10/10/71

Scripture: Read II Chronicles 6: 2,3,12,13b-21; 24-25; 32-33; 40.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity, offered me by Pastor Fischer, to take part in the worship services of this day, coming as it does just five years after the dedication of our present church buildings. Some of you now present have not experienced any other house of worship than this one during the time you have been members of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Wisconsin Rapids. Others of you remember well an earlier home; and some few of you have memories that reach still farther back. This congregation has had well over a century of history in this community. And, like most of our personal families, it has known more than one house for a home.

In the pioneering days when the timber of this area was being cut for lumber, two communities sprang up here on the two sides of the Wisconsin river -- Grand Rapids on the east bank and Centralia on the west. Traveling evangelists and itinerant preachers visited the frontier communities when possible. At length, there were enough interested folk to form a contract, in 1856, with the Rev. Jesse Edwards to preach in Grand Rapids. He was to preach two sermons on alternate Sundays. By 1858, a Congregational Society was formed of those who favored Baptist-Congregational procedures, and they were served by the Rev. Mr. Smith.

In March of 1862, the Rev. J. W. Harris, having served the little parish for some time as a licensed minister, was ordained and the Society was formally organized as a Congregational Church, with ten charter members. We celebrated the centennial of that organization in 1962. The group continued to meet in homes and in a local hall for a time. But in 1864 the first of the church’s homes was framed. It was completed and dedicated in 1865. The building still stands on First Street north as the present home of the Christian Science Church.

As the little congregation grew, slowly but surely, the next church home was erected on the Centralia side of the river in the block now occupied by the Woolco Department Store. By 1910, the Congregation was ready to erect its third home, this time a very substantial stone structure at our present site on the east bank of the river. The cornerstone of the building was set in 1910 and the church was completed and dedicated in 1911. It served the needs of the church for nearly fifty-five years until erection of our present plant. The stone church was still the newest and, in some ways, most functional of the church buildings in Wisconsin Rapids when I came here in 1940. In the ensuing quarter century, however, it became one of the oldest of the community church homes, as congregation after congregation in the Wisconsin Rapids area went about the business of erecting new structures.

The stone church edifice had no campus. It was built close to the sidewalk line and there were houses close to the south and east walls of the church. The block was filled with church and seven residences.

In 1955, while Mr. E. O. Anderson was chairman of the church Board of Trustees, the first moves were made to secure a bit more space around the old church building. Eventually, during succeeding years, it became necessary to secure possession of all seven houses in the block. About that time, in 1955, Miss Anna McMillan became a church trustee -- only the second time in the history of this church, up to that time, that a woman had been elected to that office. Miss McMillan had already served for several years on the Board of Religious Education (now called the Board of Christian Education.) And for six years she had been a Deaconess. Her experience in these offices had made her well aware of some growing needs -- especially for classroom space and youth activity. When she died in the summer of 1957, it turned out that she had made provision in her will, dated only four months earlier, for her church to have a substantial amount to be used (and here I quote) “for building and maintaining suitable quarters for educational and recreational activities of the young people of said church and affiliated church groups.” With the knowledge of this provision, the trustees became alert for other possibilities of property expansion, in case the congregation should wish to build at this location.

Before long, extensive studies were being made concerning our location, concerning the limitations and the potential of the old building, concerning the possibilities of new construction. Meanwhile some of our members began more serious studies of church architecture. Then a committee was formed to survey our location and the possibilities of other locations. After their report, the congregation decided to stay at this location.

Nine committees were formed to study the several aspects of new building. An executive committee grew from the nine committees. Many suggestions were explored and adapted in planning, and some good suggestions were offered that the planners were not able to work in. Miss McMillan’s sister expedited the possibility of the Christian Education unit by making legally possible the distribution of much of her estate. Architect Robert L. Rowland was commissioned to draw plans for a complete new church plant that would perform, as far as possible, the functions desired by the congregation through its committees. The resulting complex of new buildings has been the effort, not just of a year or two, but of many years; not of just a few people but of many people.

Some worked especially hard at it. Some gave with special generosity. Through planning, building, and finally occupying the buildings, we tried to continue being a church in spirit; to remember that we are a family of God’s people. We lifted our eyes toward need beyond our own doorstep, since the church is not a body of self-concern, but it is Mission. We tried to remember that, in the words of the Psalmist, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” [Psalm 127: 1].

The actual building construction took about two years. When the Christian Education unit was started, we held a simple cornerstone-laying ceremony at the northeast corner of the foundation after the morning worship service of October 25, 1964. Seven months later, that building had progressed far enough to serve as temporary quarters for the Sunday worship services. Though it was far from finished, we carried the pulpit Bible out of the old stone church to the new Christian Education building on May 23, 1965. Equipment was moved to the old Baptist church building across Maple street which we had secured. Dismantling and demolishing of the old stone edifice began that following week.

Work on the Baldwin Memorial Chapel and the new sanctuary went on through the summer and autumn. It was nearly seven months before the pulpit Bible could be carried back from temporary quarters to the new pulpit. But early in December this was done and we had a new home for our use at worship.

We had asked our architect to design something that would be suggestive of the church as a gathered company of believers. The pulpit might suggest the central importance of the Word of God to be read in the Scriptures and preached in sermons. The two rites which the church knows as sacraments are accented in the design and central position of the communion table and in the baptismal font with its hand-crafted silver bowl. Some of the straight lines, the while walls, the pews and the hardware, may put one in mind of the colonial heritage from which some of our fellowship has sprung.

The beautiful art window of facet glass was designed by an artist and liturgical consultant, and its construction was executed by craftsmen trained in Europe. The design is not the image of anyone -- not of any prophet, apostle, church father or even the face of our Lord, Jesus. But in the abstract design, many symbols are allowed to introduce themselves. There is the thought of God as He comes to mankind, and of the aspiring reach of people toward God -- the vertical response to God in attitudes of worship, of praise, of prayer.

In contemplating this window, we might think now and then of Jacob’s ladder; or of the pillar of fire by night and cloud by day that guided the children of Israel on their flight from slavery in Egypt. One could be reminded of God coming to earth in the person of Jesus; of the Son of Man being lifted up on the cross. One might think of the ascension into heaven; of the coming down of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This is picture language used in theology and in the Bible to suggest the reality of people’s relationship to God as Father of our spirits and Sustainer of our lives.

The artist’s design is made up of pieces of glass with varying shapes. There is an ethical suggestion in square pieces. Triangular pieces could call to mind the trinity, or the triune relationship of God with man, and man with fellow man. Circular pieces remind one of eternity with no beginning and no end. There is a slight curving in the design which could move the contemplative worshipper to recognition that one’s relationship to God is not straightened and mechanical but is active and moving. There is the use of darker colors, purple and gray, at the bottom, becoming lighter and brighter as the eye follows upward to the more brilliant yellow hues. (Mankind’s darkness illumined by the divine light and understanding.)

Some of these, and many other symbolic interpretations of our faith, might occur to us as we contemplate such a window. The whole room is designed to induce the feeling of reverent worship and Christian fellowship.

At the same time that the sanctuary was being built, the Chapel was being completed. Provided by Mrs. Baldwin as a memorial to her husband, Henry P. Baldwin II, and their son, Henry P. Baldwin III, it preserves in its furnishings a bit of the old church. Its windows expose one’s view to a garden and to the natural beauty of river and trees. The picture on its wall is a vivid reminder that Christian worship and sacrament is celebrated in many ways, in many places, among many races and kinds of people. And they and we are one in the spirit.

Following the second service of worship on December 12, 1965, the congregation moved outside for the laying of the date stone. Close beside it had been set the 1910 cornerstone of the old church. Behind the new 1965 date stone was placed a sealed box containing many reminders of church life as it was known at the time the present building was erected.

The following year, in May of 1966, the Executive Building Committee felt that our plant was near enough completion to be shown, and so we held open house for the entire community on a couple of Sundays. Hosts of people were shown through the buildings so that they might have appreciation and understanding of this addition to life in this community.

The first act of dedication was for the splendid carillon which had been given by Mr. Leland Barker and his family to honor Helen Bass Barker. That dedication occurred on Sunday afternoon, September 11, and was followed by a concert of carillon music by a guest artist. Dedication of the church sanctuary came at a single service of worship on Sunday morning, October 9, just five years ago. Northwest Association minister James Savides was the guest preacher. That evening we held another service, dedicating the communion table, baptismal font and pulpit, and the Baldwin Chapel. Conference President Ralph Ley was the guest preacher.

Anna Carol Dudley came from California to contribute, on Tuesday evening of that week, a vocal concert as part of the dedication festivities. She was still a member of this church at that time; had been confirmed here; had gone to India for two years, between her college course and graduate school in the music conservatory, as an Associate Missionary of the American Board. She was ably accompanied by Judith Urban.

On the following Sunday morning, October 16th, the 9:00 o’clock service was one of dedication of the Anna McMillan Christian Education Building and Fellowship Center. Miss McMillan’s sister, Mrs. L. N. Burt of St. Petersburg, Florida, was present for the ceremonies. The preacher was Miss Mary Germ, our Conference Director of Christian Education. Young people of the church led in the several parts of the dedication liturgy. The preacher at the 10:30 service was the Rev. Ramon Hernandez, then our Conference Minister to Youth.

A final act of dedication came another Sunday later when, on October 23rd, our Choir gave an evening concert of sacred music, the organ was dedicated, and a guest artist played it in recital.

This house of worship and study and service has been a beautiful and commodious and convenient place for our own use and for service to others. We are blessed and challenged beyond some congregations in the exceptionally generous provision of a few. Our home is more than just a facility for us and our community. It is the launching spot from which, refreshed in our worship, awakened by our study, informed of our opportunity, we reach out in Christian service to people -- God’s children near and far.

I have read with you today, from Scripture, portions of the prayer of King Solomon in the dedication of the great temple which he had caused to be built in Jerusalem. The completion of that temple was something devoutly wished and longed for by the people of Israel for a long time. When they were driven into slavery by enemies, their places of worship had been plundered and destroyed. They had kept alive their faith and their integrity even as a subject people. After their eventual escape, and nomadic wilderness wanderings and final return to permanent homes, they had longed for places of learning and worship. Great King David had it in his heart to have the splendid temple built during his reign. But to his son, Solomon, fell the distinction of seeing the project through. It took twenty years -- two decades -- to finish it. Endless labor by hosts of workers went into the building. It was lovely in design, lavish in materials, impressive in appearance and function. Its creation could not have been accomplished had it not been a time of strength and peace.

At last there was a proper place to deposit the ark of the covenant containing the sacred writings and vessels of their worship. There were plenty of priests on hand. But the great King Solomon, himself, led his people in a prayer of dedication and commitment. He declared it built and approved by God as an exalted house -- a fit place in which to experience the presence of Jehovah. While the people stood in the great temple’s court, King Solomon uttered a blessing: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised to David my father.” He spread forth his hands to his people. He mounted a special platform, knelt thereon, spread forth his hands toward the heavens and lifted his voice in praise. In the spirit of the first commandment of the decalogue, he acknowledged Jehovah as the God of Israel. “There is no God like Thee, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to those who walk before Thee with all their heart.” And he praised God for keeping covenant with his father, David, so that the whole realm had prospered in growth and peace.

Then he pleaded with God to continue to dwell indeed with mankind on earth. He prayed that the sins and injustices that arose among his people might find justice in the temple -- the guilty be brought to repentance and the righteous vindicated in the divine presence. Israel had had to engage in the power struggle that characterized so much of human effort. They had wrested their promised land by force. They continued to have enemies who hated their presence and greedily coveted their prosperity. Solomon was keenly aware that they could maintain themselves as a nation only in moral integrity. If they should suffer defeat because of sin (and sin was a real danger in Solomon’s eyes and experience) the king prayed that their country might yet be preserved, if the people repented their wrongs and prayed for the willing spirit of right.

He wanted his people to pray for the practical blessings of seasonable rain, for freedom from disaster. He expected his people to turn to the Lord with their troubles -- if there should be famine, or epidemic, or pestilence of any sort; if their cities should be besieged, if personal afflictions be encountered. Solomon prayed that his people might fear and heed the Lord and seek His ways and His favor.

Solomon was no Christian. He lived long before the time of Christ. But notice his concern for others in his prayer. It is a kind of forerunner of the things that Jesus was to teach and require of his disciples, that we go into all the world preaching and teaching and living the gospel -- not words alone but attitudes and actions. See how concretely Solomon puts it: “Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of thy people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of Thy great name, and Thy mighty hand, and Thine outstretched arm, and when he comes and prays toward this house, hear Thou from heaven” -- and “do according to all which the foreigner calls to Thee.”

It was an imperfect prayer, for an imperfect concept, by an imperfect man. But it recognized God’s concern for others than those who consider themselves God’s chosen people, and the duty of man’s concern for others of mankind. His prayer was an act of dedication of a great temple, of commitment by his subjects to be a worthy people. It is the kind of rededication and renewed commitment which we of this church may well repeat as often as we gather within the hallowed beauty of these walls.

In the quiet of the Lord’s house we seek refreshing relief from the world’s tensions -- not to escape what must be borne but to bear the load better. We come to confess our sorrows, our errors, our waywardness, our need. We come for salvation from the One who has promised forgiveness to all who confess their faults and their needs before Him. We come for the purifying experience of having spiritual coals of fire cleansing lips and heart. We come for refreshment and renewal, recommissioning and rededication. How often in this place we may be challenged by a new illumination. “Who will go for us?” comes the divine inquiry. And we may dedicate ourselves with the honest reply: “Here am I; send me” to accomplish Thy will.

During this hour, I have offered you a fairly generous dose of the history of this church congregation and house. I believe in the Church, its history, its present existence and its future hope. It is well for us to know some history -- not in order to live in the past, but to understand our present and our future hope.

This is the congregation that has not only built and used four houses of worship, but can maintain what we have, and do it again when future need arises. This is the congregation that has seen the ordination of at least five men at the beginning of their ministry here; that now has two theological students in care of Association, and could have more in preparation for Christian leadership. This is the congregation that has had a commendable record of giving to mission enterprises near and far, that has seen a member in foreign missionary service for a time, and could send yet more of its substance and its talent. This is the congregation that has had a most unusual number of lay people, both the youth and the mature, willing to lead out in discussion and preach the word when needed here and among our neighboring churches. It can be done again and it can be done better.

This is the congregation that has, through the years, accorded its ministers a pulpit wherein they may freely speak the truth as they see it. And this is the church that can continue to hold up the arms and hands of its pastors in receptive mind, thoughtful suggestion, loyal support and constant encouragement. This is a church which is on record as excluding no one because of race, class, color, nationality, language or economic or social status, welcoming all who make a Christian profession and seek Christian fellowship. We can make the welcome warmer yet.

Let our home be a place of hospitality. Let it be a House of Prayer, a House of Learning, a House from which we go forth repeatedly, and continually, to serve; “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

[Ephesians 2: 20,21].

The pioneers of more than a century ago were resolved to plant the cross of Christ in the wilderness. The planting goes on, to be renewed and improved by each generation.

Amen.

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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, October 10, 1971.