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TWO NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks historical interest..... =================================== 1- St. Michael’s of Birdsboro, a Frank Furness masterpiece, has been closed...and demolition considered as option 2- Reading Symphony Orchestra to observe its 90th anniversary. History-making concert of 150 performers slated for Friday the 13th! ================================ 1- The Reading Eagle today carries a page-one news story that will surely send shock waves to many with interests in architecture and history generally--throughout the COUNTRY. World famous Victorian architect Frank Furness (accent on the lst syllable) designed a number of Philadelphia-region structures of grand size, elegance, and importance, among them the Brooke mansions of Birdsboro, the original Douglassville depot, the Willson mansion at 4th and Washington (Reading), David Adams’ home on Centre Ave. (Reading), and St. Michael’s of Birdsboro. Philadelphia architect and professor George Thomas was involved in a major art show of Furness’s architecture a decade or so ago which resulted in publication of a magnificent/illustrated volume the size of the Manhattan telephone book. St. Michaels is included. Many have come to Berks County to see his work, possibly foremost of which is St. Michael’s in Birdsboro, the only unaltered “Furness church” in existence. Your editor was at the church some 20 years ago when a visiting delegation came to see the building, some of whom were from Europe. Beyond the fact St. Michael’s has a Tiffany window, courtesy of the Brookes, the church interior retains the original color scheme. In the 1970s there was a movement to repaint the interior--to make it “brighter”--but enlightened forces in the congregation scotched that notion, thank goodness! Everything in the sanctuary is of Furness’s creation, down to the radiators. For information on Frank Furness, see the following web-site: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Frank+Furness&btnG= Google+Search - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here is much of what appeared in the Eagle: HEADLINE: Dwindling resources force Birdsboro church to close. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem makes the decision after consulting with his staff, lay and ordained leaders and some parishioners. By Robin Huiras Reading Eagle Dwindling membership and a lack of money have forced St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Birdsboro to close and the parish to be dissolved, the Diocese of Bethlehem confirmed Wednesday. “My own grief over this matter is at a point where I do not have many words to share,” Bishop Paul Marshall wrote this week in a letter to church leaders in the 14-county Bethlehem diocese. Marshall made the decision to close the Mill Street church after consulting with diocesan staff, lay and ordained leaders of the church and some parishioners. “It is time for members of St. Michael's to find new parish homes that will help them with their task of learning and doing the work of Jesus,” Marshall told parishioners in a letter. The Rev. Susan Doohan, rector at St. Michael's, resigned July 10. She could not be reached for comment. The congregation has fewer than 50 members, which is not a sufficient number to carry on the ministry, the bishop stated. Additionally, the diocese noted that the parish would run out of financial resources for basic operations in less than six months. Those factors, combined with a large amount of money needed to repair the building's aging boilers and wiring system, were the main reasons behind the decision. Repairing the building, given the church's other problems, was not justifiable, said the Rev. Canon Bill Lewellis, communications director for the diocese. Lewellis could not put a figure on the cost of repairs. Settlers of the Birdsboro area, who had been worshipping at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Douglassville, founded St. Michael's in the mid-19th century. St. Michael's celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Several nearby Episcopal parishes, including St. Gabriel's, will be able to absorb St. Michael's congregation, Lewellis said. The diocese has yet to determine whether to sell the building, demolish it or find another use for the facility, Lewellis said. ====== end of Robin Huiras’s report======== See today’s Eagle--Section B, page one--for the printed story which includes a good photo of the building’s exterior. Your News-Bits editor wrote an extensive history of St. Michael’s for the Eagle some twenty years ago--with good interior views. We’ll have to locate that article and possibly send you more info. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of this issue. It is inconceivable that razing of this architectural masterpiece would be the ultimate outcome. =================================== 2- The Reading Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for its gala 90th anniversary commemoration. To substantiate this statement, be apprised that on Friday night, September 13th, a spectacular event will take place at the Sovereign Center at 7th and Penn in Reading. The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus join forces with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Sidney Rothstein, to "Salute Our Heroes.” This patriotic community tribute features 150 musicians, chorus, special guests, and star-spangled music! Seating start at $20.50. For tickets call 610-898-7200 ---or---215-336-2000. You who watch the Boston Pops concerts on television have seen folks sitting at tables, down front, enjoying refreshment. You can experience the same at this performance. For $55 a ticket, you get “on-floor seating,” wine and cheese. Tickets are going faster than expected. If you want to be a part of this memorable evening, act fast. Concert Sponsored by ANRO, Inc. in Support of Sovereign Bank Additional Sponsorship by: Boscov's, Reading Eagle Company, and WFMZ-TV69 The Historical Society of Berks County will be part of the RSO’s 90th anniversary celebration. The Society’s FIRST THURSDAY program for Nov. 7th features James L. Shulman who will provide an overview of the orchestra’s life and times. For more about the RSO, check.... http://www.readingsymphony.org/afb.htm The Reading Symphony Orchestra has instituted a News-Bits service of its own for friends and subscribers. If you would like to be added to the list to receive news of current and upcoming RSO events, send an email to info@readingsymphony.org ================ end ====== gmmix ======

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