The Portland daily press., 1899-01-14
ALMOST NEW CHURCH.
First Free Baptist Congregation Re.
turns TO Old Home.
GREAT IMPROVEMENTS MADE
UPON THE EDIFICE

pended-- Those who supervised and
Did the work--spcciai Services ON
sunday.
On Sunday morning the congregation
of the First Free baptist church will as
sembie for the first time in the editice
which has been in the hands of the con
traitors for five months and which has
. been completely remodelied and changed
into practically new church. The cost
of this work has been $4,000 and the
money has been most carefully expended.
Judging from what has been accomplished
with 1t.
Formerly the entrance to this church
was by steps leading up to portico but
these steps have been torn away and a
large granite and brick vestibule with
red fieestone front has beer built fonto
the front of the church in their place.
The entrance to the outer vestibule of the
church Is now obtained through three
large and handsome doors which are
finished In oak and ash and which open
inward from the sidewalk.
Two granite steps lead to the OUTSIDE
doors Twenty eight feet from the SIDE
q
doors has been constructed SO the appear
ance is very artistic and ornamental.
Several large and beautiful stalne d
glass windows now appear IN place Oh ene
old plain brickwork of the tower, whlie
small lights also of stained glass appear
over each door.
Steppinc into the yestibule which has
a tile floor entrance in obtained into the
inner vestibule which is heated by steam
and we'll lighted. On either side flights
of stairs lead up to the upper vestihule
and in the centre down TO the hallway
leading into the vestry. The upper vestl-
bule is sparated from the lower vestibule
stairs by noiseless swinging doors and
similar doors give admittance to the audi
torium of the church. Over the center
entrance Is broad flight OF stnirs giving
entrance to the gallery. Inc stairs ana
floors of these yestibules, have maple
floors handsomely finished. while the
stairs are protected with rubber mating
and brass trimmings.
From the gallery line view oil the
auditorium of the church is to be had.
Formerly this gallery was very narrow.
but now 1t is large enough to contain llb
opera chairs which are very comfortable.
The floor of this gallery or balcony is
painted in delicate neutral tint Look.
ing down into the auditorium ono would
hardly recognize il as the same which Tor
so many years was familiar to the congre-
CATION OF this CnurCN. intIe dIe nc Scats
on the main floor which with those in the
balcony make the entire seating capacity
of the church SIS.
The chairs have been so arranged as To
give an unobstruoted view of the pulpit
from all points. They are placed on an
incline as are those in the balcony. The
flooring of the auditorium is OF maple and
will of course be uncaIpeted excepting in
the aisles where here win be handsome
strips of brussels
A brass rail with curtains has been
placed about the pulpit. Directly be.
meath the pulpit is the baptistry which
is connected with steam pipes 50 that the
water may be heated if necessary. The
furnishings of the puloit will lie new and
handsome in keeping with the rest OF the
editioe. A change which will be appre-
ciated by those who dislike being dis
turbed after the service begins is in the
arrangements of the seats. They have
been extended entirely back to the par
tition between the corridor and the audi
torium, making 1t necessary for all pass
ing from one side of tue church to the
other TO be done In the corridor outside.
Nothing has been changed overh cad,
save that the paint has been frightened
up somewhat and handsome combination
gas and electric light chandeliers have
been added There are also combination
fixtures on either side of the auditorium
and about the pulpit and also in this
gallery.
A flight of stairs leads down from the
easterly side of the auditorium to the
vestry floor beneath. AT the foot of these
stairs is the pastors room with closets
and lavatory attached. Here also are the
books of the Sunday school library. q
door opens from this room into the vestry,
which with its polished maple floor Is
very attractive. On the westerly side of
the vestry at the end in which the pas
tors room is situated, and directly be.
meath the pulpit, is well and con
veniently arranged kitchen which Is sup
piled with large closets and gas range.
A door communicates with the large class
room which may also lie arranged as the
prettiest of the vestry and is semi circular
in shape aud two windows give ample
light. Large glass windows are between
this class room and the vestry proper and
by throwing them up this room may be
thrown into the vestry.
At the street end of the vestry on the
right entering from the street Is the
ladies' parlor, furnished with wicker
chairs, tables and couch and handsomely
carpeted. Glass windows may he thrown
up to make this cosy room part of the
big vestry. On the other side OF the vestry
entrance from the street is the infant
class room, which also has glass windows
and which is furnished with cunning
little chairs for use of the children.
On either side of the hallway at the foot
of the vestry stairs are lavatorieS well
lighted and neatly finished.