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New Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse in San Diego, California

Improvement Era, vol. 19, no. 9, July 1916, p. 838

Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations

NEW LATTER-DAY SAINTS MEETINGHOUSE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA The new Latter-day Saints meeting house at San Diego, California, was dedicated on Sunday, May 21, 1916, by President Joseph F. Smith. The chapel was erected this year at No. 3715, on the corner of Tenth street and Pennsylvania avenue. Services were held at 10 o'clock a. m., being presided over by President Joseph F. Smith, with Joseph E. Robinson, President of the California Mission, conducting the exercises, and at 2 and 7 p. m., the dedicatory prayer being offered by President Smith at the 2 o'clock meeting. Besides President Joseph F. Smith, Elder A. W. Ivins of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Joseph E. Robinson, president of the California mission, there were present Mrs. Julina L. Smith of the general presidency of the Relief Soceities of the Church, and Mrs. Minnie A. Robinson, mission president of the Relief Societies in California, and a large number of elders and lady missionaries. The program on Sun- day morning consisted of a chorus, "Great God Attend," and the invocation was of- fered by Bishop Thomas Holland, of Roy, Utah. A chorus, "Arise, O Glorious Zion," was given by the choir, followed by remarks by President Joseph F. Smith and Clif- ford Cummings. A solo, "Let me walk with God," was given by Harold M. Anderson, followed by remarks by E. Wesley Smith. The closing song was "Glorious Things are Sung of Zion," and benediction was offered by Daniel R. Kemp. At the dedicatory services at 2 o'clock, the congregation sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," and the invocation was offered by A. M. Anderson. The choir sang "O How Amiable," followed by remarks by President Joseph E. Robinson. Miss Johanna Gobel sang a contralto solo, "My Faith in Thee," followed by remarks by Elder A. W. Ivins. Preceding the dedicatory prayer, a chorus, "This House We Dedicate to Thee," was rendered, followed by remarks and the dedicatory prayer by President Joseph F. Smith. The choir sang "invocation." Prayer by Elder Anthony W. Ivins. At the services at 7 o'clock, "From Afar, Gracious Lord" was sung by the choir, followed by invocation by Elder Stephen Bjarnson. "An Angel from on High," duet and chorus, by Alice Michelsen, Florence Turnbaugh and choir,' followed, after which remarks were made by President Bjarnson. A duet, "Be Thou Merciful," was sung bv President Joseph Robinson and daughter. Virginia Ellis read a poem, "Our Church." Elder Stanley Ivins followed with remarks and a solo was sung by Miss Johanna Gobel and then Elder A. W. Ivins spoke. President Smith followed. The closing song was given, by the congregation. The officers of the San Diego branch are: Stephen Bjarnson, Daniel R. Kemp, William H. Cooper, Morris H. Ellison, with Harold M. Anderson chorister, and Eva Driver organist. The services were full of interest. President Smith spoke at each of the meetings and there were present at the dedicatory services over three hundred people, among them being many non-"Mormons," including one or two ministers. The very best of attention was paid throughout and many courtesies extended to the visiting authorities at the close of each meeting. From the financial statement read hy President Robinson, it appeared that the cost of the chapel is approximately $7,000.