South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-23
Leaders of Methodist Church VIII Help Dedicate the
Beautiful NeD Edifice of South Bend Congregatl

Services will begin tomorrow in the
new First Methodist Memorial Episco-
pal church on n. Main st.
The building is complete and the
dedication services will be held Sun
day morning when Rev. William F.
Mcdowell. bishop of the Chicago con-
ference. will deliver the dedicatory
sermon. A week Of opening services
will be held. Several of the former
pastors of the old NJ. +. church will
be present during the week and will
take part in the weeks program.
Now that the $4,000 edifice is
complete ii is, no doubt, one of the
most beautiful and elaborate of all
the churches in South Bend II not in
northern Indiana. The interior of the
structure is spacious and is elaborate
ly finished, while the exterior is an ex-
ample of the most modern architec-
ture in buildings of this sort.
The structure is built of brick and
stone of the very best quality. II is
believed the building will withstand
the wear and tear Of the elements for
centuries. II is not thought, however.
that the church will even hold the
large crowds expected to attend the
opening services the complete seating
capacity being less than /. 800. The
membership OF the First NJ. F.. church
parish numbers considerable more
than 1900 and IL is thought it will
outgrow the capacity Of the building
before many years.
$4,000 Pipe Organ.
The handsome pipe organ which has
been set up in four parts in the
church is the best in northern Indi-
ana The instrument was bought at
a cost of more than 10000 1t has
. oil 70 1af
lures.
The choir Of the First VI. z. church
for the first time will be vested Sun
day. In the future and at all services
it is planned TO have the singers
vested. Prof Frederic Bergman will
assume charge as director of the
chorus and will also have charge OF
the organ, being the organist.
One OF the big features of the new
church will be the lighting arrange
ment. The lighting is entirely indi-
rect The lights are adjusted over re-
Electors which throw the light toward
the ceiling. The decorations are made
to give the best lighting and the
scheme through this means is most
successfully worked out.
The carpet on the floor Of the audi
forum Is made OF natural gray Sax
ony Wilton of a color to match and
harmonic with the mural decora-
tions. 1t is soft and of the best quail
ity. The pews are made of handsome
quarter-sawed oak and are set in
semi-circle facing the rOstrum when
is built below the choir loft.
The interior wood work is Of the
same quarter-sawed oak. The win
dows which are of handsome colored
glass are set in stone. Every window
In the building is set in stone NOR
tises. Stenciled decorations cover the
walls of the auditorium, Sunday
school room, the class rooms and the
basement below, leanding beauty TO
the interior.
Special attention has been made in
constructing the church TO provide
the best possible Sunday school equip
ment Individual class rooms have
been made in the Sunday school room
for adult members and in the base
ment IL is planned 20 take care Of the
kindergarten pupils. The Sunday
school room is separated from the
church auditorium by a large sliding
door which raises from the floor and
partly lowers from the ceiling meet |
ing in the center.
Services at 900.
The first services VIII be held in the I,
church Sunday morning 500 O'Clock /
when Sunday school will begin. The /
pupils viii meet at the old church /
and after minute prayer service-the
last 10 be held at the old building /
parade will be made TO the new build |
ing. The mems class, taught by Dan |
Pyle. attorney. viii carry a large /
banner on which the motto of the /
school for the past 10 years will be In !
scribed. The motto is. The Saloon |
is Doomed and Must Co.. Every one 1
in the school will march 10 the new |
building where the pupils viii be as |
signed TO the new class rooms.
Sunday morning Bishop Mcdowell |
viii deliver the sermon and special
music viii be furnished by Prof. Ber-