Evening star., 1884-01-19

1
| shippers permanent growth to the church. 1t
was soon found that the church building was
| inadequate for the needs of the congregation
But, while the members recognized the neces-
! sity for new building. they realized their pov-
erty. and they turned with feelings of sturdy in
| dependence from the thought of mourning debt
But the necessity of more room still pressed
upon them. Before the nomination of Gen
Garfield plans were discussed for
ERECTING A CHURCH
| which would be worthy of the denomination at
the capital of the nation. With his nomination
came an increase in the attendance. which was
already too large for the little church. With
his election the movement took shape, and it
gained strength by the cooperation Of the
General Missionary Society Of the church. which
gave authority for funds to be raised
from the denomination throughout the country.
/ The society," in conjunction with the church. ap-
pointed the following building committee which
was authorized to proceed with the collection
of funds and the erection Of the church: Rev F.
d. Power, chairman; Hon. John F. Fisk, Hon
r. NJ. A Hawk (deceased), Hon. Russell Errett,
J. 3. Thomas. W. s. ROose A. K Tingle J F.
Sau1n, Fl. C. Stier and KiEiey ]. Tener This
committee designated the last six named as a
| subcommittee. and these gentlemen, with w.
S. RoOse as chairman, have had the entire
charge OF the superintendent of the work.
How well they have performed their duty the
handsome binding. completely furnished and
ready Tor dedication, sufficiently attestS.
MONEY FREELY GIVEN.
AS soon as it was known that the congrega-
ton here intended to build a new church, and
that they wanted funds. money began to flow in
from all parts Of the country. There was no
solicitation, except what was done by the pas
tor and a few friends. The members of the
church were not backward. They were few in
numbers and poor In worldly goods The
= onI y,ff fbn Ia
have contributed to the new edifice S23 Coo
Efforts were made between Garfield's election
and inauguration to secure funds and after his
inauguration rapid progress was being made,
when the entire movement was checked by the
assault upon the Presidents life, and nothing
further was done until after his death. The Sd
of July, 1882. which was the first anniversary of
the shooting of the President, was comme,nor-
ated in fitting manner by the laying of
THE CORNER STONE
of the beautiful new edifice upon the site Of the
old church where the asSassinated President was
wont to worship. At that time the building
committee had on hand $50, 1000, the estimated
cost of the structure completed and furnished
being $4,000. No further effort was made to
raise money until the fall of 1882 and the spring
OF 1883. when the pastor spent four months in
! the field. and secured cash and pledges amount
Ing to $4,000. This was obtained mainly from
| the churches Of the denomination in the west
| the people in Ohio contributing most literally.
| The church will be dedicated with about $40,
GOO debt upon it. towards which there is about
| 5000 pledged. Mrs Garfield gave $500 to the
| church, with the wish that it be expended in q
memorial window to her husband. Subse-
quently, however, it was determined to make
! the entire building memorial to the late Presi-
dent, and 30 1t happens that there is nothing
about the church except the name to indicate
that it Is q memorial.
DEATH OF THE CONTRACTOR.
| The contract tor building the church was
awarded to Robert Davidson g. Co., of this CITY
for S33. 200. Mr.. August NJ Davidson died, but
the work has gone on under the terms of the
contract. His death, however, naturally de.
volved additional cares Of superintendence upon
Mr.. RoOse and the members of the building com.
| mttee.
| THE NEW EDIFICE COMPLETED.
| The cditice which has thus been brought to O
successful completion is a substantial building
plain and unpretentious in style, and yet attrac.
tive and pleasing to the eye 1t is elegant with.
out being showy, and the substantial manner in
which it has been built even to tie smallest de.
tails, will insure its durability for years to come:
/ from an architectural standpoint the building
/ Is tine type of the modern Gothic The side
walls are low and the roof high pitched The
'front.' which is of brick. with broWIl-st stone trim
/ Dy TWO main entrances and
| one In the tower which is surmounted by a
graceful spire. Above the tower entrance a
brown-stone slab is sunk in the wall.
and on the surface is cut the inscription Me
mortal Christian Church." Further UP another
! stone bears the date, '.lSS2" In the center Of
| the front is q large and handsome rose" vim
| dow, which is 1led with cathedral GLASS. and
below is group of five Gothic windows The
entrances lead into small vestibules and then
at once into the main auditorium of the church.
ihS has very attractive appearance The
! hard wood finish and the blue and red tints of
/ the frescoing blend with the soft warm hues of
the dark-red carpet and cushions. forming COM
blnatlon that is at once pleasing to the eye and
grateful to the cultivated taste. The roof is
pronounced by authorities to be one OF the best
features of the interior. 1t is what is known as
an open ceiling" the rafters being exposed and
Ornamented with
CARVING AND SCROLL WORK
In such way as to give the effect Of Iirhtness
and grace without detractng from the strength.
The spaces in the roof between the rafters, are
pierced with small windows. All the interior
wood work is poplar, finished in hard oil. The
peWs are ash, trimmed with walnut. The seat
ing capacity of the auditorium which is CT by
a feet is 65O with accommodations In the gal
lery over the entrances for $50 more The fres-
CONG. which was done 10y Mr. Joseph Rakeman,
of this city. is in the Gothic styIe the
colorlng being principally in blue and dark red.
over the pulpit sky is represented dotted with
stars, aud below this the wall is painted to rep
resent red drapery. A handsome brass chande-
ller with glass pendants, hangs from the center
of the ceiling. ana its radiance will be suppIe-
mented by side lights. The windows are fitted
with cathedral glass, and when the sunlight
streams through the effect is very pretty. In
the wall. at the rear of the pulpit two doors
| open into a recess, where the baptstrv is sit
uated. On the right Of the pulpit handsome
| organ which is now being made in Boston by
Messrs. Hook d Hastings, at a cost of So. 900
Will be placed. In the meanwhile The Diamond
State Organ company, of Wilmington, Del. has
sent on an instrument which will be used for
| the dedlcatory services, and at subsequent
church meetings.
COSY LECTURE ROOM.
Doors on each side of the platform open into
| the Sunday school and lecture-room. which is
furnished like the church. and is a very hand
some room, 81 by 60 feet. Adjoining this room
is the pastors study, and above it. opening upon
balcony that cverlooks the lecture-room, is
the infant class room. dumb-waiter connects
with well equipped kitchen in the basement.
ana these arrangements prove that the social
HE OF the church is an active one. The venti-
iation OF the church is secured by 1ues in the
wall with openings near the ceiling. The church
Is finished In such complete and thorough way
| that 1t Is creditable to all who have been en-
gagged upon it, The architect Is Mr. r. G. Rus
| sell, of Hartford, Conn, who has been repre-
sented by Mr.. w. p. Limpscomb. of this CITY.
The builders were Robert Davidson & Co. JOS.
Thomas Il Son, of Baltimore, furnished the wood
work; 8. S. Shedd, the heating apparatus: Hay-
ward, Hutchinson Il Co., the plumbing: w r