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57 Cents Builds a Mega Church - Wow!

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by righteousdude2, Jun 20, 2013.

  1. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    If you want to see what 57 cents did to build Temple Baptist Church in Philadelphia, here is the true story. It should be a story that is told near and wide. And maybe, just maybe we should retitle this story to the "Child's Mite???"


    A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it ‘was too crowded’. “I can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby,unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

    Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read, “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school.”

    For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do.

    Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

    A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment.

    Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00 – a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

    When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.

    In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, “Acres of Diamonds.” – a true story.



    SEE [for complete story]: http://www.turnbacktogod.com/story-how-temple-baptist-church-philadelphia-came-into-being/
     
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I walked past that building a lot as a student, back awhile.

    It's no longer used as a worship center.

    It's owned by Temple University and called "Temple Performing Arts Center".

    There was a plaque outside commemorating the "Four Chaplains".

    Rob
     
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    #3 Salty, Jun 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 20, 2013
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