The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-20
To REBUILD AT ONCE
NEW PEOPLES CHURCH WILL T,E,
READY FOR DEDICATION
IN October
PLANS NOT YET DECIDED ON
CONGREGATIONAL Meeting Held Last
Night at Which Spirit of En-
ergy and Determination
Was in Evidence

A congregational meeting Of the mem
bers Of the Peoples church was held
in the auditorium Of the u NJ G. a.
last night to consider the plans for re-
building the church, which was destroyed
by ire in January. 1t was definitely de-
cided to rebuild the ruined structure
without any changes in the exterior of
the building. There will. however. be
some changes in the interior arrange
ment of the church.
The building committee reported that
three plans had been submitted to them
fer consideration, but none of these plans
has been decided upon. The matter of
I rebuilding on the old site has been con-
sidered the best thing for the congrega-
ton to do, and the work of clearing
away the ruins and making ready for
construction has already been com
menced. The general plans have been
agreed upon and the work will involve
the expenditure of about S7J 0OO
few of the changes that have been
considered advisable to make are the en-
largng of the kitchen dining room and
other parts used by the women Of the
congregation. Three more exits will be
added to the building, making eight in
all. This is thought best as it will facili-
tate the handling Of large crowds which
are frequently drawn. A change VIII also
be made in the entrance and those en-
tering the gallery will not do so by the
same coor as those who go into the
main auditorium. Under the arrange
ment of the former building the crowds
from the galleries mingled with those Of
the auditorium as they left the building
and the three streams of humanity met
at the main exit.
On SiOw-Burning Plan
Another important change that will be
made. is that the building will be erected
on what is known as the slow burning
style. Brick walls Will be erected around
the organ. furnace room and in other
parts of the building so that in case a
fire starts in the structure It's progress
will be SO impeded by these walls that
the fire department will be able to ex-
tinguish it before the entire church is
ruined The roof of the building will
also be made of slate, and the danger
from fire, while not entirely removed,
VIII be reduced to a minimum
Inc church has about $50 900 with which
to begin the work, and the people feel
that there will be little or no difficulty
in meeting the rest Of the obligation 50
that when the church is ready for dedi-
cation, it will be free from debt Or
smith, the pastor, said last night that
while it was quite likely that outsiders
would aid in the work, yet such a thing
was not entirely necessary, for the mem
bers could, if they found it necessary
raise a sufficient sum to complete the
work.
The members present at the meeting
last night were quite enthusiastic over
the prospect Of rebuilding their ruined
church, and if the energy that was shown
continues, there will be no difficulty in
getting everything in working order in
short space of time. They think that the
place they have to fill in the city is so
important that they are anxious 20 he
gin the work that will give them a place
of worship that is as beautiful if not
more so, than the one that was ruined
a few weeks ago.
DR.. Smith briefly addressed those pres
ent, and complimented them on the for
titude exhibited in the recent loss He
said he was pleased when he learned
that instead Of feeling discouraged and
tempted to give UP the work they
were anxious to press forward and over
come the difficulties that fell in their
path.
The building committee Of the church
is D. S. B. Johnston, DR.. S. b. Smith. W.
+. Grove, j. r. Nichol and oscar Halum
They are pressing the work as rapidly
as possible, and hope to have the build
ing completed by Oct. l. When finished
the building will be worth about 100000.