The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-14

build. It was the unanimous expression Of
the congregation that the building in which
their fathers had worshiped and
which had been the pride
and Joy of its people for seventy-two years
should be reproduced exactly, and the work
of carrying this intention into effect was
Immediately begun.
RESTORATION OF THE BURNED EDIFICE.
| The services Of Mr.. William G.. Preston OF
Boston, well-known architect, were en-
gagged. Il was a work of labor and diff
Guilty to secure exact information as to the
dimensions and proportions of the old
building, but by November Mr.. Preston
had prepared the plans and specifications
necessary for al accurate reproduction of
the building. In the same month a con-
tract was made with Lewman & Co. TO
erect the building complete before Dec. J.,
1890, for the sum of $1l4, $50
Work upon the foundation was begun at
once, and Jan. Is, 1890. the I'D anniversary
Of the laying Of the cornerstone of the
former building, the ner-stone was laid
with appropriate exercises.
A full account of the laying of the
cornerstone was published in the MORNING
NEWS Of Jan. 4, the day following. Messrs.
LeWmRl completed their portion OF the
work within 1890. according TO contract.
There was some delay in the construction of
the steeple, aud many other delays and him
ORANGES In smaller matters, chiefly owing to
the length of time consumed in the trans
portation of freight from the north and
west, which altogether have delayed the
completion of the building to this date ~ 1t
is now practically finished. the placing of
a portion of the pews and some details only
remaining to be attended to.
AN EXACT REPRODUCTION
The building as it stands is an exact
fat If tho Hact al hxrG -a
April y, 1889. In some respects, however,
it is superior to the one which it re-
places chiefly in that It's most
prominent feature, the shapely steeple,
which 80 unfortunately proved
to be an agent of destruction in the con-
fagration of 1889, is entirely of iron and
copper, and without an ounce of combusti-
BILE material in its whole construction. In
fact the whole building is about as near
flre-proof as it is possible to make it. The
columns Of the porch, which were formerly
brick, are now solid granite. The building
is fitted with combination electric and gas
lighting apparatus 1t is also provided with
a system of heating and ventilation which
is an engineering achievement in itself By
this system fresh air is supplied in hot
weather and heat in cold weather, both be-
ing driven by fan under the body Of the
church, from where 1t ascends through
hundreds OF little outlets into every part OF
the auditorium.
The cost OF the church as it now stands Is
about Sl42, 900, exclusive of the cost of the
bell, the clock and the organ. This is some
what in excess of the first estimate, but il
was decided some months ago to complete
the work upon the interior of the church
by painting and frescoing, which was not
first contemplated.
A handsome pipe organ will be placed in
the gallery above the entrance at some later
date. The bell was presented to the church
by Mrs. Alfred Il. Mills in memory of her
deceased husband, for number of years a
member of the church.
The clock was presented by Mrs. J.
Rauers in memorial of James McHenry and
Catherine Urouhart, her uncle and aunt,
who were members OF the church.
THE NEW CHURCH.
The dimensions ami appearance of the
church have already been given SO often in
advance in the MORNING NEWS that it is
hardly necessary to repeat Its plain but
imposing gray granite walls, the classical
columns of the porch and the towering
steeple, with its shapely proportions, will
soon become as familiar a sight to the
people of Savannah as was once the build
ing whose place it now occupies, and it Is
hoped will remain as 1t doubtless will SO for
a hundred years or more TO come.
ne interior OF the church differs greatly
in appearance from that of most of the
modern church buildings. The large audi
torium is well lighted by the numerous
Gothic windows, and this, with the light
finish of the pillars and interior wood work
gives very pleasing effect. The fresco
work upon the large dome is also light,
with light gold tints. The large gallery
runs clear around three sides OF the church
and adds to rather than detracts from its
appearance. The pews ere of solid and
handsome mahogany finish, and the seats
are covered with handsome silk cushions.
THE OLD PULPIT.
The old pulpit, which has reputation in
itself, stands rebuilt just as the old one did
in the old curch. It is Of handsome mahog-
any finish also. The whole appearance Of
the interior is handsome and imposing.
The architect who drew the plans for the
old church was certainly a genius. There
is not part of the building that was not
built with some especial object in view, and
in conformity with the whole structure. If
it were not for that high pulpit, : the
people in the gallery would not be able to
see the preacher, and the gallery could not
have been placed lower without injuring the
effect Everything about the building, de-
sign, workmanship and finish, is of the
haudSon1aet rharaCtar