Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-02-12

Wayne Dedication.
Dear Sir-The dedication of the new
Congregational Church at Wayne took
place on Tuesday. the 9th, and few
words about it may be acceptable 10 your
readers This church is one of the Oldest
in the county, and has already occupied
four different houses of worship.
A picture OF these different buildings,
if it could be shown, would present the
great improvement which has taken place
during the last fifty years in this part of
the State.
Imagine a log house, built with two
lengths of logs, locked together at the
ends. and covered with shakes, or long
oak shingles, having no fuor, and no
seats except the sleepers and few slab
benches, and you have picture of the
first house. 1t was afterwards finished
with floors and galleries, and with seats
of better construction, but the time never
arrived when the slab benches did not
serve for the young people, and Priest
Woodruff, as he was called, never failed
TO preach in the same old fashioned way.
This house was burned. Then follow
ed ancther-a very respectable frame
building, and Rev. Mr. Roberts became
the pastor. The church then diVided-a
building was erected on the State Road,
and the old house became the residence
of the pastor. The.hOuse that was burn
ed two years ago, was built at tn
Center This. too, with those preced-
ing, coresponded with the condition
of the country at the time. One who
had seen it, would have know that the
inhabitants of Wayne had come from
New England, for il resembled mulitndes
of others which one would see in the
Yankee land of former generation. The
frescoed walls and modern finishing nev-
er took away the antiquated look.
The new building erected on the spot
of the old is much more modern il STYLE
Built of wood, with a tower in front,
green blinds, and spire, it has fair ap-
pearance externally. Within, the sepa-
rate rooms at the entrance, and gallery
above. give the house at the outset,
cosy, parlor-like appearance. The audi
ence room is spacious, high, and nicely
finished. The ceiling is square, with
transverse timbers, and braces IN relief,
and nicely frescoed with light fawn
finna Tho nrahacfro hanfy Of hn
PIT, raised and appr cached through doors
and partitioned passages at either side,
seems like a separate addition, but is
really taken out of the main building.
The whole length ofthe house is by this
arrangement used for seating. The gal
lery over the entrance extending to the
front, and the orchestra back OF the pull
pit, furnishing seats for the choir, while
the audience room is left in very good
proportions, and large enough for all or
dinary occasions.
The finish of the building in square,
but ornamented frame work, and with
frescOed paneling-the triple windows at
either end lighting the gallery and or
chestra. The height land length of the
room give to the whole interior light,
handsome and almost elegant appear
ance, and make n very beautiful house Of
worship. The whole cost was $4,000.
The house is carpeted throughout. Three
large chandeliers hung through the CEN
tire; the pulpit is but step above the
floor, but is roomV and tasteful. The
seats are of ash, ornamented with black
walnut trimmings.
The house is heated from below by
stoves in the basement A register placed
in every seat equalizes 1.-The temperature,
and pleasant atmosphere fills the build
ing in the coldest weather.
The dedication rservices were conduct
ed by the former pastor, Rev. H. Gear
and the present pastor, Rev. ]. Read, as
sisted by Rev. Mr.. Cummings, of the
State Board.
Rev. S. D. Peet preached in the even
ing-different speakers following with
addresses.
The music was of very good charac-
ter, and the occasion was an interesting
one, and well attended Notwithstanding
the extremely cold weather. s.D.P.
THE TEMPERANCE MEETING on Friday
evening last was an indication of the in
terest that is felt in the subject, for not
withstanding the severity of the cold, the