The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22


the sans year. during the rectorship of
the Rev Joseph c. Talbot, and completed
two years later. 1t was the first gothic
edihce - the city and the first one of
stone. The church property included the
adjacent: lots. where handsome rectory
was also built. In 1851 the famous chimes
were huag. but the spire did not appear
till 1869.
The withdrawal OF part of the congre-
CATION q a separate church was a purely
political affair and happened in this wise:
The ReT Mr.. StringfeIlow, the pastor,
tall. Decsiliar-looking man, who well mer-
tied his name so far as personal appear
ance went. was a secessionist in his sym
pathies. 1t was not long before he began
TO propCtInd his views TO his flock, some of
whom Immediately turned tail and began
TO MAKE things particularly disagreeable.
II was then that Mr. Stringfellow and his
follower went to New York and Illinois
streets and built St. PauIs. They were
followed by great crowd Of people of all
denomir ations-men and women whose po-
Htical s<ntiments in that day of sectional
fervor far outstripped their religious con-
victions-
OLD FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
A chu,ch which was the parent of many
mission5 and branches in the city was the
'oId Fret Presbyterian" on the northeast
corner g Market and Circle streets. where
the Fitzgerald building now stands. This
was not the first church building, however,
occupies by the Presbyterians. In 1923 they
met at the schooIhouse to determine the
size and. cost OF a meeting house and to or
ganize a church. The result was a modest
frame ftructure on Pennsylvania street
which cost 1920, and was regarded at the
time az a very fine church and very ex-
pensive {or the congregation and the town.
The one on the Circle was built in 1912 at q
cost OF $500. 1t was used until the building
at Pennsylvania and New York streets was
erected, in 1864, which was recently torn
down T.. make way for the new federal
building.
The Journal purchased the old church and
lot in 1856 and there put up what was
termed "a superb fve-story structure"
This afterwards became part of the present
Fitzgerald building. The old Journal build
ing is stIl standing. next to Lauries' dry
goods store. opposite to and facing what
used to be Wesley Chapel
The first departure from the "old First
occurred In 1883, when fifteen members be-
longing to the New School" were given
letters of dismissal to organize q Second
Presbyterian Church. The little congre-
cation 1het at first In the old County Semi
nary on University square.
The rext year Henry Ward Beecher was
invited: from Lawrenceburg, Ind, to this,
his second charge. which he held for eight
years natil he received the call to his pasto-
rate I'm Brooklyn "Beechers Church." as
II was known for many years. was built on
the northwest corner of Circle and Market
street, in 1910, although at first only the
lecture room was occupied.
The city bought the property in 1867 and
converted IL into high school building.
with ofices for the trustees and the super
fntendeat. At an immense cost it was made
suitable for a schoolhouse by having a
floor put through the middle, thus divid-
ing IL into two stories. The steps I'm front
were taken down and the whole front porch
boarded over and made into hall. with
steps foing of at each end. The whole
when snished had a capacity for go pu-
pills.
The kast church To be completed on the
circle gas Plymouth Congregational, in 1859
1t occrsDied the same Quadrant as Beech
er's Church. AMI was built facing Christ
ChnrcE The building was never torn
down. but was Incorporated into English's
Hotel n 1854. so ii may be said to be stand
ing yes. Only the front part was built at
first. consisting of the lecture room, So
cial rooms and pastors study. the main
audience room not being erected until
seven sears later
Extensive improvements, both external
and internal were made i'm 1870, and the re-
constructed AMI improved edifice dedicated
In April 1871. Although surpassed by few
other churches IN point of size and archi-
tecturffl splendor. this house OF worship was
one of the mos. pleasant and convenient in
the city.
or the five original churches on the cir
Gle Orgy one remains intact, and two are
parts OF other buildings No further
changes seem likely to take place for
years ito come, and the monument from
presepi appearances seems far from shar-
ing th2 fate OF the Governors residence .
which once occupied it's site, and which
was tie first attempt of Indianians to erect
something distinctive in the center of the
capitay. RUTH BRADEN.