New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-07
To MOVE TO A NEW SITE.
CT 1AMEss METHODIST CHURCH WILL
SEEK ANOTHER HOME.

THE PRESENT BUILDING AT MADIsoN-AvE. AND
oNE-HuNpRED- AND TWENTY sIXTH-sT. is
FAULTY IN CONSTRUCTION. AND TEN
poRARY REPAIRS WILL BE MADE.
There have been many rumors recently in cir'-
lation TO the effect that the beautiful ST. Jamess
Methodist Episcopal Church edihce. at Madison
90. and one hundred and twenty -sxth-st.. had
been practically condemned by the Building De-
nartment as unsafe for public use. Tribune re-
norter received yesterday from Robert 5. Ander-
son one of the trustees. the following statement:
eft has been known for some time that the roof
construction of the church has been faulty. The
church is built with large vaulted roof, sprnSinS
from wall to wall without any support This style
~ roof IL now condemned by architects as being
unsafe. About fifteen years ago 1t was discovered
that the sidewalks were buging. Architec's were
ouietly called In by the trustees for advice.
system OF tie-rods accordingly put in the roof
between the trusses the recommendation OF
these architects This was supposed to prevent
the further spreading of the walls. During the
last year 1t was found necessary to make repairs
g., ths tower While the scanolding was being
used for this purpose by the workmen an eXamina-
ton Of the walls thoroughly made. 1t was
the, discovered that there was pressure against
~. s,deualls which was gradually pushing them
IN. A weknown firm of engineers were at once
EMPLOYED TO make a thorough examination OF Inc
church and advise the Board Of Trustees as TO the
proper course to be adopted. The drawings SUD-
,n,,ted showed the faulty and dangerous condition
~ the interior Of the roof construction The recon-
,a,aa.,ons OF the engineers called for large out
Law OF money. The question then arose. how little
uork could be done that would insure the safety
NJ the building until the final decision OF the church
az TO its removal could be settled. For TINS pur-
nose the advice Of the Building Department OF the
CITY was secured. Their opinion conceded with
~. renort of the engineers. The Building Depart
roont also advised against the further use of the
church bv the congregation until these repairs
,,ere made The Rev DR.. Emory j. Haynes
pastor OF the church. acting In connection with the
Hoard of Trustees accepted this recommendation
and ordered the services 10 be discontinued lro"
last Sunday.
The official Board meeting held last Wednesday
evening was largely attended. Considerable discus
IT,, snsued as 10 the wisdom Of expanding the
large sum necessary put the building in compete
repair There has been agitation for three years
past in the congregation in regard 10 the re'noVa
OF the church 10 a site. 81. James's has always
been family church but the westw9rd t.ae Az
drift Of population has taken largely OF It's iame s
10 a point south and west OF the church. Al the
meeting on Wednesday evening a reSoiu,l 1na Va" az
passed ordering temporary repairs TO be mace on
he present building and further ordering the prop
erty to be sold early as practicable 1t was also
in more desirable location, ,-, ,,,...o, ,o.
The St Jalnes's Methodist Episcopal Church has
been known for years the outgro:th OF me
historic Harlem Mission. In 1869 the society bought
land at its , site at srsa, Tbn po IS rs
feet in One -sxthst ana ~ iee'
II inches in Tn s h the ae PSop
James which time the society rece'vSd nv NAM
Of st James This handsome anI aaeT rs
society has over 100 members. and is recognized as
Of the leading churches hes Of o ne a the @
tees L. N Il Ros ger K Rns @a
II Cocks Frank ". Weeks. J. T. Merserau ana
J. H. HollingswOrth. ---.