River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-12-23
THE FINISHED STRUCTURE.
The New Methodist Church Now
Ready for Occupancy.

The new Methodist church is now
completed edifice, and stands swep
and garnished ready for the consecrat
ed service for which IL was designed
Its exterior as a whole was complete
several weeks ago: its porches and az
prOaches have since been finished of
and now the interior, with its higt
ceiled audience room, its command
ing balcony, choir-alcOve and resplenG
ent windows, has just been given til
finishing touches by the builders AM
handed over to the pastor and tn
congregation. The whole structur
carries with it an AIR of grace and dis
direction: it was admirably planned a
the start, has been thoroughly con
structed, and is finished off with a rea
sci 81 Of harmony and artistic charm
As il now stands, with its simple yeI
inviting exterior and its wealth OF in
terror color, it may perhaps best bC
described by the one word beautiful.
Attention has already been called
IN these columns to some of the strik-
ing features of the exteriOr-the wide
gables that give an effect of massive.
ness, the octagOnal tower with its
rallied and pillared belfry, the expanse
Of stained shingles and the general air
.of freedom and lack of conventional
ity in the outline. Around the base OF
the building there is sort of outside
walnScOting, made Of matched stuff.
simply oiled and retaining the color of
the native cedar The main gables
a.e finished with plain shingles, stain
ed red, and fall in a Slight curve from
the peak TO the row of windows that
break them at about tho middle.
Below he windows, they finish in a
sloping angle. and are fringed by
a two-foot scollop at the base. Be
tween the gables and the encircling
wainscot, the siding, which forms the
groundwork of the walls, is painted a
gIeenish brown. The porches over
the main entrances at the corner of
Second and Walnut streets extend
completely over the stairways, which
are gradual and wide. Those at the
north and west entrances are also
ample and quite ornate. Altogether,
the outside effect is both striking and
individual.
Set in the doors of the main en-
trance, that lead into an ample yesti-
bule, are heavy squares of Oevel plate
glass inscribed with the monogram Of
the denomination. From he yesti
hule. which is lighted by "a suspended
hall lamp, p pair of noiseless swinging
doors lead into the main audience
room and a second door admits direct
ly TO the church parlOr. The swing
ing doors are encaSed in a covering of
black felt, with brass pusb-plates en-
bedded In either side of each door.
The arrangement of the inner doors,
that admit from the north vestibule,
is identical with that OF the main en-
trance. Both are direct, economical
and attractive.
The first thing that strikes the eyes
of a visitor on entering the church, is
the aspect of distance and delicacy of
color. An idea of space and exalted
height is impaired to the interior by
a certain simplicity of outline and d.
rect grace OF finish. The next i'm
preston that falls upon the mind, is
that Of distinct and admirable bal
ance. One side of the church matches
its opposite with the accuracy that
one side Of face matches the other,
and yet with Just that difference in
tone that gives interest to every sec
ton, as expression gives interest to a
face. The same eXpanse of tinted
wall greets the eye from the north as
from the south, the same number of
art windows shed rainbow tints from
one wall as from the opposite, and yet
each window radiates a harmony of
It's own and carries separate mes
sage. To the front, the pulpit plat
form curves with an even symmetry
from the prominent middle depth TO
the short flights of stairs that mount
upward from the church aisles. A kneos
iug-rail, which is separated from the
platform by narrow lane, extends in
a parallel curve between the two
lights Of stairs. Behind the platform
and elevated slightly above il, is the
wide alcove, built for the accommoda-
ton OF the choir. 1t is reached by two
sets of stairs, corresponding to those
ascending TO the platform; and IS set
OF by two heavy columns, wide apart
and connected by low railing. Fall
ing from the head OF the alcove
which is perhaps sixteen feetin height
there is a wide grille-work Of bracket:
and slender turned columns. Two
square pillars support this grille anC
| the alcove ceiling. In the alcoyt
two door-ways are noted, one leading
into a cloak room, the other TO Tn,
passage into which the west doc
opens from the outside.
The most commanding view Of tn
church is probably gained from tn
balcony, which extends across the cas-
cad Of the building directly over tn
parlors. From here the prospect
charming: the platform and alcov
stand out in fine perspective, tn
tints of the walls are mild and rest
rul. and through the windows the sur
light falls like a rainbow. TIL
chandeliers sparkle in the mid-disr
ance. here and there thin stream .
light glistens on an architrave; an
what with the brightness, the spac
and the charm OF color, the plaC
books as handsome as a metropolita
theatre.
The woodwork OF tne interior /
prime Georgia pine. The walls ar
frescIed in cherry red anu gray, wit
a neat border design 10 darker shades
The church parl0rs are separate
from the main audience room by
rolling partition. Two chandelier
light the body OF the church, Nv
hanging lamps do service for the ehoi