Sunday afternoon the cornerstone of the new Trinity Reformed Church was laid. It was another great occasion for the congregations. Hundreds of members and friends gathered at the new building before 3 o’clock, the hour set for the service. Many used the opportunity to inspect the building, of which the rear part of the walls is nearing completion.
The service began with an invocation of the Divine blessing led by the pastor, Rev. W.C. Lyerly. Several hymns were sung, selected passages of the Bible were read and the prayer was offered by Rev. W.A. Jenkins of the Central Methodist Church.
The Pastor then announced the contents of the copper box which weas sealed and ready to be placed in the walls: Bible, Heidelberg Catechism, Harbaugh’s Child’s Catechism, Hymnal of the Reformed Church in the United States, Minutes of the Synod of the Potomac, Minutes of the Classis of North Carolina, copies of the Sunday school literature, Sunday school record of 1923, Reformed Church Messenger, The Christian World, The Reformed Church Standard, Register of members of the church, baptized children, Sunday school, Woman’s Missionary Society, Girls’ Missionary Guild, Mission Band, and all officials, and a brief sketch of the Trinity Reformed Church, and The Concord Tribune for November 22, 1924. Several old coins and other coins were placed in the walls and in the box. The pastor laid the box in the wall. “We here lay the Cornerstone of a House to be erected under the name of Trinity Reformed Church of Concord to be devoted to the worship and service of Almighty God”, after which it was covered. Three of the members who were present at the laying of the cornerstone of the old building in 1884, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Lippard and Mr. R.T. Lippard, placed some mortar and brick over the new box. Also a number of the officers of the church, visiting pastors and others. It was a happy privilege of a number of the members to take part in this service. Especially so since the older members have long looked forward to such an occasion, and the younger members wonder if they will live to see the time when this cornerstone will be taken out and they will witness the laying of such a stone for a new and greater building.
The inscription on the cornerstone, which is Indiana Limestone, is: “Trinity Reformed Church, Organized 1881. Rebuilt in 1924.” The tablet is in the center of the larger tower. At the same place in the smaller tower will be placed a stone of like size and bearing the inscription: “Thou Are The Christ, the Son of the Living God * * Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church.”
The speaker for the occasion was Rev. W.H. McNairy. Mr. McNairy was pastor from 1900 to 1903. It was in his heart to build a new church. He told how he had the same architect draw plans and then paid for the same himself. He had longed to see the time when a cornerstone would be laid. He was happy to be present. He expressed the hope that he would live to see the Church finished and dedicated. Happily, Mr. McNairy used for his text the inscription on the second tablet. “Every church that is built,” said Mr. McNairy, “if it is a real church, is a venture of faith. It is built upon faith. I am glad to know that you people of Trinity Reformed Church have the faith to undertake such a building. The real Cornerstone of any Church, as well as the church of the living God is Jesus Christ.” Mr. McNairy spoke positively of his convictions that the Church cannot be established on any other foundation than that of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Neither should the Church seek to gather into her membership those who do not confess that Jesus is the Son of God. The church is built upon this faith in such a Christ.
The service was closed with the benediction pronounced by Rev. Shuford Peeler of Charlotte. Members of St. James Church, Mt. Pleasant, First Reformed Church of Charlotte, Mt. Zion in Rowan county, and others were present.
From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Nov. 25, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1924-11-25/ed-1/seq-1/
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