30 years ago – January 18, 1991
Many paused on Eureka Street last week to watch workers move pews from St. James Methodist Church out to the street. Once there, the pews were carefully positioned on dollies and rolled to William Stables for storage. No, the church isn’t closing for the season! The move is a matter of necessity for much-needed renovations, said Wally Gallaher, a St. James trustee. While removing the worn carpeting that had graced the auditorium for 90 years, the floor and understructure were found to need repair, said Gallaher. The project is expected to be complete in three weeks. The new Brinton carpet is being woven with the Axminister process in Kidderminster England, right now, The Axminister process is described in Webster’s Dictionary as a machine weave with pile tufts in various tufts and patterns. The new carpet is an exact replica of the one that is being removed in order to preserve historical accuracy. The old carpet will be cut up and given to church members, the Lace House in Black Hawk, and the Gilpin County Historical Society. Gallaher laughed when asked how much the competed project will cost. According to a book published in 1900, the carpet—new at the time—that is being replaced cost $300 and covered both the auditorium and lecture room. The price has gone up, Gallaher confirmed. On behalf of the trustees and church members, Gallaher expressed thanks to the Central City Opera House Association for use of William Stables to store the pews.
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