St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-05
Flames CONE AGAIN.
Holy Trinity Church, Mime
apoIis, Destroyed by Fire
Yesterday Afternoon.
Judge w. C. Odell Talks OF
Congressman Halls Pos
sible Successor.
Northeast Minneapolitans
Protest Against a Viaduct
on Central Avenue.
local Police Knew the "Gor-
illa"--In Memory Of
AkepS.

Oct. 80, 1850, the corner stone of the
first Episcopal church in Minneapolis
was laid. The church was Holy Trim
ltv. at the corner of Fourth avenue
southeast and Fourth street. Yesterday
the historic old edtice of worship was
burned The greedy flames could not
devour the stone walls, but they ruined
the old church, and this morning, in
stead of holding worship there, the
congregation will needs console itself
by shedding a few tears at the loss Of
an old friend.
The fire broke out IN the frame veStry
room, between the hours of II and l..
The vestry is in the rear Of the main
church. When Mrs. A. j. Graham, wife
of the rector. visited there at the time
mentioned, she found that the heavy
curtains ana choir robes had become
ignited by the heat Of the stove and
were burning briskly. Mrs. Graham
endeavored to eXtinguiSh the flames.
She pulled down the curtains and threw
them into the snow, but her efforts were
of no avail. The flames had COmmuni-
Gated themselves to the roof and soon
she saw that, unless miracle inter
vened, the beloved church would soon
be a mass of ruins.
The fire department was called the
alarm coming into headquarters at 1890.
In spite of the fact that the Cataract
bnt GUa isl a N
from the church, it was eighteen min
uteS before an effective stream was
playing on the fire. Then, instead of
attempting to cut off the flames by fight
ing it from the front, the tiremen paid
all Of their attention to the rear and
sides. Assistant Chief Canterbury
looked into the front door at one time,
but did not enter. the smoke evidently
causing him to change his mind. An
insurance man who was present found
fault with the manner in which the fire
was handled, though he did notsay who
was to blame for the delay in many mat
tiers. The church was ruined, the roof
being burned and the interior Quilted.
The pews were not damaged, but the
big pipe organ, 1t is thought, will never
more peal forth its anthems.
The Old stone church dedicated forty
two years ago was enlarged three years
ago and furnished in an elaborate man
ner. Its appointments, in fact, were
finer than those Of any other church in
the city. The building cost $4,000, the
organ $4,000, and the pews ana wood
work of black walnut in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000, bringing the total cost
up to $4,000. The insurance amounts
to 5000, carried by Mcmillan & Hast
lngs. OF this the Home company has
$4,000, and the Phoenix $1,000.
Trinity church was an historical
building, and its gray stones linked the
long ago past with the present. Rev.
James Lloyd Breck was pastor when
the church was dedicated in 1850.
1t was the outcome of mission
started at Fort Smelling. From 1880 to
1851 Dr.. KnickerbOcker, the present
bishop of Indiana, was rector. He also
served in that capacity in 1862. On
May so, 1878, the church was conSe-
Grated free OF debt by Bishop Whipple.
The present pastor, Rev. A. j. Graham,
is at present at Brainerd, where he is
conducting a mission. The altar of the
church, it is feared, is ruined. 1t was
an historic relic, being the original altar
used in the '50'S by DR.. Brecf and his
successors. The font was carved from
stone that became dislodged and fell
crashing over the Falls of st. Anthony.
On account of the sfire, the cOugrega-
ton of Holy Trinity church Will wor-
ship today in the Andrew Presbyterian
church, Fourth street and Eighth ave.
nue. southeast. Services will be held
there at p. NJ, Rev. Frank r. Mills.
paugh officiating.