Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-13
ST. JOHNS CHURCH.
The Interior of the Ediflce Has
Been Greatly Improved.

Been Greatly Improved.
Handsome Electric Light Fixtures Rave
Replaced the Gas System of Lighting
and the Church Has Been Beautifed by
tho Recent Alterations--The New Altar
to be Blessed at the Services on Next
sunday Morning. Ordination Services to
be Held.
The decorations and Improvements
which have been going on at ST. Johns
Church for the past seven weeks are
now about completed, aud will be open
to public inspection on next Sunday,
the 18th instant, when the reopening
services will be held. The principal
work was the coloring and decoration
of the interior, which is beautiful
piece OF work, executed as well as
designed by Edward ]. N. Stent of New
York. In the nave and transepts the
coloring is light terra Gotta ground
work, with 1S inch frieze at top and the
bottom in lighter and darker shades,
containing ecclesiastical designs of rare
beauty. Towards the ceiling the frieze
divides the ground work proper from
an upper panel of rich golden color. In
each window jamb there is deep border
of vine leaves and grapes, q symbol OF
the Holy Eucharist.
| But the chancel is the most elaborate
in its decoration, as the most sacred
place in the church should be, where
the altar service is rendered. The walls
are colored a deep rich terra Gotta,
studded over with beautiful emblems in
| gold and light shades of chrome yellow.
| A deep border of mosaic work and Cir
cular design, runs around the bottom of
the wall and around the beautiful arch
Of the choir, bringing out tine rich colors
in the stained glass windows to perfec-
ton.
The pews, wainscoting and chancel
furniture, which are of beautiful carved
oak, have been cleaned and rciinished,
showing the fine grain and color OF the
wood. ..
10 fittingly crown the work more
light was needed, so tho old style gas
fixtures placed on posts in the pews,
have been removed, and handsome cleo
tric light fixtures OF polished brass, are
suspended from the end of each hammer
beam, while the choir and chancel are
lighted by 81 lamps concealed behind
the chancel arch. The effect is TO make
the interior one of the most beautiful
churches in this vicinity.
The committee of the vestry, who
have had charge of the work of improve.
ment, consists of William ]. Fisher
chairman, +. G. du Pont, Anson A,
Mahec and L. A. Van Trump, and they
have labored hard to bring it to sue
cessful close There has also been pre-.
sented for use in the chapel, beautiful
carved altar and reredos, in memory Of
the Rev. Stevens Parker, d. D., who
was the second rector of this parish
They will be formally presented ant
blessed by the bishop, at the carly cele
, bration next Sunday, at 7.30 a. M.
, 1t is the gift of j. Cloud Elliott, {
} member of the vestry, and one of thu
Oldest members of the church. Tht
work was done by S. G. Simmons
f Bro. and is very fine piece Of carving
7 The front of the altar contains carving
of 1.-THE Good Shepherd" in the middle
. panel, and the alpha" and omega
4 on either side. The panels are divided
| by four carved pillars supporting gothi
t arches. The reredoS contains one larg
5 central panel to receive the cross TO
i which throne is prepared, and tw,
G smaller panels on each side, containing
: excellent paintings of the four evan
e gelists.
& The walls of the chapel are coloreC
5 two shades of olive, divided by nine
i. inch frieze. Over the altar appear tn
f words "The Good Shepherd GiVeth Iii
D Life for the Sheep"
At the dedication service will b
S present the three rectors who followe
S DR.. Paker, namely, Bishop Coleman
!, the Rev. L. Gardiner Lttell, D. D., an
5 the Rev, George G.. Hall, the presen
4 rector.
# AT the second service at 1890 a. n
k the bishop will bless the work jus
G finished, and the Rev. DIR. LitLell Wi
preach, after which the Rev. John
e Littell will be ordained to the sacre
e priesthood by the bishop. At the nigh
e service the new priest will preach. Ih
new vested choir which has been
training since last April under +. /
Morrison, will also make its first al
o pearance at these services and rende
and elaborate musical programme
d James V. Roberts will be the organist,
G position which he has ably filled *
J. over IA years.