The German Reformed Church stood on Chestnut avenue opposite the end of Sheridan street. The architect, H.M. Stephenson, also designed St John's Episcopal church on Elm street. A look at this map will show the location - the church appears on the map in red. As a bonus, the house of the architect shows up on this map, of the same series and date, on Chestnut avenue as well.
Boston Daily Globe February 22, 1904
New House Of Worship Dedicated. German Reformed Christ Church, Jamaica Plain, Is Entirely Free From Debt.
The members of the German Reformed Christ church, Chestnut av, Jamaica Plain, dedicated their new house of worship yesterday.
A notable feature of the dedication was the fact that the entire building is completely paid for.
The morning service commenced with a selection by the organist, B.F. Meyer, followed by a hymn by the congregation. A soprano solo was rendered by Mrs Rudolph Nagle with violin obligato by Miss Freida Strasser. The sermon was given by Rev P.H. Dipple of Philadelphia. Mrs Nagle sang "Ave Maria," with flute obligato by Edward E. Ramseyer and piano accompaniment by Mrs M. Hagerstroh.
In the afternoon the Sunday school had services consisting of selections by different members of the school and addresses by Rev P.H. Dipple of Philadelphia, Rev Eugene G. Fuessle of New York and Rev August Schwartz of Mellville N.Y.
The evening services consisted of organ prelude by B.B. Barton, invocation by the pastor, hymn by the congregation, Scripture lesson, solo by Thomas Moore Cornell, address, "The Christian's Delight in God's House," by Rev August Schwartz; solo, "O, for the Wings of a Dove," Mrs Anna Lohbiller-Mason, and concluded with the rendering of a largo by Rudolph Nettle violin, Arthur Haberstroh cello, J. Walter Schurmer cornet Eduard E Ramseyer flute, B.B. Barton organ and A. Haberstroh piano.
The church cost about $17,000. There are entrances from two vestibules into the auditorium, which has hard pine finished floors and pews. An open timber ceiling completes a harmonious interior. The seating capacity is about 300. At the right of the chancel opposite the entrance is the organ, and at the left is the minister's study. At the front is a large memorial window. In the basement, which is almost entirely above ground, are the Sunday school room, two Bible rooms, the supper room, kitchen and heating apparatus. The Sunday school room and the Bible class room can be thrown into one room.
"The morning service commenced with a selection by the organist, B.F. Meyer, followed by a hymn by the congregation. A soprano solo was rendered by Mrs Rudolph Nagle with violin obligato by Miss Freida Strasser. The sermon was given by Rev P.H. Dipple of Philadelphia. Mrs Nagle sang "Ave Maria," with flute obligato by Edward E. Ramseyer and piano accompaniment by Mrs M. Hagerstroh."
ReplyDeleteEdward C. Ramseyer was my grandmother's father.
Strasser is also on my grandmother's side of the family, but not sure who Freida is (will need to do research)
Mrs. Matthew Haberstroh was my grandmother's great aunt.