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Grace Church's Early Years |
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Early photographs of the completed building show
that from the outside, the church looked much like it does today, except for
landscaping and the later additions. But inside, there have been major changes
over the years. An acetylene generating system supplied fuel for the lights. By
1913, electricity was available and the old system was retired. A coal furnace
under the sanctuary generated steam for the heating system. The rest of the
basement (Owen Hall) wasn’t dug out until 1919. Gaithersburg didn’t have a
water and sewer system until the late 1920s, which is when toilets and running
water were first installed in Owen Hall. Two windows that were behind the
pulpit were later moved from that wall to the sides of the choir loft. There
were pews in only the front of the sanctuary, and at that time the first four
rows had no center aisle. The back of the sanctuary was used for Sunday school
classes, the two sections being separated by large folding doors. At first,
there was no pipe organ. One of the members appealed to the Carnegie
Foundations for funds for a new organ. They donated $750 after the congregation
raised an equal amount. In December, 1916, the Moller Organ Co. of Hagerstown
completed the installation.
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About Grace 