The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-18
The FlRSy born.
Handsome Faith 0urists'
Church on Brasnhall
Avenue Soon toABe
Dedicated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
Programme of Services Not
Yet Completed
the Churches.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING

One of the prettiest if not one OF the
c~ostliest churches in tbs city, is thai re-
Gently erected by the members of the
Church of the First Born, or Faith
Curists. This handsome ediffce which is
to be the future home of the congrega-
ton. is situated on Bramhall and Ocean
venues, directly opposite the stately
church named after the Saint whose
birthday was celebrated yesterday.
The two buildings are not to be com
pared in size, but nevertheless there is
an air of comfort about the small
~neighbor. The building, which is of a
pretty cream colored brick, rests on the
brow of the hill. 1t commands q view
of Grand street as far as the eye can
reach. The dedicatory services VIII
be held about the first Sunday in May.
Sister Jackson will be In charge, assisted
by Mr.. Hancock. The erection of tn-
structure was begun early last fail. The
site is seventy by seventy feet. Thirty
feet is the height of the church, and 1t
has a slanting roof. There will be seats
on the ground floor for at least eight hun
bred people, while a gallery enc
! around to the Bramhall and Ocean ave-
nue. sides of the structure will hold about
two hundred and fifty more. To judge
from appearance, one would not think a
thousand people would find sitting room
in the building.
The style of the church is a modified
Gothic. There will be two main entrances
from Bramhall and Ocean venues Big
oak doors have been hung at these en-
frances. The platform will seat about
fifty people, and is very plain. The in
terror of the building is finished in cy-
press wood, which gives it a light and
| COSY appearance. There will be but few
embellishments on the interior. In the
dome will be placed seventy incandescent
lights. Both gas and electricity will be
used for lighting. There is to be no pull
pit, and in this respect the Faith Curists
| differ very much from other
tons. A pulpit is considered almost es-
! sential in all other churches. There is a
tower directly over the entrance, and the
windows are of blue stained glass.
A few carpenters and decorators are
| still busy on the interior and it is thought
that all the work will be completed with
in a few weeks. Arrangements for the
dedication nave not been perfected, but
| Sister Jackson has the matter in hand
| and her intention is to prepare an elaD-
| crate programme Invitations will be ex-
| tended to the members of the faith from
all over the State. The cost of the build
ing will be about $50, 600. AT present the
building adjoining the new ediice, which
was once a hotel, is used for services.
The ground floor in the church room
and the floors above are used for living
apartments.
The old building has been occupied for
several years during the winter time, as
the quarters IN the shore facing the New
York Bay, at the foot of Chapel avenue.
Greenville. are used in the summer time.
Here a cosy church is situated, wherein
the meetings. AXE place. The lawn leads
to the bay, where baptisms take place.
/ According to Mr.. Hancock more h
two thousand people have been immersed
in the waters of the bay. Mr.. Hancock
has lone most of the baptisinig.
Every summer camp meetings are held
and some miraculous cures are supposed
TO result from immersion, and the laying
on of the hands. About a thousand Faith
, Curists were present at the services on
the lawn last summer, and dozens were
said to have been cured from seemingly
incurable ailments. The congregation OF
the Mount Zion Church, as it is known, is
hardly the same for two weeks at a
time, beng very transitory, although al
present it is quite large and in a pros
porous condition. This congregation has
assisted in building up several churches
throughout the State. The old building
will not be abandoned when the new one
is put to use. The church on the Green
vile shore will also be used as equen
ly as heretofore.