New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-25
JAMES PENWICK.

Among the most widely known and ablest OF
American architects was James Renwfck, VINO died
at his home No. 2s University Place on Sunday
HIS death was caused by complication OF dis
eases the result Of old age. He was born in the
Bloominedale district OF this city on November
isis Ills father was Professor James Renwick
who occuplcd the chair OF chemistry and mechanics
I'm Columbia College for many years. and ne was
graduated from Columbia in 1896. Immediately
after leaving college. Mr.. Renwck TOOK up inc
study O, engineering and architecture HIS hrst
work was that Of an engineer on the Erie Rail-
way before he OF Later he became an
assistant engineer on the croton Aqueduct. and
while he held that place he superintended the con-
strucfon OF the reservoir at Fifth-ave and ror'y-
sccond-st
At tho age Of twenty-thrse Mr. Renwick was
man OF recognized ability. both as an engireer ana
as an architect and when the vestry OF Grace
church purchased land at Broadway and Tenth
ST as a site FOR n edlhce. his plans Tor the
building were accepted and he was placed !"
charge OF the work. The church was competed III
1876 with the exception Of the splre which was
thcn built Of wood and painted in imitation OF
marble The wooden spre was taken down ana
replaced by the present stone spire few years ago
While Grace Church being built. MT Ken
wick drcw the plans FOR the Smithsonian Institution
building IN Washington, AMI later he was the
architect for the Corcoran Art Gallery, In the same
city He also was the architect Tor the calvary
Church. In Fourth-ave.; the Church OF the Puri-
tans which was In Union Square: ST. Bartholomew
Church St Stephens Church. the Church OF the
Covenant and the Second Presbyterian Church. IN
this city. He the architect OF the buildings
OF yassar College. at Poughkeepse. and OF ST.
AIMS Church. In brooklyn. Booths Theatre, at
ss,h-ave and Twenty-thlrd-s,.. which was torn
down several years ago. and the Young Men
Christian Association building at Fourth-ave and
Twenty-,hird-st we're designed by Mr.. Renwick'
in addition 20 the Fulton Bank. the new front OF
the Stock Exchange and many private houses IN
tho city Several OF the public buildings on Black
wells Island and on Randalrs Island were also
built by him one Of Mr.. Renwicks latest works
was the restoration OF the old Spanish cathedral
at ST. Augustine. Fla
His greatest work was begun In 1873. when ne
was requested by Archbishop Hughes to prepare
plans for a Roman Catholic cathedral In Fifth
ave His plans accepted. and the corner
stone Of St Patrlck's Cathedral at Fitty-iirst-st
vas laid on August l5 ISIS. The building is OF the
decorative or geometrc style OF architecture when
prevailed in Europe In the thirteenth century o,
which the cathedras OF Rheims, Cologne ana
with n base course OF granite; The cathedral was
defeated by Cardinal McC.oskcy on May %. 1873.
but the towers not built until some time later
their construction being begun In lhsi 49,
Nearly forty years ago Mr. Renwck built for
himself the spacious house at feminist. and nj
yrrsity Place where he lived until the day or MS
he collected during several Journeys ~ Europe MS
vito dlod years ago, leaving no children ana MI
Kenwick's nearest surviving relative Is EDWARD
: Renwick his brother consulting engineer OF
This CITY Mr. Renwick FOR years a member
OF the Institute OF Architects. and member or tne
Century club the Union cub. the Ncw-lork facht
club and the Iarchmont Yacht CUP tbs iuherai
viii take place at Grace Church at 10 a. m. on