The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-08-03
.IEwIsH SIxTH STREET TEMPLE.-

corner SIOle was lalu Oh Gne J6WlSu
Synagogue, corner of Sixth and Di-
vision Streets, we gave full descrip-
ton of the same as taken from the
plans of the architects. The Temple
is now finished, and will be dedicated
to-day, and it will not be amiss to re-
peat, in brief, description of this
beautiful edifce.
The entire length of the building is
ninety-one feet nine and half inches,
width forty-fve feet eight inches, side
elevation forty three feet, heighth of
auditorium thirty two feet, basement
eleven feet. the style of the archi-
lecture is the Byzantine, and it has
been strictly adhered to throughout
the entire work. The architects were
Messrs. Mursinna & Boyd, of this
city, who have achieved for them
selves high reputation in their pro-
fession, and the style of the build
ing of which we now speak reflects
| much credit upon their good taste.
The style, proportions and finish
of this beautiful temple are in such
exact symmetry that none can see with
out admiring it.
Evansville should be proud that
she has among her inhabitants arch
fleets so justly admired for their pro-
ficiency in their profession, and should
extend to them their undivided pat
ronage. Their works ali over the
country speak in their praise
The basement of the Temple, which
extends about three feet below the
level of the ground, is divided into
several rooms, for school purposes,
which are plainly but substantially fin
ished and furnished
The main auditorium is reached by
a double fight of fifteen stone steps,
guarded with handsome iron railing,
and the front is finished in stucco
with iron grating in the front centre to
admit light into a small room in the
basement.
On either side of the vestibule is
small room in which handsome
fight ofwinding stairs rises to the gal
lery. The main auditorium is enter
ed from each of these small rooms,
and also from the vestibuie by wide
massive doors of elegant workman
ship, in the ce ntre
The auditorium contains 90 pews,
with two aisles of convenient width,
and to the back of each seat is at
tached, by hinges, a narrow leaf,
which may be raised or lowered at
pleasure, on which to rest the books
used during service. The pews are
plain but handsome, and when cush-
Toned will be, we think, extremely
comfortable The aisles, and spaces
between the seats are nicely carpeted
with rich and costly carpeting of ele-
CANT pattern, The pulpit is a hand
some piece of workmanship, and, at
little distance would be mistaken
for fine clouded marble, principally
flesh colored, with white ornamented
PANELS. The cushion is covered by
rich purple velvet covering fringed
with gold The pulpit is also hand
sonrely and richly carpeted.
The chef d'euvre of this magnificent
house of worship is the Tabranacle
behind the pulpit.
This is miniature building in the
wall, supported on either side by
beautiful Byzantine column of most
beautiful finish and highly polished.
The front elevation of the Tabernacle
above the square is splendidly fin
ished with cornice and beautiful fret
work, and is surmounted by two tables
containing the Ten Commandments.
The front of the Tabernacle is closed
with doors arranged with springs, SO
that upon touching~a small knob in
the floor of the pulpit they slide
apart revealing the interior of the
Tabernacle. The doors are yelled |
with heavy purple velvet of the finest
quality trimmed with gold fringe. |
Immediately over the doors is a semi |
circle, in which is placed a represen-
tation of the "All Seeing Eye" On |
each side of the Tabernacle is a niche |
in the wall, for what use we did
not ascertain. Like the pulpit, the
Tabernacle is finished in imitation of
marble. The windows are double
mullioned with carved spandrel, and
filled with handsome stained glass, ar
rannnd for nnSu ,ontilnt ton