Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-11-25
CORNER STONE WILL
BE LAID TOMORROW.

Durango's fire of 1889, which swept
away six blocks in the heart of the
| city and destroyed the buildings of
the Presbyterian, Methodist and Epis-
copal churches. stopped just short of
the little Baptist church house on
Fourth avenue. This was probably
greater misfortune than the burn
ing of the building would have been.
Necessity drove the other churches
to rebuild. which they were able to
do handsomely at that time, but the
Baptists, lacking that incentive. al
lowed prosperous times to pass without
building. till the panic rendered 1t
impossible.
just about year ago the question
of new building was agitated. and
an effort to that end decided upon.
The first move was a thorough cav.
Vass of the membership for subscrip.
uons. resu ting in about S3.IOO. The
citizens were then appealed to. with
result of some s2.100. The church
then sent their pastor east to pre-.
sent the matter to the older and
stronger churches of the denomina-
ton. His trip took in Pueblo. Col
orado Springs, Denver. Omaha. Des
MONIES, Chicago. indianapolis, Day
ton Pittsburg, Philadelphia New
York, Springfield Mass, Boston.
Providence and Buffalo. resulting in
something over 81 500
Other outside help. an appropria-
ION from the Home Mission Board.
ind additional Durango subscriptions.
with the appraised value of the old
property, swelled the visible resources
o. $3.50 in August, and 1t was de-
tided to begin work
Architect s. w. Smith generously
offered to donate the plans. and the
beautiful designs upon which the
building is constructing are his gift
and the house will do him credit
Upon advertisement for bids, the
contract was let to Mr.. T. f. Peter
son. the lowest bidder, and ground
was broken September II.
The building measures over all A
feet 9 inches by SO feet Z inches; the
tower IL feet square at the northwest
corner, projecting three feet beyond
the north and west walls. The au-
dience room will measure 381z x41
feet, giving almost exactly the
same space as the audience
room of the Presbyterian church.
The pulpit will stand at the
south end with an open baptis-
terry at the right. Back OF the pull
pit is the choir gallery. ~ x 16 feet.
with study 11h x IL feet at the
east. The main entrance is In the
tpwar at tho northWaut nnrpar oud
there is side entrance from Third
avenue at the southwest corner into
vestibule II 10 feet. There Is a
basement under the whole for the
present use of the Sunday school. To
this there are two entrances, one
from the outside at the south of the
tower, the other an inside entrance
by stairway from the vestibule at
the southwest corner.
The east wall is built of wood, in
prospect of an addition to the east 27
feet wide by the entire length. for the
Sunday school. with sliding door par
titions so as to throw the larger part
of 1t into the auditorium upon occas-
sion. The basement will be service
able for work for boys In the way Of
gymnasium, reading room, etc.
The roof will be "hipped," with ga
bles at the north and west sides.
There are to be ten art glass win
dows. eight 3x9 feet and two 5x13
feet. Designs already received from
New York, and which will probably be
accepted. are exceedingly beautiful.
When completed the building will
be handsome and substantial struc-
ture. and an ornament to the city. The
| contract calls for the completion OF
the work June L. 1902.
The corner stone is to be laid tomOr-
row at IL O'Clock. The following Is
| the order Of exercises:
| Hymn. mn..............A All the People
| Prayer ... Rev w. H. Ferguson
Responsive scripture reading and les
| son. led by Rev. c. f. Perkins.
| Address and placing of articles in the
| box.............. Rev. o. b. Sarber
Placing OF Box. .... Mr.. A. w Ayers
Laying of Corner Stone. ........
| .... Pastor and Mr. David Ramsey
| Doxology. gy..............A All the People
Prayer and Benediction. ..........
| ............ Rev F. A. Hawke
Everybody is cordially invited to
participate In these exercises.