The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-06-28
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
EXPENSIVE AND HANDSOME GIFT

81. Peter's Church, bennington, the Seen
of "A Rare and Interesting Event-A Larg
Congregation Present Description of tn
Chancel, its Furniture and other Partic
ulars.
Under the rectorship of the Rev. VIM
Bogert Walker some of the dreams o
former rectors, including the Rsg DR.
Manser, seem to become realizations
Owing to this fact the services of las
Sunday, st. John Baptist's Day, partool
of more than ordinary important ma.
ture. We have from time to time notet
several changes, additions and improve
ments going on in the chancel of thi
church, but the grand scene of their full
lillment far SURPRISES the promises made
at the beginning. Standing al the en-.
trance ~ the nave the beholder's cyl
traces the way 10 the entrance to thC
choir, and thence TO the sanctuary
wherein stands the restored altar with
its cleaning memorial altar cross anC
shining furniture. On tue right and left
of the choir, in front, stands the eagle
lectern and pulpit, memorials the un-
yelling Of which was The occasion Of the
special service of Sunday morning.
These gifts to the church are from N
B. Squires of Troy, NY. and are erected
in St. Peters In MemOridm of his father
and mother, two OF the early members,
and also largely connected with the
founding of this church some fifty years
ago.
1t is well that before the reception OF
these magnificent offerings the old chan.
Gel had been redecorated and otherwise
suitably furnished, until, with one ex
ccption possibly, this chaRcel is the
handsOmest one in the State. The side
walls have been polychromed in diaper
work, with crosses and Fleur de Lis, the
whole Of which is now complete except
tn dosSal and this is to be supplied at
an early day. The arched ceiling is a
design of the STARRY heavens"
The doors (and casing thereto) leading
into the sacristy and library are finished
in cherry. The arch over the entrance
is in three colors-maroon and two
shades of drab; the columns are in drab
also. The floor rises from the nave three
steps to the altar and the whole chancel
Choir and sanctuary has been newly
carpeted in ecclesiastical red--a hand
some figure.
AT the head of the north aisle a bap-
tistry has been erectsd, with suitable
keeling stools and upon the platform of
which is placed the memorial font. This
was presented some years ago as the Of
fering Of the late Hon. Seth b. Hunt. 1t
is of pure white marble, octogOnal,
panelled, and ornamented with suitable
designs. When not in use this font is
covered with aGothic canopy; both body
and emblems are finished in oil. The
bowl bears the words Zone Faith, One
Lord, One Baptism" and the only other
lettering is upon the base as follows ::
"Acts II, 3S, 49,
At the entrance to the choir rising one
step from the nave, stand the memorials
presented by Mr.. Squires. Both are of
the best workmanship of ]. & r. Lamb
of New York city. The eagle lectern is
much finer and in everyway richer than
the ordinary brass kind, and has an ad-
Unstable book rest. The pattern is mas
sive, the finish unusually elaborate, and
it rests upon circular base placed upon
claws. The inscription is: "a. d. 1888,
To the Glory of God and in loving mem.
DRY of Lucretia Norton, April II, 1880,
wife Of Buckley Squires." The lectern
base is quartered-oak.
The pulpit and book rest are Of polish.
ed brass, resting on a rich and heavy
base of quartered oak. Both the pulpit
and the base are octagon and of the
design ever made by this
firm, in what is called "brass work"
The ornamentation of the base is Gothic,
corresponding with the furniture and
all the other appointments of this chan
Gel. The pulpit has three open panels,
COMMUNICATIVE front panel, cross with
keys; the side panels, quatre foils with
Fleur de Lis in circles. The borders are
vine work in exquisite finish. The in
is "a. d. 1888. To the Glory
Of God and in memory of Buckley
5quires, died January %, $780," The
inscription sentiment
for both memorials is traced upon the
pulpit in these words: Their reward is
with the Lord, and the care of them is