The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-28

The YOUNG MEN's CHRISTIAN AssoCtA-
TONS New BUmDISG.-Thc new building
is on the corner Of Ninth and ID streets, and
occupies the former sito Of the elegant resi-
dence Of Hudson Taylor, esq. The total
area of the lot IL about 11,0O0 square feot.
The first floor Is finished of In Eve large and
elegant stores, 19xSs feet, which are now for
rent. The second story contains the main
hall, TO be used for public entertainments.
II is 76xSS feet, and will seat from I 800 10
1000 people. II Is to be fitted up with seats
OF the same kind now used In the academies
OF music In New York and Brooklyn. The
stage Is very large, and capable OF accom-
modating a grand chorus for musical enter
tainments. A suitable space has also been
provided for powerful orchestra. The
ceiling Is 45 feet above the floor In the centre
OF the room, and, with the walls, Is being
handsomely finished In fresco. The seats
are arranged In seml.clrcular segments
around the stage, gradually rising from II
towards the rear OF the hall. Around and
beneath the hall are the rooms of the asso-
citation. Entering from Ninth street we
come first to the room OF the general secre-
tary, Rev. @. A. Hall; next 10 this, and con-
nected with II by double doors, Is the parlor,
elegantly fitted up. This room is intended
as place for social conversation, where
those so engaged will neither disturb nor be
disturbed by persons In the reading or prayer
meeting rooms. Adjoining this, aud con-
nected again by double doors, Is the room
designed for the daily union prayer meeting,
held every evening from to o'clock. This
meeting, which was commenced over year
ago, has proved great blessing, not only
to the association, but to the city. From IL
have gone out vltalizing influences which
have given energy aud new life to the Chris
tian work among us,
Upon the south or ID street side of the
building we ind the extensive reading room
and library. The latter IL being arranged
with alcoves, which are yet only partially
completed. All persons are at liberty 10 use
the papers and magazines In this room.
Upon the last revised list Of papers taken at
the readlng-room we find the names OF fifty
four newspapers and thlrty-two magazines,
including all the leading periodicals. Of the
day. A passage connects all these rooms
| with both Of tho main entrances, so & 1
either may be entered without passing
through the others. In the rear OF the II.
brary are bath. rooms, wash-rooms, &c. In
the northeast corner Is the room to be de-
voted TO a gymnasium. The main entrance
Is on ID street, and consists Of LOFTY and
| broad double arch of ornamental workman.
ship, surmounted with a semi-circlc Of gas
| Jets. The keystoncs are surrounded with
| !
Of an open Bible. The upper story has no
yet been fitted up. The building was con
structed by Thomas NJ. Plowman, esq. n,
pains have been spared to make this ediflc,
one Of great solidlty and strength. Its nu
merous and broad exits give .dy cgress Ii
case Of fire and alarm. II Is built Of tn
beautiful stone from the Seneca quarri'
with heavy iron trimmings. A very accu
rate picture Of the building from photo
graph appeared in Hdrpcr's Weekly Of tn
Sth inst. The history OF the undertaking
one Of great interest. The want OF such
building In our great metropolis has lon
been felt, and when after the assassination
OF President Lincoln Mr.. Ford offered hi
theatre for 100000 for this purpose, a
effort was made to raise the money. Tn
result was not successful; but q commltte
o improvise ways and means for procurin
q new building was appointed In July, 1850
consisting Of Gen. s. L. Brown, Mcssrs. II
d. Cooke and B. II. Stinemetz. AMER muc
consultation q plan was presented in SCI
TENDER, which was afterwards, with sligl
modification, inserted In the act of lncorpc
ration OF the Joint stock company approve
March 2, 1867. The building was erecte
by Joint stock company.
Lengthy delays were encountered In secul
Ing building site, and more than once
seemed as If all that had been done would
In vain; but through the unniucing pers,
veranec Of Mr.. Henry d. Cooke, and a fe,
other warm friends Of the enterprise, the 10
was purchased Just two years ago. On tn
9Th OF the following November the corne
stone was laid by Chief Justice Chase.
future Of great success seems to be befoi
the society, but for several years 1t will nee
the financial aid OF our citizens, and 1t wi
always need their encouragement and assls
ance in carrying out its labors Of lsve. A
will be seen by Its charter, the revenues q
stockholders, can only be devoted to the pu
chase Of the capital stock from the join
stock companyj and until this Is complete
the current expenses must be met, as her
tofore, by voluntary contributions. In til
meantime, the society has a permanent an
/ splendid home, soon to come wholly undo
Its control.