The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-08
The SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
-OPENINa SERvIcEs.--On last Sunday
morning the congregation Of the Second
Presbyterian Church assembled in their new
house OF worship for the first time. It is a
beautiful brick etidce, OF pure Gothic archi-
lecture, and situated IN one OF the most
pleasant. convenient and desirable localities
Of the city. The lot, corner OF Ere Ter OK
and Lewis streets, was a portion OF the es.
tate Of the late Col. John b. Baldwin. It
was purchased about eight months ago at u
,st OF "a, 600. In September last, the church
was let to Messrs. Jordan g. Shomo, contrac-
tors, at a cost OF $4,000, and was to have been
completed BY the first OF December, but ow.
Ing to alterations In the original design, 1t
was not finished until the first Of March.
The interior dimensions are SO by 80 fees.
with seating capacity for three hun
dred. The main entrance is through the
tower OH the southeast end, AMI there Ia d
side entrance in the southwest end. There
are seven large stained glass windows. be-
sides a large double window in the trout of
the building and two small diasnon.l-sliaped
ones In the recess behind the pulpit. The
glass was purchased in Chicago at a cost Of
1915. The walls are finished rough cast, aud
the ceiling is Of cure. The pews and pull
pit are Of heavy walnut, the latter being
handsomely carved. Behind the pulpi. is a
richly carved, high backed, chair, the work
Il the PASTORS own hands. The building is
heated BY a hot air furnace, and lighted BY
forty gas jets. Each four OF these Jets. are
supported by handsome gilt aud blue
bracket, and form beautiful: 'uquet OF
light. The design Of the lights was gotten up
by Mr.. j. 8. Lipsco,nb, OF the firm OF Lips
comb & Sommerville, WHO also supertnten-
ded their construction. Altogether the church
Is one OF the ,zlest, neatest end prettiest In
the South, and the best part Of 1t s that three
iourths OF the cost has been paid, and provis-
10 made for meeting the remainder at matu-
rity.
The service on Sunday last was coinmenc-
ed BY the choir singing II love thy Church,
oh, Cod" The pastor, Rev. McDnff Simp
son, read for his lesson, the Fifth Chapter OF
Ephe-ians, and announced as his text
part Of the thirty-second verse OF that chap
ter: 81 speak to you concerning Cnrist and
tie Church." 1t was more OF q pastoral talk
with his congregation than sermon. but 1t
abounded In interest and Instruction to all
who listened to 1t. One OF the greatest
charms Of Mr.. Simpsons preaching ia the
wealth OF illustration with which his sermons
are always rcplete. His ideas arc presented
In the most impressive manner, aud they In
variably find Judgment with his hearers. Ills
discourse OH this occasion WA. earnest. COM
mon sense aud practical, and almost every
prominent thought was slmpllfed and sni-
pressed upon the congregation by some oea"-
tiiul and Apostle illustration.
The regular Wednesday evening service
will now be resumed, and the usual Sunday
service will hereafter be held in the new
church. For the present, and until the base
ment ia finished, the Sunday School Will al
so occupy the main body OF the church.