Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-27
MAKE EXTENSIVE
Improvements ON
MAIN ST. CHURCH

street which has been undergoing ex-
tensfve repairs and alterations dur.
Ing the summer will be formally
opened Sunday morning when Rev
Arthur Buckner will preach at the
morning services at 1890 and at an
evening service at 1870
The church which was somewhat
In need OF renovation Is now one lof
the finest structures of its kind lin
the city. Over $4,000 has been spent
this summer in painting, plastering
and other improvement. The archi-
tect In charge has been Edwin I.
Lewis OF Bostoh and the remodelling
has been done according to his plans
and under his supervision
Work men are busy today putting
on the finishing touches in the main
auditorium ready for the services to-
morrow.
The first work done at the begin
ming OF the summer was to repair
the roof. jack up the building and
put new supports in where they
were needed and then to build a
concrete gutter all the way around
the foundation with a sewer entrance
on the lower side. This gutter in
sures permanent protection to the
foundation Of the church and the cell
Aoi VIII De
Perhaps one Of the biggest i'm
provements was the installation of a
fine new steam heating plant to take
the place of the hot air system which
was not at all satisfactory. This
system includes a new boiler with "a
large radiators connected. The RAJ
dfators have been placed where they
VIII deliver the most heat according
to plans worked out by scientists in
terested In proper heating plant in
stallation. For instance. in the audi
torium five radiators have been plac-
ed on the north side of the church
and three on the south side. Two
radiators have been placed in the
choir oft which will give the musi-
clans much relief for the hot air
from the former furnace did not
reach that far on cold days.
The auditorium has been remodel
led In a semi gothic style of archi-
lecture and 1t Is very beautiful in APP
pearance. The colors are soft and
work has been replaced and restain-
ed so that it all looks like new. New
electric chandeliers hung from the
ceiling shed soft glow throughout
the church which coupled with wall
brackets to match light the church
sufficiently. The ceiling has been
thoroughly repaired and five coats of
light blue paint applied. The cor
nices are of white and blend splen-
didly with the walls which have been
refiniShed in oil with a sandstone ef-
feet.
The altar Is entirely new and the
dark oak stained wood makes a fine
impression as one enters the church.
A beautiful communion table has
been built especially for the purpose
and will set on the back part of the
altar platform. Red plush curtains
will be ,!raped from the arch and in
! the center will be hung a cross t..
gold. Indirect lights will shed a
soft glow upon the cross and table.
in back which has always shed n
glaring light into the eyes of the
congregation will be practically hid
den.
The pews which are very old are of
solid wood and they have been scraped
and reinished in handsome dark oak
color. on the floor will be a red WOOL
en- carpet. In the back part of the
church at the main entrance the first
doors will be taken out and red plush
curtains placed over the entrances. The
second doors have. been made to swing
i'm and out, doors being made in Bos-
ton especially for the purpose. Thus
the inner vestibule will be warm for
people coming in before they enter the
main auditorium. This will he an inn
provement. as heretofore there has
been no heat there. The floor OF the
vestibulr will be covered with a checked
linoleum.
The choir loft has been completely
renovated. The woodwork has been
stained to match the rest of the audi
forum. The organ has been rebuilt
and retinished throughout. A very fine
choir has been procured and they have
been rehearsihg for some time for the
opening services tomorrow. Mrs.
Gushing is the organist.
The pastors study will he a very at
tractivc room when completed The
walls have been done in yellow and
the woodwork in ivory. The kitchen
walls have been painted pea green.
The Ware parlors are being redecorated
with a color scheme of blue walls and
natural finish on the woodwork and
drapcries will be hun at the windows.
The First Unitarian society was or
ganized July IS. 1863 in the Town hall.
which is now the Armory. In October
of 1865 the American Unitarian Assoc
citation. through its secretary, promised
to the society $4,000 toward house
Of worship proposed earlier in the year.
on the condition that ii be erected free
from debt and n prescribed bond exc
cuted. AT a meeting of the society in
November the gift was conditionally
accepted. The house was dedicated
September 4. 1866. Teh sermon was by
Edward Everett Hale, d. D.. of Boston.
Mass. and the prayer of dedication was
by Rev. C. c. Everett of Bangor. The
clock in the tower was presented in
1869 by Samuel Appleton.
1t is interesting to note that vote
Of thanks was made to -. NJ. Croker,
Esq. for his valuable present OF
clock" This clock will be hung on
the front OF the choir loft as soon as
that part of the church is wholly COM
pleted Mr.. Crooker was teweler In
Watcrville over so years ago.
CADTIDN MOTIFS