Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-09-28
CHURCH CONSECRATED
Impressive Services Held in Christ
Reformed Church Yesterday.
SERMON BY PROF. RICHARDS
historical Sketch Of the Congregation Since
1796-Large Congregation in At
tendance.

- ~ - Q :, Q
tendance.
With a service that was at once mn
pretentious and impressive the hand
some new Christ Reformed church
was consecrated Sunday morn
ing. The congregation and Sunday
School entered the church accor di ng
to the order given i'll this paper Sat
urday. The large auditorium was
lied to its utmost seating capacity.
The, Conservation service was
conducted by the Pastor Rev. j. A.
Hoffhelns d. ID. Rev. O. ]. Musser
read the Gospel lesson. Rev. George
W. Richards preached the Sermon.
He had for his subject Christian
Worship. His discourse showed pro-
found, thought was eloquently deliver
ed and listened to with the deepest in
terest by the large congregation. Rev.
J. w. Rauch led in Prayer. DIR. Hoff-
helms made a statement regarding the
cost OF the building and the amount
of the debt, after which, DR.. j. Q.
Bowman and Rev. Musser made short
addresses. The offering towards Ii
ouidating the debt was gathered by
the officers of the congregation.
Rev. G. c. Everhart pronounced
the Benediction.
The service was heartily enjoyed
by the congregation who seemed full
of JOY at the consecretation OF the
new church. The day was all that
could have been desired and the
brighteness Of the noon day sun re-
fiected a flood of light throughout the
building.
In the afternoon at three O'Clock
mass meeting was held at. which
Revs. Woods Trump, Harris, Dun
away, Barnes and Rev. hurry of Bal
timore, delivered short congratulatory
addresses. Rev. Douglas, on account
of his engagement at Bunker Hill
and Rev. Gruver, on account OF a
funeral were unable to attend. This
service was highly enjoyed by the
audience which completely filled the
church The bright sunlight sho wed
up to excellent effect the handsome
memorial windows.
At the evening service DR.. Bow
man and Rev Musser delivered adj
dresses A large audience was pres
ent and lister d with marked atten-
ton to the addresses.
Interior Like "a Blaze of Color.
The new edifice which for months
has attracted great interest because
of its unusual construction, is unlike
any other church building IN Mar
tinsburg. There has been decided
departure from the architectural
style and effects seen IN most struc-
lures. the Byzantine and Romanesque
periods having been resorted to for
inspiration. Instead of the delicate
effects and dim interior found in most
churches the new building presents
q blaze of colors throug bout. Metal
and color have been blended in Orien-
tai combinations and the entire au-
ditorium IS gorgeous with perfectly
toned geen, gold and bronze.
The building occupies plot with a
frontage of 70 feet on east Burke steet
and has depth of l2l feet Its
general style is free adaptation OF
the Byzantine and Romanesque, APP
piled to plan cons listing OF cru
ciform auditorium, with rectangu-
lar building in the rear for Sunday
School uses. The exterior is of
native blue limestone. broken range,
with trimmings of Cleveland gray
stone. and copings of the same. The
eight sided l1ntern which crowns
the building and lights the central
portion of the audit rum is enclosed
by native blue lime stone with gray
stone trimmings. ne roofs are of
slate. Two Gothic arches at either
end of the front give entrance from
Burke street.
Arranged Like "a Greek Gross.
The auditorium is III the form of a
Greek cross, the arms of the cross
being arched over by barrel vaults 36
feet in diameter, from the crown of
which springs a circular dome cover
ing the central portion of the audi
forum and carried down by penden-
tives to the caps of the mann piers. The
dome is divided into eight panels,
each alternate panel consisting of four
windows. The gallery on the south