The Helena independent., 1890-03-23
THE onrRcn INA INV rIELp.

we recently COuilleultu upNu nc"
feature in church building in Milwaukee
by the Plymouth Congregational society
OF that town. Ia connection with the
new church edihce is n handsome club
house containing reHding rooms, billiard
room and many other accessories Of a
first class club. recent number OF the
New York Sun gives an interesting ac-
count Of the new departure by the Tomp-
l1ns Avenue Congregational church, Of
Brooklyn, which illustrates the tendency
OF the modern church TO become more OF
a factor in every day life instead Of limit
ing its activity TO one day in seven. Two
years ago this Brooklyn congregation oc.
cupied a small oyercrowded church.
Since that time more than 100000 have
been spent 10 erecting buildings devoted
10 evangelical work, which are said to be
the most extensive and best equipped Of
any in the world. The society has built
not only church proper but another
building known as the parish home, as
large and costly as the church itself. The
buildings are not models Of imposing
architecture in their appearance, but
we're built with an eye TO convenience
and practical usefulness. The church
has seating capacity of 5000 and em-
bodies in IFS arrangement the ideas of its
pastor,Dr. Meredith. The other building
was constructed primarily with view
to make model Sunday school meet
ing room. The Sunday school hall occu-
pies the second floor and consists OF a
high, square room with tiers Of class
rooms on three sides, connected with the
main hall 10y folding doors. There are
twenty-five Of these class rooms and
seventy classes will be provided for in
the large ball. In the center Of the hal
is beautiful fountain, and all tho dee
oratious are harmonious and pleasing
II is the first floor of the building that
is the most interesting To- tho casua
visitor for here the new features o
church life, io which We have referred
have been introduced. Here is a larg'
library with q reading room adjoining
large, beautifully furnished parlort
for ladies', a completely equipped
kitchen and other rooms tn
be used for church receptions and
the like, Us also a chapel for prayer meet
ings and week day meetings, which ac-
commodities more than goo persons. In
word. the now church and It's annex
furnish complete week round home,
where day and evening, young men and
women and visitors of every sort will
find n welcome in bright, cbecry qunr.
ters, us diiIercnt as possible from the
once-a-woelz church. Since the romp.
kns Avenue society made the
new departure the church has en-
joyed "a phenomenal growth, more
than coo new members have been en-.
rolled and the auditorium is filled cyor,
Sunday by a wideawake and energetic
congregation full Of enthusiasm tor the
new projects the church has undertaken
The influence Of the societies in Mil
waukee and Brooklyn will no doubt b,
felt Immediately, not only in othel
churches OF this denomination, but II
outside as we'll or course. the question
will be raised whether large elemen
of worldliness may not be introduce,
into tho churches by this closer contac
of the church with the world, but il i
clear that the church of to-day tina
gathers the largest congregations viii
be the one that makes lis religion tn
most attractive and beautiful to thos
large masses OF people whom our relig
Gus societies unfortunately do not nov
reach. The heatheu are at our door,