News you can use
News you can use
By Emily Mayer
It was Holy Week 100 years ago, and The Havre Daily Promoter was awash in advertisements from local businesses reminding people to get new shoes, dresses and suits for the upcoming holiday, and to the housewife the foodstuffs they would need for their big feast. Of course, local churches were celebrating with services and Masses focusing on the various events surrounding the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, his arrest, conviction, crucifixion and Resurrection. One such service is Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, a day commemorating Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, and the Last Supper. Depending on the denomination, the day is spent in simple reverence and reflection, and others observe more celebratory customs hundreds of years old. It’s an interesting read, if you are so inclined.
The Havre Masonic Lodge was hosting an elaborate celebration, and this accounting was reported in the April 18, 1924, edition:
MAUNDY THURSDAY OBSERVED BY SCOTTISH RITE
The largest meeting of Scottish Rite Masons ever held in Havre took place yesterday at the Masonic temple at 6 o’clock, when the ancient ceremony of lighting the lights took place, together with the mystic banquet.
The program for Maundy Thursday drew Masons from all parts of northern Montana to Havre. Sixty Scottish Rite Masons came from east, west and south, the towns of Havre, Box Elder, Chinook, Harlem, Chester and Gildford being represented. There were visitors from Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Miles City, Seattle, Spokane and Salt Lake City.
At the banquet James Martin was toastmaster and responses were given by C. F. Morris, W. E. Wiltner, E. C. Carruth, Frank Bossout, F. F. Runkle, V. R. Griggs, N. E. Gourley, G. Cassman, C. Gray, G. Drinkwater, S. Erickson, S. Dickenson and Guy Funk.
The banquet was served by the wives, daughters and sisters of the Havre Scottish Rite Masons.
A joint session of Havre Lodge No. 55 and Enterprise Lodge No. 134 of A. F. and A. M. was held, following the services with work in the master mason degree.
The Sixth Avenue Christian Church, now the Fifth Avenue Christian Church, had incorporated earlier in the year, with plans for a formal dedication on Easter Sunday. Updates had been published in the Promoter over the months, and here is one printed in the April 16, 1924, edition:
CHRISTIAN CHURCH PREPARING FOR DEDICATION
The Christian church is now putting the finishing touches on its new home on the corner of Sixth street and Seventh avenue preparatory to dedication Easter Sunday.
The work of laying the floor in the church room proper is practically completed and the steps are being put in. A concrete sidewalk and curb is also being put in place.
Pastor Ridenour says that the church will be in fine shape on the opening day, next Sunday.
Other churches were getting ready for Easter. This was in the Thursday, April 17, 1924, paper:
BAPTIST CHOIR MEETS TONIGHT
The members of the choir of the Baptist church will meet at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Frank D. White, No. 2 Benton apartments, at 7 o’clock this evening.
Special music for Easter Sunday will be rehearsed. All the members are urgently requested to be present.
These two articles were in the Friday, April 18, 1924, edition. I wish I could see a photograph of how the Methodist church looked with all those palms!
TEN LARGE PALMS at M. E. EASTER SERVICES
The plans to make Easter Sunday the greatest day in the history of the Methodist church are being carried forward rapidly.
The church will be beautifully decorated and a part of the decorations will be ten large palms which the church has purchased.
A unique feature of the day will be a beautiful flower covered basket at the altar into which the offerings of the day will be deposited in the processional and it is expected that $1,000 will be brought during the day, voluntarily, as an act of joyful worship. An illuminated cross with be used at night.
There will be the administration of baptism of infants and adults as well as the reception of a large number to church worship. This will principally in the morning.
The Sunday schools will put on a special program in its hours and expects and increase of 100 in attendance. The music of the day will be of unusual high order, closing with the Easter Cantata at night.
Communion Service at First Lutheran Tonight
The last Lenten service of the season will be held at the First Lutheran church this evening at 7:30.
The last word of Christ spoken from the cross will be the subject.
Holy communion will also be observed at this service.
And in the Saturday, April 19, 1924, edition, we find these two entries:
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, ATTENTION
All members of De Molay Commandery No 15, Knights Templar, are requested to meet Sunday morning, April 20, at 10 o’clock a.m., a the Masonic Temple lodge room to attend Easter services at the Presbyterian church.
P. WALLINDER, Commander.
ANNUAL EASTER SUNRISE EPWORTH LEAGUE MEETING
The annual Easter sunrise meeting by the Epworth League of the Methodist Church will be held Sunday morning at 6 o’clock. This is a popular service for the young people by the young people, though the older folks are cordially invited.
Also in the papers this week 100 years ago were several cancellations of groups and closings of schools and businesses for the Easter holiday, as well as who was coming to Havre or leaving town to spend time with family. It was a simple celebration of faith, family, feasting and likely a brand new frock.
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