, 1874-02-15
The Spirit Of the Religious
Press.
Progress of the Reformed Episcopal
Church.
General Notes at Home and
Abroad.
The Approach Of Lent---Gail Hamil-
TONS Views.
Religious Services To-Day,
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Religious Services To-Day.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
IT'S DESTRUCTION.
On the evening OF the 10th of January, 1875
the First congregational Church, corner Of Wee
Washington and Ann streets, was destroyed b
fire, and the entire city regretted the loss of on
Of its noblest and most imposing church ediicea
4 musical concert was to have been given ther
that night, and, as the weather WAS intensel
cold, the furnaces had been kept in full blast al
day.. About an hour before the time for assem-
bling, the church WIS discovered 10 be in flames
The fire had caught In the woodwork Which en-
cased one of the hues, and, ss no one was abou
at the time, it had gained complete headwa,
before it was discovered. Nothing avniled tt
prevent the destruction OF the costly interior
and when 1t last there VIE nothing more to
bum, the flames died down, and left standing
only the massive walls, the greater portion OF
that they were OF no use. Fortunately, the
Washington street front, with its elaborate and
expensive stone ornamentation, remained almost
intact, SO that the exterior could be restored to
its former appearance. That very evening,
while the fire WIS still in progress, the Trustees
and Building Committee held . meeting
at the residence of aIr. H. z. Culver,
and there unanimously resolved to rebuild the
church, aud the next day they took the prellmi-
nary steps. The church and contents were fully
insured, aud tho Building Committee had in
their hands sl08 900 in cash with which to COM
ueeuce operations. An old debt OF $15,OU0 was
paid OF, aad the balance OF the fund was piaced
at interest until it should be needed. Having
the cash to pay for everything, and being ehEeWd,
capable business men, they were enabled to re-
build at very low rates and with remarkable
fapidity. 4 rear and month trom the night OF
tia destruction of the church there is upon ita
site an edihce much fner than the first.
THE NEW cuuRcH-
worship in the basement, and to-day they are to
the second tine. They are tho gainors By tue
fire, for they can now pride themselves upon
Externally, the new church is the counterpart OF
the old, occupying precisely the Same site. The
plan ia cruciform,-130 feet from front
to rear, 100 feet across the transept
and the nava ia 10 feet In width.
The main entrance leada into spacious yesti-
the auditorium could be empt:ed in three min
utea. Inere arc three additional exits, Two on
Ann street. and one at the west. The mean
height Of the ceiling is 81 feet, and tho entire
area is unmarried BY single column for the sup
Gay, Of this city, has greatly improved
THE AUDITORIUM,
which is constructed on the dish principle, or
slope from al di1ections to = common centre.
This il true Of both the main floor aud the gal-
lery. and the result Is to render every seat de-
sirable. Instead Of encircling the whole interior,
as formerly. the gallery il brought in graceful
curves to tue wall at the head OF the transcpt gu
either side Of the organ loft, which constitutes,
as it were. the proscenium arch. The designer
has not disdained to take the bane6t Of the best
theatrical models in the arrangement OF the
seats, which are placed in curves, with the pull
pit IS the centre OF view. The pews throughout
are Of solid black walnut, upholstered in GRIM
Eon reps, and are OF an elegant pattern, EiEl-'
teen hundred people can be seated com
fo1tab!y. The frescoing is in the most
modern aud approved atyle, known as
"tat work." Tie tints are in high
degree rich and tasteful, and sro marked I'M
prosouaent upon the dull, sombre, and cheap
looking hues which prevailed in the former edi-
fee. Mr. Gay, the architect, will he highly
COMMUNICATED ,1non HIS f}asirn n ),