Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-06-24
Church Re-Opening.

AT 1U:oU q. m ana I'0U p. H., heV.
John Lanahan. d. D., veteran men,
Der of the Baltimore conference and a
historical figure in the church at large.
preached sermons of great scholarly
elegance and force. He referred to
his experiences as a circuit-rider in
this neighb orhood in 1911, and init
mated facetiously how his worldly
fortune might have been enhanced
had he then purchased several thousand
acres of his parish.
A collection followed each discourse,
resulting in the reduction of the debt
incurred to sum which can be easily
paid.
The body of the auditorium is buff
fresco, relieved between lower half of
windows by a pleasing change to dark
buff thence the wainscoting is drab.
Panel work is very deftly arranged all
oven the room, and the embellishments
of border and flower are delicate and
tasteful, blending tremendously with
all grounds, of which there are no less
than four. Overhead the large panels
of light blue between the ribs of the
roof shed soft reflection on all below.
The work along the coves is very
pretty, we'll aigh all the shades and
desi gns of ornamentation being repre-
scented in the width of a few feet along
the entire length.
The hard wood front of the orchestra
is brightly painted in dark brown and
gold, and the furniture of the pulpit
platform upholstered anew in dark
red velvet. On the rear wall of the
orchestral recess is a fine painting of
''The Ascension" an entirely new
feature. So also on the walls on either
side of the platform, where SCROLL
and-ribbon- piece attract admiring
notice.
The gallery front, formerly white,
corresponds with the improvement of
color which prevails within the altar
rail. Painted in dark brown and gold
it is a fit counterpart of the solid
beauty of the other end of the hall.
On the sides the high stained, glass
windows remain unchanged, probably
Interchangeable, as their beauty could
hardly be improved. The floor is
covered by an oak-grained carpet,
underlaid by cotton-flled paper so
literally that wear is minimized as
we'll as football sounds. The doors,
formerly green. are baized in dark
red.
The mating leading to the doors is
wide, new and of the most durable
quality made.
Indeed, it may be said of all that
has been done and of the new things
introduced, that the best qualities
have been sought and secured.
The fresco and wall painting were
done by artists from abroad. The only
local professional engaged, therefore,
was James H. Hawke, who enjoyed
three-fold incentive to put his best
taste and skill into his work. His
reputation as painter and his men,
bership of the Epworth League and
the church combined to inspire an
especial and successful effort to give
the church good piece of painting.
The carpet, made expressly for the
church, was purchased of The Hitch
ms Bros. Co.
The whole cost of the Improvement
was between $1,000 and 81 300. The
undertaking was begun by the
Epworth League, and mainly through
its efforts finally consummated. Of
this body j. II. Hawke is president.
1t is an active, working, efficient ad-
junct of the church, and it is quite
certain that but for it's earnest and
constant determination in carrying
forward this work the JOURNAL would
not be recording the happy result.
The pastor, Rey. w. w. Van
Arsdale, of course, comes in for the
usual special credit, as all pastors do.
In Mr.. Van Arsdale, however. the
League enjoyed the cooperation of a
most efficient helper. In season and
out he has been an enthusiastic pro.
moter of the work,
On Sunday, Dec. II, 1871, the church
was dedicated to Divine Service by
Bishop E. R. Ames in the presence of
an audience which packed the audi
forum. 1t was the fourth service of
that character, three churches having
preceded the present edifice on the
same site and given way successfully
to better and more commodious struc
lures. The net cost on the day named
was SAL ,6S6.62, of which $2S, 536 go
had been previously provided for,
leaving balance of $l3, $50 then due.
At the two services of that Sunday
the astonishing sum of $500 was
subscribed and paid.
The pastor at that time, Rev. E. j
Gray, was man who combined in
himself three elements of greatness-a
strong, practical business faculty /;
indomitable energy, and at times an
eloquence which thrilled the sinners