Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-21
FIRE AT SALEM.
The Historic South Congregationaist
Church Is in Ashes.

Salem. Mass, Dec. 20.-The South
Congregational church OF this city was
totally destroyed by fire. Saturday
evening, involving a loss of about
$4,000.
The fire caught from an overheated
furnace and worked its way up through
the partitions. 1t was discovered by
Parker l.. Walker, the organist of the
church, who had gone there with his
brother, Albert ]. Walker, to practice
the Christmas music.
The flames Were then working their
way up into the main church, and al
most with the rapidity of gunpowder
shot along the interior.
NJ. Walker gave the alarm, and box
was pulled by James McElroy, vino
was notified by ex-Mayor Waters.
When the department arrived the
flames were bursting from every part
of the structure, and it was seen at
once that it was doomed.
The firerlen quickly got to work and
soon tremendous streams We're pour
ing upon the flames from every side.
The splendid spire, which was de-
signed by Samuel McIntire, was con-
sidered the handsomest in the country
and was visited by people from all
parts Of the United States and Europe,
and students from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and other sci
entific institutions have climbed the
steeple for the purpose OF taking exact
measurements.
Mclntire, the famous Salem design
err and architect, lived almost under
the shadow of the steeple, and he died
in the earlier part of the century and
is buried in the old Charter street
cemetery.
The flames as they communicated to
the spire formed a thrilling picture.
From every spot of vantage ground the
sight was watched by thousands, until
at S14 the steeple fell, with the pom
derous bell, in the yard of Miss Mary
z. West. Luckily no one was injured,
the police keeping the crowds at a
safe distance.
The steeyie was 162 feet inches in
Gcight, and the vane at the top was
Z feet inches long. II was the second
spire that graccd the church, the first
having been blown over il the gale of
1904. It was in the style
of Sir Christopher Wren, and about
four years ago was strengthened.
The church was one of the largest
in the city and the society was to eel
citrate the Tooth anniversary of the be-
of the erection of the edffce
that was burned, last evening. 1t was
Dedicated in January, 1906.
The flames communicated to several
of the houses in the vicinity, but these
fires were nipped in the bud, and the
destruction confined to the church
alone. Tie church was insured for
$4,000.
The old bell was melodious one and
bore this inscriptions: Thomas NJ.
Mears & Son, London, fecit, 1907"
The firemen We're assisted by steamer
from Peabody. a hose carriage from
that town was on the way when the
wheels struck q hydrant and the wagon
was overturned. throwing ont the men.
1nJuring the driver, George Morgan,
Severely, and aigo some CT the Is
others. Morgan was brought to the
Salem hospital, where his injuries were
found to consist of a broken shoulder.
The South church %. t.lodox Con.rega-
tlonaD separated, under the lead of Gel.
Tabernacle church in 17I4. and occupied
an assembly hall OF Cambti ,ge street, on
the site of the present vastry until the
church was built which was DESTROYED.
saturday night. Since ITS the church has
mad only five pastors. For Ito years its
pulpit vas rover Nacag.t. each suc.ee !inc
pastor beginning as a colleague of his
predecessor
Rev. DR.. Daniel Hopkins was settled az
pastor in IT'S and held the Office until his
death in 1914, a term of 80 years. Nine
Years previously his son-in-law ;)r.
ffoWn Emerson. was installed as assoc
cate pastor, assuming the full pastorafe
at pr. Hopkins death, and was otticialiy
connected with the church until his death
IN 49,. period of 81 years. In 1s49. Rev
Or Israel Il. Dwinell was settled as as
sociate pastor with Dr. Emerson, ami
held office until his dismissal, because OF
iallinS health. in 1868, a term OF IA years.
Rev. DR.. Edward S. Atwood was Settled