The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-11
PLYMOUTH CoNGREGA GATIoNIL
CHURCH.
The Church Built by a Co1ored congre-
RatIon-A Handsome Edifice-Dedt.
catory Services, &c.,

cdtOTy ScTSACes, NSss
Yesterday witnessed an event which Illus.
trates what society OF persoDe, animated by
an earnest zeal and working for common
purpose, can accomplish. This was the COM
pleiion and dedication to the worship of the
Almighty of the Plymouth Congregational
Church, on the west side Of Pitt street, one
door north of Bull. This church was built oy
the voluntary contribution of the congregation
ard with such additional aid as the pastor
might have been able to obtain upon visits to
the Northern cities. The congregation were lor-
merly the colored portion of the congregation
ofthe old Circular Church, and refer to their old
connection with evident pride. After the de-.
structlon of the Circular Church In the great
fire of '6l and the building of the small chapel
aftrr the war, the co.ored portion of the congre-
gtalon formed separate congregation under
the pastorship of Mr.. Merritt, of Massachusetts.
They remained go for several years. looking
forward to the time when they could build a
suitable place of worship, using meanwhile
the hall at the Avery Institute. Last spring
they we're ready to begin building their
church, and having purchased a spacious lot
at the corner of Bull and Pitt streets, the cor
ner-stone of the new church was laid with ap-
proprate ceremonies, full description Of
which was at the time given in The
NEWS. The work. under the contrac-
tors, Messrs. Sawner and Ferguson, was
pushed forward with energy, and hopes
were entertained that the building would be
finished before the close Of the year. The
epidemic of last summer intervened, however,
and during its existence the work was sus.
pended. It was resumed with fresh energy
with the cold weather, and was completed
short time since. The church is alarge wooden
building with lofty Uncovered root. 1t is
neatly painted and well ventilated by windows
with Venetian shutters at short Intervals
along the sides. The main entrance Is on the
east end towards Pitt street through hand
some gothic doorway. The pulpit stands on
an arched recess. slightly rais-.. at the west
end. The body of the church is about seventy
feet long and forty feet wide. 1t contains
ffty-two pews of good size, with Wide
central aisle, and one on either side next
the wallis 1t has also capaclous gal
lery at the east end with tiers OF seats
rising one above another, and 1t can
seat fully five hundred persons. 1t Is
handsomely lighted by central reflector of
thirty. six Jets in the roof, while the pulpit and
Its recess are lighted BY gas from handsome
bronze burners. This recess Is also hand
somely carpeted.~ In the daytime the side
,,,, ao,,,, r,,,,a nm ohnndonno of ijobt uhile q
large Gothic window of blue stained glass
sheds soft light over the gallery. The In
terror of the church was beautifully decorated
yesterday, In honor of the dedication, with
festoons of evergreen and flowers along the
walls, varied by bright wreaths. The space
around the pulpit was also neatly ornamented
with flowers and cedar, and beautiful
wreath hanging over the rear Of the
pulpit enclosed a photograph of the
Rev. Mr.. Merritt. At the appointed
hour the church was filled with
happy assemblsge. The services were .pen-
ed by the Rev. E. J. Adams reading from the
Scriptures, &C., aud prayer was offered up by
the Rev. W. d. Brown. The dedlcatory SER
mon was next delivered by the Rev. Henry ].
Fox, D. D., from The text, "When shall be
lifted up shall draw all men after me-" aRd
was listened to with much interest. The SER
vices were concluded by prayer from the
Rev. 7. z. Ford, the pastor of the church, and
the assemblage. after inspecting the beautiful
place of worship, dispersed. Under the care
of its esteemed pastor, the church has prosper
ed well, and the congregation aud Sunday
school are steadily increasing.