, 1873-01-17

49,
ess.:
The building w2s crucifoEm in shape, and
fronted On Washington street ITO feet, with
frontage On Ann street Of leo foot. The north
faca.le, or head of the cross, Was GO feet in
width, the line Of measurement across ths
TRANSCRIPTS formed BY tho Cross being ITO feet
The aouth part was 10 fact ACROSS. It Was built Of
Athens limestone, a building material OF great
beauty, and, as the fro proved, Of great durabu-
ity when properly used. The stone vas rock
faced, and tho walls we're solid and substantial.
The entrances were surmounted with handscma
Gothic porchas, which style was preserved to
the minutest detail, every little doorway bains
similarly treated.
TIE BASEMENT
OF tho church Was 6 iyou mp to variety Of pur-
poses, and its enormous area obyiated any
crowdlng in the arrangements, which we're with
ont doubt tho finest, in any church
west Of New York. The pastors
rooms and library, handsome lee
ture room, spacious Sunday School room, sew
eral parlo1s, dining room, and D Kitchen, we're
60 conveniently arranged with passages, corri-
doris, and sliding doors, that, on emergency,
euch az the Chicago lire necessitated. the whole
floor, almost, could DO thrown into ono immense
room. The woodwork was rich and tasteful
combination Of walnut and ash, aud the PEI
cuIiar elegance and elaborateness Of the interior
could not fail to impress one with the fact that
those by whom the church was built etinted no
money in making it monument OF Christian
worship.
THE AUDITORIUM
Of tho church vas o most handsome co1nbina-
ton Of the theatre and tue church The main
Hoor was level, but tho Eeats were arranged in
segments Of circle, the curves being graduated
in such q manner aH to diminish as much as pos-
sible the distance between preacher and listener.
1T the samo time tie height Of the pews offered
no obstruction to the view of the pulpit The
gallary WAS arranged Oh the Sans principle.
Ghe Il line Of sight waa perfect in this church,
aud there was not a. seat in the church from
which distinct view Of the minister could not DO
obtained. That every one, even the deaf, might
dariye all the instruction that the preacher
could give, ear-tubes were placed in their pe's1
for their convenience.
THE ORGAN
OF the church WAS built By Hook, OF Boston, and
cost $4,000. 1t IVES considered by the builder,
and by competent judges, one OF the very best
in tho world. Tho wood work Of the auditorium,
including the pews and galleries, was OF the
neatest md richest description Of walnut and
ash. Tho ceiling Was handsomely frescoed, and
nothing appeared to be wanting; to make it the
most substantial as well as the most convenient
church in the country.
IT'S SEATING CAPACITY
was {, 200, but many mora than that numhef
have, at various tines been accommodated
within its masaEo walls Tho cost OF the church, ,
with its organ and properties, was s17oooo;
tho lot, it was valued 1T S22o, ,0oo:
The roof was Of slate, and tho north and south
gables wero surmouuted with massive Gothic
cross. Tho church was designed By hlr: HenU
were laughed at, for this church wes th~ frs4
in the country, built upon the sensible itna Of
Of scientific princip1ea. The congrega ic1, as
well as the architect must be gratihed ~ ind :
it 80 extensively initiated as it Las been@ =.
HISTORICAL FACTS.
The Society OF tho First Church was, as it,
title indicates, the first Congregational Society
in Chicago, being an offshoot Of tha
First Presbyterian Society, with which the With
drawing members quarrelled on tho subject Of
slavoz5, taking exceptions to the treatment OF
tin. subject by tho General Assembly. Tha
Eizat Congregational Society was organized IN
May, 1851, with Rsv. George n. Perkins ~
pastor, aud with society membership of 787;
ind snnday~school numbering 800. Their first
plnce Of worship WAS q Small wooden chuIca. =
it'll standing on Green street, letWeen Waah-
ugton and Madison streets. Rev, DR.. Patton,
aow editor Of tho 4dcd:1ce, succeeded hsI. ~. :.
Perkins in the pastorate, nad the growth OF the :
.ocicty soon rendered E larger edilce necessary:
Accordingly tho stone, church on the corner Of :.
Washington and Gfcau streotB VAS built- It
sas Thought to be very Gua then, but it also ::
proved to be too small, and :sas abandoned, :;
,oing purchaaod FOE $4,000. It is nov occupied
IS wholesale groco:y hou-a, and the c;y
authorities ara cudcn1oring to obtain the build
ng and sito for .polico station and engine"
rouse. .
TIT: NEW CHURCH
sas begun in 1868, on the corner OF ann and
Warrington str.eta. Tho membership vas then
cry largo, aid included come OF Chicsgoa
nd on that lay over $50. COO in money vas do ;.
lated to pa7 OF the debt-tho largest amount =
yer eive1, in ono day for church purposes. Ina
'resent asto-, lev. E: T. Goodwin, u: D., r. "
usaed lis Charge in 1868, aod under his abis
ninist: atoms to growth OF tho Society hes bean
ems. kablv rapid. In this connection ne can :
lot 10 better thar to reproduce synopsls o1
he Anniversary socmon Of Rey- Nr- Goodwin ca :;
b. evening of the 6:h Of the present month:
le touched upon . few OF tie more s!gnlhcaans
vents which had occurred during 70
ire years Of his passionate, saying. th.t n
[anuary, 1868, tho church membership mum: r:
'ercd 5i2. Since that time thero had been nes
ain OF 30f, with present total OF 8lo. n :;
1863, there we-o 84s schola@a earoacd IN ~
sabbath School now there weso $50, gaa ot )
,acle Mission with its present lnenborshlp ..
90, and q Sabbath School Of LOCO Eeaola1s y
csidca establishing bethany Mission, corner q =:
'anlina aud Second streets, With r1embessInp Ip ::
# co, and Sunday School Of 100; also " :: !
,rightaide Mission, on Milwaukee, avcnne r.. II =!
membership Of 80, A portion. Of The ss FEss =;
'hurch membornhip had been disnis1es. U o19a 49a
0 organize the Levitt Street Church with 1 n1
Members and $40 Sunday School schola:a; ~ =
hey had also assisted IN the establishment "
he Clinton Street Mission. with 50 naerabessi
nd q Sunday School OF 500. He then rsfet:, =: :
ed 70 the First Church ed!fco, and & =, :
he unfavorab]e comments which the plaa !, !.
ccasioned when first adopted It Taa Pr -
icted taat the church would be- tho laughing ):
took OF West Washington street. from Tue IT. IT, =:
el to Union Park. He had no need to ssstc ~ q.
ha reault had failed to realize the prophecy pa:,
n tho contrary, ths church WAS accepted y 1se
oeiety, and tie people in general, ~ 50 sdm1- :.
bio place for mss sing togatlor Woztnppealoncc "a ),
he First Church had giYen = s0;t9T =.
or benevolent purposes dnnn$ :. ~ ~. ~.
ears. an ayarageof $18, 700 Per year: lh;s =,
rc1uaira Of stock anhaclncd 10 the dqce!~*-