The Newtown bee., 1898-01-07
WAT e RTOWN.

| N
METHoDIsTs.
A meeting of the members of the
Methodist church took place in the lec-
ture room Tuesday, December %, 81,
to consider the project of erecting new
church, as the old one, although hant-
so nelly arranged and fixed up, and 10
good condition, is not large enough to
accommodate the ever-increasiug M IN
bership. Several years ago many and
radical impFo vements were ma de in the
present church with an outlay of nearly
So 900, and the church compared well
with many city structures. 1t was at
that time believed by macy that no fur,
Their repairs or alterations would be
necessary for many years to come, but
no one thought its membership would
grow within few years so that it won ID
be necessary to either enlarge the
church or build new one. Yet this
has been the case, and for several year
past there was not seating capacit,
enough in the church to accommodate the
increasing attendance. Every seat was
packed to It's utmost capacity, and when
strangers or those from other denomi-
nations on certain occasions v,tited the
~ fhoN vNonI-o1
so many sardines. The project of build
ing on the east side and taking away
some of the sheds was seriously con-
sidered time and again, but on due con-
sideration it was rejected at the time,
only to be brought up again in a future
meeting. The official board of the
church were at last compelled to take a
decided step in the matter. For more
than 80 years past, the Methodist church
here, although being in a small town,
was blessed with exceptionally talented
pastors, men who had been stationed in
some of the largest cities in the confer
ence, and had a reputation, both as
energetic workers ard eloquent preach
ers. Few country churches like ours
have had such pastors to preside over
them as we have had here, and it has
often been remarked by city people,
while visiting here, that men who had
presided over some of the largest con-
gre e 4tious in cities should be sent to
Watertown. But this had its g bod effect.
as the increasing membership will show.
The meeting last evening was presided
over by the pastor, Rev G. B. Ford, who
opened the same with prayer, and who
after his invocation for the divine bless
ing on the undertaking, gave in 8 brief
outline the subject of building new
and much larger church, than the pres
ept one, a building, which would accom-
modate the society for many years to
come. The plans. which were'presented
we're drawn by Gaorge M Kramer &
Co., architects, No. l Madison avenue,
New York, firm that has a decided rep.
utation for drawing and getting up
church plans. The dimensions of the
edifice as projected are 80 feet front,
with Sc feet depth. The building to be
of wood. The interior of the church
will seat 400 persons. The Sunday
school room ia 36x64. The four class
rooms have q dimension of 49x36, main
auditorium 52x52. There are further
more lecture room, primary depart
ment room, besides kitchen, cupboard,
and all that is found at present in
truly modern edifiee of it's kind. The
estimated price is 90, 1876, without plumb
ing, sewerage, Or electric lights. The
whole, organ included, will cost about
$4,000 when completed. The SUBJ
scription list was opened last evening,
and only when the amount that is need.
ed $8, 1876, is secured, will wo-k be com.
menced. The society is all free of debt,
and it has been said that one member
stood ready to buy the present church,
and pay good price for it. The sub
scription last evening was 6,300.-
! CAmerican.