Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-15
B e 7 II { l..
A NEW CHURCH DEDICATED.
A Large AssembIage Present-Observa
lions.

A Large AssembIage Present-Observa
lions.
Just one year ago we announced the purpose
t of the Bethel congregation to build new
r house of worship-that it was to be upon the
site occupied by the first church erected in ITS
and Of its successor erected in 182I,-that the
3 presbyterians during The interval would moi
be homeless, for Rev. James Murray, d. D., the
Pastor, would conduct services somewhat re-
gnlarly in the churches of other denomina'
} tions within the borders of his own congrega-
J ton. The building committee composed OF
J Messrs. A. A. sproul, J. W. Gilkeson, VIM. Fl
Cochran, MatthewFPilso f. F. I4arew. Fl. j.
Williams, w. F. Smith, and! Mr.. G. c. Bruce
the Archited, was also announced. AT the
same time brief history of the congregation
from 1T7 when it was organized, the several
pastors and terms of service, com piled mainly
from Waddell's annals of Augusta county, was
also published. Another and very interesting
sketch, prepared by the venerable Mr.. Matthew
Pilson, OF the congregation, its three successive
houses of worship. the pastors, &C.. appeared
recently in the ViRdicator. We could wish tina
one more competent had been enlisted for the
work of recording the incidents and observa-
tons of the day so full of Interest and truly
eventful IS 1t will prove TO be when an adj
However, the insuffiency of the Reporter is
more than atoned for in the pleasure the read
err will derive from perusing he able discourse
of DR.. Murray which was heard with profound
attention.
| THE PEOPLE ASSEMBLING.
Sunday, the 18th instant. had been selected
some time previously as the time when the
new edifice of worship would be dedicated.
ie ta5 in q
the plateau of the Valley 1t is near the source
of the head-springs of tributary of Christian IS
creek, which with their accumulations contin-
uing through pretty meadows from their
source onward, enter that stream about two
miles north of Greenville. The Old Oaks I'M
der which Col Doak and his co2lfreres, hewed
and shaped the timbers for their temple in the
wilderness, still stand mute witnesses of the
memorable past and spread their foliage over
the successors of the Cody patriotswho to-day
have reared upon the sacred spot the third
house of praise and worship. The midsummer
temperature of the two preceding days had
been softened down by the elements, and the
bright morning of the Sabbath was indeed
May day. From over the hills and far up and
down the wales; from the city and from
the mountains of the East and the West upon
| whose sides the mis- hung all the day long.the
Bethel Old and young mingled together on
the lawn and in groups around the old trees
and congratulated one another upon the plea
SAINT circumstances under which they were
assem- bling that day of days. The expressions
of the Psalmist in his walks round about Zion
were the inspirations of mauy hearts that day.
Never did cheerful faces and happy minds ex-
press their inward emotions with more sacred
delight than were manifest throughout that
day of dedicatory services.
THE CHURCH.
The walls of the ediice are of brick upon
stone foundations. The Gothic style of archi-
ticture is observed in the openings and general
:, plau of the building Above the front or vesti-
butte end a well proportioned spire is ut
adornment to the firm-set walls that support 1t
and the roof. Relief and symmetry observed.
there is after that no extravagant adornment
| about the front entrance. The session-room
adioins the rear of the building, and is entered
from without as well as from the auditorium
There are five windows each side of stained
glass. There is but one gallery, and that is OF
the end, and is entered from the vestibule
The ceiling surface is the inner face OF The ROOF
divided into five panels corresponding to the
measurements holding the windows. The
panel surface of the ceilings is oiled pine; the
| frame WOrk IOTInlQS Lie lOOl buPPOt1 10 hhAoH
ed with brown colored Oil. The sidewalks as
high as the pews, the gallery fra mes and pews,
in fact ali surface finish. is pine oiled. The
pulpit has recess which is arched with
similar relief over the two sde.openings lead
ing to the session room. The floor of the pull
pit is only two steps elevated. In the center Is
; a neatly finished walnut pulpit desk and there
is other furniture OF the same style. This furn-
iture was the gift of the children of the congre-
cation, except the communion table which was
the offering of a Richmond lady. There are
three aisles-a broad one in the center and one
| by the side of each wall. Thd pews are in two
double blocks and curved to the center. The
walls are white. The Fews are dressed In cush
ions OF the same color end uniform finish. The
, space on the left of the pulpit is appropriated
, to the organ and choir. The corresponding
space On the right is furnished with chairs and
utilized at will. The entire floor surface car
peted.
| The building committee contracted with
Messrs Lowman & Shrum of Rockingham for
the stone. and brick work. and with the Lex
ington Manufacturing company for the re-
ma1nder of the completed edfice, all of which
gives good satisfaction. The entire church
building and the furnishing cost about six
thousand dollars, of which only about four
l hundred remain to be paid.
MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
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