Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-29
A Co,nnleie Church.
FoRr WORTH. June %, 1881

FORT WORTH. June %, lSsh
10 tho Editor OF the Gazette.
The readers Of THE GAZETTE will
be interested In knowing that ST.
paul's Methodist Episcopal church,
which has been in the hands Of the
carpenter, painter and outiltter for
some three months, is at last complete.
What was at first u plain building,
seating some two hundred, at best, is
now nea; and elegant church afford
ing the best possible accommodations
for three hundred hearers, aud by use
of the gallery fifty additional seats are
provided. This salutary result has
been achieved by the addition
of wings on either side, also the cree
ton of as neat and elegant spire as
can he seen anywhere. Some gentle
men We're accounting for the beauty
and symmetry of the tower by the fact
that these Methodists had all such
things fixed up in Philadelphia.
Such has not been the case, as the
drawings and carpenter work are all
from the skillful hand of Mr. Charles
Il. Leake, n prominent member of the
church. 1t is notable tact that al
most the whole Improvement, decora-
llDis ltit oNt W rllC uCiu I'LL
gers of some of the society's own mem
bers. Truly indeed do they worship
under their own vine and fig tree.n
This society has been organized about
seven years. There were but eight
members when Rev. Harvey Webb
held the class meeting Mt which the
church began its existence. But under
the fiery zeal and energetic measures
of its founder, Bro. Webb, it soon in
creased to larger proportions. They
began with nothing. They had little
of this worlds goods, but had great
faith in God. Their present property
was soon purchased by the far-seeing
Webb, who did SO against the 'judg-
ment" and feelings of all friends and
members. Time has shown the wisdom
of the location. What was then
"off to one side" and down in the
hollow is now in the center of the
great and growing city, Thousands
| pass its doors and are admonished of
their duty TO God. Hundreds of young
men and strangers, crowding up aud
down the great thoroughtare, drop
| ien and hear the sweet song and the
sweet words of peace and salvation.
| Truly indeed did God direct Brother
| Webb in locating st. Paul's NJ. T..
church. This society has, perhaps,
| the most valuable piece of church
property in the city. While great
credit is due TO the congregation and
| its energetic ministers, yet TO
the noble and benevolent people of
Fort Worth must be accorded due
praise for their generous and liberal
support. In the extensive improve
ments just completed, which aggregate
over eighteen hundred dollars, the
citizens have stood by the membership
with great liberality. Gladly, indeed,
would wegive to the world the worthy
names of the 200 donors that grace the
record Of the church, but want Of space
forbids the attempt. In addition to
what may be seen or the house q
worship in the way of improvement g,
may be added debt OF $40 which
the pastor paid at the outset. This
sketch would be incomplete without g
reference 10 the seats. Folding assem-.
bly, chairs are provided at a cost of 5000
They are perforated, seat and back
mahogany finish, having foot rest anC
hat rack, afiording the most comforta
able seats. They are fastened 10 tn,
floor on the arcs of circles so that eacl
chair faces the speaker. The interior
of the church is as cosy in appearance
{ as the outside, and everything neces
sary is provided 10 render the hour @
worship delight. Let us now retur,
thanks unto God for his goodness, ant
! unto the people for their generous AM
liberal support.
p. H. BoDKIN, Pastor.