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The Christian Church in London was organized
July 16, 1865 in Laurel County Courthouse. Beginning with a membership of
21, the congregation me in the courthouse for a number of years. A frame
building was erected at the corner of Main and Seventh streets, on a site
donated by Colon R. L. Ewell, and was used as the house of worship by the
members and other church congregations of the town until January 2, 1907,
when the building burned. The congregation then met in the Jackson
Building for worship and other church meetings.
A new building was contracted on the same site, following an
unanimous vote in favor of the motion by Mary Clemerson, made on behalf of
the women of the church.
Jones and Haggard, contractors, were authorized to erect the new building
for a sum of $11,300. The building of Gothic Romanesque Revival
Architecture was constructed of unfired pink brick.
The cornerstone contains copies of the "London Sentinel" and
"Mountain Echo," two local newspapers of the day; a copy of "Christian
Standard"; postcards depicting scenic views of London; a copy of the New
Testament; a list of members and officers of the church, and Sunday School
quarterlies; and writings of Col. R. L. Ewell.
The stained glass windows are from Germany and are original, with the
exception of the large window in the counter gable of the Seventh Street
side. This window was damaged by the heat when a hotel on the other side
of the street burned. Church records show that this window was installed
and other windows repaired by Jacoby Art Glass of St. Louis in December
1925 and cost $514.
The Chandelier is original to the building and was installed by I.P.
Frink of New York.
The tracker pipe organ is original to the church and was partially paid
for by donation of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. In 1928 a blower was
attached. Prior to this time the janitor pumped air into the bellows.
Many improvements have been made through the years to the interior
structure. In 1923 Sunday School classrooms were added to the lower level.
In 1943 the central part of the font wall of the church was moved toward
the street to make space for a balcony, minister's study and office for
Sunday School Superintendent. In 1952 the pipe organ was recessed and the
rostrum extended across the front of the sanctuary, with paneled railing
separating it from the choir loft; the lighting and acoustics were
improved, the baptistery raised, and communion table raised to the
rostrum. In 1972 an education building was joined to the rear of the
church, providing office and classroom space; at the same time, the
kitchen was remodeled. 1989 saw the exterior of the church and stained
glass windows refurbished. |
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