The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-05-15

and to those ladies and gentlemen OF
other denominations who so kindly
assisted on the occasion, our Me
thodist friends are very grateful.
The character of the music was OF
the highest order. and in it's rendi-
ton not g flaw could be discovered
to interrupt it's magnificent harmo-
ny. The Professor had taken great
pains with the choir, and tSsy did
full credit to his careful training.
Some Facts About the Church Build
ing.
The determination to build finer
and more eligible church Was first
formed by the Methodists nineteen
years ago. The congregation then
occupied the building on DeKalb
street, now used by the colored NJ.
E. Church. This was in 1859. Ten
thousand dollars were subscribed.
and the site for the new building Sc
lected on Monumental Square, front
ing Laurcns street. The work had
progressed so far that the walls of
the building were partially erected,
and in the spring of 1860 the corner
stone was laid. But then the war
came Oh, and work was suspended.
After the wal ended, the congrega-
ton found Themselves involved in
the general poverty and bankruptcy
which resulted, and the work of
erecting the new church could by no
means be resumed. With their
wealth, many Of their useful mem
bers had passed away, but there still
remained some heroes in the cause,
who never lost sight of the cherish
ed idea that some day they would
worship in q new and handsome
church.
The first effort to raise the means
to build the present structure was
made in 1875, during the ministry of
Rev. 81. I. Chreitzberg, and tie first
dollar was given by the ven erable
Rev. David Derrick, of Columbia.
The work of raising funds WAS con-
tinued under Rev. G. w. Whitman's
ministry, and completed under that
Of the present pastor, Rev. J. O.
Wilson. Each successive pastor
found Dr.. Zemp here, q tower of
strength N the cause, and full of en-
thusiasm for an object which he had
made almost part of his existence.
To this gentleman more credit is
due than to any other person one, that
the Methodists now have the hand
soonest church edifce in Camden.
The foundation of the church was
laid in 1877, and from then it has
grown by easy stages to it's compile
ton.
The new edifce is of striking
neatness and beauty. Its architect
ure cannot be ascribed to any par
ticular style. The building proper
is of Doric design, but the steeple
prevents it from being classed with
that architecture. In fact, we may
say that the style of the building
was formed as it grew, and the de-
sign is more combination of the
tastes of DR.. Zemp, Mr.. Chreiizberg
and Mr.. Wilson, than anythinG else.
The roof and steeple are the design
of Mr.. F. J. Hay, and the cor;lishes
and stucco work of MIR. VIM. Tarver.
All the briclwork,t masonrv and
woodworl; was done by native color
ed mechanics, under the supervision
of Dr. Zcmp and his son, Nh. ". H.
Zcmp, tie latter having especial
charge Of all the ornamental work.
The painting was done by Nj. j. G.
Woist The auditorium is 36X5G
feet, and has 81 seating capacity of
1886. At the cast end is the pulpit,
built on the modern platform style.
The platform, rs well as the space
in front and the aisles, are neatly
carpeted. The pulpit, deliberately
and beautifully finished by Massrs.
r. J. McCreight Il Son, from & de-
sign by MI. Tarver, is of choice
walnut, and is sulmounted By q SILL
perb crimson bible cushion. 1T the
west end is the choir gallery. The
pews are of yellow pine, with back
and end railing of walnut. The
church is lighted by five very hand
some chandeliers, suspended from
the ceiling, two over each aisle and
one over the choir gallery. IN the
wall each ade of the pulpit are the
registers for heating the church.
The entire building and futures
were erected at d cost of les than