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

II
from piers which might obstruct the
view.
To the north are the pulpit recess
and organ loft, which as the Gel tsr
OF interest have been accented in the
scheme of decoration beyond the re-
mainder of the interior by the greater
elaboration of the ornamental details.
The north arch is triple Gothic, the
greater in the center covers the pulpit
chancel The one to the left Us over
| the choir loft. To the rear of the
pulpit recess is the alter, of white
marble, to the right, on entering, Is
the pulpit, on the left, the reading
desk. The furniture is of solid an
tique quartsred oak, the chairs are
upholstered in natural leather, the
chancel and choir loft are enclosed by
a handsome brass rail The pulpit
recess is reached by door con-
Meeting with the robing room.
| The walls to the springing of tn Q
| Vaults anu thC khD1C N0iioJ CIV Va
green. the heavy cornices ami other
woodwork in the dome are painted IN
conformity. The vaults, pendentives
and dome are painted in harmonious
color. The principal al ches and the
caps from which they spring are
picked out in various tones of gold
I, I. Tn 81, n
the variety In the ire atment and
color correspond to difference IN the
constructive and decorative value of
the part. The Christian symbolic
Representations such as have been used
in the pendatives of the dome
and in the dome itself are from the,
Byzantine churches.
The same principal applies to the
stained glass of the windows of the
dome which have been given Mosaic
rather than pictorial quality. The
large windows, the one in the east
gable, of th Q Nativity, that in the
west Of Christ In the Temple, the
large rose window in the south gable of
Christ Blessing the little children"
and the Ascension immediately back
of the alter gives the church series
of windows of unusual character, truly
Mosaic. yet full of life. Instead of
jnmble of compositions by variety of
designersacting independently of each
Ill <ho sx,l<
unified and harmonious scheme.
Suspended from the center of the
eight ribs of the dome, hangs cluster
of four lights enclosed in large yellow
opelescent shades. AT the base of each
rib of the lantern and dome juts an
incendescent lamp. Two lamps hang
from the vault over the gallery and
semicircle of light. lines each OF the
great arches.
The seating capacity of the audi
forum is five hundred. The pews are
of ANTIQUE, quartered oak, elegantly
finished and highly polished. The
carpeting is of green with a dash of
NGllON anu 4Ct, III ilni iiOhy Win
the colorIng of the auditorium.
The northern end of the building is
devoted to the Sunday School, lecture
room, library, ladies parlor, and pas
tor s study.
The plans for the new building were
drawn by Geyer a. Mowbrey, of
Do ho xxo
M K. Campbell, of Winchester, Va.
Its entire cost is about $40, 900.
The o onsistory of the congregation
has prepared souvenir of the occas-
sion which contains cuts of the old
and new church buildings. the Pastor.
consistory and building committee.
A brief historical sketch of the con-
gregation is also contained. The
sketch is given below:
Historical sketch.
The early history of the Congrega-
ton is enshrouded in mystery. Of Its
beginnings no record. Indirect
ly, however, we learn that early
in the last quarter of the 18th Century
an organization had been effected.
An old subscription list i'll possession
of Elder Christian w. Doll, the long
time Secretary of the Congregation,
is uthority for the record made, that
George Adam Gueting was the pastor
in 1896. When his passionate began or
when 1t ended we have no means CT
knowing.
1t was about this time or even
before, that the first house OF worship
was erected for the use of the Con-
gregation. A lot and building. To-
Gated ON the corner of John and
Church st. eets, was purchased jointly
by the:Reformed and Lutheran congre-
cations, March 20. 1856, and fitted
up as house OF worship, with grave
ward adjoining. The deed was made
RI Apdrauv GiIino Martin Rtxar