The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-21

THR New CHRISTIAN CHAPEL.-Last June
the Baptist Society of this city sold their
old church building to Mr.. P. l.. Mitchell,
the we'll known and popular banker. He
took possession of the church about August
lst, and Immediately proceeded to enlarge
and improve the building for the use OF
the Christian Society, of~hick he is an active
and leading member He found the house in 9
dilapidated condition, the plastering off, the
roof lesky, the ceiling like . sieve, and
the supports and floor rotten and fast giving
way. The walls we're still IN sound condi
ton, aud are pronounced to be as good As
any in the city, and fully warranted the
improvements made.
The workmeu tore off the roof. and have
put on a new substantial tin roof-water
proof-which will insure the dryness Of the
interior for some years TO come. The
interior of the building WAS then attacked,
the cd gallery Was entirely removed, auC
the whole of the upper floor thrown into
one room. The floor or basement was also
renovated, the old floor taken up, new sup
ports took the place of old ones, and an
entirely new floor laid down The old
s,eeple or belfry WAS also removed and has
given place to new and elegant brick
tower. some 10 feet high, with q com modious
vestibule in the lower part. and q belfry
about half way up, in which hangs the same
L l.. L i
service for many years past. The tower is
surmounted By q neat wooden railing, and is
a fine specimen of architecture, TO say the
least. The outside of the basement walls
have been :" po in.ed up" and add much to
the external beauty of the church.
The exterior, with its new tower, the
shutters. ccrnices, and entire woodwork
painted light buff color, presents fine
appearance to the gaze, but will be much
improved in the spring, when Mr.. Mitchell
intends having the entire brick work paint
ed
10 the interior, though, is the greatest and
most noticeable improvement and change to
be seen. The removal Of the old gallery
las OF course enlarged the auditorium, but
it is not the increase of the size of the
room that is SO important or Of so much
interest to the public; the change can only
be appreciated by those who were former
attendants or visitors st the old church
The seats and pulpit were very valuable,
b ing of solid black walnut and not showing
hard usage to any great extent, we're
exc option of the old fashioned doors to the
pews, which were removed. The pulpit and
pews will receive coat of varnish next
week, which will then complete the
auditorium. The wallis and ceiling have
been papered with the finest of paper
procured BY Mr.. NJ from Chicago, and
designed especially for that purpose. aud
look very neat; more especially would We
mention the pspsring of the ceiling, which
is first class imitation of f-escoing The
auditorium 10 lighted by the same number
of jets as the old one, and is neatly car
peted.
The first cost of the church to Mr.. NJ.
was So 200, and the Improvements will
swell the amount to about $4,000, which is
the total for the building as it now stands
Mr.. Mitchell deserves the highes. com
mendation for the generous spirit manifested
and elegant manner in which he has origin
sted and carried out his plans. He has, we
understand, offered the use of building to
the Christian Society rent free as long as
they choose to occupy it. The Society has
accepted this liberal offer, and will take
possession of the new edi6ce on Sunday next,
the Gath inst, when services will be held BY
Elder Henry Exley, distinguished divine
from Iowa, morning and evening, at the
usual hours. All are cordially invited to be
present. The choir is one of the largest
and best in the city, and are under the
leadership of Mr.. s B. Hendren.
The Christian Chapel, as the new building
will be called, Is now as fine church build
ing as any in the city, and one of which
they may we'll feel proud. The Society hope
to receive an increase to their mem bership
which is now about 40-from Q series of
protrscted meetings which will soon be held
with the aid of some distinguished divines
from abroad.
THE MOZART WATCH WORKS.
The establishment of these works at Cam