Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-10-14
Reopening Of the Epworth Methodist
Episcopal Church.

On Sunday, October 9th, there occurred
an event of great importance in the history
of Epworth Church, at Gaithersburg. The
day was known as "Reopening Day"
For the past two months the church build.
ing has been undergoing repairs, and GER
tainly great renovation has taken place,
Tor the interior and exterior of the building
presents wonderful change.
The most fastidious cannot help admring
the beauty Of decoration which now de.
| lights the eye.
Under the direction and through the
thoughtfulness of the present pastor, Rev.
VIM. 5. German, there was organized, about
the first of May of this present year,
Church Improvement Society,"" composed
OF earnest and willing workers, with Mrs.
E. ID. Kingsley as president, Miss Elizabeth
M. Kingsley as secretary, and Mrs. G. F.
Duvall as treasurer. This society set out
to accomplish its mission.
AT the suggestion of the pastor, the pulpit
platform of the auditorium was remodeed
and the large alcove in the rear of the speak
er assigned to the choir, a beautiful brass
railing and velvet curtain being used as the
dividing line.
The walls of the Sunday School aud main
audience rooms next demanded attention
The audience room has been frescoed a
beautifully tinted green. The ceiling, which
is made of corrugated steel, has been finished
in four shades of green, with silver and gold
leaf mountings. The Sunday School room
has received a tint OF terra Gotta, which
gives it pleasant as well as artistic effect
The entire floor Of the auditorium has been
carpeted with an Ingram Brussels carpet of
a moss green color, ornamented with a del.
icate wreath of flowers.
The pulpit furniture has not escaped at
tentlon, as it has been re-upholstered with
corresponding green velvet-plush, thus Civ.
ing the room beautiful and pleasing effect
of harmony. Pews, altar rail, windows,
trimmings and furnishings have been care
fully garnished until their entire aspect has
been changed.
To the right and left of the pulpit, rich.
ly shaded in blue and gold, two beautiful
notices, of old fashioned English letters,
adorn the walls, while above the alcove is
the monogram, II s. New hymn books
have also been purchased recently.
The exterior of the building has not been
forgotten, for the lawn has been graded, and
a new fence placed around the enclosure.
The furnace has also been overhauled and
many needed repairs accomplished.
BY energy, push and self-sacrifice this
work has been accomplished and paid for
until Epworth Church can compare favor
ably with any Of our city churches.
Sunday, October 8, 1893. will always be
referred to as day of pleasant memories by
the congregation and friends Of Epworth
Church.
The services of the day were very appro.
pirate and inspiring During the morning
service the pastor was assisted by Rev. DR..
J. L. Lodge, and Rev. VIM. II. Chapman,
of Washington, d. G., who delivered an elo-
quent sermon. In the afternoon a conse-
Grafton service and an oldfashioned love.
feast was held. The evening sermon was
delivered by the pastor.
The music was furnished during the day
by the Epworth choir, which consists of the
following mem bers: Misses Elizabeth M.
Clara Phebus, Essie Crawford, E.
Jennie Waters, Messrs. David F. Virts, II.
J. Sterick, John T. Martin, E. Reese Wat
kins. Mrs. E. D. Kingsley, organist Clar.
ence Tabler, clarionet