The Detroit times., 1910-09-16
RARE BEAUTIES Of
CHURCH RESTORED
Splendid Decorations Of Westminster
Presbyterian Edifice Look Like New
Church Reopens October 2.

When the congregation OF the West
minister Presbyterian church reasssm-
bles for worship In that edifice, Sun
day. Oct. 2. II will be agreeably sur
prised ut the restored beauties Of the
auditorium, claimed to be one of the
most beautiful and correct In archi-
lecture Christian temples In the
United States.
The church has been closed to the
public since the early summer, while
an army OF workmen has been In pos
session, making needed repairs to ev-
cry nook and corner. from outside roof
10 installin. "a new furnace In the
basement. The church-wa erected In
1882, many thousands OF dollars be-
Ing expended upon it, especially In
the interior decorations, which were
designed and executed by the late
Lewis Tiffany, of New York, especial
ly for Westminster church. In all
these 20 years nothing had been done
TO the walls OF the auditorium, with
the result that the CRIME had dimmed
or almost wholly obliterated the dec
orative work, and now that Il has
been cleaned and restored the result
Is such as to astunish even the oldest
member OF the congregation. The
work OF restoration has heen done
with the same care and meth I'd be-
slowed upon the cleaning OF rare
oil painting. The church Is semi.
oriental In style and architecture and
the interior. decorations are taken
from the ancient Byzantine cathedrals
OF tho fourth century.
From the wainscoting of oak, the
walls upward. are reproduction in
coloring OF sunset sky, running
from deep crimson to neutral tints as
they reach the dome. The ceiling is
a combination &C grays and blues.
Oak arches Use from eight points of
the four walls and are buttressed to
meet overhead, forming Genital
dome, 20 feet square and rs feet from
the floor. This dome Is rooted by a
lantern of cathedral glass, also de-
signed and executed by Tiffany, as
we're all OF the magnificent cathedral
glass windows ir the church. Seventy
one hundred candle power electric
bulbs have been placed ON the four
sides OF the dor,c which viii provide
the artificial lighting, ths former
heavy drop chandeliers having been
removed. An ingenious pulley device
makes II possible to bring the beam
upon which these lights are fasten-
ed TO the floor OF the auditorium when
burned out bulbs require to be re-
placed or necessary cleaning Of globes
accomplished.
The wall decorations are in fresco,
~
ing, every tint employed having a ref
erence to nature as well as to art.
The spandrels have q mosaic back
ground Of ancient design, the Jewels
and semi-precious stones found in the
catacombs being reproduced upon
these spandrels by skilful combina-
ton OF colors. On one spandrel Is the
Alpha and Omega and upon another
the crossed triangle of the ancient
Christian faith. Over the platform
are the letters Il. H. s." In the ancient
Christian form, on either side of which
are the monograms OF Christ as found
in the catacombs. All OF this decora-
tive work has been beautifully restor-
ed by experts so that the exquisite
tints OF the mosaic are preserved in
all their original beauty, mellowed
and softened by years.
The auditorium Is nearly rs feet
square with transepts at the sides,
and the floor slightly sloping towards
the pulpit. Back OF the pulpit is the
motto Of the church In heavy iron
letters, THE Lord. Our Righteous
ness" The entire floor has been re-
dressed, also the pews. The seating
capacity Is about 500. The organ has
been entirely rebuilt with the old wa
ter power contrivance replaced by a
modern electric motor All OF the
pipes Of the instrument have been re-
voiced. Westminster organ is one OF
the best in the city, despite it's years
OF usage. II was built in Westfield,
Mass, In 1882, and has many stops
not found even in the more modern
organs Of the city. The organists
bench has been brought forward and