The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-01
WATERBURY METHODIST
WITH IMPRESSIVE SERVICES TIN
DEDICATE THEIR HOUSE
or WORSHIP.

Rev. DIR. Frost
In the presence of one OF the largest con-
greRations ever gathered in Waterbury.
including many OF the most prominent
Methodist preachers in the Vermont Con-
ference, ana with a sermon of marked
power and eloquence, this followers of Wes-
ley In Waterbury, last Wednesday, dedi-
Gated their new church to the worship of
God
The day, outwardly, was unpropitious
The snow fell heavily all the morning, and
in the afternoon and evening was whirled
into binding drifts by the keen wind that
swept up the valley of the winooski. But
iorbidding weather kept but very few mem
bers OF the church indoors, and, despite it,
large delegations were present from Mont
pelier, Barre, Stowe, MOretown, Waitsfield,
Mortified and Middlpsex. The hospiiahle
people.o that thriving village opened their
doors to the strangers within their gates,
and most OF them were provided with
entertainment.
Before speaking OF the interesting ser
vices OF the afternoon description OF the
exterior and interior of the new church edi-
flee may be interesting
The building is situated on the lot oppo.
site L. Il. Crossetts, and corners on Main
and Foundry streets, Being in the center
Of the village and on the main thoroughfare,
the site 10 most eligible The plan was
drawn to tit the lot While there is a
commodiOus basement, the entrance from
VAIN bbIbbl IN OU inb huOlenOH-fOUtu MOOR.
concrete walks leading up to TWO spacious
entrances. The building is of combina-
ton of ROmanesque and modern STYLE from
plans drawn by the celebrated Worcester
architect, A. p. Cutting, The general ex-
terror effect liz of a substantial, c0mlnodous
and elegant structure. The basement and
first story are of solid brick with granite
trimmings, while the upper part Of the
tower and gable ends are shingled The
roofs are all slated, that of the tower being
OF red slate. In each gable end is large
and beautiful half-circle window which
greatly adds to the general appearance.
There are two outside open pOrches from
which folding doors admit to the reception
rooms. From each of these reception rooms
doors open into the church parlor in front
and the audience-room beyond. Entering
the church parlor one finds an attractive
fireplace with mantel and plate glass mir
rOr. Here the prayer-meetings of the
church will be held, the best part of the
house being set apart for this purpose.
From this The audience.room may be en-
tered, sliding doors only separating the
two. The auditorium il not large, but
CHEEKY and hOme-like. The room is fin
ished into the roof, the ceiling and vain
scoting being finished in wildwood. The
railing and stairs are OF red BIZ ch the pews
of white oak, aud the organ and pulpit set
of antique oak. Not a drop of paint was
used on the interior, the woods being fin
ished in natural and rubbed down. The
walls are decorated in oils, the prevailing
tints OF the decorations and upholstery be-
ing light olive. Great pains have been
taken TO have all the colors harmonic, and
the general effect is quiet aud restful Iu-
stead of a large chandelier, there are six
groups Of three lamps each, the pattern be-
ing chaste design Of the cd & l." lamp.
Over the c. urch parlor is a ladies parlor
which also has fireplace and is neatly
finished. On this floor there are also
cloak room and pastors study The audi.
ence.room will seat 300 in the pews, but, as
the reception rooms, the church parlor on
the same floor and the ladies' parlor above
all open into II, it will be possible to seat
go on extra occasions. Below, in the base
ment, is a large assembly room, Kitchen
furnace, store-rooms, etc. The whole cost
of site, structure, furnishings and organ
will be in the vicinity of $4,000.
For many years the Methudists of Water
bury have realized that their house of wor-
ship was back number, and several years
ago plans were laid for building a new
church that should be worthy of one of the
best charges in the conference, The peo-
pie of Waterbury, irrespective of creed,
have been interested in the enterprise that
is such credit to the village, and were
! present in large numbers last Wednesday
to enjoy, with the members of the society,
the frution of those plans.
The construction of the new editice was
commenced last summer and so vigorously
was il pushed that it was practically COM
| pleted before cold weather.
The building committee were Hon. w, z.
/ Dillingham;, G. r. Moody, j. w Moody, j,
| A. BuI leigh, G.. E. Wyman and Rev " r.
! Davenport, and the other members of tho
! committee are anxious TO acknowledge the
! valuable services of Mr.. Dillingham;, the
charm an, aud of Rev. Mr.. Davenport. The
| former has not only given most literally OF
his means, but has freely given his valuable
time wherever and whenever it was needed
for the furtlprqnpa and pOmplptiOn of tDp
! scheme, while those who know the tireless
energy and rare executive talents of Mr..
Davenport will appreciate the value of his
| services in such a work. Gladly would
| MethOdsm in Waterbury retain him AZ a
leader for another five years. but he has Ie-
manned the full term allowed by the disoi-
pline, and must be sent elsewhere when the
conference meets at Barton in April
When the dedication services began,
shortly after two o'clock, every seat was &C.
| cupied, the aises were filled with chairs and
many were standing in the rear of the
house. AT least seven hundred people were
present, and by many the estimate was
much higher. In the front seats were some
OF the fathers in Israel, their " hitened heads
and bending frames showing that their ac-
tive lahors were over; but az the services
proceeded their exultant faces evinCed 30
plainly that new life was reviviug in heart
and brain, and they shared with those who
had borne the burden of the enterprise the
| eNuOeranI JOY over Ine completion OF tue
1 work.
AS the rich, full notes of the organ were
heard in the voluntary, under the practiced
hand OF Mrs. Lillian Nj. Baker of Montpelier,
those present were reminded that lender
memories will always cling around that in
strument, the gift to the society of Mrs.
Julia Dillingham;, as memorial OF the late
Hon. Paul Dillingham;, her husband, al
ways, during his life one of the pillars of
Methodism in Waterbury. 1t is also proper
To state in this connection that Hon. Charles
Dillingham; of Houston, Tex, her son, gem
erously sent his check for $1,000 to the
| building committee.
The choir was composed of Mrs Bertha
Ober Miller, Misses Iuez Grout and Lena
Fullerton, soprano; Miss Jessie Strong, con-
tralto; Carl Conant and G. III. Shipman of
Montpelier. tenor: Fred A. Rowland and
James Shipman' bass, with Mrs, Lillian NJ.
Baker as organist. The responsive readings
were led by Rev. L. l.. Beeman of Bellows
Falls, presiding elder of the Springfield dis
trict of the Vermont Conference, aud the
Scripture lesson, from the third chapter Of
L Corinthians, was read by Rev. j. o. Sher-
burne of Cabot. Following an anthem by
the choir, prayer was offered by Rev. w. s.
Smithers of Barre. Mrs Miller then sang
" Fear not We, o Israel" The fine ringing
! tim hra thOrOngIilV trained and Well-mOuu IL