Triplett Family - Lewis Golson Triplett - page 4

Grandpa's father Lewis was a finish carpenter

and contractor in Little Falls. He built the most beautiful Episcopal Church that is still in use today. This picture is from our Summer of 2012 Family History Tour. I didn't think to call ahead to see if someone would be there to let us in. I love the red door!

This is a newspaper clipping about the day the church was consecrated.

WITH SOLEMN SERVICE
New Church of Our Savior Dedicated Wednesday
   The handsome new church of our Savior was dedicated Wednesday morning with the impressive ceremonies of the Episcopal church.

Rt. Rev. J. D. Morrison, D> D., L., the following clergymen, took part: Rev. F. E. Allelyne, rector of the local parish; Rev. C. Herbert Shutt, St. Peter's church, St. Paul; Rev Wm. Watson, Wahpeton, N.D.; Rev Geo. Barnes, Alexandria; Rev. F. Parshall, St. Cond [Cloud]; Rev. E. S. Murphy, Wadena; and Rev. W. T. Moody, Brainerd.

After the processional hymn the verses of the 24th psalm was read by the bishop and people, alternatively. Prayer by the bishop followed, after which Bishop Morrison, preceded by the rector, went to the places in the church to be blessed, beginning with the font. After the Lord's prayer the bishop renounced the dedication gave his benediction. After singing by the choir the choral celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed, with Rev. Alleyne as celebrant. After reading of the Epistle and gospel and a hymn by the choir. Bishop Morrison reached the dedicatory sermon, taking his text from Genesis:

"How dreadful is this place; this is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven.

"And Jacob rose up early in the morning and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

"And he called the name of that place Bethel."

The eloquent instructive and illuminating sermon of the bishop all turned on the main idea that the new structure was the house of God. Congratulations to the rector and congregation were given and their efforts praised. The bishop explained to some extent the form and method of worship in the church, expressed hope for the future and admonished the congregation to continue with the work so auspiciously begun.

The services closed with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

There was a large attendance at the services both morning and evening. In the evening Rev C. Herbert Shutt, Rev. Wm. Watson and Rev. H. F. Parshall made the addresses.

Rev. Shutt congratulated the congregation on its great achievement in building such a splendid edifice, one worthy of a larger place. He said the work was just commenced, that more and appropriate opportunities for labor would come. He took up the position of the church and amid problems were before it, which the congregation must help to solve. Rev. Watson's address was a description and a reminder, a description of the symbolic nature of the church building and a reminder of its [?]. He rejoiced with the rector and congregation on the structure errected to the glory of God. In his address Rev. Parshall made a glowing and merited eulogy of Rev. Alleyne, saying that the erection of the church was due to the energy, enterprise, good will, and the churchmanship of the local rector. He congratulated the people on their church and more on their rector.

He made a plea for tolerance, for less bitterness and bickering between denominations.

The new church is in the Queen Anne style, eighty-six feet in depth, thirty-eight feet wide in the nave and fifty-six feet wide in the chancel. The walls for twelve feet are of granite boulders with black mortar, above group with wooden panels. A heavy trussed roof surmounts this. The belfry in the northeast corner is of granite boulders. The structure is a very handsome one.

The nave is finished in weathered oak and will seat 300. The walls are kalsomined and frescoed in gold, and the roof is finished in cathedral style. There is a chancel for the vested choir. The altar was given by Mrs. Hubert Root, in memory of her late husband, who was rector here from 1876 to 1880. It is nine feet long, with tabernacle and reredos fifteen feet in height.

The windows deserve special notice. The large east window, "Christ blessing little children," was given in memory of the late Martha W. Tanner by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner, and Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Davidson.

Of the three smaller memorial windows on the south side, one, "The Good Samaritan," was presented by traveling men;" Christ knocking at the door" by the choir in memory of Bishop Whipple; "Angel guarding a cross" by Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Gordon in memory of Mrs. Gordon's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Stillwell. The vesper lights were given by the rector, in memory of his father, the late Colonel Alexander Alleyne.

The basement is yet unfinished. It will be fitted for a gymnasium. The total cost of the church when completed, will be nearly $10.000.

The cornerstone was laid Sept. 16th, and in spite of non-arrival of material and bad weather Contractor Lewis Triplett completed the work within reasonable time.

More than anyone, the energetic and popular rector of the Episcopal parish deserves congratulation, for to his enterprise, energy and work is due the beautiful building which is one of the finest structures of the kind in the city. He was well supported in his labors by the congregation.
   
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