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The Sanctuary Chandelier
The beautiful chandeliers remarkable for it’s size and excellent condition. It is larger than a chandelier with similar design which hangs in the United States White House, and weighs 1100 pounds (550 pounds of brass and 550 pounds of lead crystal). The crystal prisms and rope chains were made in Czechoslovakia and characteristically reflect primarily red, blue and gold light. The lead crystal ball which hangs from the bottom of the chandelier is irreplaceable.

Mrs. Flora Glenn Candler originally purchased the chandelier, which hung in the Capitol Theatre on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. Mrs. Candler donated the chandelier to Glenn Memorial UMC on the Emory University campus. In the 1970’s it was removed from the church and placed in the historic chapel on the campus of Oxford College of Emory University on Oxford, Georgia. The weight of the chandelier began to cause damage to the chapel’s ceiling and walls, compromising the integrity of the building. In 1990, the chandelier was taken down and donated to Covington FUMC. It was installed in the church along with new recessed ceiling lights, to the glory of God, in memory of Coe David Ramsey, Jr. and Mary Frances Cowan Ramsey by Sam and Becky Ramsey in 1992.

Engineering in the church attic includes a winch, from which the chandelier is hung, and multiple safety cables. A ratchet wheel, allows the chandelier to be rolled down for hand-cleaning. Long handled ostrich plum feather dusters are used to dust the prisms. Periodically, a solution of diluted ammonia is used to clean the crystals, which are then are dried individually by hand.

The Church History
Covington FUMC was constructed circa 1856 in the classical Greek Revival Style, to replace the original structure located on a lot facing Church Street and bounded by both Elm and South Streets. The building located on the original lot was constructed in 1830 and has since been moved to its present location on Dried Indian Creek and houses the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

The interior of the present sanctuary is appointed in the style reminiscent of a French Renaissance Cathedral. This structure was utilized as a hospital during the War Between the States during 1861-1865. The present interior design, which reflects the change from the more formal, classical style to the more ornate vernacular style of the Victorian era was complete circa 1897, with “colored glass, softer pews and a greater dedication towards the pulpit.”

The exterior of the building is described as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in existence today. Its classical full façade portico boasts six Corinthian columns topped by a balanced pediment. Its unique cupola was likely added sometimes after the original construction, perhaps in the late 1880’s.

In 1911, a Sunday School annex was added, providing a semicircular set of classrooms and a place for overflow crowds from the sanctuary. It was named the “Bee Hive” because of its round design. In 1954, a new Sunday School annex including a parlor, kitchen and large fellowship hall was added.

The latest addition to the building was a two story education building and office space. This spaces houses Sunday School classes as well as the church Preschool.

COVINGTON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH



*<Back* The Sanctuary Chandelier The beautiful chandeliers remarkable for it’s size and excellent condition. It is larger than a chandelier with similar design which hangs in the United States White House, and weighs 1100 pounds (550 pounds of brass and 550 pounds of lead crystal). The crystal prisms and rope chains were made in Czechoslovakia and characteristically reflect primarily red, blue and gold light. The lead crystal ball which hangs from the bottom of the chandelier is irreplaceable. Mrs. Flora Glenn Candler originally purchased the chandelier, which hung in the Capitol Theatre on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. Mrs. Candler donated the chandelier to Glenn Memorial UMC on the Emory University campus. In the 1970’s it was removed from the church and placed in the historic chapel on the campus of Oxford College of Emory University on Oxford, Georgia. The weight of the chandelier began to cause damage to the chapel’s ceiling and walls, compromising the integrity of the building. In 1990, the chandelier was taken down and donated to Covington FUMC. It was installed in the church along with new recessed ceiling lights, to the glory of God, in memory of Coe David Ramsey, Jr. and Mary Frances Cowan Ramsey by Sam and Becky Ramsey in 1992. Engineering in the church attic includes a winch, from which the chandelier is hung, and multiple safety cables. A ratchet wheel, allows the chandelier to be rolled down for hand-cleaning. Long handled ostrich plum feather dusters are used to dust the prisms. Periodically, a solution of diluted ammonia is used to clean the crystals, which are then are dried individually by hand.		The Church History Covington FUMC was constructed circa 1856 in the classical Greek Revival Style, to replace the original structure located on a lot facing Church Street and bounded by both Elm and South Streets. The building located on the original lot was constructed in 1830 and has since been moved to its present location on Dried Indian Creek and houses the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church. The interior of the present sanctuary is appointed in the style reminiscent of a French Renaissance Cathedral. This structure was utilized as a hospital during the War Between the States during 1861-1865. The present interior design, which reflects the change from the more formal, classical style to the more ornate vernacular style of the Victorian era was complete circa 1897, with “colored glass, softer pews and a greater dedication towards the pulpit.” The exterior of the building is described as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in existence today. Its classical full façade portico boasts six Corinthian columns topped by a balanced pediment. Its unique cupola was likely added sometimes after the original construction, perhaps in the late 1880’s. In 1911, a Sunday School annex was added, providing a semicircular set of classrooms and a place for overflow crowds from the sanctuary. It was named the “Bee Hive” because of its round design. In 1954, a new Sunday School annex including a parlor, kitchen and large fellowship hall was added. The latest addition to the building was a two story education building and office space. This spaces houses Sunday School classes as well as the church Preschool.