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Irwin Chapel at Constant

Rev. Irwin of Lane University...
Winfield Courier, October 9, 1884.
The United Brethren Church at Constant will be dedicated Sabbath, Oct. 12th. Rev. Irwin, president of Lane University, will officiate. Preaching Saturday evening by Rev. J. H. Snyder.
[CHURCHES.]
Winfield Courier, October 16, 1884.
Last Sabbath the newly erected United Brethren Church at Constant was dedicated to the Lord for holy worship. It is a neat, commodious, and substantial building, having a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. It is indeed a creditable monument to the commendable zeal, energy, and enterprise of the Brethren in that community. A packed and crowded audience assembled at the morning service and were amply repaid for their presence by an exceedingly interesting sermon preached by Rev. Irwin, president of Lane University. The gentleman is a pleasing, forcible, and graceful speaker: his logic and rhetoric faultless. At the conclusion of the discourse, the congregation were informed that the cost of their beautiful temple of worship amounted to eighteen hundred dollars, and that a little balance of nine hundred dollars must necessarily be provided for in order to alleviate as much as possible all compunctions of conscience of those who disliked to worship at a shrine on which his Satanic Majesty held a mortgage. With that earnestness and liberality characteristic of the majority of the citizens of this vicinity, and through the charitable spirit manifested by esteemed visiting Brethren, the deficit was quickly secured with a surplus of $40. Elder P. B. Lee then presented the key of the church to the president of the board of trustees with the caution that the doors should be locked against all evil and disturbing influences, but opened wide to denominations preaching the gospel in its purity and holiness, when not in use by the Brethren. Rev. Cassell, the new pastor placed in charge, was next introduced to the congregation. The choir, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Chaplin, Mrs. J. C. Snyder, and Mr. Snyder and Mr. Sherman Albert, with Miss Celina Bliss at the organ, furnished excellent music. The community, with the exception of a few who have fallen from grace, are proud of their pleasant and comfortable facilities for worshiping their Divine Master.
Much credit is due Rev. J. H. Snyder for his indomitable energy in working up this enterprise and laboring with our good people until their efforts have been crowned with glorious success. MARK.
[HACKNEY CORRESPONDENT: “MARK.”]
Winfield Courier, December 25, 1884.
Sabbath week the new bell of the Irwin Chapel rang forth its first melodious chimes. The sound was heard at the distance of a mile through an atmosphere heavily laden with moisture. This church was built a year too soon to be located in town.

Mr. Fisher is conducting a very interesting and instructive Sunday School at Irwin Chapel. He displays considerable ability and experience in Sunday School work and is “the right man in the right place.” The juvenile class, under his supervision and personal instruction, is, if possible, the most interesting class in school. Miss Lettie Brown gracefully manipulates the organ keys, assisted by Misses Anderson and Constant as queens of song.
[PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY FARE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 15, 1885.
Preaching at the Irwin Chapel next Sunday at 11 o’clock a.m. Sunday school every Sunday at 10 o’clock a.m.
[BEAVER CENTER. “YOUNG NASBY.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 22, 1885.
About three weeks ago, one of our east side Beaver township young men stalked into the Irwin chapel just as the minister was concluding his sermon. The young man, thinking service had just begun, walked up to the stove, laid off his overcoat, and was just comfortably seated when the minister invited the congregation to arise and be dismissed. The young man realized his mistake and acknowledged the joke, and when asked why he was so late, he smilingly replied, “I might have been here sooner, but I didn’t start quick enough.”
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 19, 1885.
The bell at the Irwin Chapel has been out of tune. It will be tuned up soon, and then both saint and sinner will be told when to go to church.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 26, 1885.
There was a large audience addressed at the Irwin Chapel last Saturday evening by the lecturer of the State Grange; he gave the people some good ideas in protection of agriculture.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 12, 1885.
Rev. Castle preached his farewell sermon on March 1st at Irwin Chapel.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 26, 1885.
Rev. Lee will preach at the Irwin chapel the coming year.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.
Rev. William Fisher, an aged minister of the United Brethren Church, who moved into this county last fall, and settled near his son, Mr. Silas Fisher, five miles south of Winfield, died last Friday, and was buried on Sabbath in the Sumpter cemetery on the banks of the Arkansas. The funeral services were held in the Irwin Chapel at Constant. A large congregation assembled and were addressed by Rev. J. H. Snyder, pastor of the U. B. Church in this City.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.
The Irwin Chapel Sunday School closed the past quarter by a general review of lessons. Several of the adult members and teachers were each assigned topics for recitation and explanation. A lively interest was manifested by the school and a pleasant and profitable time enjoyed. Superintendent Fisher is making this school a success.

Last Friday a gloom of sadness passed over our community when the death of Rev. Wm. Fisher was reported. His funeral took place Sunday from the Irwin Chapel. Rev. J. H. Snyder officiated and preached an eloquent and pathetic sermon from first Corinthians, 15th chapter, on the resurrection. Although the deceased was a comparative stranger in our midst, arriving from Ohio but a few months ago, such was the impression made on our people that a large number of neighbors and friends followed the remains to the silent city. The bereaved wife and disconsolate sons and relatives have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their great affliction.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 16, 1885.
Quarterly meeting at the Irwin Chapel one week from next Sunday.
Owing to the death of Mr. Fisher, the Sunday school election was postponed until next Sunday.
The angels have visited our neighborhood, and taken from our midst one Mr. William Fisher. He was sick only a short time. Mr. Fisher was a minister of the gospel for 47 years; he was 72 years, 2 months, and 16 days old. The funeral was preached at the Irwin chapel by Rev. Snyder. The bereaved friends have our sympathy.
                                                    RELIGIOUS CHIMES.
                   What Dropped from the Different Pulpits of the City Yesterday.
                                             SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMONS.
                 The Announcements, the Music, the Attendance, and Other Pious Points.
                               OUR REGULAR MONDAY EVENING GRIST.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
                                                         IRWIN CHAPEL.
The first quarterly meeting at Irwin Chapel, Constant, was held Saturday and Sunday, Rev. R. W. Parks presiding. Able sermons were preached to large congregations. Rev. P. B. Lee is the pastor in charge.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
Rev. P. B. Lee will preach at Irwin Chapel next Sabbath at 11 o’clock sharp, and each alternate Sabbath during the conference year. He is a minister of ability and will experience no trouble in filling the pews.
The presiding elder of the United Brethren church, Rev. Parks, conducted a series of meetings at Irwin Chapel last week, commencing Wednesday evening and closing Sunday night. The Elder was assisted by Revs. Lee and Rupp.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 30, 1885.
There was singing at the Irwin Chapel last Sunday. There will be singing every Sunday at 4 o’clock p.m. at the Chapel.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 7, 1885.
Sunday Rev. P. B. Lee fulfilled his promise of punctuality, and at 11 o’clock delivered an entertaining and instructive discourse at Irwin chapel. Text was taken from James iv:8. An unusually large congregation was in attendance. Rev. Lee goes to Ohio this week to attend National Conference of the church. Rev. Jno. Rupp will fill the appointments at Irwin chapel during the absence of Rev. Lee.

                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 14, 1885.
Arrangements are being made for a union Sunday school picnic by the Irwin chapel and Pleasant Valley M. E. church schools. It will probably take place the last Thursday of May.
                                   PLEASANT VALLEY. “COUNTRY JAKE.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 25, 1885.
The Sunday school at the Pleasant Valley M. E. Church will give the lessons of the last quarter a thorough review. They have invited the Irwin Chapel, the Victor, and the Beaver Center Sunday schools to take part in the exercises.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 23, 1885.
Rev. P. B. Lee, D. D., preached Mr. Julius Muret’s funeral sermon last Sabbath at Irwin. Text, Psalms xix:12. “Teach me to number my days with wisdom.” The Chapel was well filled and the audience seemed much edified with the discourse.
                                        PLEASANT VALLEY - “HICKORY.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.
There will be Thanksgiving services at the Irwin Chapel by Rev. Brink, of the Pleasant Valley M. E. Church. Dinner will be serviced after the services. In the evening there will be an oyster supper and temperance meeting at the same place.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS - “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.
The Methodist and United Brethren church members have consolidated their forces in an extensive preparation for a Thanksgiving service and dinner at Irwin Chapel. Everybody is invited to be present and participate in the feast.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.
The Thanksgiving dinner at Irwin Chapel was not a brilliant success financially. There were literary exercises in the evening spiced with oysters. Mark was unable to be present because of pressing business elsewhere.
                                         PLEASANT VALLEY. “HICKORY.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.
Christmas is coming, and just as sure as it comes there will be a Christmas tree at the Pleasant Valley church. The Irwin Chapel folks will join in with them and a big time is expected.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 24, 1885.
A Christmas tree will be decorated by Santa Claus at the Pleasant Valley M. E. Church Thursday night. The Irwin Chapel people are lending a helping hand and the exercises, of course, will be an immense success. Everybody is invited to attend.
The temperance society met at Irwin Chapel last Sunday evening. Messrs. J. W. Feuquay, West Holland, and S. Fisher entertained with some practical thoughts on the progress of prohibition. The leaven seems to be working admirably when dyed in the wool Democrats bodily take a square stand in opposition to the dram shop.

                                         PLEASANT VALLEY. “HICKORY.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 18, 1886.
Owing to sickness Rev. P. B. Lee did not fill his two last appointments at the Irwin Chapel.
                                       HACKNEY HAPPENINGS. “MARK.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 4, 1886.
The members of the temperance union of Irwin Chapel refuse to be comforted and commune in sweet fellowship any longer. Discord and disruption seem to be their inevitable doom. A small house for one family will do, but never was one house built large enough for two.

 

Cowley County Historical Society Museum