Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-09-13
ST. Johns EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The congregation of St. Johns Episcopal
church is increasing so rapidly that their
church edi6ce became altogether inadequate
for their accommodation. Rev. Mr.. Edson1
an EAGLE reporter yesterday that
the congregation number nearly 275, or that
there were that number of Episcopalians in
the city connected with the parish or have
expressed their intention of worshipping in
his congregation.
For some time the congregation has been
considering the proposition of building a.
fine stone edifce, but at length determined
to enlarge and remodel the present church
and defer building new one until they were
able to chose the most favorable location.
Accordingly they proceeded to enlarge, re-
model and beauti fly the old church and the
work was finished yesterday. The result
is quite commodious and really handsome
structure, complete in all its appointments.
Mr.. Edison was seen inside among the
workmen, in his shirt sleeves with sleeves
rolled up and pair of overalls on, working
like beaver. He explained to the reporter
the changes that had been made. He felt
quite proud of the result, and well he might,
especially as he was the designer and the
work was done under his direction. A
glance at the interior reveals very beauti-
full. well appointed church, all newly
painted, trimmed and carpeted. The varied
colors of paintings, carpets and trimmings
blending in perfect harmony and combining
to produce most pleasing effect.
The back end has been torn out of the
church, and new addition 2lxSs has been
built to the rear end, and a new chancei
erected double the size of the old.
The new addition forms transcept to the
old structure, which is the nave The
outline of the whole is cruciform, or cross
shaped. A cellar has been dug under the
church for a furnace and the whole church
will be heated by steam. Il. chimney two
feet wide wide with two ventilators SO ar
ranged as TO facilitate the escape OF gas
from the church connects with the furnace.
Mr. Edison gave the reporter dissertation
| on ventilation which showed his familiarity
with that subject New chandeliers have
been put in and the konse will be lighted
with gass. The gas service ar
ranged in accordance with &C.
| clcsiastical custom. The entire edifce is
newly painted. The body of the exterior is
slate color with imitation red sandstone
trimmings, which renders very fine effect
| in conjunction with the stained glass win
dows The interior has been alabastined IN
pearl grey, with the roof of sky blue The
inside of roof is of open frame work cieled
with four-lnch matched pine. The heav.
rafters with their champlers are of brilliant
red. The pews and wainscoting are in che
lack and oil with black walnut trimming
The chancel is beauty. Its furniture is Of
chestnut trimmed with walnut and oil fin
ished The ladies of the Women's Guild, have
laid the chancel floor with an elegant IngraiI
carpet of red with black figure. At th'
back of the altar is rich, dark red dorse
hanging with the Greek letters alpha ant
omega in large size embroidered thereon
which forms background for the fine golt
altar cross. The aislcs are carpeted. Th'
entire work displays good taste and the et
feet as one enters the door is very fine. l
may appear strange to some to be told tina
the first church building of vny denomina
ton in this city was a little Episcopaliai
church. Our Episcopalian friends are to b
congratulated on the rcmodelling of thei
church. The present seating capacity
275 and services will be held IN the remod
eled edifce for the first time to-day, begin
ming at IL a. m.