Methodist church plans celebration

By Kit Chase, Register Staff Writer The Daily Register Mon Mar 03, 2014, 10:57 AM CST

Gainesville First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Gainesville will dedicate the completion of the renovation of the churchs 1892 sanctuary on March 23 with Rev. Don Yeager and Bishop Michael McKee officiating.

FUMC spent more than $6 million during the 13 year, 3-phase process to improve their facility, which has a state historical marker from the state historical commission.

Phase 3 included restoration of the stained glass windows, chancel furniture, wood and tile flooring, choir loft, interior doors and woodwork, electrical wiring, overhead lighting and several components of the antique organ.

The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were removed, taken apart, cleaned and reassembled with new lead and new frames.

It is so much brighter and clearer now than it used to be, FUMC pastor Don Yeager said. The sun didnt use to shine the way it does now through the windows. It looks like brand new glass.

The stained glass turns sunlight into jeweled light beams that present varied colors in the sanctuary during different times of the day. Stanton Glass Studios, LLC of Waco renovated the windows. The company specializes in restoration and repair of historic stained glass windows.

FUMC chairman of the board of trustee Bob Bloom provides an excellent tour of the church with in-depth knowledge of the progress of the renovation. He discusses the intricate working of the new sprinkler system with the nitrogen-filled pipes to prevent water leakage, the completed cleaning and repair of the antique organ that has mechanically operated valves versus electronic ones and explains about the stained glass windows dismantled for cleaning and repairing. He discusses the infrastructure of the church with the new sound system, updated lighting and heating system. The first electric company, DC Power Plant was built in 1887 that supplied electricity to the church, Bloom said. The buildings closest to DC Power Plant got electricity. Edison wanted to light the world with DC power, but it was not very efficient for long distance distribution. Slowly everything was changed to AC power because it could supply at hundreds of miles longer distances.

The seven globe light fixtures and sconces in the sanctuary were originally installed in 1892.

That was DC power lights, Bloom said. With AC power they began adding lights and we ended up with a collection of them. We found the original molds in West Virginia. They had quit making them. The company sold us the molds at $95 each and we were able to get them replaced.

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Methodist church plans celebration