union avenue christian church |
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Tracing Union Avenue's Lineage Had it not been for dissension in the First Christian Church of St. Louis over the question of instrumental music in morning worship, the Union Avenue Christian Church might never have been organized. Members of the congregation of the First Christian Church in 1870 disagreed on the propriety of installing an organ in the church. “The issue became increasingly important to a large number favoring instrumental music, and in 1872 this group withdrew and formed a new congregation. This became the Central Christian Church,” reported the St. Louis Star and Times in its November 21, 1932, edition. The first meeting of the newly formed church, numbering a respectable 115, was held in a hall at Fourteenth and St. Charles Streets. “The service was presided over by D. Pat Henderson, a well-known preacher of that day, who subsequently led the congregation for one year,” reported the Star and Times. Enos Campbell, an elder in the church, became the second pastor. It was during this second pastorate that the first church building owned by the congregation was erected in 1875 at Twenty-third Street and Washington Avenue. “From the front door of this structure, the congregation could look out upon the mansions of many prominent St. Louisans in Lucas Place,” wrote the Star and Times. The congregation grew to 275 “communicants” at the end of Elder Campbell’s pastorate in 1878. He was followed by Dr. Joseph H. Foy, during whose pastorate the congregation sold the building at Twenty-third and Washington. For several years thereafter, the congregation worshipped in public halls and other church auditoriums. Following Dr. Foy, several ministers served the church, including the elder emeritus, Dr. J.H. Garrison, editor of The Christian-Evangelist. In 1887, during the pastorate of J.M. Tribble, the Congregation decided to move farther west and in that year erected a new building on Finney Avenue near Grand. The building was dedicated on December 11, 1887. One year later, Dr. R.C. Cave became pastor of the church. “Dr. Cave, a masterly orator,” reported the Star and Times, “held views regarding the literal interpretation of scripture which were not in accord with all members of the church. The number agreeing with Dr. Cave predominated and resolutions defining church doctrine were passed over the protests of other members. This led to further dissension, and on December 27, 1889, Dr. Cave resigned.” In 1891, another chapter in the history of Union Avenue Christian Church was begun when O.A. Bartholomew resigned as pastor of First Christian Church to form a new community of faith which was to be called the Mt. Cabanne Church. A stone building erected at the corner of Kingshighway and Morgan (now Enright) was used by this congregation for 13 years, reported the Star and Times. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Central and Mt. Cabanne churches began to discuss a plan of union. more Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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