The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-09-08
LATEST FAIR HAVEN NEVIS
GRAND AYE. CONGREGATIONAL
 CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS.

tOwese Baptist Church PastOrate.
 The Grand avenue Congregational church will reopen it's audience room for worship. after being closed for eight months for repairs. on next Sum day. The occasion will be happy one for the members and friends. Reopen ing week is the method by which this joy is to be expressed. About fourteen thousand dollars have been put into re- pairs and Improvements and new and beautiful audience room is in evidence. Dr. Sheath, the pastor, will preach on Sunday morning upon ..The Blessing in Zion" and in the evening upon Some Lessons from the Past History of Grand Avenue Church" The pro- gramme for the week includes a Y. F. sc. F. social on Monday evening, a prayer service on Tuesday evening, the installation of the pastor on Wednes- day afternoon and evening, a fellowship gathering on Thursday evening and a rally day on Sunday, September IS. A handsome souvenir programme has been prepared under the direction of Deacon Thaddeus s. Coleman. The re- pairs were begun at the suggestion of the fire marshal, who regarded the roof as in an unsafe condition. The repairs committee consisted of the following gentlemen: Charles F. McNeiI, chair man; David R. Pollock, Arthur B. Brown, Charles T. Foster, George S. Adams, James Johnston, Walter S.. Bishop, Thaddeus S. Coleman, A. N. McIntire, Eugene H. Rowe, Leverett P. Clark l.. w. Robinson was the archi- tect.
 The following repairs and improve ments were made: The roof trusses strengthened, ten huttresses built against side walls, the tower strength ened, two end walls rebuilt aabove the arches, all the brick work painted, a new ceiling, woodwork on interior and exterior painted, audience room, chap el. ladies' parlor frescoed and painted, vestibule pavement and stone steps re- laid in cement, new windows in north wall and cellar, two fire escape doors in the front of the audience room, chim- neys rebuilt, new carpets in the audi enee room, parlor, chapel and halls; new cushions for pews, class tables in. the Sunday school room, new pulpit furniture, lectern and Bible and various other minor improvements.
 About half of the expense has been met, and 1t is hoped that the balance may be paid by next June, the seventy fifth anniversary of the church. The Ladies Aid society have purchased the carpets and cushions. The Girls Aid society the chapel carpet; the Kings Daughters the pulpit furniture, while the Sunday school and other church or ganizations have contributed to the general repairs.
 Dr. Sheath 'sinstallationh has been post poned until this time. The council will meet at D m. on Wednesday and the public installation will occur at ' p. m. Dr. J. w. Bixbee, of New London, will preach the sermon; Rev. J. Lee Mitch ell, of Attleboro, will deliver the charge to the pastor; Rev. D. J. Clark will offer the installing prayer; Rev. w. J. Mutch will read the Scripture les sons; Rev. George F. Prentiss will give the charge to the people and Rev. Frank B. Doane will offer the invoca- tion. Thirty-two churches have been invited to the council The fellowship gathering on Thursday evening is to be the social occasion of the week. The programme will consist of music, origi- nal poem, "reminiscences, remarks and refreshments.
 The Grand Rally day services will in. clude a sermon on Child Nurture, Bap- tism of Children and Rally day con- cert, given by the Sabbath school un- der the direction of MT. Albert c. Me Intire, superintendent.
 The reopening week is in charge of the standing committee Rev. Isaiah w. Sheath, pastor; Dwight s. Tyrrell, clerk; Hery Futile, Rollin c. Smith, Walter s. Bishop, Thaddeus S. Cole man, Charles F. McNeil, Abrarn F. Mc- Kinnel, deacons; Harry w. Flint, treas- urer; Frank E. Fowler, Charles D. Par melee, Louis L. Bradley, Mrs. Arietta Harrison, Mrs. Martha s. Foster, Mrs. Lizzie E. Franklin, Mrs. Adele L. Bald win.
 fIn6 lIlSIdlldllUII supper 5Wlll. uC IuI- nished by the Ladies Aid society, who also have charge of the fellowship gath ering.
 Expert authority has declared that this church has not only an absolutely safe auditorium, but also one of the most beautiful audience rooms in New Haven
 Another sharpie race will take place on Quinnipiac river next Saturday, the start at 1 D. m. The contestants are Captain Frank Laraby's Lizzie and Captain Frank Browns Gleneida. The prize is a purse of $l0. The comomit- tee of arrangements consists of John J. Dayton and Bert Bradley.
 All of the pigeons except one, missing after Sundays race from New Bruns- wick, N. J., have returned. Jacob Froh- lich has one bird that has not returned and it is doubtful if he ever hears from the flyer again. -".
 The tall spire of Pilgrim church is to some needed repairs. and stag ing has been erected nearly to the top of the gilded dome. The work is in charge of John Thompson. The placing l of the staging required considerable skill and steadiness of nerve in steeple climbing.
 Philip E. Seaver, assistant sales manager for the Nationl Wire corpora ton, has been visiting MT. and Mrs