New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-25
walls Of the edcc. Even this second fire did not daunt
him, for he immediately made another collection.
GRACE CHApFI.

Grace Chapel was built in 1857 by the con-
gregatic Grace Church. in accordance with designs
furnished py Renwick Brothers, architects and at cost
OF $4,000 The church had O very handsome exterior,
which although Of BRICK gracefully proportoned
that tho simplicity of the materials used was
forgotten In admiration Of tho beautiful effect pro
duced. The interior was also very handsome
semi circular ceiling OF blue supported by slender
gray Cornthan columns. The body Of the church was
filed with black walnut seats. The chancel, galleries,
and organ loft also of black walnut.
The organ case was OF some antiquity. having been
made Holland and brought 10 this country for what
was then known the Middle Dutch Church; now used
as the city Post-0ce The given to the chapel
by A. T. Stewart who purchased the relic with other
property upon buying q church building. few years
ago.
From the day its doors were thrown open until the
evening previous TO the Gre, the building was free
church. Its free to all, and It's members
claimed that larger proportion OF rich and poor per-
mingled In worship within Its walls than In any
other church in the city, Its first pastor was tho Rev.
Robert G. Dickson, who devoted his attention largely to
the organization of societies within the church for the
relief of the poor At present, tho following societies
are supported by the church members The st. Luke's
ASSOCIATION the Ladies' Missionary Relief Association,
the Ladies' Aid Society the Ladies' Society for Employ
Ing Poor Women and the Industrial School All OF these
societies had clothing and other goods stored In the
basement of the church. for distribution among the poor
during the present Winter The present rector the Rev.
W. Kramer, announced 10 his congregation, yester
day. that the Christmas Day services would DO held In
Nilsson Hall I'm East FIfeenth-st Irving place.
No property was ged from the church the rectors
library cushions books, and Christmas decorations all
being destroyed The building was still owned by the
corporation OF Grace Church. and insured for 000
although valued at $4,000. The assurances were In
strong companies, but owing to unwngness on the
m. a.. -, e.n
names of the losing companies tho proportion OF losses
could not be ascertaned 1t learned however, that
the insurance divided among 10 companies, In
policies ranging from 5000 TO $4,000 each
In September the rector. Mr.. Kramer. observing the
highly unsafe manner in which the museum building
was being RECONSTRUCTED, wrote letter 10 the Grace
Church corporation asking that the assurances on the
church should be increased The insurance was then
$4,000 Before acting the reoors advice, the corpo
ration thought it wise to appoint committee OF three
10 walt upon superintendent Macgregor Of the
Department OF Buildings and request him to
forbid the erection Of wooden addition TO the museum.
Mr.. Macgregor on being visited, ordered one OF his
deputy inspectors to to the museum with tho Corpo
ration's Committee and examine the building The
Church Committee consisted OF Mr.. Hugh Auchncloss
OF Nos AZ 40 White-st Benjamin b. sherman of No.
o6 Wallst and Lloyd W. Wells Of No 10 second-aye.
The members Of the Committee polatod out to tho
inspector how wooden planklng had been placed
against tho entire side wall Of the church.
and the church roof would inevitably be ignited
tho roof of the theaer caught fire. The inspector
replied that tho corrugated iron the museum front
would certainly protect the church from being fired GU
the street side and that 1remen could easily guard the
church roof II the museum ever caught hro. The III
spector accordingly reported to superintendent Mac.
gregor that the museum building in manner endan
gered the church. and the work Of remodeng tho nu-
scum into tinder-box was allowed TO 20 on.
The Church Committee were not convinced, however.
by tho inspectors reasoning, and at once obtained
10000 additional Insurance. although they had to pay
very high rates. Tie building cannot be replaced for
less than $4,000.
-tH THE IVORY FACTORY.
Z. Grote & Co.'s new building, No. 14i East
which destroyed, was valued at
and contained stock and machinery worth about
$3.50 COO making total loss Of about $4,000 The struc
ture was completed last March. Tho main structure
was five stories in hight, with ornamental iron front,
aud side and rear walls OF brick.
1t covered an area OF Is feet front by 100 feet I'm depth
IN the rear was fourstory brick extension % feet by
&c feet at right angeS with the main structure and run
ming entirely behind the The extension which
was used workshop, close 70 tho boerroom Of
the museum, where the fre originated. 1t ignted
at ar early stage OF the connagraon, and the flames
quickly extended to the main building
The basement and first and third floors Of the main
DuI0ng anu tnc NuOIo VI Tue CAttuslOH was
by tho owners, F. Grote CO., manufacturers and deal
ers in ivory goods Their losses estimated by them
selves at $4,000 the building, s25oO0 STOCK aud
$4,000 on machinery; total siO5OOo Tho insurance Of
the Messrs Groteis only $4,000 in various companies.
whose names could not be furnished by the firm whose
books are buried in their safes, beneath tho ruins.
A. j. Deets bookeeper for the trm, states that he
rived at the establishment before the flames had gained
dangerous Roadway; that no could have rescued the
books aud papers from the safes but was prevented By
the police He also states that he could have saved
about worth Of valuable ivory goods If he had not
been restrained by the police and the insurance patrol
He says that when the patrol arrived they covered the
stock with tarpauDs. and refused 10 permit 1t 10 be
moved to n place Of safety; that when the fro had
gained such headway that nothing could DO saved, the
patrol transferred the tarpauns TO tho Academy OF
Music and that the patrol at time made any other
effort TO save the stock than by temporarily covering
portions of 1t with the tarpAulins.
The second floor OF the main building was occupied by
C. O. Reed Co., dealers In varnish &c, whose stock
WAS valued Mt about tl2O80, the insurance which
could not be ssceained. The Offices OF this firm we're
extensively furnished, and deliberately lifted up with
black walnut and oak The loss furniture and fittings
Is about 5000.
The fourth floor was occupied az q cord and tassel
mandatory by Jackson Co.. whose loss is about
5000
Tho fifth floor was occupied by Charles Reinwarth,
manufacturer of piano strings whose loss is about 5000
Mr. Renwarth fell upon the sidewalk and fractured his
Leg last Saturday. and is now sick ct his residence
Mr. Grote resides at Fordham with one Of his sons.
who is member of the firm. On Monday he completed
his 18th year. and commemorating the anniversary
OF his birthday few hours before the destruction Of his
Establishment.
OTHER LossEs.
Tho upper stories of the carriage mandatory OF
Miner Stevens In the Of their show rooms and
directly in tho Of the circus were badly damaged
by fire. and lower part by water The front building
escaped almost unframed. The firm estimates its loss
at about 10000 fully insured by city and Oatoftown