acker, P, M., of Waveland, as S. G. D. Tyre Whittington, P. M., as T, G. D. Thomas M. Hose, of Ladoga, as G. T., and Kev. O. P. Badger as G. C. All attended in white aprons the Masons formed at the hall and arrived at the foundation of the new church at two 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, J. Q. Russell, Wm. Bridges and Miss Lizzie Acker organist, rendered a Masonic song entitled, "We meet on the Level and part upon the Square." Tho Grand Secretary read a list of the articles placed in the copper box which is as follows:
Second annual report of the Waveland schools, 1890. Roster of Garland Post No. 423, G. A. B., copy of tho 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 Giltnor Camp No. 156, Sons 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, sub-oontractors, architect and stone workers.
Names of the Town Board of Waveland. History of the Christian church
Archives of Waveland Lodge No. 300 F. and A. M.
A Holy Bible.
List of the Society of Christian Workers.
A copy of the Waveland Independent July 3.
A copy of the Crawfordsville Journal of July 9.
Letter head of the bank of Waveband. List of the subscribers to the building fund.
Letter head, envelope, card and companies represented by L. E. Aoker and a Phoenix fire plate.
A copy of the Christian Standard, of July 5, published at Cincinnati. Tho box was then placed in the cavity of the stone which had been mode 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 game officers also applied the three elements of consecration to the stone, corn the amblem of plenty, and oil the emblem of health, and oil the emblem of peace. The ceremonies were beautiful and impressive and were listened 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 over $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 limestone and about two feet square and is placed at the southeast corner of the building. The inscription on the front is, "1890, Christian church. Building Committee. F. N. Johnson, L. E. Acker, F. Smith, J. Warrick, J. B. Dooley C. H. Johnson, Clerk W. F. Sharpe, architect P. M. 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.