COMMUNITY HOUSE WILL BE FORMALLY DEDICATED

Submitted by Barbara Madden

MORNING IRONTONIAN  SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER 1924

Next Sunday, December 28, the new community house at Haverhill will be dedicated at an all-day meeting and service, the dedication exercises coming as the result of two years of patient and diligent efforts.

The new community house at the village M.E. church is 32 by 76 feet in dimension and has just lately been completed by the contractors in charge. It was built to the rear, and connects with the church structure and will be used for community purposes-for entertainments, church socials, farm bureau meetings, and the like. The new addition consists of a large auditorium on the left wing, this 30 by 50 feet, a rest room for ladies, a pastor’s study and offices and smaller social rooms on the second floor. All are completely wired for electricity throughout, have hardwood floors and are attractively and conveniently arranged.

Roomy Stage

The auditorium has a well-fitted and roomy stage on one end, while there is seating accommodations for many more than the congregation boasts in number. Its erection speaks well for the foresight of those in charge, however, and in the not distant future it should prove one of the points of interest in the community.

Heretofore Haverhill has had no community meeting place, members of the church launching plans for a community house some two years ago. A finance committee consisting of Mrs. Frank OAKES, W.A. BRUSH, Fred. BRUSH, Smith GRAFF, Oscar OAKES, Dr. H. F. MASSIE, Mrs. Hattie AUSTIN, Mrs. Sina AULT, Mrs. Ada SELBY, and Mrs. Edith BOYNTON being appointed in May 199 (as article written) , and since they have been tireless workers in their efforts to raise the funds necessary for fulfillment of the hopes of the congregation. The amount was raised by subscription from both members of the congregation and from former Haverhill residents who now reside elsewhere, these latter realizing what such a structure would mean for the village itself and for its future life.

Plan building

After the building fund had reached a promising proportion a building committee was named. This consisted of Rev. D.S. LAMB (chairman), Smith GRAFF, W.A. BRUSH (treasurer) and Mrs. Edith F. BOYNTON. At this time Dr. J.B. HAWK, former superintendent of the Portsmouth M.E. district, was enlisted in the ranks and he helped greatly, both by suggestions and active participation. in the campaign. For eighteen years he served as an ardent "country life man" and he probably more than any other, saw just what the community house would mean for members of the M.E. parish, and for the other residents of the vicinity. Since his retirement from the superintendence Dr. K.B. ALEXANDER has continued the good work, taking up his predecessor’s plans as he found them, giving assistance to the striving country pastor and his flock.

A contract for the building was let last spring and actual construction work began last April 5th. Today workmen have left the job and it stands as a monument to what can be obtained by community effort when the goal is worthy and the spirit co-operative. The new structure conforms in architectural lines to the church proper, both being of colonial blend with attractive New England doors and windows.

Pastor War Veteran

A visit with the pastor, D.B. LAMB and two prominent members of his congregation proved interesting, as well as enlightening. The former was assigned to the Haverhill church six years ago, coming there direct from duty overseas as a chaplain in the U.S. army during the world war. He has won his way into the hearts of community residents and is responsible, in a large part, for the successful culmination of his and their dreams. Young, ambitious and with full conception of the duties and field of a country pastor. Rev. LAMB believes in the Haverhill church and his pride in the new building is as great as that of ministers in the larger cities. He sees just what it will mean to the community life of Haverhill and realizes that connection of church and social activities promises the most returns among the smaller parishes of country villages. Completion of the community house does not mean, he points out, that church activities will be pushed to the background. Regular services will be held as usual, but with a community meeting place for social, business and congregational affairs the people may be reached more easily and a more thorough knowledge of each individual his versions of matters of village-wide importance, etc., be secured.

Staunch members

Miss Fannie OAKES and Mrs. Edith BOYNTON are two of the staunch supporters of the parish and two members who have worked tirelessly for the community house ever since the first plans were laid and initial efforts to secure it made. Mrs. Boynton is well acquainted with affairs of the church for years past, she recalled many events and happenings which occurred in the days when her parents trudged their way to the edifice for week-day and Sunday services.

The M.E. church at Haverhill was organized in 1815 by Thomas GILRUTH, who served as its pastor until death. Since his passing succeeding ones have carried the Word of God to residents. The first church was built on the river bank because of the use of the Ohio river as a means of transportation. Times changed in later years and roads were built, and in 1879 the present church proper was built; it still retaining every distinct feature. Repairs have been made when needed, but the improvement program did not call for alterations to the structure, the community house and office rooms built to the rear, with a door and hallway leading from the main aisles and choir stand to the new addition.

Long Felt Need

Those people residing at Haverhill today have, for the most part, lived in the vicinity all their lives and are scions of the early settlers of that section of the Scioto county. All have grown up with the village and have always felt the ever-increasing need of a community center for recreational and other purposes. Today they may point with pride to their accomplishment, and preparations are being made to make the dedication an event to be long remembered.

Members of the congregation and their friends will gather at the church in the morning for church and thanksgiving exercises, at which Dr. Karl B. ALEXANDER will be the principal speaker. At noon a basket picnic will be enjoyed in the auditorium and during the afternoon another appropriate dedicatory program will be launched with Dr. HAWK assuming the role of principal speaker. There will be music throughout the day and all interested will be made welcome to all the services.

Note from typist...under a picture in the article this was noted:

Haverhill M.E. church was originally built in 1870.