Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1902-06-12
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
some Views of This Beautiful House OF
Worship.
A Brief Description Of the Changes Made
in -Four Months.

~ OilSl DCSNilP'Oh " wv N''oh So ''''"N
in -Four Months.
The engravings published in this
issue of the REGISTER will afford some
idea OF the Improvements that have
been going on since early in the year
at the First Baptist church, and
recently completed at cost Of $4,000.
The report of the society treasurer
atthe time of the dedication OF the pipe
organ showed that no debt remains TO
be paid. This would indicate that
the society was in an excellent and
lourishiDg condition. The REGIsTER
will not attempt a detailed report at
this time but will Contine this article
to a brief description OF the improve
ments just completed and which will
serve to make the engravings of more
interest TO those who will be unable TO
make personal inspection.
These Improvements have been
confined exclusively to the interior,
with view TO comfort, convenience
and attractiveness. The chairs in the
auditorium have been replaced by
pews, elegant in design and finish,
and furnished with cushions: very
decided change from the old hard
bottom chairs. The wood work,
including castings, wainscoting, plat
form and pews are all finished in quar-
ter-sawed golden cak, quite in har-
mOny with the wall decoration.
BY referring to the engravings 1t
will be seen that the old platform
formerly used by singers and pastors,
and the baptistry at the rear, have
been removed and in their place
appears the magnificent pipe organ
and new singers platform. The front
OF the latter is beautifully painted
and surmOunted by massive brass
rail, nickel plated, giving TO it an ele-
CANT and tasty finish. Beneath this
high platform has been arranged the
baptistry. BY removing the pulpit
and drawing aside two large panels
the cermony of baptism is easily
decernable to the congregation.
The pulpit platform is directly in
! front OF the singers and but slightly
raised above the floor Of the audi
torium. A new pulpit, communion
table and chairs of the latest pattern
have been provided and are quite in
harmony with the other luxurious
surroundings,
The pipe organ is splendid instru-
ment with a sixteen foot front and
was manufactured at Burlington,
Iowa. 1t is what is termed fourteen
speaking tube stop organ and contains
$40 pipes. 1t will be operated by
can be obtained from the city water
plant. At present the motive power is
a crank operated by hand. The front
corresponds in beauty to the surround
ings and the quality Of its tone can
only be judged by hearing it played.
Those competent to judge say it is the
finest in the state.
The decoration Of the walls of the
auditorium and the new system OF elec-
trio lighting are among the more
attractive features OF the improve
ment and afford an artistic finish to
the whole: the effect Of which is
beautiful in the extreme. The style
Of wall finish is different from any
work Of the kind that has yet been
done in the city and is termed modern
renaissance. The coloTing is done in
various tints OF golden yellow and
delft green. The ceiling is paneled,
following the various irregularities Of
the roof and arches with truly artis-
tic effect. The blended shades OF the
lighter and darker colorings Of the side
walls have been laid on by master
hand, harmonizing well with the riC'.
tints Of the ceiling.
The frieze is also laid out in panels
with darker shades of coloring resem-
bling rocco, an Ornamentation which
prevailed in France at the close Of the
eighteenth century.
The artist, Mr.. W. II. Johnson, Of
Burlington, Iowa, certainly had tine
conception of his subject as the deli
cacy and airiness OF the design
releaves the former heavy effect of
the massive arches which support the
roof and give added grace and beauty
in the outline, and symmetry and
proportion in every detail of ornamen-
tation without extravaganza.
The arches bear appropriate ecclesti-
cal emblems surrounded by wreaths Of
olive branches, while at the front and
on each side of the pipe organ are two
composite pillars, perfect 10 detail
heightening the effect OF massiveness,
produced by the great instrument.
The lighting of the auditorium is a
unique feature, the many arches with
which this edifice is supplied affording |