New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-30


at tho corner of st. Charles and Calliope
streets, has lately been thoroughly frescoed.
and today presents the most beautiful in.
terror of any church in New Orleans: It is
we'll known that this church edifice was
erected mainly through the exertions OF
Rev. DR.. J. P. NeYman, the first pastor
of the society. 1t was dedicated in 1867,
and became the home of the Methodist
Episcopal worshipers Of this city who
did not secede from the old faith and
join the Church South branch. Succeeding
DR.. Newman came Rev. L. C. Matlsck as
pastor, then Rev. j. c. Hartzell, then Rev.
James Morrow, and lastly Rev. j. D.
Adams, the present pastor, the govern
ment Of the conference requiring frequent
changes of preachers. Rev. Mr.. Adams,
from the New York Conference, brings to
his work great zeal and energy of charac-
ter, and to his efforts are due many i'm
provements and much credit for the finished
interior Of the church building now pre-.
sented. The frescoing of the vestry or ses-
sion room and the main auditorium is now
Mr.. Fidel Haug, of this city, whose taste
had been exhibited in decorating the
New Orleans Savings Institution, ON Canal
street, and other buildings elsewhere. His
work at the church shows his ability in
new direction, and in . satisfactory and
conspicuous manner. The general plan of
the fresooing in the large auditorium of the
church is of panel work, with lines, borders
and ornamented corners CT bright colore,
corresponding to the stained glass of the
windows, with Q main groundwork of neu-
trail tints, and the effect produced is light
and cheerful, and most pleasing. The end
of the church opposite to the st. Charles
street entrance has been painted with more
elaborate art, as it faces the auditors and
is tho location of the altar. The scene i'm
mediately in rear of the altar shows q
series of Gothic arches. with good perspec-
tive effect. In the distance through the
arches il sun view, and descending from
the suns rays is seen the figure of dove,
emblematic and symbolic of the light Of
the gospel or truth dispelling the clouds
seen beneath. The design is after the
famous church work of Murillo, and the Of
feet is surprising. Above the altar, at the
extreme height of the end ceiling is an
open book, representing the Holy Scrip
lures. On either side of the altar, az you
face it, is full length figure artistically
done in fresco. The one on the left repre-
sents Francis Asbury, the first American
Bishop of the Methodist Church. Bishop
Asbury was born in Staf1ordshire, Eugland,
in l745. He was selected by John Wesley
for duty in America, and came to this coun-
try in l77O. He is called the father of the
present Methodist Church in America, al
though the forms of worship have under
gone some changes, and he died in Virginia
in 1916. The portrait on the right, which is
over the small door leading to the vestry,
is of John Wesley. who is regarded as the
founder of the Methodist Church in Eng
land. He was born in 1903, and died in
London in 1891. Wesley in the meantime
had visited this country, coming to
Savannah, Georgia, with q party Of
Moravlan missionaries in 1876, and
preaching for about year, without attract
ing any considerable attention. Returning
to England, he associated himself with
Whitefeld, and was the most prominent
actor in forming the society Of Methodists.
1t 10 fitting, then. that these two men, emf
nent in the Methodist church, should be
honored with pictured place in one of the
neatest church editices Of the South, and
the artist has produced excellent ikenesses
of them both, as copied from old engrav-
ings. The Ames Church will be opened to
the public to-day, and it will be found in
keeping with the spirit of the age. Prog
ress in church worship has been made
as we'll as in other things. In the olden
time religion was fearful thing. It re-
quired bodily punishment, rude benches
and a sober face. Gradually the ter
rors have been removed. decorations
and flowers crept into churches, soft
seats and carpets, and the houses Of
God to-day are as good and well furnished
as the houses of men, as they ought to be.
Ames Church will be found cheerful
place, making church going pleasant to
even those who do not consider it duty.