The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-15
.REPAIRSv0W
COMPLETE
Market st. Methodist Church
In Petersburg Remodeled.
WILL BE OPENED TO-DAY
The Dimensions Of the New Auditorium
\ Borrowed From Those Of Soiomon's
TempieList ofsPastors Who
Have Served the Church.

Z 4 \ u
pErHB FER VA. March rcflcAi THE
auditorium Of Market Street HNfothodist
Church, which has been closed for six
months undergoing, extensive repairs, will
be reopened to- morrowRwith tho exception
Of the dimensions \ Of the rooms, which
were modelled, In their ratio to each other
after solomon's Temple It will present a
now and changed appearance to the wor-
shippers. The building committee,- COM
posed Of Messrs. Augustus Wright. w. II.
Parham, Chester Shcckherd, G. NJ. Brs-
ter, Robert De Haven and William Lewis
with the pastor, Rev. SIC. Hatcher, and
Major Waite, as architect have mot
spared time, or expense to make 1T In
every respect a modern and attractive
house. The pastor and congrega ton are
delighted with the results Of their labors,
and tomorrow will be day Of great re-
joicing with them. 3t Ell
An attractive musical programme has
been arranged for both services DR.. II.
=. Johnson of Richmond, will preach the
sermons of.the occasion, and many peo.!
pie will be received into church member
ship.
In 1857 Rev. John z, Edwards, D. D.,
feeling that on account Of the growth
of Methodlsm In Petersburg there was
a need for another church, and being
supported by many.of the influen-
tlal citizens Of the community began the
erection Of Market Street church with Or.
N. IT, Rivers, DIS, NJ Shepherd, Dr., /.
Fl. Claiborne, Messrs. Peter@F. CoEblll,
D. p Wash, William Brownly, John
Hawkins and De Arcy Paul as trustees.
The building Was dedicated by Bishop
EIIoyick Pierce in 1853 with ,Rey. j. ~. Ed
wards D. las first pastor, to whose
suntlrlng efforts amuch,tof the success Of
the enterprise was due. Mr.aEJohn +.
Branch was added to the board OF trus-
tees In 1860 +,
This building was remodeled under the
ministry Of DR.. Edwards during his sec
ord pastorotp, and the Sunday-school
room made one of the prettiest IN the
conference under the faithful leadership
Of Rev. Herbert M. Hope. III ..s !.
The following have been the pastors tof
the church: Rev. j. %. Edwards, y. -,
3Rev,#R. IN. Sledd, D. D.; Rev. j. A. FROG
tor, D. D.; Rev. &C. Martin Key:,no.. -
Cranberry, D. D.; Rev. George w. Laugh
an, Rev j. Powell Garland, D. p: icy.
+ ". Bledsoe, ID. DE- Rev. ]. y. TWitty,
Rev. III. g. Cheatham, Rev. II. M..,Ho p,
fRey, r, It. Wilson, D. D.; Rev. Wv.
Lear, d. d.; Rev. s. sA.} Steele, y !:
and Rev S. G. Hatcher, who IS now
serving his second year at this statlo ~,
having been assigned TO the w work Dy
Bishop Duncan in November. loOl.
Mr., Hatcher has done a splendid work
al this church, and Is one of the most
popular ministers in Petersburg he de !.
votes his best energies to the work ne
has in charge and his sermons are a.
ways well prepared and .etlectlVely oe-
lyered. 4,
The congregation is justly proud OF the
completion Of the improvements which
have made the auditorium one OF the
handsomest In the city.
The church is we'll and beautifully 10
Gated and ITS congregation numbers
many of the most Influential Methoo' S'