The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1925, Page 5

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

people to the missionary and his message that we
were convinced something more substantial in the
line of getting a place of worship had to be done.

The Forward Step.

Up to this time, the early months of 1924, we
had not had the courage to ask our local Federation
officially to recognize our Colored Mission and do
something for us. But now we believed God’s time
had come. We first invited two members of the
delegate body of our Federation to one of our

purchase of five vacant lots on Hopkins Street and
the erection thereon of a portable building which
could be used for both church and school. But
while this recommendation was under considera-
tion, one of our trustees, in a later meeting, made
the announcement that the city of Cincinnati was
offering for sale one of its public bath-houses, situ-
ated right in the heart of the district in which we
were working. It was decided to investigate. The
result was that the Federation resolved to place a
bid for the building. Our Board bid $5,035. The

Chapel in Cincinnati on the Day of Dedication.

Thursday evening meetings. These men were
deeply impressed, and encouraged us to lay our case
before the Federation. ‘At the next meeting of the
Federation, the missionary, accompanied by Dr.
Beverly and Mr. Livingston, presented the matter.
It was particularly the words of Dr. Beverly that
impressed the meeting. Our pastors all spoke in
support of the work, and before the meeting ad-
journed, a resolution was unanimously adopted to
do something. A committee was appointed to in-
vestigate the possibility of buying or building in
some suitable locality on the West Side. After a
month of careful search and investigation the com-
mittee decided to recommend to the Federation the

city accepted our bid, and the building became our
property. It is located on Cutter Street, a few
doors south of Betts Street. Its dimensions are
23X90 feet, and its construction is of solid stone
and concrete. Renovation work was now begun.
The services of Architect Wm. Mayer were engaged,
who without compensation undertook to put the
building into proper shape for our purposes. With
God’s help and the faithful cooperation of our
Board of Trustees, in particular its chairman, Mr.
Wm. EL. Hoerr, the work went on, and now, after
six months, stands completed before our eyes. Mr.
Mayer stated that the cost of renovation will not
exceed. $3,500.

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