Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-06-23
Completion Of St,
Johns Methodist
Church.
YEARS OF sELF-sAcRIF|cE
History Of Congregation and
Description Of the
Building.

Inc new 0t. JOuH . N|lhouioe AIPA"
copal Church on Don Gaspar Avenue
will be dedicated tomorrow. The car
penters completed their work today and
the building now stands as a telling
monument to the perseverance and self
sacrifice of the pastors ard members
of the congregation who nast worked
conscientiously in establishing q suit
able place OF worship and a crediuable
home for themselves. Construction OF
the edifice was begun during the pas
torate OF Rev. W. A. Cooper in 1904,
but on account of long continued
drouth during 1903-4 the congrega-
ton was unable to complete it. Last
summer Rev. ]. l.. Shively, the pres
ent pastor, began the work of solicit
ing funds to finish and furnish the
church. Public spirited citizens OF
Santa Fe and friends In the east re-
sponded generously and the result of
their donations Is to be seen In the
handsome and we'll arranged house of
worship.
Though not large, the new build
ling on account of Its classic style of
architecture, Is an imposing structure.
It Is constructed of brick, a great
deal of attention having been paid to
ornamentation. The large window in
front and the smaller ones on the
sides are of colored glass and add
much to its appearance.
Entrance to the church is through
a vestibule, the woodwork of which
is finished in mahogany, which blends
with the fresco work Of the ceiling.
The interior of the church, the work
upon which has just been completed,
lis consistent with the style of archi-
lecture employed Every inch of
space is utilized, and there is seat
ing capacity, including the gallery, of
from three to four hundred The
building Is finished in light colored
hard wood, and the two rows of seats
arranged in a semi-circular manner,
are Of the same material.
The ceiling has been frescoed in
light blue, trimmed in white, and a
number OF arc lights have been ar
ranged in the center More lights
have been placed along the sides of
the gallery. The floor Of the audi
torium has been laid so as to slope
from the rear, and is covered with a
handsome dark green carpet. The ros-
trum, on one side OF which is the
pastors study and on the other the
choir room, is slightly elevated. A
handsome fireplace on one side lends
a tomelike air to the church and
adds much to Its appearance.
| The building, which was construct
ed by Antonio Windsor, reflects much
credit upon him as a contractor and
builder, Its cost is about $4,000 and
1t is one OF the handsomest edifices
in the city.
The history of the Methodist Epis
copal Church in Santa Fe is an In
teresting one. 1t had Its beginning
about 1850, when Rev. q. G. Nichol
son, who was sent to the Territory as
a missionary, preached his first ser
mon in the Old Governors Palace
Mr.. Nicholson was sent to New Mex
leo about the same time the Bapdsts
and Presbyterians were sending mis-
sionaries, just after the Territory was
ceded to the United States.
Rev. Dallas D. Love was the next
missionary who came to Santa Fe
In 1866. but he remained only three
months. During the years 1863 and
1869, Rev. J. L. Dyer, the "Snow-shoe
Itinerant" Of Colorado, frequently
held services In this city. He organ
lied a Sunday school, Good Temp
lars lodge, and small Methodist 80
clety. The membership s'J .5t
mostly OF officers and soldt va e,