Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-09-28

then overturned the Reformed Con.
gregation to loin with them in
making certain repairs in their build
ing, and to hold rights and ririv,
! ileges in commen with them,
This was done. This buildinl
stood on the corner where now
the new Government Building
stands. The arrangement held until
the Spring of 1876. when the Reform.
ed Congregation began worship in o
building Of their own. Col. Jacot
Myers, having decided a lot to the Con.
greagtion for a consideration of ont
dollar, subscriptions were secured.
contracts made. design drawn. and
! Col. Myers, Daniel and Bernard Doll
appointed to supervise the errec-
ton of the building.
The Corner stone was laid in Nav
lS43. and the building completed and
constructed in 1916.
During the war the binding was
ba.ly abused. Repairs were made and
an organ added to the furnishings.
In the adjoining lot, during the
summer and fall of 1876 the parson-
age was built at a cost of 50. 500. Mr..
HI. T. Cushwa was the contractor
and builder.
In 1880 the building was remodeled
and much improved. A recess of eight
feet depth was added. The four
large side windows were replaced
with six others, three on either side,
memorials of stained glass. New
walnut pews, made largely at the ex-
pense of Elder John Fitz, in his shops
the ends and arms sawed out by the
Pastor. A heavy walnut chancel rail
replaced the old one. The altar,
painted pure white, was OF the
skilled work of Mr.. Andrew Bow
man. The pretty and SUBSTANTIAL
walnut pulpit, the work of Mr.. A.
Kogelschatz. ST. ), the walnut reading
desk, and stand of the baptismal font,
that of the pastor. and the marble
bowl. Mr.. Louis Diehl. The walls
were refrescoad, and large hot-air
furnace introduced. All this was
rdone at cost of about 50, 200, and all
paid for, with cash balance of
nearly 800. which the pastor turned
over to the treasurer of the Con-
gregation.
With the wear of time, the increas-
ing membership and the growing
needs of the Congregation, it was felt
more and more, that larger accomo-
dations and better facilities for work
and worship were required.
The Visitor" called attention to
the matter in its editorials. AT a
meeting Sept. 5, 80, the Consistory
took up the question, and after free
conference appointed w. l.. Jones, j.
H., Myers and j. W. X. Fisher, to
prepare plan for securing funds for
new building Later HI. j. Sell
were appointed, together with the
pastor, to canvas the Congregation.
The year following. '96, the Sunday
school, Choir and Mite Society start
ed movements looking toward the
furnishings of the building. The chief
difficulty in the way was the fact
that the Church lot was too small, and
no additional around could be secur-
ed Because of this the CONGREGATION
was held off three years longer. AT
last, IN the Spring of 80 lot in the
rear of the parsonage lot, rs by 100
feet, was purchased from Mrs. John
Fltz AT "a meeting on the following
Thanksgiving Day the Congregation
authorized the Consistory 10 take
further steps to secure funds and
plans.
In February of the year following.
1900, the Dorsey lot, 50x60 immeai-
ately in the rear of the Church lot.
was secured and the way opened for
the erection Of building after the
ground plan suggested by the pastor.
A Congregational meeting held
March 26. instructed the Consistory
to proceed with the erection of a
Church and Chapel. April ID, the
Pastor, II. 4. Cushwa, j. II. Myers,
Il. d. Rauch and II. J. Seibert were
appointed the Building Committee.
April 10, the Congregation adopted
the plans of the present building pre-
pared by Geyer g. Mowbray.
The last service in the old Church
was held on Sunday, May 6, as a me-
mortal, the Pastor preaching the
sermon. Text, Hag. 30, and the work
Of tearing down began the day folio "
ing
On Sunday. May /, services were
held in Fireman Hall, and it's use
continued until the opening OF the
chapel AT this service the name OF