The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-14
CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS.
THE COURT STREET CUMBERLAND
PRESBYTERIAN EDIFICE.
Skill, Art and Liberality Combined to
Make One Of the Most Magnificent
and Perfect Audience-Rooms In the
Country-Dr. Talmage TO Dedicate 1t.

During the summer now past, and which
has gone into history as memorable for ita
many thrilling incidents, the Cumberland
Presbyterian church, on Court street, has
been thoroughly remodeled internally, and
in large measure externally.
The Improvements were planned by
Architect @. G. Burke. have been made
under the direction Of Mr.. l.. d. Kelly,
late of Boston, and will cost in, the neigh.
borhood OF Sl2,000-possibly in excess Of
that amount.
The work is rapidly approaching com.
pletion, and at the finish members of the
congregation and their friends may very
properly pride themselves on the fact that
they will have the handsomest audience
room in the south, and the peer OF any in
the country.
The present building was commenced
before the war, and its completion was
frustrated by that event. For twenty
years the massive square tower has doomed
up in its incomplete state, presenting any
thing but a beautiful appearance. Now
all is changed; the tower has been carried
forty feet higher by the addition OF Nor
man belfry, surmounted by battlement
parapet, ornamented by eight finals. The
bell OF this church is the largest in the
city, and since il has been in its elevated
position it can be heard for many miles.
A stairway has been built TO the top OF the
tower, and from the protected hoora grand
view can be obtained OF the city and
country for many miles around.
The interior OF the house has been en-
tirely renovated. The old ceiling has been
taken out and new ceiling put in, which
is composed entirely of wood. The beauty
OF this ceiling must be seen TO be appre-
ciated. 1t is built of the purest white
pine, walnut and ash. The groins and
ornamental squares are Of ash and walnut,
and the panels OF pine, the whole fringed
by thousands Of feet OF rich gilt holding.
There are six bronzed ventilators in the
ceiling each about six feet square, This
part OF the work speaks for the skill Of the
architect, Maj. Burke, V. I. Cosby, the
contractor, and L. A. Davis, painter. The
walls are elegantly frescoed by Messrs.
Glorious x Newmyer OF Nashville. The
floor has been sloped about four feet from
the entrance doors, and the angles in the
gallery have been taken out, and all the
corners in the building have been rounded.
These changes will remedy the acoustics,
great defect that was always noticeable
in tho old room.
Another marked change in the audience,
room is the building Of partition walls in
the rear OF the platform. The grand organ
is now in an arched recess, and a reredos
extends across the room. The rerodos
will have two elegant memorial windows,
representing biblical scenes. This will
give grand and rich effect 10 the whole
room. The carpeting and upholstehng
will be done by Messrs Bryson * Mitch
ell, and the stained glass work by Mr..
John Hughes, OF this city.
The pastor, DIR. II. A. Jones, who, with
Capt. james Lee, IT,. chairman OF the
building committee, has taken the keen
est interest in the remodelng, and, in
fact, deserve unbounded praise for tho
work, are receiving warmcst congratula-
tons from their supporters. II has been
a long, continued, and sometimes dis
courlging effort on their part, since it.
was generally conceded that tho Court
street church was amply safe aud inviting
for any and all church purposes. Every
thing that has been done was prompted
10y desire 10 beautify, make substantial.
and bring up TO and beyond the standard
OF acoustics. In this the most complete
success has crowned their laborp, thanks
TO the skill Of the contractors aud work.
men, and the liberality OF those who came
up 10 the financial obligations.
II Is at present the intention OF the con-
gregation, rs learned from Dr. Jones, 10
have the Rev. I. Dewitt Talmago preach
the dedicaiory sermon, which will 10
some time during November. The dis
tinguished divine has already promised to
do 80 in case II be practicable for him TO
leave his Brooklyn charge and other en-
gagement at the time.
The zeal aud libeulity OF the congrega-
ton OF the Cumberland church have thus
reared monument that will stand as en-
during as though IL were OF granite.
Around IL, whatever Of pickering and
honestly urged differences there have
been in the past, may be laid aside. and
church work pushed with the vigor and
success possible only in complete har-
mony.