Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-30
Church Rehabilitation.

The Congregational church in this place
having been extensively repaired was re-
dedicated on Friday afternoon April oath,
followed by union services in the evening.
In the present repairs there has been an al
most entire rebuilding of the inside of the
church throughout with complete alter
alton of the plan. More space has been
provided by means OF an extension on the
north side of the building, which eniarges
the vestry underneath, adding greater con
veniences TO the kitchen arrangements and
giving one or two separate rooms for the
younger classes in the Sunday school. 1t
also provides place in the main auditori-
um for an organ and choir alcove, ante
rooms for the use of the pastor and COM
mittees, with extra fioo- space which can
be seated with chairs whenever it may be
necessary. The pulpit platform is in front
of the choir alcove on the middle of the
north side of the auditorium, giving the
latter the appearance OF being much broad
er than it is long. The floor is built upon
an incline so pitched as to bring the rear
nearly upon level with the pulpit plat
form. The pews are set upon slight
curve just sufficient to bring every person
into straight line with the speaker There
are two entrances on the east end with an
alcove between and another alcove oppo-
site. The pews are made of red birch, as
is also the orchestra rail, while the pulpit
furniture Is cherry. The ceiling is panel
ed and the walls and ceiling handsomely
frescoed. 1t is safe to assume that there is
not more perfect, or more neatly finished
church auditorium in the State. 1t is We
ry easy and pleasant place in which to
speak and to listen, and the audiences that
are to use it cannot fail to find much en-
ioyment in it. Mr.. G. E. Abbott has had
charge of the work, he has also had charge
of all the repairs that have been made up
on the church since repairs began. He has
not only had the oversight of the repairs
but he drew the designs and followed out
the details in their execution so that the
present change as well as preceding chang
es have been largely the products Of his
skill. Much credit is due him for the part
he has taken in the present repairs, and
the congregations that worship in the au-
must give him large measure OF
thanks for the pleasantness and beauty OF
the surroundings. The present repairs
were commenced on the 23rd of Sept. 1890,
and were mostly completed at the time OF
re-dedication. There were IS donors to
the expense of the work, all, with one ex-
ception, being members OF the church and
society. The contributions have been
made freely, without special solicitation,
showing that the need of the work was al
most universally felt by the people. The
cost Of the work upon the house was S2S05,
iiNA lhihaNtf TOW NhA l'NA AHA7N = r.
on it, S240: cushions, Sl65; pulpit furni- /
ture and choir chairs, SLY; organ, now in |
process Of construction, $3.50, for which /
the money has been secured; chandelier 4
sl00 which has been assumed by the Y. p. |
). G. E., making the entire cost, sis57 a. /
Most OF this that has fallen due has been /
paid. Ii is not often that work of this /
kind is carried through with a cleaner fin
incial page, and the dedication services 4
Dartook somewhat of the nature of iubi
zee. The afternoon service was given To /
dedication services in which neighboring |
took part. The evening SER
vices were given TO the village pastors for
greetings and addresses. The following I
programme was carried out; /. Organ Vol
lntary; 2. Doxology; 3. Invocation, Rev.
:. III. Morse; 4. Responsive Reading, Rev.
J. w. Wright; 5. Anthem, "The Lord is
ny Shepherd 9. Historical Statement;
!. Statement OF the building committee,
3. T. Lombard; s. Delivering of keys to
he trustees, A. b. Tewksbury; 9. Hymn,
written for the occasion by H. Porter
smith, read by Rev. MIR Boynton: 10. Ser
non by Rev " NJ. Hardy; IL. Anthem
Except the Lord build the House, u.
Act of Dedication; 10. Prayer OF Dedica
ion, by Rev. j. A. Bates; IL. Hymn, writ
en- by Rev. T.. +. Herrick; Is. Benedie-
ion. The evening meeting opened with
song service. After this there were greet
ngs and addresses from the village pas
ors; Rev. @. W. Morrow spoke for the
'hristian church; L. p. Thayer for the
Episcopal church; Rev. j. j. Cooper for
he Baptist church; Rev. Geo. Boynton for
'ong'l church in Braintree; Rev. F. w.
Iamblin, for the NJ f. church, to all OF
1hich response for the church was made
nd the services were brought to close i
y the singing OF the doxology, and the
enediction. The services, both afternoon /
nd evening, were attended by large audi
noes, and seem TO have been much enjoy Z
by all.