The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1890-12-13
pedioation a. Taneytown.

| Reported for the Democratic Advocate
Sunday last, the It'll instant, was the day
| appointed for the dedication of the Reformed
] Church at Taneytown, Nd. Notwithstanding
the fact that the morning was chilly and ram
or snow threatening, with roads bad, by the
time the bell for service pealed forth the
audience room was filed to completion, many
being compelled to stand in the aisles. Alter
the rendering of Mozart Gloria by the choir
Rev. d. n. Ditmar, of Littlestown, read the
morning lesson, after which Rev. c. U. He'll
man, of Alexandria, Pa, delivered the dedi-
| cation discourse. Then it was announced by
the Secretary of the Building Committee that
| about IS, 500 had been expended IN remodel
ing the church, of which amount $2,5ll re
manned unpaid, and it was necessary to collect
\ that amount before the building could be
| dedicated to the service of God The solicit
tors took the immense audience in hand, and
| in about 45 minutes it was announced that the
required amount had been secured, and the
church should be dedicated free from all IN
debtedness. The service was read by Rev.
H. Ditzer, the pastor, after which Praise
God from Whom All Blessings Flow was
sung, never more joyfully.
The building was remodeled upon the plans
submitted by J. W. b. Fry, architect, OF
Philadelphia, Pa. George W. Cromwell, OF
Walkersvile, Nd, contractor. Mr.. G. did
first class piece of work. Employing only
skilled mechanics and overseeing the work
himself, he has shown himself to be the man
to undertake church building. The main
audience room is S6X43 feet, with two large
vestibules The belfry is large and substantial,
in which hangs the large bell generously given
by w. J. Roberts, a friend Of the church.
The chairs that were placed in the auditorium
are much more comfortable than the pews
mostly used. The windows are all memorial,
the large Gothic window taken by the family
ofAmos Duttera, the side windows by Michael
N. Frinqer. of Pikesville, Nd; Misses Schue,
of Piney Creek, Nd; Joshua Koutz and wife,
Tobias and Catherine Fringer, w. j. Roberts
and wife, Calvin T. Fringer and wife, all OF
Taneytown, and George X. Duttera and wife,
Isaiah Reifsnider and wife, of Bruceville,
Nd, and Reuben S. Fringer, of California:
They are all made of the finest cathedral
stained glass.
The church is illuminated by $270 refec-
tor, giving perfect light in any part OF the
building. The pulpit furniture was made by
C. o. Fuss, one of the congregation best
friends. The sculptor, Levi Flickinger,
member who knows where to chisel for an
effect, presented the handsome baptismal
font. Mrs Susan Burlington presented the
Bible, and her choice is much appreciated
by the congregation. Miss Ida Clark gave
the offering plates, of the latest design, and
altogether handsome.
The congregation of the Reformed Church
at Taneytown has been generally considered
a kind Of dwarf, very old but of little strength
and capacity. By some, again, it was thought
that it had certainly outlived its usefulness.
But the little band Of workers held on, they
were secure in the faith. Gradually things
began to brighten, and Glasses in 1885 divided
the charge, constituting Taneytown congre-
CATION separate charge. Rev. II. Ditzler
was then called as pastor, the congregation
took on new life and began to grow, and now
we behold part of their work, of which they
may feel Justly proud. They have built one
of the finest churches in the county by united
action, every man doing his duty, all pulling
together and none tagging in the rear. They
are not done working They have other
things to do, and in the next two years they
mean to expend from $1,000 TO $1,000 more.
The music for the occasion was furnished by
the choir, Samuel S. Lambert, leader; Miss
Annie Baer, organist; JohnJ. Reed, cornetist,
and Levi Flckinger, clarionetist.
We intended giving history Of Grace Re.
formed Church of Taneytown from its or
ganization, early in the 18th century, to the
present, but, owing to the absence OF certain
data, we will be obliged TO reserve that for a
future writing.