Bridgeton pioneer., 1897-07-15
METH0DISTS REJOICE.
The Pretty New Church at Elmer
Dedicated.
FREE FROM INDEBTEDNESS.
Bishops Foss and McCabe Participate in
the Exercises-Sketch of the New
Sanctuary and Its Furnishings.

There could not have been desired a
more fitting elimination to the jealous
and indefatigable labors of the Methodist
Episcopal people of Elmer than that
which characterized the dedication of
their handsome new house of worship
Sunday. Their long cherished hope of
witnessing the opening of Gods temple
to public worship free from encumbrance
was realized by the remaining of $4,000
of Indebtedness being subscribed during
the day.
The day was one Of general rejoicing
among the citizens, and the ideal weather
brought crowds to the services, filling the
church auditorium to overflowing.
The morning services opened with a
consecration meeting, after which Bishop
Foss preached thoughtful and eloquent
sermon.
A Sunday School mass meeting was
held in the afternoon and addressedlby
visiting clergymen. Rev. George B.
Wight, D. D, Presiding Elder of the
Bridgeton District, preached the sermon.
Bishop McCabe made an interesting ad-
dress in the evening and paid glowing
tribute to the congregation on having
erected such magnificent church in their
midst. During the week the services will
be continued in charge of various clergy
men each evening.
The completion of the new sanctuary
and it's dedication free of debt, together
with the erection of commodious and
neatly designed parsonage, is due, in a
great measure, 70 the ambition and the
persistent labors of the pastor, Rev. AL
fred Wagg, A. NJ, Phi. D., and Rufus w.
Smith, Chairman of the Building Com.
mittee, and as an appreciative token of
their efforts the congregation generously
donated two large stained glass, figured
windows, bearing their names. with
kindly references inscribed thereon.
DR.. Wagg, at the beginning of his pas
torate, a little over year ago, was forci-
bly, impressed with the necessity of an
| enlarged or new sanctuary. The church
has grown with marked rapidity, and,
after some hesitation, building com
mittee composed of the following was ap-
pointed: Rufus w. Smith, M. T. NJ
Garrison, D. B. Elwell, William Strang,
j. P. Cheesman, Isaac johnson, Henry
Coombs, Harmon Hitchner, Joseph NJ
Hitchner and John c. Burgess, and at a
special meeting May IA. 1896, this com
mittee reported favorably through it's
Chairman.
After few weeks of earnest prayer
and solicitation, DR.. Hanlon, President
OF Pennington Seminary, was called up
on to urge the congregation for funds,
and $4,000 was subscribed, insuring the
success of the undertaking, and on Oct
ober IA of last year the cornerstone was
laid with imposing ceremonies, Governor
Griggs participating in the exercises and
making an address.
The New Church.
The new house of worship stands an an
eligible site on the corner of Main and
Church streets, in the central section of
the town, and is, in point of design and
finish, unsurpassed in this section of the
State.
1t is of Gothic architecture, amphi-
theatre in style, built of Trenton brown
stone, with graystone trimmings. 1t is
two stories in height, with slanting
slate root, and from three corners of the
edifice towers appear. A belfry sur
mounts the main entrance 96 feet in
height.
The extreme depth of the structure on
Church street is los feet, with frontage
on Main street of 65 feet.
from three vestibules or entrances. 1t is
richly carpeted in red, the seats being of
hard wood in light finish. The ceilings
and walls are wainscoted, and the main
room, 60 by 60 feet, has seating capacity
of 500.
The Sunday School room of the main
department is 45x45 feet, and adjoins the
intermediate and primary rooms by slid
ing doors. These rooms are 45x20 feet.
Adjoining the main Sunday School
room a library has been arranged with
large selection of books.
Two class rooms, 20 feet square, are on
the first floor, and the church parlor con-
meets, with elegant furnishings, placed
there through the ladies of the church.
There is also commodius department on
the first floor set aside for the use of the
Epworth League
The pulpit is located in the northeast
corner of the edifce, and in the rearsis a
neatly furnished PASTORS room. Just to
one side OF the pulpit is choir recess and
new pipe organ will shortly be
put IN, purchased from a fund sep
arate from the building fund. A new
piano also adorns the Sunday School de-
partment. The three vestibules converge
towards the main auditorium, and are
finished in light colors.
The basement is fitted up for dining
room purposes, with well appointed
Kitchen and dining room that will accom-
modate 200 at one time.