Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-03-18
DEDICATION OF METHODIST EPlS-
;'npAI. CHURCH.

after undergoing an extensive work OF
remodelng and refitting which has re-
suited in building practically new, and
wonderful transformation as compared
with the old structure. The sermon in
the morning was preached by Rev. J. F.
Heisse, D. D., of Baltimore, District
Superintendent, whose jurisdiction in
cludes Thurmont. In the afternoon aplat-
form service was held at which were
present Revs. Nj. l.. Beard and Robert
Huebener, pastors respectively OF the
Lutheran and Moravian churches, and
Elder John S. Weybright, of the Church
Of the Brethren, each of whom spoke
words of fraternal greeting to which, at
he request of the pastor, Rev X. e..
ltoontz, the District Superintendent made
d brief and appreciative reply. Next
followed greetings from ex-pastors of
the church only one of whom, Rev. w.
A. Koontz, f"+her of the present pastor,
was able to present. He spoke brief
~ after which letters to the congregation
rom all the other ex-pastors with whom
iC was possible to communicate were read
10y the pastor.
The dedication proper was conducted
by the District Superintendent immed-
ately following the platform service. 1t
was unique in that there were ministers
Of four Christian denominations taking
part in the ritual of dedication as pre-
srrbed by the Book of Discipline of the
Methodist Episcopal church-the three
ministers of the other churches mention
ed above together with he three minis
tiers of the Methodist Episcopal church
who were present. No one coull wit
ness this impressive service without be
ing made to realize that the various
branches Of the Christian church are
bound together more strongly today than
ever before. 1t was a striking exhbi-
ton of the delightful spirit of unity and
courtesy that exists among the various
churches of Thurmont, and was still
further emf hasized by the presentation
through the pastor, at the platform serv-
ice, of the greetings of Rev. &. p Bready,
the retiring pastor of the Reformed
church. and Rev. e. |. Rider, pastor of
The United Brethren church, both of
whom were unavoil Lbly absent. Present
in the large afternoon congregation,
which filled both auditorium and Sunday
School room, We're members of all the
ncahas .f ba mi Uhn r.
ously contributed to the building fund,
as did some who were not connected with
any church.
At night the sermon was preached by
Rev. w. A. Koontz, pastor of Memorial
Methodist Episcopal church, Baltimore.
A good congregation was present. At
the close of the service everybody, with
out regard to church membership, press
ed forward to the chancel to shake hands
with the preacher, and a short informal
reception followed.
The collections throughout the day
amounted to $3.50. They were sue cess
fully directed by Rev. w. A. Koontz.
The response was ready and liberal, and
pastor and people alike are pleased, es-
pecially with the generosity of their
friends in the other churches and those
outside of any church.
The total cost of the improvements is
S., 600 The church as it now stands is a
brick structure with two wings. In the
angle between these tower rises to the
height of SO feet. In front of thetower
is concrete porch with steps, and in the
tower is vestibule from which doors
lead into the auditorium and the Sunday
School room, which may be thrown into
one room by means Of accordion doors.
| The walls and ceilings in the vestibule
and church are coated with alabast
| The floors of both rooms are neatly car
| peted. The interior woodwork is all fin
| ished in the natural color with hard oil.
! Thefurniture in the main room is finished
in golden oak The rails for the chancel
and choir platform were made by Mr.. E.
f. Black, of this place, who also built the
pulpit desk and the communion table. and
illllSItu IIlc CIldlIS III VIC pulpit iCICoo
and the chancel. They reflect great cred
it or him and his workmen. The circu-
lar pews in the auditorium were built by
the E. H. Stafford Co., of Chicago. The
windows are all of colored cathedral
glass.
A large Kelsey warm air generator has
been installed in the basement by Mr..
Geo. l.. Winebrenner, of Thurmont, and
heats both the rooms in the building.
Also, Davis acetylene gas generator
has been installed by the local firm of
Grimes & Stimme, and supplies all the
burners in the church and vestibule, and
one on the porch, with brilliant light
At night the approach to the church, for
both vehicles and pedestrians, will be
aglow with light from the porch.
There will be a concrete walk from the
pavement to the steps of the porch, and
the old concrete walk will be removed
A lawn will cover the space in front of
the building between the new walk and
the parsonage. The building, tower and
porch are all rooted with slate.
The building committee which had
charge of the enterprise consisted of
Messrs Chas. R. Stocksdale, VIM. H..
Marshall and the pastor, Rev. Richard
G. Koontz. The contractor was Mr.. G..
Curtis Weddle, of Thurmont. The fol-
lowing constitute the Board of Trustees:
IL ~