The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-16
TALMAGE'S CHURCH GONE.
THE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BURNED
For the Second Time in Its History the
Famous Edifice Is Destroyed = Tho
Origin of the Fire Unexpiained-
Several Residences Burned.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13.-The famous Brooklyn
tabernacle, of which the Rev. Dewitt Talmage,
ID. d., is pastor, was to-day, for the second time
in its history totally destroyed by fire. At 2:15
a. m. a policeman discovered flames issuing
from the small windows over the main en-
trance, and. rushing to the nearest signal box.
sent an alarm. The fremen found the fire had
assumed large proportions and additional
alarms were sent in. 1t became evident that
the edifce was doomed to destruction. 1t
burned like tinder box, and the firemen,
despairing of saving it, directed their efforts to
the adjoining property.
Many of the occupants of the neighboring
dwellings were already awake. and the police
proceeded to arouse those who were sleeping.
The three story frame structure. 1853,
Schermerhorn-st., adjoining the church on the
east side, was the first to take fire, and 800,
similar structure, followed; 357 was also
damaged. On the west side of the church the
flames extended to two brick dwellings, and on
the opposite side of Schermerhorn-st. row of
three-story brick dwellings, numbered S3s to
S4S. suffered from intense heat. Window glass
was broken and woodwork scorched.
The residents of the neighborhoOd, awakened
either by the roar of the flames or by the
pounding of the police upon their doors. be-
came frightened and rushed out halfdressed or
m their night clothes, and the police had great
difficulty in assuring them that they were in no
danger. Fortunately there was no loss of life
or limb. The police carried out one old lady Of
eighty years from 337 SchermerhOrn-st., and
placed her in a house at n safe distance. All
the other inmates were able to care for them
selves.
But while the fremen and the police worked
for tho ttou of " apd fha
doomed church building was rapidly being
consumed, and in an hours time only tottering
walls remained DR.. Talmage the scene
soon after the first alarm and did not leave un-
til he had seen the ediice which had been his
pride laid in ashes. Then he returned sorrow
fully home. All day to-day crowds visited the
spot and gazed upon the ruins. Nearly all the
members of the tabernacle congregation re-
ceived their first intimatiOn of the fire this
morning upon rounding the adjacent corners
and being confronted by the blackened walls
and smodering ruins.
No church services were held to-day, but
notice upon a tree at the corner of Third and
SchermerhOrn-sts. announced Sunday-schOOl in
the hall of the Y. NJ. c. A., where about six
hundred teachers and scholars assembled in
the afternoon. SupL r. l.. Eelis told them
that the present was no time to cry or mourn.
A calamity had befailen the church, and it was
the duty of all to work together until new
home was built
The origin of the fire is not known. The
sexton denies the rumor that fires had been
lighted yesterday in the furnaces, and this ex-
plOdes the defective flue theory. EdisOn's men
were IN the building until $50 D. m. yesterday,
arranging a new electric plant and it is thought
that during the thunder shower which pre-
vailed during the night lightning had been car
ried into the building by the wires, which run
around the gallery on q level with where the
flames were first seen.
The loss on the church building, including
the organ. which was one OF the finest in the
country, is $4,000. 1t is said to be covered
by insurance In number OF companies.
The building was of fourteenth century
gothic architecture, and dedicated Feb.
%, 1874 IL was of brick with stone trimmings,
with frontage of $50 feet and depth of 1l3
feet, to which had been recently added ex-
tension of sixty feet wide and twelve feet deep.
The seating capacity was $500. and it was al
ways fully taxed at the Sunday services. The
previous structure which was built of CORFU
gated iron. was destroyed by fire on Sunday
morning, Dec. 22, 1872. That fire was also of
unexplained origin.
The trustees were in session at the house of
DR.. Talmage tonight and stated the insurance
to amount to Si29,450. The building originally
cost S11S,0OO, TO which improvements costing
$4,000 have been added. The organ cost
$4,000; church furniture, $40, 500; new carpets,
etc, 50 800 DIR. Talmage has issued an appeal
to the public for help, saying that the church
has neyer confined Its work TO its own locality
The church. he says, has never been large
enough for the people who came, and
he wants 100000 besides insurance TO build
larger and more suitable structure.
81 make appeal" he says, "tO all our friends
throughout Christendom. to all denominations,
to all creeds, and those of no creed at all, to
come to our assistance. | ask all readers of my
sermons the world over, to contribute as far
their names will allow"
The fire forces Dr. Talmage to postpone his
trip to the holy land.
The advisory board adopted resolutions ex-
pressing submission to providence and a de-
termination to rebuild, the locality and style
of building to be indicated by the amount of
contributions made.
Services will be held hereafter in the Brook
lyn academy of music. \ letter was received
from Dr. Abbott offering Plymouth church for
Sunday evening service. Dr. Talmage's text
today was To have heen "Tooking unto Jesusn