The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-08-30
NORTH BENNINGTON.
DEDICATION OF TEE CONGREGA-
TIONAL CHURCH..
HISTORICAL.

HISTORICAL.
From the year 1912 until 1915 no regu-
lar place of public worship existed at
North Bennington, during the latter year
the Baptist Church and Society erected an
cdiice. Previously all denominations had
worshipped in the baptist Church in South
SALISBURY. three-fourths Of mile from
North Bennington.
In the year 1868, in view OF the incrcas-
ing population and other causes, it was
thought cxpedient to take into consdera-
ton the formation Of a Congregational
Church and Society. On a canvass of the
subject, it was found that the time was IA
vorablc, and committee was appointed to
invite candidates for the pastoratc to preach
upon trial with view to the organization
Of church. Hon. Z. W. Park rendered
the uso of the hall over the National Bank,
as place of worship Rev Leavitt Bart
lett of Coventry, now of Yarmouth, Maine,
was engaged for one year, commencing his
ministrations in April, 1868.
At meeting held for the purpose Of or
ganizing the church, May 81, 1868, twenty
one persons C males and 10 females pre-
scented letters from other churches. and
three were received by profession of faith,
and on Sunday following, May 30, four
more presented themselves The church
organization was then perfected by the
election of Its officers, and il was voted
that the organization bc called "Thc Con
yregational Church of North bennington. "
Fifty-two persons have been connected
with the church since. of these nine have
taken letters to other churches three have
died leaving the present number forty.
Rev II. {. Weston, was ordained pastor
of the church in October 1869, and it is
mainly through his energetic efforts that
the new and beautiful church cdificc has
been erected. 1t is an ornament, standing
in the very centre of Il progressive and
thriving village, and is a noble monument
to those individuals who have given liberal
ly of their wealth and time towards its
completion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE KDIFIoE.
The cdifice is constructed of brick with
marble facing, surmountcd by tower on
the east side So feet in hight. The build
ing is AZ feet by 92 feet, of the Victoria.
Gothic style of architecture and was built
from designs prepared by $. S. Woodcocb
of Boston. The audience room is 55 feet
in length, in the rear of which is "A parloi
with prayer and committee rooms below.
The entrance from the front is through
two doors on each side into vestibule tel
feet deep, over which is the gallery seat
center of the audience room, on the from
side, is large round window of stainet
| glass, over which are the words "Holines:
Becomcth Thine House, o Lord The
chestnut trimmed with black walnut ant
the cushions are of goods of crimson
color.
The orchestra is located on the left of TIN
pulpit. Over door leading to the con
ference room are the words Praise We tn
Lord" There is another entrance into tn
audience room from the west side owe
which is inscribed 81 am the way"
The recess in which the preachers desl
is stationed is 10 feet in breadth and fee
deep, over which is an arch inscribed witt
the words, 1.-THE Lord loveth Zion NOR
than all the dwellings of Jacob" Directl
in the rear of the arch is the inscription
God is a spirit, and they that worsh
Him must worship Him in spirit and i
truth. Over this is the word Father.
On the right of the the desk arc the word
''Behold the Lamb of God which taket
away the sins of the world On the left
"When He, the spirit of truth is CONF
He will guide you into all truth Owe
which is the word Spirit and over a
are embcms of the Crown, Cross IN
Glory. The lettering in the recess is
gold on maroon ground. The cmblems al
in gold on IA ground work of blue. TIL
, chairs are Of black walnut, with crimso
back. The desk is Of chestnut and blac
2 walnut, and is n fine specimen of worl
manship. The recess is frescoed in trip
arches of blue, white and maroon. III
r walls Of the audience room are handsomel
3 finished and frcscoed, the principal colo
being blue, gilt and light brown. I'll
windows are stained glass TO correspor
with the frcscoc work of the walls. III
S audience room is laid throughout with
crimson ingram carpet, and was furnisht
. by the well known house of Whitney
f Co., of Albany, n. y, who also furnisht
f the upholstoring There are eight bron
chandeliers containing three lamps each.
= The woodwork was executed by GcorI
! w. Walworth of North Bennington, al
= the masonry by G, W. Buckley & Co.,
; Hoosick Falls, N. ", and the frcsc,
n work by G.. w. Bennett of Manchester.
q The total cost, including land, bulldin
: and furnishing, was $4,000, of whit
G amount the ladies Of the society rails
. 81 ,2O0 $4,000 was secured by subscri
/. ton, and $4,000 was contributed by Ho
ir Trcnor w. Park At the commenccme
of the enterprise, Mr.. Park, with his a
:. customed liberality, promised to give d
O. society one dollar for every dollar that W
raised by subscription,