This is the Dedicatory Program that was in my Grandpa Milo Ross’ possessions. Dad provided me a copy and I scanned it. The writing on the program and throughout is his writing, Milo James Ross.
Plain City Ward – Farr West Stake – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Sunday, November 7, 1954 – 2:00 P.M.
Grandpa was always pleased to have been a part of the construction of this building. He was upset when this building had a new one built beside it and then tore down this one. He also had great satisfaction in helping to arrange the construction of the Plain City 2nd, 7th, and 8th Ward Building.
Our Bishops who have served during planning and construction of this New Chapel.
Bishop Charles L. Heslop, Bishop Elvin H. Maw, Bishop George E. Knight, Bishop Merrill Jenkins.
History of Construction
Bishop Heslop, who served as bishop of our ward from 1936 to 1944 along with his counselors Gordon Thompson and Abram Maw secured the ground for the location of this new chapel from Stephen Knight a resident of Plain City ward with thought in mind that some day this would be the site of our new building. It was during their administration that Bishop LeGrande Richards came to our ward and spoke to people instructing them to start a building program, and forget much remodeling of our old Chapel. In 1944 Bishop Heslop was released and Elvin H. Maw was sustained as Bishop with L. Rulon Jenkins and Fred Singleton as counselors. Later Lewellyn Hipwell served as a counselor. During this time the approval to build was given and enough money was raised to start construction, but due to the outbreak of war, we were unable to begin. In 1949 Bishop Elvin H. Maw was released and George E. Knight was sustained as Bishop with Leslie T. Maw and Howard Hadley counselors. In the fall of 1951 Brother Howard McKean came and visited our old chapel at which time he instructed us to make plans to build a new building. In the spring of 1952 the ground breaking ceremonies took place and the building commenced. Committees composed of ward members were chosen to help secure donated labor and funds and many other things pertaining to this undertaking. The entire ward response was wonderful and the construction proceeded very well. In the fall of 1953 the Stake was reorganized with Bishop George E. Knight being called as first counselor to President Raymond Pace. The ward was reorganized with Merrill Jenkins sustained as Bishop with Elmer Ericson and William J. Searcy as counselors. It has been under their direction that this chapel was completed.
To single out individuals for special thanks would be amiss since there are so many who have contributed their utmost and someone would surely be left out.
The building has been entirely constructed under the capable supervision of Leland Carver a Seventy in our ward. We are very proud of the work done under his direction.
Written by Grandpa, Milo James Ross was paid to help Mr. Carver as a carpenter.
Program
Organ Prelude – Ms. Glen Charlton
Opening Song – Song of the Redeemed – Chorus
Invocation – Bishop Charles L. Heslop
Song – Quartet – Bless This House – Mae Robson, Diane Chugg, Maurine Olsen, Sheran Knight
Remarks – Stake President Raymond J. Pace
Song – I Need Thee Every Hour – Lawrence Cottle and Sons
Remarks – Pres. George E. Knight, former Bishop
Song – Let the Mountains Shout for Joy – Chorus
Remarks – Bishop Merrill Jenkins
Address and Dedicatory Prayer – Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson
Song – The Lord’s Prayer – Ronald Jenkins
Benediction – Elvin H. Maw
To those who have helped so much who are not now members of our ward we would like to express our appreciation and may you share in the joy with us this day.
To those who have passed away before this wonderful occasion, we express your sincere gratitude for all they have done.
Sincerely, Your Bishopric
Acknowlegement
Let us here give thanks to those who have given so generously of their time and means to make this building possible. May we all work to the end that it shall serve the purpose for which it was intended.
Sincerely, Merrill Jenkins, Bishop; Elmer Ericson, 1st Counselor; William J. Searcy, 2nd Counselor; Blair Simpson, Ward Clerk; Glen Charlton, Asst. Ward Clerk; Willard Wayment, Finance Clerk
Everyone worked replacing of old church for free. Lee Carver, Supt, and Milo J. Ross, Carpenter, we were paid.
