State

July 1, 1933 THE STATE Page Nine Church Now Used As Filling Station Gas and Oil Now Being Dispensed From Edifice Where Religion Was Formerly Administered to Large Congregation ★ It's somewhat disconcerting. As you approach the structure, you ob¬ serve that it appears to be u largo and impressive church building, with stained glass windows, ecclesiastical towers and all the other accessories usually associated with churches. As you approach still closer, you sud¬ denly become aware of tho fact that in addition to being a church, it also seems to bo a filling station, dispensing Gulf gasoline, coca-colas, candies, peanuts and cigarettes. Also tire repair service done neatly and promptly. Storage at reason¬ able charges. Call us when you need us. As we said at tho outset, it’s rather disconcerting. If it should happen that you’re a drinking man, and you chanced to be coining along just after having im¬ bibed rather freely, tho chances arc that you’d be inclined to swear off for the rest of your life. The structure is located on Depot street, in Concord. It’s a largo brick edifice and, up until about seven years ago, was used by the Presbyterians as their place of worship. Seven years ago everybody was more or less prosperous, including the Presbyterians, so the members of that congregation in Concord decided that they ought to have a new church. They built a handsome building a few blocks away, and moved into It. That left the old structure vacant, and It remained vacant until Mr. A. A. Hartsell obtained posses¬ sion of it and converted it Into a tilling station. He tore out part of the front of the building, and put up a neat little refresh¬ ment stand whore tho pulpit used to be. Then he made a large doorway at one side, so that cars could bo driven into what used to be the main auditorium. When wc were there, the other day. me¬ chanics wero working on several cars right In tho middle of tho nuditorium. One of the men called out to his helper and asked where the hell the big wrench was. The helper inquired how the hell he was ex¬ pected to keep up with all tho tools in the damned place. All of which made it even more dis¬ concerting. The nexf lime you pass through Concord, keep a look-out for the church on Depot street, which has been converted into a tilling station. It’s u rather incongruous sight, stained glass windows and everything are still there, but the oil pumps are on the ontslde, and mechanics are CQSsing where preachers formerly prajed. ★ We had some Gulf gasoline put into the car. Not because we have any particular preference for Gulf gasoline, but Just be¬ cause we wanted to see whether the car would run any better with gasoline that had come from a church. It didn’t. A man by the name of Ed waited on us. Ho said that a lot of people slopped by tho station and acted sort of surprised like when they found out that it used to be a church. So far as Ed himself is concerned, he doesn’t see anything un¬ usual about It. He said a similar thing had taken place in Salisbury, and that a church on the outskirts of Charlotte also had been converted into a gas station. In Salisbury it’s the Lutheran church, but Ed didn't know what denomination it was down in Charlotte. Ho promised to write us and let us know. Just as soon as he found out. The seats in the main auditorium have been taken out. of course, but otherwise there isn’t such a very great change in the appearance of tho inside of the church building. The stained glass windows per¬ mit a soft and gentle light to enter tho structure, giving a somewhat sanctimoni¬ ous effect. Ed explained, however, that ★ it was damned poor light for working on cars. He said that the mechanics had to use electric lights almost entirely. The balcony is still there, with a nico bright- looking railing all around It. A pile of old tires wus heaped up in one of the Sunday school rooms. Ed said tbul he would sell us all of the old tires for three dollars and fifty cents. We didn’t buy them. The next time you go through Concord, stop by Mr. Hartsell’s station. Wo asked Ed whether A. A. Hartsell was any kin to Luther Hartsell, who was a member of the legislature last session. Ed scratched his head and deliberated for a while, and finally announced that perhaps A. A. and Luther wero distant kin— something like third or fourth cousins. The Operator Who Answers Your Call . . . is always anxious to be of service to you There is every reason in the world why she should endeavor to place your coll through promptly There is no rea¬ son why she should delay it COOPERATE WITH HER and you will find her ready and willing at all times to see that you obtain the very best of service through the use of your telephone Carolina Telephone & Telegraph Co. Home Office: Torboro, N. C.