The fine new chapel about to be built on the Village Green at Pinehurst is interesting from two approaches. As a house of worship, it will always appeal to the reverence men show to things religious. But the peculiar fellowship that has marked its evolution from the beginning of the effort to have a chapel in the village marks an unique phase of denominational relationship that is possibly without parallel.
A few days ago, the corner stone was laid for the Village Chapel. It is to be a fine colonial structure of the Georgian period, with tall needle spire reaching 126 feet into the air. Standing among the pines in the Village green the classical lines of the building will be those of a dignified structure in a highly appropriate setting. The cost of the chapel will be $110,000, of which amount $77,500 has been subscribed for the building, $10,000 for a pipe organ, and various sums for memorials, the organ being a memorial to M.B. Johnson, a former prominent resident at Pinehurst. A memorial to T.T. Watson from Mrs. Watson will be an altar valued at $1,000, and to Mrs. Emma J. Sinclair, Chancel furniture costing $3,000, from Mr. and Mrs. P.W. Whittemore.
The Pinehurst Religious Association will place memorial tablets to James W. Tufts, founder of Pinehurst, Edward Everett Hale, first preacher in Pinehurst, friend and helper of Mr. Tufts, and who shared the vision of Pinehurst, Walter Hines Page, who died after his return from the British ambassadorship broken in health by his service to the two nations, and probably others.
The new chapel is the outgrowth of an effort to have at Pinehurst a place where community of religious expression might be in harmony with the fellowship that has been a basic principle in the village. The Pinehurst Religious Association was organized in 1906, largely through the efforts of G.N. McMillan, who was elected first president of the association. Funds were subscribed and the village hall was bought, to be open to non-denominational religious services. The Rev. Alleyne C. Howell was engaged the first resident pastor, to be followed shortly by the present pastor, the Rev. Thaddeus A. Cheatham. The building secured was remodeled, a chancel placed in one end, and in the other end was provided a chapel for the Roman Catholics, with Father Hannon in charge. As time passed a tower was built and Mrs. Sinclair provided a bell. Miss Mary Bruce gave the altar rail, and Mr. McMillan an organ. After about 15 years of the use of on the one building, the Catholic congregation built a new church and then the entire chapel was thrown into one room for the use of the protestants. Now the new Pinehurst Chapel is about to follow, and from the old building will have grown two strong and well established organizations, the Roman Catholic and the Pinehurst Religious association, both with buildings not often surpassed in conveniences and accommodations in towns of much greater population. the new building will be one of the handsome structures of Pinehurst, and the cordial sentiment that permitted the two associations to function for 15 years under the one roof will always be one of the romantic memories of the Pinehurst spirit of Christian fraternity.
The new building is the crowning triumph of Mr. Frederick Bruce’s long term as president of the Pinehurst Religious Association. All of the officers have been untiring in their efforts to make the church a wonderful success. Mr. Henry B. Swoope, Vice-President, has been indomitable in his energy and enthusiasm, while the painstaking work of Mr. John C. Spring, Chairman of the Committee on Architecture, has made this beautiful building possible. Mr. Henry Hornblower, Chairman of the Finance Committee, was largely responsible for raising the funds, and Mr. Simeon B. Chapin, chairman of the Building Committee, will look after the building as it progresses. Mr. Chapin will be assisted by Mr. George H. Maurice. The greatest feeling of appreciation is felt for Mr. Leonard Tufts who donated the lot in the beautiful Village Green, which provides such a splendid and unique setting for the village chapel.
From the front page of the Pinehurst Outlook, May 3, 1924. To learn about The Village Chapel today, go to Worship, Learn, Serve - TVC Pinehurst, accessed May 2, 2024.
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