Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-14
TALMAGE'S CHURCH BURNED.
The Tabernacle Wholly Destroyed with
Loss of $25O,OOO.

A second time T. Dewitt Talmage's BROOKLYN
tabernacle has been totally destroyed by fire.
At 2:l5 o'clock yesterday morning policeman
discovered flames issuing from the small win
dows over the main entrance, and rushing to
the nearest signal box, sent in an alarm. The
nremen found the fire had assumed large pro-
portions and additional alarms, calling all
available apparatus, were at once sent in. 1t
became evident that the edifce was doomed
1t burned like finder box, and the fremen
Departing OF saving it, directed their efforts
to the adjoining property. The three-story
frame structure, No. 1853 Schermerhorn street
adjoining the church on the east. WAS the first
to take fire, and No. 355, Q similar structure.
followed. No. 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 street . row of three-sto
brick dwellings, numbered 3SS to 34S, suffered
from the intense heat.
The residents of the neighborhood avail ened
either by the roar Of the flames or by the
pounding OF the police upon their doors, be
came frightened and rushed out half dressed
or in their right 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 frou No. 337 Schermsrhorn
street and placed her in house at a safe Lis-
lance.
In an Laur's time only tottering walls re-
manned where the church stood Dr. Ts.lrsape
wss on the scene soon after the first alarm. and
did not leave until he had seen the edifice
which had been his pride laid III ashes. Then
he returned sorrowfull; home All day crowds
visited tho spot and gazed upon the runs
Nearly all tho members Of the tabernacle con
gregation received their first intimation of the
nr9 upon rounding the adjacent corners aud
being confronted by the blackene walls and
smoulderlnS ruins. Nc church services were
held today, but notice upon q tree ann )unced
SUNDAY school in the hall Of the Young Mems
Christian association, where about 600 teachers
aud scholars assembled in the afternoon Su
perintendent Eells told them that the present
was no time to cry or mourn. calamity had
befallen the church, and II was the duty Of ALI
to work together until a new home was built
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
is unknown The sexton denies the rumo~
that fire had been lighted yesterday in the
furnaces, and thus eIplodes the detectives ne
theory. Edisons men were in the BUILDING
until $50 p m. Yesterday, arranging new
electric plant, and it is thought that dnring
the thunder shower which prevailed during
the night lightning had been carried into the
building by the wires they introduced. and
which ran about the gallery about on level
with where the flames were first seen.
The building was Of fourteenth century
gothic architecture, and was dedicated Feb
ruary %, 1874. 1t was Of brick with stone
trimmings. with a frontage of $50 feet and a
depth Of ll3 feet. to which had recently been
added an extension 65 feet wide and II deep.
The seating capacity was $500, and it was
always fully taxed at the Sunday services The
previous structure. which was blilt of CORN
gated iron. was destroyed by fire on SUNDAY
morning. December ~. 1872, which was also of
unexplained origin. The losses on adjoining
property are small
The trustees were in session at the house of
Dr. Iaimage last evening. They gave the to tai
insurance sl29.450. The building origin ally
$4,000 have been added The orr, n Cos;
?D,ooo church furniture, sec, 800; new carpets.
&C., s5,S00. f'o'
AN APPEAL FOR HE'LL.
Dr. Taimase has issued sn appeal to the
public for help, saying that the church has
never confined its work to it's own locality The
church. he says. has never been large enonch
Tor the people who came and he wants 400 CO1
besides the insurance to build larger and
more suitable structure. II make an ann..l
he says, Ito all our friends throughout C6r;s,-
endom. to all denominations, to all creeas and
tnoss OF no creed at all, 10 come to our assist
ance. ask all readers OF my sermons the world
allow" e~As wiz
The fire forces Doctor Talmage To postpone n
Hip 70 the Holy Land. The advisory board
ADOPTED resolutions expressing submission 10
frovidence and determination to rebuild the
,ocaiS and style or buildlh g to be indicated
v tne amount OF Contributions made. Services
will be held hereafter in .he Brooklyn scaaarnv
OF music. A letter was received from DR. Az.
oott offering Plymouth church for sunday even.
ing service. e'e"-