The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-04
A QUESTION OF MONEY.
Rector Graham's Comment on Christ
Church Removal.

The projected removal of Christ Church
threatens to become as interesting topic
of discussion as the recently threshed the
alter and theatrical morals question. Rev,
Andrew ]. Graham, rector of the church,
said yesterday to the Journal
1.-THE interest in the Christ Church build
ing appears to extend beyond the local con-
gregaton and seems to deserve some recog-
milton from us who seem to be about to
break down all the carved work of Christ
Church with axes and hammers. We are
sorrowful iconoclasts, and when the work
of demolition begins, as begin 1t may there
will be many a lingering look of regret and
some tears will fall with the falling Of the
stones. The article in the New Years edi-
ton of the Journal and Mr.. GibsonS sermon
of yesterday brought to the writer Of these
words both joy and sorrow-joy that so
many sacred memories of the building re-
manned in the minds of men and were still
foreshadowed the probable destruction of
the venerable structure. Mr.. Gibson's SER
mon CT prefer to so call iO is valuable con-
tribution to the creed of symbolism. Aside
from the local interest in Christ Church
building his words set out principles OF su-
preme Importance to all those who are wise
enough to grasp the first principle of Gods
architecture, viz, the combination of beauty
and strength. If the paper upon which Mr.
Gibson traced his sermon were negotiable
at the banks for $4,000, the end for which
ne contends might be realized. The educa-
ton, religious effect of this building, stand
SOAAN7
city, can hardly be estimated. Ruskin's
dogma, that there is but one style of Church
gospel truth to many of us. 1t is the very
opposite in nearly every respect of what
we may call ancient, panthelsuc arch1tec-
ture. The pagan temples were broad, low
fiat, many-porticoed with the appearance
of openness to everybody-of the earth,
earthly. Gothic architecture, which could not
have been born in any but an intensely re-
ligious age, points up, not out.
tbs true that if we move we probably
will not build so ideal STRUCTURE but even
though the architecture should be preserved,
yet Christ Church cannot be produced on
any other spot. This we all feel. and though
not yet dweller of two years in the city,
/ have been and am profoundly impressed
with the sense of loss sustained by the whole
city, when this beautiful church, urged by
imperiouS circumstances, shall have been
driven from it's old camping ground. Many
a man who is set down as Indifferent to re-
ligion, will feel like going into mourning
when he hears the states falling from the
roof and sees the belfry that has sent out
its music so many years falling. piece by
piece. We of the congregation love this
church and beg that we may not be classed
as ruthless iconoclasts
THE RECTOR'S UTTERANCES.
1.-THE public at large has no interest in the
financial and other domestic details of the
parish. Were the public familiar with all
these it would probably coincide in judgment
with ourselves. To show that the rector has
pursued but one course in this matter, he
here subjoins words of his own, put into
public print last June:
We admit with sorrow that Christ
Church is too small; that the grounds are
not so large as we should have; that the
main entrance is narrow and entirely mad
equate; that the chancel is little better than
none and the parish rooms about equal to
the ordinary kitchens. These facts are I'M
deniable but they are far from being unal-
terable If the church building were to be
torn down and some of the ground now I'M
utilized be built upon, that problem could be
solved, but the complete tearing down of
the old church is out of the question. A little
thought VIII also convince one that as years
pass on the congregation which will worship
at the old church will be made up of tran
sients and the poorer CLASSES, who cannot
be relied upon for very much financial sup
port. When the generation which loves the
walls and the spot where their fathers have
Worshlped for many year has passed
away and another has taken their place.
the church will be forgotten by the uptown
ers, and the income from that section very
largely cut on. We thus see there are linn
itatiOnS.
Christ Church must have money or sell
out and move. No other way lies open.
Our temporary prosperity cannot be sus-
tanned under the existing conditions. The
present rector refuses to undertake the
enced clergyman D'- would impeach the
rightness of his judgment on this
point II the men and women Of the par