| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 5 |
Page 13 |
Additions were made to the church building until – on October 7, 1906 – the beautiful $150,000 property was dedicated. One month later Dr. Miller – who had continued as stated supply all these years – was called as pastor. The installation followed on December 12.
The relationship thus established continued till January 1, 1912, when Dr. Miller was made Pastor Emeritus. Rev. J. Beveridge Lee, D.D., who had been associated with him in the work for two years, then became the pastor of a church of 1,397 members and a Sunday school of 1,193 members.
Thus, during thirty nine years, Dr. Miller served three Philadelphia churches. He had taken charge of three struggling fields, which he left among the largest churches in the city.
The annual growth of these churches was marvelous. During the nine years he was connected with the Bethany Church, 1870-78, 1,620 persons were received into the membership of that church, making an average of 180 a year; during the sixteen years of his association with the Hollond Memorial Church, 1881-1897, 1,817 persons were received, an average of 113 each year; and during the fourteen years of his connection with St. Paul Church, 1898-1912, 1,904 persons were received, and average of 136 a year. In the thirty nine years of his pastoral relations with these three churches, 5,341 persons were received, making an average of 137 for every year. The largest number of accessions was in Bethany, in 1878, when 367 were received on confession, and 68 by letter, making a total of 435. Hollond received 175 members in 1894 and St. Paul 251 in 1909.
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