, 1873-11-30
History Of the Society Since
the Year t842.
Sketch Of the Life of the Rev.
r. W. Patterson, D.D.
The Religious Press on "Boss"
Tweed, Cuba, and Other
Topics.
More sunday-Sohool Work---Notes
Of General Interest.

Programme of Services in the
Churches To-Day.
In tho o1teruhls which mark tho religious
Progress Of d city like Chicago, this Sabbath day
will bo significant In tie history from tho fact
that tho Second Presbyterian Church Society,
one Of tho Oldest wonlthieet largest, md most
influential In the city occupies for tho first timc
thcir now building on Michigan avenue Tie
dedication is eot for future occasion, hut tho
house will be thrown open to-tlay, and religions
services held at tho regular hours. The seoond
Presbyterian Church was organized In 1842, and
consisted, ns has been facetiously remarked, Of
a"colony Of twenty y-six eoulB." The first house
Of worahip was . small, unprotontiouB wooden
building on Randolph street. near whero
the Sherman Houao now stands. In this
humble sanctuary tho Society met regu-
anrly, and enjoyed the mems Of grace
administered by tho Rov. DR.. Il. ". pattor
son for a period Of nino years. Tho 'tyoung
preacher" lad appeared on tho atago Of action
as carly ns 1910, md had given tue village
"taate Of Lis qunlity; " hut It Was not until 1912
that ho was called to tho charge Of tic now
church. During those nlno yoara the church
membership and congregation gradually in
creased, carrying into the fold many Of the most
influential citlzeua. tn 1919 1t was evident TINT
. now building must bo erected. Accordingly,
tho appropriate committees were appointed and
tho work commenced. Tho public-wo woro
about to ga1 the world-know tho result. Tho
"Spottsl Church" was erected, Tho
work began in 1B;a,' and tho new
building waB dedicated in 1851 It
IL
of Wabash ayenue and Washington street, 80x
100 feet, with tower 1G4 feet high, capnbls Of
seating 1900 persons, all completed at au OK
penso (includng tho organ. tho great bell. and
Tho lot) Of only 342, 900. Tic same work done
over to-day, Including tho purchase Of tho same
lot, would run up into tho hundreds Of thou
sauds,-not rnr from quarter OF million OF
dollarH! In this building tho Society worehiped
until the great fire. It is remarkable fact
that this church disposed of this property
just before this great and disastrous event, md
had secured new quarters in tho O1ivet prosby-
tcrian Church, on tho corner Of Wabash ayente
aud Fourteenth street, which they occupied for
tho first time the day Of the flro. It should lie
noted TINT about this time tho Oliyct and the
Second Churches we're united undor tho pnstorate
Of the Rev. DR.. Patterson. The united church
continued to worship in the Olirot building
until tho chapel Of the present odiaco
was completed, which was about a year
Such Ia the brief history Of this organization
siuco 1919. AL along its pathway 1t has ranked
as the leading church OF Chicago. It's memboz-
ship has been among the largest, its congrega-
tion the wealthiest, and its buildings, In their
day. the finest, and last, but not least. It's paator,
all the whila the samc good and great man that
hois rho stands among tho ablost ~diylnea Of
Aha whole country, aud whose reputation has
gone out over the wido world. The new build
Ing, which will be occupied as 4 house Of worship
for the first time to~day,.ia, without doubt. the
most stately and elegant church edilce In the
city Especially il this true Of tho interior mr.
eangemonts and nnishings. Tho high ceilings.
the triple lines Of windows, the areadea, tho
tasty frescoines, the inmonsa organ, the gal
aercB, pillars, arches, broad aislcs and sittngs,
nl' planned and executed by one miul, make it
s&est: s" '' '''eS' 'N'''' ''A'' '+' '''' ''N'
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The cdiice, now that tho labor Of the arcbi-
teci and artisan have been brought to q con-
cluaion, presents picture that oil who lova the
beautiful will rsalily admire and ind interest
Ing, Its monumental proportions, picturesque
+. tho common rank Of church edtGces, md giyos
1t place In tho history Of Chicago architecture
md rebuilding that no other building Possesses
IN so eminent d degres The nave aud sda
a,aloH are we'll expressed on tho exterior by the
eertre gable tower md side gable. Tie towor
is Fl feet square, the centre gnb!o hstwecn tho
buttresses DO fest. and the side gables 10 foot.
Tho principal entrance ia directly in the ceptre.
The door hea raceshed columns md rich foliatsd
caps. tho deeply nodded archoH, with ita
beautifully carved ornament is enclosed
with . high pitched gable. having q
fo]iatod terminal. Oa either side aro sturdy but
tresses aud pinnsclea. Gablets ipclose tho VIII
dows Oh each side OF the door at tho foot OF
each Ealet IL an oxquis,tely carved gasgoylo,
making a very pretty pieco Of architectural cQnr
Above tho door is IN arcade Of windows, tho
cou1Ho. -
Abovo the arca<,o IL n beautiful circular vim
dow twenty foe. il diaucter, lllod with lovely
sracery. Around tho window arc carved in
which aro very beautifully executed aud ara
probably tho ouly ones III tho West "
Tho centre gable ID filled aboyo the string
courso With trAceried window, Tho. apex, OF
clio gab!o iB moro than 100 feet from tho Hlde-
walk.
Tho tower has massive buttressos projecting
an every (aco, aud with their many woatl4oringH
md offs Is look as sturdy as tho h1s. It is in-
hlirs, which will he o1o foot from the sidewalk.
The slde gable has pretty coupled window
aud email circular windows over. It III aanaoa ]
by plnnaced buttrossca.
VII lH1Atl1L! SkA10tl t!A0 baJa QosHSoA *Ao
buttrosses arc filed, underneath tho gallery, I
with tripled wiudows. Above ara large, hand. !
aumo, tyacoried windows. AZ the west end Of !
the facade, projectn. ont from the llpo OF tho |
aiLo sislo "a feet, Ii tho lecture-room, Which
has frontage Of ia feet. Tho whole length OF |
tho Twentieth streot front II l68 leot Tho ]
gable Of the lecture-roorn Is dankod on both |!
pides with pinnaoled buttrcsses. Tho entrance ID
in the centre OF the gable; on either eido are
couplot wndows: AOeyo is an arcade OF win
down, and In the gAha 10 traceried circular |
window. The upper part OF tho gablo IL nlEoa !
with diafore ornament. Tho clear story OF
the church Ia m a1cade Of tracoried windows,
with buttrcBaeH betweeu.
rho tout ensemble OF tho building Ia excoed-
iugy imposing, and made sparkling !
s,lit attractive BY tho different eoloEs of tho
gtoue, The architects l!ayc treated successfully |
tic nature Of The prairie atoue, and not spoilt It
by cutting II to lo!el taee; The blondlng Of
to dark Limestone With the lighter color OF tho
aaadstope bands, weatharInga, and archeH IL par.
lc,1la,ly harmonious and we'll chosen. 49,.
Tho interior Of the church ia equally imposing.