Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-18
AsBURY N. E. CHURCH.
COMPLETION OF THE ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVE
MENTs-A HANDSOME EDIF1cE.

quietly, but steadily progressing, until now, the
last finishing touches have been applied and the
building Is ready for re-dedcltion tomorrow
The result OF these improvements cannot help
proving u source of qualification to the con,.rt-
grafton and friends of the church, while the
handsome appearance impaired to the entire
building reflects great credit upon those having
the work In charge.
Externally, but slight alteration has been made
and the building still retains in great measure, its
former appearance. This will doubtless prove a |
source OF much satisfaction, to those who for
years nave worshippcd around the altar of the |
previously plain and unpretending edifce, w1kch
hallcwed by associations of the most sacred char
acter was more beautiful to their eyes, than the
most imposing and gorgeous temples, which are
now erected for the worship of the Most High
several coats OF brown paint have been applied
to the walls, new roof and comice put on and
/ the doors freshly painted and grained. Two new
doors have also been put in the front. These
constitute the external Improvements
immediately upon entering the door however
/ the improvements and alterations can be observed
In the first place, the stairs which were formerly
placed against the outer wall, have been moved
out TO tue centre of the vestibule. This has the
/ effect of leaving the windows uuobstructed, and
thus greatly facilitating the proper ventilation of
| the church in warm weather. New cocoa matt
ing has been placed ON the floor of the vestibules
up stairs and down, while the ffeseoed walls and
freshly painted doors and balustrades impart a
general air of newness and cheerfulness to this
portion of the interior.
| Immediately over the centre door opening into
the main room, the text al am the way" is hand
lsomely inscribed. On. n.entering this door, one
who has been accustomed to seeing Asbury as it
was year ago, cannot help pausing in astonish-
ment at the wonderful Transformation that has
been effected. While still retaining the general
shape and contour of the old room, the impOye-
ments have been OF so complete a character and
beautiful effect, as to almost cause one to doubt
that this is the same room in which the friends of
sold ASburVN often bIa1 To .otTar thoip
tribute OF praise and prayer to the Creator of
but 1t is even so. BY careful planning and ju-
diclous combination of various industries, re-
suit has been attained, which cannot fail to sur
pass the most sanguine expectations of the friends
of this enterprise.
The old pews have been entirely removed and
replaced with new ones, of handsome dark wal
nut, provided with comfortable red cushions
) The floor is covered with new dark and wine
cOlored Ingram carpet, while the walls and ceiling
arc trescoed in the most exquisite manner and de
sign. The pulpit has been completely remodelled
The wall at this end of the building was torn out
and recess built two feet deep, fourteen feet
high, and twelve ieet wide with two small Gothic
8 entirely entirely new, and Ii composed of darl
, walnut pulpit desk, chairs and sota upholstered
. with red velvet, and Variegated marble top wal
nut communion table. A handsome walnut rail
ing surrounds the pulpit, the hoor inside ofWhicl
ID earpeted with beautiful dark red Brussels car
? pet Over the pulpit Is the inscription "sIeau
says, ask and We shalt receive seek and We shaI
Aind." Altogether it is surprisingly beautiful
e devoid of any harsh guadlness, and Is in every
D sPect, most fitting and appropriate place from
4 which to preach Divine Truths.
- The front gallery has been lowered about tWt
! feet, and now affords free view OF the pulpi
/ from every point. The fFoht windows have beef
extended up almost to the ceiling, thus pIovidin,
excellent ventilation to this part OF the building
The floor and asles OF the gallery covered wit
+ new cocoa mating, and the peWs newly painted
:. The old windows have been removed, and neV
~ ones OF handsome stained glass placed IN thei
70 stead. The gas fixtures are all new, and of nea
is and tasteful design In fact the whole interior
10 the church has been completely rejuyenated, an
the friends OF "Old Asbury" can now point wit
10 pride to y meeting room as beautiful and apprC
n pirate in appearance as that of any other churo
T. sdifce in the State.
!" In addition to these improvements up stairs tn
rooms down stairs have also received attention
Ol In the Sunday SGhool room, the wooden column
have been removed aud replaced with handsome
ID and more substantial ones of cast iron. The tot
Is class rooms have been furnished with the pew
and carpet removed from up stairs, and gener
use Of the painters brush, has impaired a Tres
appearance to these portions OF the church
The parties whose skill and industry produce
NJ these alterations and improvements, are as 10
us lows:
en- Unholsteriug, George @. Maean; irsscoiue,
we G. Lshmau; painting and glazing, Carlisle Il He
ise dersou these parties also furnished the ne
= l btalneu kihSS WINDOWS tnS peNss WINDOW sa3
ro- doors and door frames were furnished by Sau
'h' ders d Williams; the pulpit desk by Spring,
'es Morley u Clause pulpit furniture by Murphy
eh Booth the carpenter work was done by kerns
We Webb, and the stair building by Charles Evan
VIM. NJ. KennaTd &c Co, furnished the carpet Al
W mating. The total cost of the improvements III
a furnishing is between $1,000 and $1,000.
ng The committee appointed BY the church
N effect these improvements consisted OF Charl
ter Wood Rnel Heisler, Lewis Hates, Samuel Gasp,
lld son and Jsrmap J. McMuleI; aud 10 the sou
me Judgment and expsFlanee Of these gentlemen
MS due in great measure the complete and beau
VI. tying character Of the work performed. drI
is praise is also due 10 tho chairman of the conan
age tee, Mr.. Wood, who, in his desire to have evel
to thing performed in satisfactory manner,
ca given to the work his almost entire personal
lei. perviaion.
The work of clearing up aud making the 6i
preparations was ggGtUitonsly performed by I
III ladies' Of thu ehuFch. By this time the last hni
An ing touches have been applied, aud now the chu
The remodalea and baAntifad, is ready for Hsdodl
In tiOn to the service Of God, in which for year
EAs has proved 50 faithful and sAloisAt.
ety The dedicatOrY services will commence tom
ex- roW morning at f01S o'clock, with preaching
tee Or. Sims, of Baltimore, who viii alRo preach
tho the evening ak I y o'clock. Rev. Jacob Todd,
lfea Grace n. n. Church. will preaeh in the aftarn
ons at az o'clock All the former Pastors now ltvi
,nn- and within reach, have been specially inVi
are and seasoa OF very great interest s anticipa
rAN A full report OF the dedicatory services viii
lass pear II the 0AzRRTR OF Monday.