San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-09
A NEW SORT OF CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. TyrreIl's Plan Includes a
Gymnasium and Bowling Alley.

Rev. Mr. TyrreIIs Plan Includes a
Gymnasium and Bowling Alley.
St. Louis Globe Democrat.
With the aid of some OF the most
infiuentia mem bers of Cen trail Chris
tian Church Rev. Frank G. Tyrrell
proposes to make radical departure
In the operations of his house of wor-
ship. He intends to Introduce all the
beneficial features of the club. and
thereby to look after the physics and
intellectual as we'll as the spirltua
and moral welfare of his flock. Tn
scheme embraces library, reading
room, gymnasium, bowling alley,
opera chairs, popular lectures, etc.,
sll within the church premises, and
to be open to the public daily up to 10
p m. The extent Of the plan depends
OF course, upon the financial support,
and If the needed encouragement is
met with an entirely new editice will
be built on the Centraps or another
site neay-bv. Within . few months Ii
is expected t6 ct . fiourishing library
will nave Deeu established, and the
gymnastic department will be added
eventually Liberalism seems to
have been q characteristic OF long
standing with the members of the big
Finuey avenue congregation, and
many novelties in divine service hav 9
been there introduced with mu oh
success. The pastor will investigate
the methods of the Rev. Oscar &.
McCulloch's church &c Indianapolis,
and others where features of the kind
contemplated are in vogue in q mo.
dified way.
When Rev. Mr.. Tyrrel was
approached last night for an outlir Q
OF his ideas, he was 10th TO reveal
them, rs he said the plan was still in
q formative state. On being urged
however. and with the smiling pre-
face that he was not 10 sympathy wi h
DR.. RaInsford's Christian saloon ideas
the promising young divine said:
"The trouble is that many churches
are falling into ruts and not keeping
up with the methods of times tina
mean men and women away. l be.
lleve In what you might call educa.
tional Christianity. 1 would :ecul
away from the idea that churches are
gloomy places under lock and key SIX
days in the week and on Sunday q
menu of two sermons, q collection and
hymns. 1t is q shameful waste Of
capital to build and equip church
and then let it remain idle six out of
seven days. My plan embraces par
lors and other rooms for library and
innocent games. In another portion
is the gymnasium, bath rooms and
swimming pool and bowling alleys.
The main auditorium is to be con-
structed with reference to perfect
acous tics, equipped with q grand or
gan and the seats and seating to be
with view of perfect comfort. l
favor the style of the chairs that are
u sed in opera houses. They are the
result OF long study and experience
Tn en- there should be hat, coat and
umbrella rooms or conveniences. 1t
would be my endeavor all the while
to avoid the sacerdotal and syna.
gogue idea that churches are too sac
red TO be used; not that want to rob
the sacredness of divinity, but to
make life more sacred.
The gospel of common sense lie nee
ded. Men need recreation af-
ter they leave their shops,
offices, stores and markets.
The church should show that its
ssion is as broad as human nature.
| In congregation of 400 or more
there should be two persons employed
to look after the embers where one
is now required. The ordinary city
pastor is constantly beset with work,
and he must choose the most urgent
duties and slight the rest. There is
q waste. The old stereOtyped form OF
! services is as much behind the times
as a sixteenth century creed. Why
not untilize the speaking and singing
tai. mt of the member? What is more
attractive and useful illustrating
Bible pictures than q stereopticon and
calcium lighi? A popular week-night
lecture and entertainment course
could easily be arranged for the edu-
cation and edification of the people,
and q season or special admission
Or CO enough to cover the actual eS
pei sss charged. There should be Az
least one literary society. We have
the Chautauqus. AS to the personnel
of the congregation. 1t should be COM
posed of the rich and poor Anything
else will desden spirituality. Why,
working people have learned to look
on some churches as representing the
capital classes. / have already
arranged for addresses by business
men between September and May on
practical topics, also have prepare
tons under way to begin a night
school where the common branches
will be taught those who desire it"