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5
the latter consisting of a kitchen, storeroom and lavatory.
In the midst of the rejoicing the foregoing had brought, a note of sadness came with the death of Mrs. Fred Koeniger. Because of her demise, services in her home were suspended from November until early in December of 1953. Although a pioneer member and one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian Church of Bay St. Louis, Mrs. Koeniger was deprived of the earthly satisfaction of attending the first service in the little church for which she had been so responsible.
That happened on December 14,	1953. After
three years of planning, saving and hard work, a church edifice was prepared in which to praise God. True, as the archives note, there was "nothing in the church but a few folding chairs, pulpit and piano, but as Reverend Beckman had stated in his sermon, the members had reached their first ?ilestone in establishing a place of worship for those of the Presbyterian faith." (Koeniger, id.., page 6. )
In this regard, the zeal and interest of the Reverend Beckman never waned during his years of piloting the mission congregation.	Neither
distance, inclement weather or fatigue ever deterred him from being present to preach the worship service. Under his fatherly encouragement and wise guidance, the members of the church were able to face and overcome difficulties and obstacles that are always attendant to beginnings.
Another memorable day in the annals of this church was that of June 20, 1953, when the Reverend Edward Morren became the regular if not full-time pastor. This graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary was secured through a call extended by the Meridian Presbytery. Services continued to be held on alternate Sundays, though, since Reverend Morren also served the Poplarville and McNeil Presbyterian churches.
Under	his capable leadership and
encouragement, the little church progressed not only spiritually but financially, as well. A midweek service was established, meeting each Thursday night, and, in April, 1956, services were begun to be held every Sunday, with Pastor Morren preaching