The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-20
Workmen are Transforming the lnte-
riOr of Historic Monumental.
ACCORDING TO MODERN IDEAS.
Public Service VIII Celebrate the Com
plction Of Improvements, Last of
September-His,ory OF the
Church.

OF mo lnsluo architecture ana AtctS-
series are giving place 10 modern deco
rative art and the conveniences Of the
period. Many. perhaps, Will note the
new order with Il sensation Of sadness
and regret that scheme OF restoration
instead Of a plan of innovation was not
followed IN rehabilitating the structure.
which appeals 20 50 many halloWed as
sociations.
The improvements undertaken by the
church membership some time ago have
been carried forward as expeditiously as
circumstances would allow, but Septcm-
Der will be waning before the public ser
vice signalling the completion OF The
improvements is held.
on that day those who attend the ser
vice will, on entering, be struck with
the transformation Of the chancel and
environs. CHARTERED oak will be in evil
dence I'm the pulpit stand and cbancel
furniture Brass work Of an ornamental
character will be used where metal Is
necessary. a Biblical figure Of imposing
proportions and great beauty will Orna-
ment the wall TO the rear Of the chancel,
where will be massed also twenty-siN
combination electric gas fixtures. The
dais. as wen as the entire floor area of
the church. will be handsomely carpeted.
IN THE DOME.
Far up I'm the ample dome and ceiling
the artists are completing a magnificent
Biblical group among which will blaze
thrty-six lights. Eight figures, represent
ing the four Evangelists and the four
Prophets enter into the pictorial scheme.
Carpenters have removed the false
front Of the gallery, which will be re-
stored TO its former place. THIS projection
Of several feet was made necessary when
AN organ was placed in the gallery many
years ago. The organ was afterwards
located ON the main floor. but the centre
gallery was never restored to its proper
proportions
The curved projection at the termina-
ton Of the top OF the chancel wall has
been removed, and the effect IS regarded
as a decided Improvement
The "new" Monumental will be thor
oughly provided with means Of inumina-
ton. About two humired IcombinaIon
gas and electric fixtures are being put I'm.
The lights will be massed only ia the
chancel and dome. A large number viii
De placed at convenient points SO az to
light the building uniformly
The carpeting will be in harmony with
the color scheme and character OF the
cdiice. The entire floor is TO be re-car-
petod ana the pews win undergo
change no the hands OF the painter.
The improvements now making VIII
extend no further tAan the interior Of the
church The exterior will remain as at
present.
IL had been expected that the work
would be done by September 1st and
that the rector. Rev w. a. Barr, who is
absent abroad with his Wife would on
returning find tine improvements COM
pletcd. AS the rector sails from South
ampt0n on the 25th instant. he viii ar
rive probably two weeks before the work
men arc ready 10 turn over the church
A service. TO which the public viii be
invited. WIFI be held when the work has
been finished. The service viii doubtless
attract an immense audience.
HISTORY or THE CHURCH
The story of Monumental church Is IA
milar history, and so long as the Com
monwealth exists the tragic event on the
site OF its erection will not fade from
the memory OF Virginians. on the night
oe the 26th of December 1871. Richmond
Theatre was burned during a perform
ance which had attracted the beauty and
fashion of the city. OF the six hundred
persons I'm the building, seventy-three
nerished. including the Governor OF the
state The city was plunged I'm mourn
inc, tho state shared I'm the bereavement
~ eo many Of its best citizens and the
,ybole nation was profoundly shocked.
relieving the interment Of the remains
a., one sanulchre on the site OF the
traqedv the city OF Richmond, through
tbo Councl purchased the theatre lot ana
,--.,,,ol that monument and church
.bo,ld he erected as a perpetual'and NJ
.,.... .,,o,,o,iol The church was built
q, 1874 and was received into the Protest
.,.+ r,riaronal Diocese Of Virginia. Much
..-l.,.t,i. da+a OF the awful conAagratlon
ana tbo carly history Of the church was
5...-o,.ed during the Federal occupation
20 rt,i,,,o,1 towards the close Of the civil
war ,-,,,,, r,rpr
If. Incidents Of the burning Of Rich
- Theatre have been told. The FOL
il,,.i,., A. h believed. has never been pup
it.bo6 II was related 10 the writer re-
oo,,tl,, IN, a gentleman to whom u was
toId bv the principal actor. Among nose
Who attended the performance on the
MONT ~ the couhagration was MISS
NJ, pona a Young lady OF prominent
family of that day. When me cry OF
Are was sounded the young lady, in the
,,,,e,,si,r became separated from her
,-,.,,,a,,ion left 10 battle for herself,
sba made what effort she could to escape
from the on-coming flames battiihe
Min the mad crowd about one OF the
exits. she was suddenly seized py
strong hand and drawn, almost dead
from the building. outside her rescuer'
a young man. gave an expression OF sur
prise. 1t was afterwards learned thdt
the man. after making his own way 10
safety. turned 10 rescue his companion
voung lady TO whom he was engaged. In
Inc excitement OF the moment he mistook
Miss Pope for his fiance. whom he was
destined never to see again, Tor she per
ished in the building. ...-,
LINES on THE THEATRE FIRE.
Rev John Collins McCabe. VINO dled
many years ago. composed among other
,,erse a poem on Richmond, In which very
annropriate reference was made 10 the
.rt,,tre horror. The lines In question
80 written when the author was in his
seventeenth year. so that they are now
more than seventy years old. Rev MT
McCabe collected and published MS poems
perhaps fifty years ago. nut there are oe-
ieved ia be now IN existence not more
than one or two copies II any al an
Captain J. Taylor stratton' Oh ths city
borrowed "A copy of the poems from Cap
lain W. Gordon McCahe. son OF the au-
thor during She war, and committed the
entire poem 10 memory. while lying SICK
In field hospital. Several days ago ne
reproduced from memory the ilhes Oh 'he
burning Of the Theatre. when are gwen
herewith.
In Richmond. living yet are those who
weep
AZ loss Of friends who meath yon marble
sleep.
The stars shone forth in loneliness on