Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-06
NOT LIKE A CHURCH.
Will the Oak Alley Structure Ap-
pear in a Short Time.
A COMPLETE CENTRAL STATION
Is Fast superseding the Well-Known
Rouse of Worship j,
WILL BE READY WHEN IT Is NEEDED

The old Oak Alley United Presbyterian
Church is fast losing the appearance Of q
house of worship. Workmen's tools are
rapidly Transforming it from spiritual
home for the religiously inclined to tenn
porary abode tor the disciples Of crime.
Like 'lightning change" on the stage the
alteration from church to police station
will come.
In place of a minister interpreting the
laws of God will be q police magistrate ex-
pounding the laws of man; in place Of the
mourners' bench will be a room of gloomy
cells; the singing of psalms will be sue
ceeded by the clanking Of iron doors and
mandlin cries of inebriated men and women;
where courteous ushers once directed de-
vout worshipers to their pews armed SER
geants will lead their prisoners up forstrial!
Instead of good old orthodox food for the
soul there will be 26-cent meals from Philip
ing, presided over by Magistrate Gripp,
concluding with a collection to which
many of the congregation must give, not
according to their ability or willingness,
but rather the nature of their crimes. All;
those who attend will be given free ride,
to the place.
Will Be Completed on Time.
The new Central station will be ready by
April /, when the present one must be
vacated by the city. To do this, however,
requires quick work and large force Of
men. Operations are being pushed as
rapidly as possible in view of the fact that
should the work not be completed by the
time the old station on Diamond street must
be abandoned all prisoners from the lower
section of the city would have to be cared
for at the Eleventh and Twelfth ward sta
tion houses, causing considerable inconveni-
encc. But this is not likely to occur, as
Architect Bickel, who has charge of the
work, says it will be finished and ready for
occupancy by March 90, as the contract re-
quires. :
In its many details the new station WILDE
much more complete and better adapted for
its use than the present one. Chief Brown
gave the subject great deal of study, and
the plans were made according to his idea
Of what such place should be. AS re-
suit, the structure will answer as we'll for a
lookup as though originally built for such.
The whole place is being remodeled and
only externally will it bear any resemblance
to what it used to be. Even in that there
will be great change,
sep,ra,a Entr,nc, tn III. cen Room.
One OF the pest features OF the cnange
Will De tne entrance separation OF tne prison
ana court rooms In the present STATION
mouse tne only entrance TO the former IS
through the latter, often causing great IN,
convenience. ihis trouble VIII be ooVlated
at the new place 6y separate entrances 1or
eacn. line rear OF the building Will DC used
entlreiy as cell room with an entrance on
me slde TO Which the patrol wagon can Ge
urtVen through tne yaro. frlsoners MI VIII
never De 1aken IN az tne Iront aoor: Ims
ee:rancs s : W tne cei ioom WIZ nav ivy Se's
VI iion uooIn !f, wi'n sesIioute puI"een
lnsiae tl VIII pe Two roMs H ol ceris escn p twH
ranges hlSn: One OF tne upper rapges VIII
ee useo enlllely !or women. i's cslIs VII
lace corrioor next !ne wall anu Io'aly
snus i, o9S rom view rom any u Tue o.nei
ceais. Iney VIII ais1 ;n De Ieacneo ny sePal-
ate stairway anu VII hot nave 70 pass pe-
1%een ionG i; rows 90 oi cei1s % occupied oy men;
nsi nnsLe VIII uH 20 Sn sets ~ ~ an, n.I .I.ha ae a.
MolN n!w !ayihs noEr " Meav! sians -
I"h tho oeiIs iii HIT +. - rao.sd oG =; .hort
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