Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-25

W '"y"s Tic CORNER stone OF the new
Episc pal church in tn city occurred uude,
very suspicious circumstances. For man,
years the erection of new church ediAce
had been talked of and contemplated amonu
the members Of the parish, and it was a pro
Ject Cherish by Rev. Mr.. Upjonn for many
years The old building was becoming de.
iapifated with age and it did not answer 10
the demands Of the parish in many respects.
Nothing def,ite, however, was accom-.
pii'hed until March 1884. shortly after
Rev Walker Gsynne became rector OF
81 Mary. Then pari.h meeting was held
ard the 7th day Of the April following. a
subscription paper was started with the IN.
derstanding that the sum of s25 900 was 70
De pledged before one year I'd elapsed. Sub.
Scorpions at once came fowir in and 80 rap.
IDLY that ere year and fown s25. 639 had
been subscribed, sufficient amount to per.
fectly complete the prospective edifce Al
soon AS it was found that the necessary funds
were forthcoming measures were at once
taken to erect the house
Mr.. r. NJ. Uijohn Of New York, a brothe,
of Rev. Mr.. Urjphn, was chosen architect
and having formulated plans. they were &C.
cepted by the building committee. The site
chosen was that of the rectory on lot ex
tending from Pleasant to Summer streets
north of ST. Marks Home. II is one
of the pleasantest and most slightly spots in
. h.., hole sttr
visible from State, Winthrop and Bridge
streets To make place for it the rectory was
moved directly west to Summer street The
dimensions Of the new church will be as fol-
lows extreme length from east to west, Ito
feet; extreme breadth at organ chamber and
choir room, go feet depth of choir and chan
Gel, 30 feet; length Of nave Sc feet; breadth
| OF nave and aisles A. feet; chapel, Asks feet
height of spire above floor, 92 feet. The
material selected for this temple of God Is
granite, that of the walls being the beautiful
blue stone from Col. Bangs quarry in Nor
ridgewock. There are to be six polished
granite pillars, from Somes quarry, Mt.
Desert, supporting the clear story, and a
seventh facing the arcade which connects the
nave with the transcript. The work on the
columns is to be done bye. J. Hall of Belfast.
The committee advertised for bids for
erecting the building and the contract was
awarded to the firm of C. NJ. Foster & Son
of Waterville. The contract price for the
new church is 1921 1856, 300 for the
church proper, and 50 $50 for the chapel
This includes all the mason and carpenter
work. Architects fees, glass, pews. gas fit.
ting, draining. heating, etc are to be pro.
vided for out of the bslance. As the sub
scrption list is 1926 500 the balance is S., 653
| The whole of this will certainly be needed to
finish. The first ground was broken Aug.
l2ih and the first stone of the foundation
laid Aug. 18Th. The asher work was CON-
pleted SEPT. ltth. By the terms of the con
tract the roof i, TO hr on the Both lay OF
November and the church delivered up com.
plete July LIST, 1885 1t will be the hand
soonest Ftp scopal church structure in the
State outside OF the cathedral at Portland
The ceremony of laying the corner stone
aud services connected Herewith commenc d
at II A. VI. ard was performed by Bishop II.
A. Neeiv of Portland, assisted bv Rev. Samuel
Urjuhn. Philadelphia; Rev Walker Gwynne,
Augusta; R-v. Mr.. Hill, Dexter; Rev. G. l..
Wells. Gisiner; Rev George Holbrook
Rev + F. Small, Saco; Rev. Melville Nc.
Lsugh!in, Ilallowell; Rev. c. NJ. Stills, Port.
land; Rev NJ H. Wellman, Dresden ;and Rev.
Robert PArke, Bath.
AT the opening hour services began in the
church, n large gathering being present
many being citizens not connected with the
parish. The choir was very effective one, its
strength having been increased by the addi-
ton of several new voices. Prof. Gerald
Lamb was musical director and organist.
Bishop Neeley spoke briefly and congratu.
lated the parish on the event, and the pros
pect Of a new house of worship.
He said have felt that the building OF
this church was one of the most important
works in the diocese. do not regard it as
mere parochia undertaking, but this
being the centre of the State, those visiting
the city will draw ideas from appearances
here. thank God YOU have undertaken this
work and what especially gladdens nv heart
is that you will have no debt when the struct-
ure is completed. The offerings for the fund
were generous, a gratifying fact. The re-
ligion of man or women can be Judged these
DAYS bv their generosity to the church
believe the laying of this corner stone will be
the dawn of new era in the history of the
parish.
The Bishop was followed by Rev. Mr. Up
john, Mr.. Gwynne's predecessor, and who
was the beloved pastor of st. Marks for
mary years.
| presume this is not the first time | have
spoken about new church and can congrat-
ulate YOU to-day on this work row so success
fully begun he said There was much prelim-
insry talk in connection with this undertaking
and | think | am entitled to little of the
credit So if | am not here to do work.
can continue talking. We are ali glad and
grateful to-day The glory of this new tenn
ple is greater than that of the first. 1t was
nearly half century ago when there was a
similar gathering to this. Few are here to-
dsy who were present at the occasion.
The speaker continuing referred to the
changes which so wears had wrought IN the
church and peoples ideas. The time was
when a surplice, even, WAS viewed With sus-
l..o tho Episaopal church Ia