The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-18
EPNIORTH NJ. {. CHURCH
This New EditiGe Opened to the Public for
the First Time Last Night.
A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT AND CARTATA
A large Number of People Brave the
Storm TO Herr the Handsome
New OrEan-A Description of the
New Church-Its Furnishings, De-
eorntions and Adornnients.

The New Epworth NJ L. Church was
opened to the public for the first time
last night. when 500 people braved the
storm to hear the handsome new organ,
which was also publicly used for the
first time, Prof. a. L. Koerner pTesid-
Ing and rendering the following de-
i!ghtful programme:
PART I.
William Tell ...... Rosslni
MIR. a. +. Koerner.
The Star of Bethlehem" .... Adams
Miss Lena May Edmunds.
a. Evening Idyll." (by requesD.D. Buck
b. Funeral March of Puppet" Gounod
C. Lion de Bal inconvenience. Gfllet
Mr.. a. F. Koerenr.
II VIII Lay Me Down in Peace"
Observation-Disclosures. D. Buck
Miss Mary X. Ewell.
prelude and Fugue on Theme. B; A.
- pART ii. 800 Da'A
PART II-CANTATA OF REBEKAH.
Rebekah ........ Miss Elizabeth Taylor
Isaac ................ Mr., w. F. Lumley
ElleZer .......... MIR. j. lrcdell jenkins
Chorus of forty voices.
The chorus was directed by Professor
Newton Fitz. Too much cannot be said
about the organ, as all who heard 1t
were loud in their praises.
EpW'orth Church, which cost over
100000, stands out US one of the hand
soonest church editices in the South. 1t
was designed by Messrs. Carpenter &
PEBBLES architects, Of Norfolk. and
was built under the supervision of Mr..
c. II. Parlett also OF this city. 1t Is
built of Mount Airy IN. CO granite and
trimmed with North Carolina buff
stone. making an exceedingly attractive
combination. The style of architecture
Is Romanesque, the main corner of the
N o. 1,a1l is-l,A 1,
bination spire and tower handsomely
decorated. and which is very unique.
The interior is divided into main audi
torium and Sunday School room. the
latter having n large classroom that
can he thrown open TO augment the
seating capacity of the former. There
is also n gallery in the Sunday School
room containing four handsome class
rooms facing the pulpit. The splendid
infant room is on the second floor In
front.
The first story of the bay swell will
be the church parlor. The second story
is the pastors study. which will be Il
gem in its line with all modern equip
mentS. Under the Sunday school room
Is {, large basement with granolithic
floor, which will be used by the Epworth
League and other societies for enter
tainments of all proper kinds. Adioin-
ing tins room are lovaturies, kitchen.
etc. The main auditorium. with sal-
leres. will seat 1000 to LOO. and will
be one of the handsomest rooms I'm the
country. The walls up to the gallery
line are of polished oak paneliny. The
face of the four grand arches. SPRING
ing from the corners of the four gal
lcries and resting on beautifully carved
white stone Corinthian columns. to-
gciher with the dome in the centre, are
nrtiSticaily frescncd. and four lovely fc-
male figures representing the cardinal
virtues adorn the spaces where the
arches join. The centre of the dome is
stained glass. lighted from above during
the day by large skylisht through,
the roof, and at night by ring Of in
candeacent lights. The four galleries
are of equal size resting on stone pilas.
ters ana are carried by heavy trussrs
concealed in the front paneling) "a dis
lance of fifty feet without other sun
port. hence there is not a pillar or post
TO mar the beauty of the auditorium
The gallery in The rear OF and ten feet
above the pulpit will be occupied by tho
choir and organ. the latter extending
the entire length Of the gallery. and is
worth $4,000. The word "Epworth' is
beautifully carved on the front of the
chGrch. and the seats of the main audi.
torium have the Epworth emblem hand
samcly carved on the white antique Cal
ends.