The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-01-15
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH RE-
BUILT
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terial. The walls and ceilings are
done in oils. the former being a deli
cate brown, while the latter is of light
green with darker and lighter stripes
close to the outer edges between the
trusses. The altar has overhead a
beautiful stained glass window. while
the other windows remain unchanged
save where the rich glass
was broken in the efforts of
the firemen to subdue the
flames at the time of the conhagration.
The altar furnishings are oak with up
holsterings of brown and consists of
several chairs, communion table, pull
pit and stands. The carpet is of
heavy body Brussels in brown tints,
with bordered crackers of the same,
and harmonizes perfectly with
the delicate tints of the
walls and the bright shades of the
stained panes of the large windows.
The new $4,000 pipe organ is of oak
and is installed at the right of the
platform in the center and at the back
of the choir loft. 1t is a handsome
instrument of the Estey make and is
run by an electric motor. Its location
is tritie higher than that of its pre-
decessor, while the choir loft has been
convenience newly added in the re-
building process. The lights are en-
tirely a new idea in Skowhegan and
are semi-incandescent. There are
six globes suspended by chains from
the trusses. each possessing $50 candle
power. The altar lights are conceal
ed and so arranged as to throw the
light backward instead of toward the
audience with glazing brillancy. The
pews, somewhat damaged, have been
revarnished and the cushions repaired.
On the left of the altar is the min
ister's study, well lighted and conven
iently arranged. Its outer entrance
is from small porch on Madison
Avenue and opens first into a tiny
vestibule connecting with the study.
Close to the choir loft double oaken
doors open into the new Sunday
School room which is not yet complet-
ed. 1t will probably be finished in
about one month hence, and will be
most convenient and attractive addi-
ton TO the church proper. A splen-
did fire place is to occupy one side of
the room and there will be a piazza
along the outer north side. The base
ment of this addition is being sealed in
oak and will be used as class room
The rear vestibule. good sized
room in itself, is to be equipped with
a dumb waiter connecting with the
kitchen downstairs, which has been
piped for aqueduct water A toilet
has also been installed in the base
ment
With the building of the addition it
became necessary to have more heat,
and as a result, the single pipe sys-
tenn has been installed and so arrang-
ed that any part particularly needful
of warmth can be made comfortable
The boiler room and its splendid
equipment is a most interesting place
to visit and certainly contains thor
oughly up-to-date heating apparatus.
A room for the organ motor opens out
of the new basement room and that
the audience will not hear the rumble
of this power has been made certain,
being separated as it is from the au-
ditorium by four plastered walls. A
cement floor in this basement room
eonceals a very complete sewerage
system.
With the exception of the addition
to the west side of the structure the
outer appearance of the building is
but little. Its architecture
was always of much beauty and with
its fine coat of paint and stoned under
structure it is considered one of the
city's finest buildings.
The people of the parish are justly
proud of their house of worship, while
members and non-members as well
will point out with pride the Bethany
Baptist Church.