New-York tribune., 1893-12-29
A CENTRE FOR CHURCHWORK
PRESBYTERIANS TO BUILD.
THEY WILL HAVE AN ELEVEN STORY HOME
FOR MISSIONS.
MRS. ROBERT L. sTUARTs WISHES TO BE CAR
RIED oUT-THE STRUCTURE TO BE BUILT
ON THE STUART ESTATE AT FIFTH
AVE. AND TwENTIETH.sT. AND
TO COST ABOUT 81 900, ,ooo-To
SELL LENOX HALL.

TO COST ABOUT $1,000 oo0-TO
SELL LENOX HALL.
one OF the most important steps in the his
tory Of the Presbyterian Church has been taken
in the purchase from the Robert L. Stuart estate
of the property at the northwest corner or Firth
ave and Twentieth-st. Upon this site the Boards
OF Home and Foreign Missions of the Presby-
terian Church propose to build fine eleven-story
structure to cost about $l.OO0O00 This structure,
which will probably be known as THE Presby-
teran Mission House" will shelter the two
boards, and also the Church Erection Board; 1t
will probably also have proper provision for the
Publication Society of the missionary boards
The cost Of the ground was $4,000, thus making
a total cost Of about $l61OOJO
BY a bequest In the will Of Mrs. Robert l..
Stuart. who died about two years ago, almost
81 900 OO0 was left to the two boards. TO be used
as a permanent fund. with restrictions what
/ ever as To- the manner in which the money was
TO be- used Mrs Stuart was ardent Presby-
terian and one of the most liberal givers to the
Rev. DR.. John Halls church. Of which she was
a member 1t was her hope that suitable
home fer Presbyterian mission work would at
some time be built and although she did not
stimulate that her bequest was to be- used for
that PURPOSE II was generally thought by the
leaders i'm missionary circles that no more fitting
tribute to so generous a giver could be pald
than 10 carry out her long-cherished desire anu
build structure that would reflect crcht upon
the PRESBYTERIAN denomination. John ;. Kennedy
who's. gift Of the United Charities Building 10 the
organized charities Of the city is still fresh In
the minds Of New-York's citizens. is the executor
of the Stuart estate. He was appointed the
chairman of the Building Committee. me
purchase of the property was made in June by
John T. Parsons who is a member ~ the Board
nd "
the Stuart estate. and IL with the inten-
ton Of making the building practically a me
mortal to Mrs Stuart that this site was selected
The Building Committee consists OF members oi
the two boards az follows: John : Kennedy
chairman: John Crosby Brown. Alexander Malt
land and Mr. Megs. Of Dodge. Meigs x GO. The
property has frontage In Ffth-ave of
ninety-two feet. and 81 Is leo feet on Twentieth
st. The building at present on the site Is the
old Stuart mansion. and IS now occupied py a
firm of decorators This firm has lease, which
ends on May |. and IT Is then that the first step
toward building Will bc taken.
Rowe Il Baker. the architects IF No. Ni
Broadway were engaged 10 draw plans ana
specifications FOR the new building They nave
been at work for several weeks. and the plans
are rapidly approaching definite shape. Tne
now building Is To- be- eleven stories high.
is 10 contain All the latest and best devices In
sanitary and structural construction. and VIII
probably Doe ready about Mdt J. lhJ.. Ih' StNlr
Of the building has not yet ben decided upon.
but lightness. architectural beauty and utility
Will be- happily merged.
The ground noor on the Fiftn-ave. side viii be-
rented TO merchants. as viii also the second ana
/ third. and probably ihc fourth stories. These
floors will be- leased FOR long terms o. whpieaai"
esta blishm.nts. The westerly "ud of IN" nrst
lpor-wth an entrance on Twent"th-st' VIII De
designed AS an auditorium with a seating rdpac-
iy for 900 200 people" this hall Will Dee used for
/ religious services church reunions. educau"nal
/ nr religious conventions. The remaining spac" "i
fh. building is AS yet unassigned. hut bltn the
Home and the Foreign boards viii have an entire
floor There VIII also be commliie" rooms i"I
ff.f l.Hf 10
men, and several reception rooms i'I Ii' ''' ''S
+ of the church. and larg" meeting "'d 81 ''tI
rooms for out-of-town or foreign ministers tarh
# fh. societies will have s"prrAtr libraries. WIN
h,nts ranphlefs and every possible facility for
th. study of Missionary work If all irn'ininti sons
While the store facilities are 10 be- made
secondary consideration IN the planning "l u'
| buildlng the large revenue from THESE VIII H'
doubt greatly aid In the support cf tn societies
The Presbyterian Boards of Home and For
oign Missions have for IN" last hNe or SIX year
| occupied the famous LenoN home. At ~. ~
Eifth-ave and from this centre has radiat"d r.
all quarters OF the globe the missionary work ot
the church. Of which the two boards are the
almoners LcnoX Hall. rs the building Is now
known. was built fifty years ago by James
Lcnox when II regarded as one 81 me
finest In the city. Mr. L"noX was ba'hcl'r
and n millionaire. who died with no heirs. the
building I'm 1857 or lNNS. not long after his death
/ became the joint property ~ the two boards.
This property. which Is valued at Nooooo l.
entirely free from debit and a large portion or
the money rccnivcd from the sale Of this prop
erty Will no doubt. be used In putting up the
new building.
The Home Board was organized in 1901 and
| the Foreign Board twelve years later. Up t.
about five years ago the two boards Wcr"
quartercd together in one building. but for
| short time previous 10 the occupation oi the
| Lenox Han the Foreign Board had its offices al
| No % Crntrc-st.. while the Home Board was I'm
| the Stewart Building at Broa iway and 'ham-
brrs-st. The temporary separation was ',luS'i
by the great growth of the Home Board. nut
| this scparatiOu. fortunately, was quickly ended.