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John Blane wanted to give something back to the community that had been so supportive and to leave something behind in the land he had come to love. During a building committee meeting, he committed a gift of $50,000 dollars to the erection of the new church and lent, at low interest, the balance of the money needed to complete the project. The supervising architect was Gustavo Jacobsthal. He took the architectural drawings of Mr. Pierce and brought the building to life.
The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on February 12, 1950. During the service Mrs. Mary Bradshaw asked Mr. Perry if she could speak. Mr. Perry didn't feel that an interruption was appropriate at that time so he responded "In a moment, Mrs. Bradshaw." After two more such interruptions Mr. Perry felt he could put her off no longer. Mrs. Bradshaw electrified the assembled congregation with the announcement that she wanted to give $25,000 as a gift toward the new building. The church courtyard is named in her honor.
The dream of a place of our own to teach our children and to assemble for worship, learning, fellowship and community was being realized because of the wonderfully generous gifts of these and other people.
The constitution written during those years had remained essentially unchanged until the re-organization of 1972-1974. The present revised Constitution and Manual of Operations testify to the sound structures established years ago.
The first building addition was on the lectern side of our sanctuary. Three classrooms were added in what was an arched courtyard similar to the present church entrance. These rooms are now used for young children's Sunday school and opening exercises. The second addition was an additional story above what are today the library, the pastor s study and the end of the Anderson room. The corner stairs were placed to gain access to the 5-classroom addition.
The Reverend Doctor Joseph Chapman s skills in fiscal management were a wonderful asset in the early 80 s many of the structures and approaches to our finances are still in place and holding us on a fine course.
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