New-York tribune., 1874-07-21
prv,PKABIE CHURCH BUILDING.

NoTARE FEATURES OF THE NEW STRUCTURE OF HE
CHURCH OF THE PURITANs AT HARLEM
The new building of the "Church OF the
Purtans" now rising in
near Fthave, is IN some respects one OF the most re-
markabe structures of the kind in the city, rs it is one
of the most imposing 1t originally designed as the
Second Presbyterian Church OF Harlem. The building
which occupies four city lots ID IN the quiet Ehssh-
gothic style II is OF quarry white marDe the
only similar structure I'm the cty aud. 1t SAID III the
country. The chapel is flushed and the exterior OF the
church, with the exception Of the spire, which Will be
l75 feet high but is only two stories hgh is also
complete. Work on the interior of the main edhce,
however has hardly begun, and it is not expected that
the church will be ready for dedication before Noyem
berl The church is 20 feet high 100 feet deep ana %
feet wide. The cornerstone, which was laid by the
paster with impressive ceremonies on June
90 1873, is the original cornerstone OF the ola
Church Of the Puritans. 1t is large
cube polished granite placed in the wall within the
vestbule with inscription In large gilt letters on
each of the three SIDES visible. On entering from the
door on the east one reads, Behold | lay III Zion
precious cornerstone; coming out OF the church.
"Jesus Christ himself being tue chief cornerstone,
and the front face of the room looking from the
audience room, "On this Rock viii build my Church"
Of polished granite, the front face Of the
stone date of the laying OF the stone Ihe
front entrance the church is beneath three arches
each bearing raised letters text from the Scriptures
referring TO the Trinity on the central arch, Goa %
| our Refuge aud Strength" on the western, NO man
cometh 10 the Father but by Me - and on the eastern
he shall abide with you forever" The capitals OF the
columns which are cut out OF solid blocks OF marble
nearly four feet square are arstcay chseed and are
suggestive of tho texts that spring from thtn Inc
capital Of the central column represents wheat ana inc
viue emblemac of support aud comfort 10 those Who
hunger and thirst after God the western, the NV
among thOrus and the olive branch with the passion
flower and capital OF the eastern column represents
the foliage and fruits OF the trumphal PALM Al e en-
trance The chapel there are four pillars OF poshei
Scotch granite the capitals OF which represent lhe pro
ducs of parts OF Palestine: the poinegraaD'
for the wcsern the thorn foliage and howers Tor me
eastern plains; the almond tree for the north, and the
| pauvre oak for the south.
interior OF the churchthe erect OF
winch eau imagined fIOm tnOse OF tue chapel which
Is almost miniature model of the larger strusture-
viii be less remarkable than those of the exterior Tor
Of hard white There Will be sOmDer fresco-
the panels of the ceiling and on the sides but very
| lille color except such will be supplied by the rch
stained glass windows. These are OF English rolled
John Hall inspected them recently, ana pronounced
them the finest III the city, ordering some Ike them io
ls church III IlfdVe. Among the peculiar iedtales OF
noticed the VcStlhuie Is 10
be separated from the church itself by gt carved
oak screen. hlied with glass; and that there Is d
room, chapel, above Tue pulpit opening into the
church, Tor Inc especial use OF lnNdhds VINO 40 not Wish
worship in pubic. IL ~ also remarked 10 great dc
the structure has heen but on the cooperative
plan. Tue Bcrdity OF the members has Oeen almost
unlOunded. building material has been furnished wltl-
out profit supervision, laO0r ANA legal ADVICE nave
| been gwen without compensation; WINE inc ElIts III
| money, furniture, &C., nave been uuulnceut Among
presents organ. made by MnS, gwen anony-
DOuly the trustees themselves boIug ignorant as 10
without gifts about J0OJO Is invc-el III the
enterprise. before competed tue amount viii
| pTODaul! Oe augmented 10 - OOJV