Page 4 - April Spire 2013

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in a service of dedication on January 1, 1948. Membership
stood at 480 and Sunday School attendance was 421. It
was time to start raising funds.
The first building fund campaign was launched with a three
year goal of $200,000, but at its end only $130,000 was
raised. So began what Rev. Horton later referred to as
“a seemingly endless series of drives.” In May 1950 the
“Let Us Rise Up and Build” campaign raised $50,000. This
was followed by additional drives in ‘51 and ‘52, by the
“Memorial Gifts” campaign in late 1952 and the “Finish
and Furnish” campaign in May 1953, which raised about
$54,500. In all there were eight campaigns.
While the work of raising money took place, the Church
Planning Committee was soliciting bids on the proposed
three-building complex. As those bids were reviewed
it became clear to the Committee that its plans were
far too ambitious for the funds available. Changes, and
compromises, would have to be made. It was decided
to leave the old church (our Chapel) untouched and
to combine as many features as possible into one new
building instead of three. The new plan was rebid, a
contract awarded, and ground broken at a ceremony held
on Sunday, July 15, 1951. Those present commented on
the scorching summer sun that day.
Rev. Horton noted that construction proceeded on the
new building with no more than the “usual delays,” and
a cornerstone laying ceremony was held on November
9, 1952. Eight years, one month and eight days from the
appointment of the Planning Committee, and one year and
seven months from the ground breaking, the new church
(our Sanctuary) was dedicated in a soaking, all-day rain on
Sunday, February 15, 1953. Cost of the new church was
approximately $350,000, of which $250,000 had been
raised in cash and pledges. The remaining $100,00 was
borrowed on a 15 year mortgage. Church membership
was 1,327 and Sunday School enrollment was 926.
With membership and Sunday School enrollment growing
so rapidly, steps had to be taken to accommodate all
who wanted to worship while the new church was being
planned and built. In 1948 Sunday School enrollment
became too large to handle in a single one-hour session. It
was agreed that two sessions would be held, with grades
4 and higher meeting at 9:45 a.m. Nursery through grade
3 would meet at 11:00 a.m., the hour of church service.
In November 1950, the first 9:30 a.m. church service was
held to accommodate the growing congregation. In the
fall of 1953 complete sessions of Sunday School began
being held at both worship hours. By 1955, with the “Baby
Boom” well under way, Sunday School attendance was
so large Hindley School was being used for the overflow.
Clearly, the new church was not the complete solution to
NPC’s space problems.
In 1955 a new Church Planning Committee was formed
to address the need for additional space for education,
administration and music department use. Studies were
prepared, plans drawn and a $400,000 building campaign
was launched. Ground was broken in early 1958 and in
February 1959 the new Christian Education wing of NPC
was opened. This wing still houses NPC’s Sunday School,
nursery school, music department and administrative
offices.
In November, 1963, on its 100th anniversary, NPC’s
membership was 2,246 and Sunday School enrollment was
1,010.
Bill Tamme
150th Anniversary Committee
150th Anniversary Celebration continued...
150 th Anniversary Celebration!
NPC Remembers...
continued from page 3...
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