Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1901-02-14

four class rooms besides two large
Railways with vestibules. These hall
ways give access to the basement and
to the galleries and balcony above.
The main entrance is at the north
east corner OF the building, although
there is public entrance at the
southwest corner and one on the east
side for the use OF pastor and choir.
The parlors are at the right Of the
main entrance and are two nice, large
rooms, connected by, folding doors.
Each can be made a room by itself
and 1t is proposed to use them during
Sabbath school hour for the two bible
classes.
Opposite the parlors are the double
doors opening into the auditorium.
This, Of course, is the largest and fin-
est in the building, an adequate des-
cription of its beauty being beyond
the power OF our pen to describe.
Nothing like it, however, is TO be
found in the state and can only be
seen In the large cities. 1t is fash
ioned somewhat after the modern
theatre the seats being arranged In
the form Of a semi-circle in front of
the altar. The large and magnificent
pipe organ occupies corner Of the
great tower and the choir platform is
Immediately In front Of the organ and
separated from the pulpit platform by
a heavy brass rail. The latter plat
form being couple Of feet lower than
the former.
IL Is seated with oak pews on an
inclined or raised floor so that an un.
obstructed view of the altar is OBJ
tanned from the seats in the rear. The
seating capacity Of the pews is 800 and
there is room for 100 chairs, If neces.
sary.
Five large windows furnish light for
the auditorium by day and myriad
OF incandescent electric lights by
night. The windows must be seen to
be appreciated. They were made to
order by the Pittsburg Plate Glass Co.,
and are decorated in the highest style
OF the art. OF the frescoing we can
say but little. The artist, and decor
ator, Mr.. +, j. Grenier, Of Minneap-
oils, informed the writer that the
work could not be duplicated for 500.
1t is certainly the finest piece Of work
we have seen in the west and reflects
great credit upon the ability Of Mr..
Grenier.
Back Of the auditorium and separa-
ted by rolling curtains, is the lecture
and Christian Endeavor rooms, capa-
BILE of seating at least $50 people. Be-
hind the lecture room are four small
class rooms, but all Of these can be
used as an auxiliary to the main aud
itorium when desired and good view
of the pulpit and rostrum obtainable.
All Of the rooms on this floor are car
peted and the walls frescoed. Ample
light is provided for both day and
evening service.
The balcony floor is provided with
three galleries, only two of which are
thus far completed. These two
have seating capacity Of not less
than $50. The one above the lecture
room conforms to the room below, 1t
is on the circular order and is seated
with comfortable pews of oak the
same as the auditorium. A small but
comfortable room is provided on this
floor for pastors study and it occupies
the northeast tower just above the
church parlors.
The woodwork throughout the en-
tire building is Of solid oak, oiled and
vanished. The castings, railings, ETC.,
are carved and made In ornamental
designs to conform with the surround
ings. The electric lighting is feat
OF electrical engineering excelled no
where. We know something OF the
difficulties under which Engineer
Davis labored and we can truthfully
say that the skill displayed In install.
ing this plant cannot be excelled by
anything of the kind In the state, IL
in the northwest. 1t 10 30 arranged
that every room In the building can
be brilliantly lighted and as much or
as little light can be used as is
desired. The switch board is mar
vel and controls every light in the
building.
In conclusion we will say that the
pews in this building cost $3.50. The
pipe organ sl, 500, glass 1921, furnaces
5000 and the installation of the elec-
trio light plant about $500. The arch
itects were Kinney & Detweiler, Of
Austin, MINI, the contractors j. b.
Nelson & Co., of Mankato, MINI. AL
of the work, however, was performed
by local sub-contractors and is a credit
to their skill.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The First Presbyterian church Of
Brookings was organized January Is,