The morning call., 1893-06-19
THE CALIFORNIA; STREET METHODIST CHURCH.

afternoon service. A strong and interest
ing sermon by Rev. A. c. Hirst was fol-
lowed by the presentation of the building
bv the trustees and the receipt of the gilt
by Bishop Goodsell on behalf of the gen.
eral church. The ceremony followed in
the presentation is simple but impressive.
The sermon in the evening was by Rev. E.
Il. Ollie.
At the afternoon session $3.50 was sub
scribed toward paying the remaining in
debtedness, and at the evening service
several hundred more was received. The
pastor and trustees were delighted with
the generosity of the members and friends
of the church, and expect to be able to
complete the fund required within few
weeks.
Under the leadership of Professor W. +.
Hervey, q choir of forty trained voices
rendered sweet music for all the services.
There were solos by Miss Helen Swayne,
Miss Ruth and [. ]. Morris.
The California-street church, now located
at the corner of California and Brod erick
streets, is the successor of the Seamen's
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, which
in the days long ago was located on Mis-
sion street, near Second. For years il was
conducted for the benefit of the sea. going
men and accomplished great good among
that class. Among its early pastors was
William Taylor, now a Bishop.
Changes in the surroundings and growth
nf the city nPcessitated q change, and the
Misson-street property was exchanged for
a site on Bush street. upon which the Bush
street church stood for so many years.
During these years the city has continued
TO grow Cabe-cars were made to join the
center and suburbs of the city, and in the
march of improvements the church pro-
posed to keep step. The accommodations
of the old church were no longer adequate
for the growing congregation and utterly
nH n
TO meet these conditions three lots were
purchased for the new building in 1887
During the summer of 1890 the church
voted to dispose of the Busb-Street prop
erty and begin the work of securing funds
to build the beautiful structure that was
dedicated yesterday.
The history of The enterprise is a long
story and will never be written, but the
earnest and tireless workers of the church
will never forget the long and veXatous
trial they have passed through to win sue
cess, nor will they regret 1t now that they
are able to enjoy the fruits cf their labors
The new church is a beautiful structure,
one of the hands0mest archltecturally in
the city. The style of architecture en-
poyed is RomanesQuP, and is a thorough
speciman of that style. The general ap-
pearance of the building impresses the OBJ
server with its massiveness ana abundant
loom.
Arizona sandstone and machine brick
are the materials used in its construction.
The first story is Of brick and stone, the
upper portion of brick and stone set
against wGod framework, and the whole
bulldog covered with a slate roof. A
graceful tower rising 120 feet high, is one
of the ornamental features.
The building is II by JOG feet with the
Sunday school on the lower floor, and the
auditorium above. The organ loft has
been built In three stories and provides
eight classrooms for library, pastors study
aud special work.
The main entrance to the church is on
California street. Passing through a
Gothic arch a generous vestibule Is
reached, from which stairways lead 10 the
auditorium and gallery. The auditorium
is formed like Greek cross ana is the
chief feature of the building 1t is sur
rounded by gallery swung in arcs of cir
cles 20 four steel pillars The ceiling is
paneled IN natural woods, the walls tinted
light olive green and the entire wood
work finished in antique oak. The effect
is very pleasing and The arrangements are
such that 1900 people can be comfortably
seated.
There are two entrances to the Sunday
school, the main entrance being on Brod-
erick street. The schooroom is hand
s0mely furnished and will accommod ate
several hundred scholars. Rolling parti-
tions separate it from large primary
classroom and parlors. In other parts of
the building are found a kitchen. dining
room, Boys Brigade ArmOry, ladies' par
l0r, mems readlng-ro0m and cholrrOom.
Cathedral glass has been used through
out the building, and several stained glass
memorial windows have been provided
for. Beautiful fixtures for either ele
tricity or gas have been placed throughout
the building. The auditorium has been
seated with oak church chairs aad all the