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December 27, 1897
THE NEW ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
First Service on Christmas Day—A Happy Congregation.
Christmas was a memorable day in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. On that date a year ago the church edifice was destroyed by fire and now the congregation were commemorating that disheartening calamity by taking possession of a new, larger and far more beautiful structure.

The service was largely attended. Dr. Jones made a capital address, the new organ flooded the edifice with harmony and the large choir rendered a stirring program. The weather was in keeping with the occasion and everything conspired to make the occasion a memorable one. In the congregation were Rev. Dr. F. B. Hodge of the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. C. E. Mogg of the Central Methodist Church and Rev. E. J. Morris of the Puritan Congregational Church, and these gentlemen remained and took part in the communion service, which was administered by Dr. Jones, Rev. Dr. Coxe and Rev. W. D. Johnson.

Yesterday was St. Stephen's day and by a happy coincidence it was the first Lord's Day on which service was held in the new edifice.

The rector gave notice that the cost of the new edifice, aside from the memorials, would be not far from $84,000. If $4,500 can be pledged payable in 1898 or at personal convenience all liabilities will be met. Over $7,000 has been already promised on condition that the full amount be raised. He hopes to hear from all before the morning of New Year Day and to be able to enter the coming year freed from the necessity for further appeal in this behalf, thus making the finishing of the church without debt the grandest event in the history of the parish.

The congregation in spite of the storm was a large one. The excellent choral program of Christmas Day was repented and it can be said that Mr. James's extemporized choir distinguished itself. It is to be a permanent feature and will become a vested choir In a few weeks.

The impression created by the interior now that it is completed and furnished, is pleasant in the extreme. In a general way the church plan both inside and out resembles the old in outline, but only in outline. The structure itself is of stone. It would be hardly believed that an interior could satisfactorily be treated with brick alone, yet in this case it has been done. From floor to ceiling there is nothing but brick up to the groined arches of the roof, which is of stained pine trimmed with oak. The brick interior might be expected to be cold and monotonous, but it is not. Rising to the height of the pews the bricks are dark, but above that for perhaps twenty feet they are yellow or cream, faintly broken by suggestions of Gothic arches, for the general style of the architecture is modified Gothic. From this up to the ceiling the effect is balanced by a simple pattern in both light and dark bricks, of varying shades of buff and red and brown. The architect has expressed himself as surprised that such work could be done in the country, which is a compliment to John A. Schmitt.

The floors are covered with a pleasing shade of Brussels carpet in terra cotta, the pews being of oak with velour cushions to harmonize with carpet. The pews are not closed at the ends but permit persons to pass through from one aisle to another. They are spacious and comfortable and provided with movable kneeling stools. The striking feature of the interior, looking up the broad aisle is the chancel arch, supported on lofty columns of polished granite surmounted with polished Corinthian capitals. The arches of the transept are supported by similar polished columns of granite but not so high. The chancel ceiling gives the effect of delicate blue figured mosaic and the chancel itself is illuminated by incandescent lights which are not visible from the pews. The chancel is roomy and around its curved wall are handsomely carved oak chairs or sedilia of Gothic pattern in keeping with the general plan. The chancel is approached from a wide middle aisle by several steps of unpolished marble, and like the entrance vestibule has a floor of mosaic concrete. The arches of the roof rest on columns of polished granite with carved capitals and these stand on massive cut stone brackets or corbels, which weigh some four tons each and extend through the walls, projecting inside and out.

The church is lighted from above, a dozen angels carved from the chestnut hammerbeams appearing as if in flight, each carrying in outstretched hands, a glass sphere inside of which is a cluster of incandescent lights. Gas may be used in emergencies. In the lighting as well as in the furnishing there is an absence of glitter and glare. The interior is cheerful and restful, but not sombre. Everywhere is it evident that the idea of harmony has been prominent, and it is only fair to say that the idea has been carried out with notable success.

The choir, led by director David James, occupy a platform to the right in the transept, enclosed with oak railing. On this platform is the keyboard of the big organ, though several feet removed from it. But the organ is not a conspicuous object. A bank of twenty-five gilded pipes look in the transept and at right angles to these another bank look into the chancel. The organ is operated by electricity and appears to be a rich and powerful one under the skillful touch of Prof. Wilcox. A passageway leads from the transept to the parish building and is so arranged as to be adapted for a boys' choir should that feature be introduced.

The robing room, to the spectator's left of the chancel, is well appointed and is provided with a capacious fire proof vault in which the church records, vestments, etc., may be safely kept. It may be remarked that the only objects saved from the old church were the communion service and the alms basins and these will continue to be used.

The church is heated by steam made on the premises and by means of ventilating fans operated by electricity the foul air is drawn from the interior and replaced with heated outdoor air, through registers in the walls and under the pews. In the summer fresh air from out of doors can be brought in. All the care of the church and its appliances is in the hands of Edwin Jones, who makes a thoroughly competent and efficient sexton, and who has held the place for several years.

There are three roomy aisles and about 60 pews, accommodating some 1.200 people. The vestibule is not outside the main room, but is made by a screen of oak and plate glass stretching along from wall to wall, and reaching perhaps ten feet high.

Unlike the old church, there are no steps to climb to the entrance. Besides the main entrance there is a door at each front corner and one for the
choir at the front of the transept.

The rector was ably seconded in the ardous work of the year by the following building committee: S. L. Brown, A. R. Brundage, W. L. Con- yngham, O. M. Brandow, H. A. Fuller, J. R. Lee.

The architect was Mr. Burns of Philadelphia, who was also the one who reconstructed the old church.

The organ was built by Hutchins of Boston and its erection was superintended and tuned by Mr. Gerrish, a Boston friend of Dr. Jones.
At the first evening service, that of last evening, the lighting proved to be entirely satisfactory. The accoustics seem all right.

Following is the new choir:
Sopranos—Buckley Brundage, Willlam Hill, Charles Fuller, Reese Reese, James Birmingham, William Doughton, William Hand, Misses Gussie DuMois, Alice Lewis, Elizabeth Davis, Mrs. William Green, Ruth Lewis, Miss Sterling. Miss McCollough, Miss Nichols, Gertrude Jones, Emma Hassel and Miss Struthers.
Altos—Miss Reichard, Mae Hartland, Anna Lewis, Hope Bullard, Jeanette Munyon, Miss Wadsworth and William Birmingham.
Tenors—Joseph Williams, Harry Willlams, Lawrence B. Jones, J. D. Birmingham, Jr
Bassos—Jared Stark, Wesley E. Woodruff, Arthur Dilley, Morris Llewellyn and Professor David Iv James.

A feature of the old church was the many memorials, in windows or furnishings, of departed members of the congregation, and it is pleasant to know that nearly all of these will be renewed.

The seven chancel windows are put in by the parish in memory of the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Somerville Rulison, D. D., second bishop of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania. The centre one has the figure of a Latin cross and the coloring is very subsided. The two next on right and left have figures of angels kneeling toward the centre cross. The next pair have the figures of angels standing in attitude of adoration and looking toward the cross. The last pair are the conventional type.

The communion table, of unpolished white marble, with three panels and crosses carved thereon, is given by the children of the Sunday school and in memory of the late Major Charles Miner Conyngham, born 1840, died 1894.

On the communion table are two polished brass book rests, memorials of Mr. and Mrs. E. Greenough Scott's only children. George Woodward Scott, who died Feb. 20, 1871, aged 7 years, and William Scott, who died Dec. 16, 1875. aged 21/2 years.

The chancel rail in antique oak and antique brass is given by Mrs. F. J. Leavenworth, and as the tablet has it. "In loving memory of Annie Leavenworth Harding." Another similar plate bears the inscription "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

The bishop's chair is the gift of the parish and is in memory of the late Rt. Rev. Bishop William Bacon Stevens, fourth bishop of Pennsylvania. A bronze plate has a mitre in relief within the inscription of dedication. It is flanked on each side by seven similar but smaller seats of Gothic pattern, sodilia they are called.

The reading desk, a bronze eagle, emblem of St. John, on a massive pedestal of bronze, is a memorial of Lewis C. Paine, from his daughters, Mrs. Dr. Worden and Miss Priscllla L. Paine. It bears the years of his birth and death, 1827-1890.

The baptismal font, given by Mrs. W. L. Conyngham as a memorial to her little daughter Ruth, is not yet in.

The hymn board of antique oak is presented by the Junior Auxiliary.
The splendid rose window in the front of the church bears in the centre the figure of a dove descending with outspread wings. It suggests the pentecostal day. In the other panes of the window the cross, passion, flowers and the rose of sharon alternate amid tasteful colorings. The window is a memorial to the late Mrs. Ruth S. Ross, and is given by her nephew and nieces, among whom are Mrs. Martha B. Phelps and George S. Bennett.

Also in the front wall is a smaller window, a memorial to Miss Emily Sharpe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sharpe.

In the robing room is a panel of three windows. The centre one is given by the parish. The other two, one bearing the figures of lillies of the valley, and the other the rose of sharon, are memorials to daughters of Rev. Dr. H. L. Jones and Rev. H. E. Hayden.

The windows of the church are temporarily glazed, as many of them are
to be replaced by memorials, reproductions of those destroyed in the fire, also one in memory of the late Mrs. Brodrick.

A stately object is the pulpit. From a foundation of marble, the pulpit rises in antique oak and brass. At each of the panel corners of the front are angel figures carved in wood. Each of these bears a scroll and on the scroll is carved in Greek a verse from out of the gospels. The verses used are the first one each from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The inscription is as follows: "Christmas, 1897. For the preaching of the word. In memory of the Honorable George Washington Woodward, chief Justice of Pennsylvania, and twice member of the Congress of the United States. Died May 10, 1875, aged 66 years. Erected by his daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Eben Greenough Scott." (Daily Record - Newspaper Article)