Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-05
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 80, 1854.
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

CENTRAL PR ESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1t Is source of peculiar satisfaction to every
right minded citizen, to mark the rapid progress
of our public improvements and when the NOR
al and religious interests Of the community are
specially cared for in these improvements, there
is increased cause for rejoicing and cOngratula-
ton. 1t is in this spirit that we advert to the
Central Presbyterian Church in this city, the
dedication Of which We noticed in former num-
Der Of cur paper.
The building is erected after plan drawn by
Mr.. John =. Pollock, Zone of the Trustees of the
Church.) It is Of brick with stone basement,
with very little attempt at ornament and is so ar
ranged in its details as to present fully the most
beautiful features Of the Gothic style to which it
belongs i. G., rigid economy in curtailing some of
its first proposed points, seeming scarcely to have
diminished the simple, yet striking beauty Of its
appearance.
The main building has on either side four WIN
dows in the pointed style each fifteen feet high.
The walls arc surmountcd by well proportioned
battlcmcnt From each corner angular buttresses
project surmounted by pinnacles, the points OF
which are at an elevation of 56 feet from the
ground. The tower, which is in three sections,
is IL feet square at the base, and projects chiefly
without the main building. 1t is surmounted by
pinnacles, whose points at an elevation of 81
feet. The central section has in the front point
ed window p feet high, which presents an impos-
ing appearance and adds much to the general de-
syn. 1t is intended ultimatc.y to surmount the
tower with slender and graceful sprc, when
from far and near it will be literally tic visible
church,
Erected with particular reference to strength,
it has a basement with walls two and one hall
feet thick of stone cXcavated from the founda
ton. This basement, - feet high, is divided
into a lecture room, (not yet completely 2S by 40
feet, and other rooms in which fourishng
school is taught under the control of the session
of the church.
The ground plan is - by 6j feet, exclusive of
the outer projection of the tower. The main
room for the pnhlic worship is ID ID by 60 feet
with walls IL inches thick exclusive of the butt
rcsscs, and will seat 5I5 persons Comfortably
The vestibule is enclosed within the tower. from
which flight of steps leads into the church and
another fight below into the lecture ROOM
Height of present tower Sj feet; spre is yet to
be erected 30 feet in height. What lends to the
interior, perhaps more than anything else, a Pc
culiarly graceful beauty, is the harmony in design
and execution of the pulpit and ornamental plas-
ter work with each other. 1t is difficult to con-
ccivc of anything more simply beautiful yet uni
que. Around the windows spring arched
corniccs of plaster paris from the base of which
they carried out horizontally to the foot of
arackct where it is supported by a corbici, which
is very tasteful; thence the bracket in sprnging
out TO the ceiling dies gracefully into cornicc
which surrounds the ceiling at distance of seven
feet from the walls. Back of the pulpit are two
clustered columns, between which slight recess
in the walls is crowned by an arch: and into the
brackets surmounting which either side the
archcd cornces which are continued from the sides
of the building, fall.
The pulpit is at once unique and beautiful, con-
sisting of alternate clustered columns and Gothic
panncs at highly ornamental and yet
ting impression Of chastc and harmonious
beauty.
The gallery, which contains recess calculated
for an crgan, is erected partly within the tower,
convenient, capacious, and in harmony with the
whole.
The church will be lighted at night with chan
dclier which is now on the way from Boston, and
will be sufficient to light the whole body of the
church.
The pews, which are finished with black walnut,
are constructed with particular reference to COM
fort and simplicity.
In reference TO those who have been engaged in
the construction of the building, we would say,
III hi. .L.
skill of McSsrs. Sanborn & Co. 1t is very general
ly commended as the best specimen of work in the
territory, and is the result of great skill and care
in the asserting and laying the material.
The carpenter work in the construction Of the
building was under the superintendent of Alder
man Knox, who has devoted great deal of time
and attention to the erection. To Messrs. Wilson,
Builder, and c. p Scott, Plasercr, much credit is
due for the fidelity and care with which they have
carried out the plans for the interior to the
former for the workmanship and finish in con
structing the pulpit, pcws. &C., and the prompt
and efficient manner with which he has urged for
ward the work and to the latter mfr. Scott) for
the manner in which he planned the stucco work
and completed it with elegance.
To Mr.. John ID. Pollock, who drew the plans
of the exterior, and to Mr.. W. I. Donaldson,
who drew the plans for the interior finish, incud-
ng the pulpit, the thanks of the Trustees are
specially due, as their plans and their time in su
perintending were literally and gratuitously
given.
To the Rev. Mr.. Riheldaffer, who has been in
defatlgable In his exertion, great credit is due.
Without his AID there might not have been a
church Of this character in St Paul. for many
years. He has done that for which he will receive
his reward in another world.
The entire cost of the building is between s and
. thousand dollars, about one half of which has
been contributed by the congregation and other
citizens of st. Paul and the balance from abroad.
We have here given brief description of an
Enterprise, which we trust will prove blessing
to the community.
We hail the building of churches as an index
which We love to see Of the moral condition of a