The herald., 1897-03-28
A NEW CHURCH
The N. E. Building at University-A
Progressive Congregation

The Methodist Episcopal congrega-
ton at University presents substan-
tial indications of a vigorous growth.
The new church edifice which Is being
built at the corner of McClintock and
Jefferson streets is rapidly approaching
completion. and will. when finished
be the most perfectly equipped church
edifice in Southern California. Up to
last summer the congregation held ser
vices on the corner of Wesley Nvenue
and Thirty eighth street. The pastor
at that time was Rev. A. c. Williams,
who moved his charge into the buildisg
at the corner where the structure is be-
ing reared. This had been used for
Sunday school purposes. The present
minister, Rev. Francis NJ. Larkin, who
for four years had been pastor of the
Central Methodist Episcopal church,
was placed in charge of the University
mission last September. Since that time
many Improvements have been made,
and the growth of the congregation has
been very marked, over 100 persons hav-
ing joined the church during that tina.
1t was decided that an enlarged edifice
was necessary, and one OF the members,
D. NJ Welch, gave the movement for a
new building wholesome impetus by a
gift of $4,000 for that purpose. The new
church is 67x90 feet. including a base
ment for toilet rooms and social pur-
poses. The interior is finished in white
Tahoe pine. A new, large pipe organ
will be provided, and the auditorium
will be seated with oak pews, arranged
in a semi-circular form on an inclined
floor. 1t will have a seating capacity OF
700, and will be connected with the old
building by sliding panels, both thus
combined being capable of seating 1000
persons. Besides the main audience
room and Sunday school rooms there are
a number of smaller rooms for indi-
vidual classes and other purposes. The
dedicatory services will take place on
the second Sunday in May, when the
handsome structure will be finished H.
F. Starbuck is the architect.
The First Christian church conSrega-
tion are also putting up stately addi-
tion to their old church building at the
corner of Eleventh and Hope streets
The auditorium will be 65x65 feet. 1t
contains besides, a vestibule and lobby
connecting 1t with the old edifice. 1t
will be finished throughout with light
pine, with a pulpit in the corner and all
organ loft behind it. The floor Will be
inclined with the pews arranged in
semi-circular manner. Sliding doors
VIII COnHeCl IL with ehS cAN -
making the combined seating capacity
1900. Mrs. Scherrer Orchard has pre-
sented two elegant and costly memorial
windows Another member of the
church donated $500. Others contrib
uted, so that now there is a sufficient
amount in the hands of the officials TO
paw for the work and material as fast
as supplied. When it is dedicated. next
June there will not be cent of indebt-
edness against it. 1t is of the purely
Gothic style of architecture, with spire
lis feet high. When completed it will
be one of the handsomest church struc-
lures in the city.
The growth of this denomination un-
der the ministrations of the pastor Rev.
A. C. Smither has been almost phe-
nomenal 1t is his first and only pas
torate since leaving college, he beginning
his work Immediately after graduation
in the old building on Temple street, OPP
posite to the new court house. This is
his seventh year. and during that time
about 700 accessions have been made TO
his congregation. This is tk>-principal
Christian church in the city. Four others
have sprung from it. There are three
church buildings, while one congrega-
tion hold services in hall on Thirty
third street, near Main. The old build
Ing to which the new structure is being
added is very completely fitted out with
ladies' parlors. kitchen, and all the