Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-19
AFTER TWO MONTHS.
OR. HoGE'S CHURCH RENOVATED AND
TO BE OPENED TOMORROW.
Eniarged-Somc Historical Facts Re-
garling the Building.

Inc Second Presbyterian Or. Hoge's)
church has been thoroughly renovated in
side and out and tomorrow the Doctor
VIII occupy his own pulpit for the first
time IN some two months Tho work has
been done at a cost of about three thou
sand dollars. The exterior has been fresh
~ painted from foundation TO turrets and
in the interior paint. varnish, and bur
nlshing have been freely used. but no
change has been made that DESTROYS ths
resttul and familiar effects of the audltO-
rum. Tho interior walls have been
blocked IN almost imperceptible blue and
PINK tnt- representing stone. tho columns
supporting the galleries bronzed and the
woodwork vanished. The result Of this
Il To bring out the architectural details IN
the beautiful roof more strongly. vet pre-
serve that solemn suggestiyen"ss Of the
ediIce which never tails TO impress all
who enter lt.
TIE UPHOLsTERIS1.
The uphOlstaring Is Of the richest get
tho most appropriate character and IN
perfect keeping with the Gothic sur
rOundings. Tho material covering tho
cushions and the backs Of the pews is
brown and subdued old gold. and the ele-
CANT carpet which was the git OF lady
member of the congregation Is OF tone
ana figure 10 correspond. Absolute har-
m0ny prevails. The only real alteration
has been 10 extend the platform ~ the
pulpit 50 as T. afford creator seating ac-
contributions Tor union meetings, &c.
ihis was done 10y Mr. George Gibson. Sr.,
and SO well done that the law # proper
ton has been III no wise sacrificed. In
deed the extension lsnOt noticeable unless
attention II called 10 II. The renovation
was conducted under the supervision Of
VI. >. II. ilaNcs. who gave his time and
labor b It without stint.
HISTORY or IHs BUILDING.
Or. Uoge- church wns dedicated in 1913
and vas originally rectangular IN form. In
1873 ~ became necessary TO enlarge the
lulldln. aud this task was entrusted 10
Mr.. George Gibson. ST.. WITH whom 1t was
indeed labor of love. Tho enlargement
wa made by throwing ont wings aud
CHANGING fhe form o that oi acre cross.
This rsqured the Introduction Of agroned
roof -nd The study of Innumeratl le c0mph-
Gated architectural points IN respect OF
prOpurtilns OF bosses, COrheis, spanireis,
etc, bat Mr. G.bson's success WAS "a tr-
umuh upon which he has bcen cOngraiu-
lated by persons who have made a study
IF the elects o. church interiors both In
this country and abroad. There are
NUN r0us granier church editice5 than
Or. Ilo, :. but few IN whichthc architect
ural lncs are more perfect.
uR. noGE's PAsI0EATE.
Dr. H0ge Is the only pastor tho Second
Presbyterian church ha, ever had. ile
gathered the congregation IA l-i5 and they
wof-upp.i IN the iccture-rOom before
! a.. church was built. He has had many
| i'att'ruk calls To- Other fields, but has
alwars inhcsitat.ngly declined. Here for
iorty-siN wears he las labOred. admired.
respected. and beloved not only by hs
own people bus bv the entire community.
| I'm February. 1880. tho close f the forty
| fifth year Of his pa.torate was celebrated,
and the occasion wa marked By an
ouipolTng of tho people 10 con
era,ulate him and honor hlm. Ills
church has sent ont two colonies
auI several missions, but the VA
cancle- thus made IN the congregation
| have only been temporary. The MOtncE
chuIcA nas always ilouri,hei.
his WIDE REPUTATION.
Dr. Hoge's reputation Is not only cock.
| teusvr with this country, but his voice
! na, been frequently hoard abroad. He ha-
I repr souted the Church IN some OF ~
! highest national and international coun-
/ els. AID upon these bodies, as upon eys ry
! congregation 10 winch he las pr"hchel u
| D.. .rr service IN the cause of the Master
| b. -I yarinbiV lef. IL lnIelible impression
! lo-d1y III Hlchmond. where. o. Las bert
slli. bee has been preaching for iortyEl
wears. bee attracts larger coz sreGatiOrs thar
| Ae ever did III h.s life, and these cOngrcga
| tons Oh sunday afternoons are composed
! II persou- If al denominations. one re-
| markahle fact about br. Hoge - that he
never writes sermon. II be carries d
| mauuscup, INTO the pulpit A. all. 1t con-
s.s's only Of f-Y notes which 10 one can
understand tut himself.
Dr hoge ls ~ IuIeiati.ahle worker
| His service, are IN constant demand tol
church deiIcAtlous. for Laccaaureate ser
! mons. and for revival meetings, and b,
never fa.i. hen called upon T. lecture -
I a charitable Oh cct II he can nnd tht
| time. he u.s. uD les, active a. a pastor than
/ ~, "a preacher. and uotA4n. stops hiA from
! AS .v,.rln. the call OF Distress = me NUM-
h.est. ~ matter what the hour II DAY
.r nlcAt in winch d, comes. II tho trr
! weudols power he exercises Gs a pulpit
orator is PIX elled by autthLe. it's hy nl'
influence rs friend au4 ins broad charl' \
! towards the unfortunate. during B..
absence IA ~. summer ne preached 10 ar
aggregate ~ az, 900 person. vct he returns
/ taorousnlr refreshed AMI fail Of zeal tol
! his winters wnrS.
Hi- summer labors seem always t. IN
| spire Inn 10 gfandet efforts IN his owi
pulpit.
lie Will preach AZ II O'Clock Tomorrow
morning and O'clock Tomorrow alter
noon.