The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-04
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TO
BUILD A NEW HOME AT ONCE
Committees Already Named to De
eide Upon Location-Present
Property May Be Sold.
PASTOR IS FRUSTRATED

A sight beautiful as it was pathetic was
the one presented by the ruins of the First
Baptist Church yesterday. The bare and
charred walls of the old church standing
out i'm bold relief were almost wholly COW
cred with icicles. These decorations of ma
ture attracted the eye of the artist and
added to the impressiveness of the scene.
The most expensive pipe organ in the
State and the other attractive appoint
ments that were inclosed within the walls
only few hours before were completely
destroyed. and the lone walls had a solitary
effect upon all who. gazed upon them.
Thousands of church members and citi-
liens visited the scene OF destruction yes
terday. and remarked upon the solitary but
attractive appearance of the standing ruins.
Many carried away souvenirs consisting of
bric-brac and small pieces of furniture. For
many feet surrounding the site of the
church a solid sheet Of ice. The heavy
coat of snow was melted by the extreme
heat of the fire. but was quickly frozen by
the zero weather.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY.
At the regular morning services Of the
Central Christian Church yesterday Il was
voted unanimously to extend their heart
felt sympathies to the First Baptist Church
congregation. The members also decided to
extend the use of their house of worship
as long as the church cared to take ad-
vantage of the offer. The Jewish Taber-
nacle, Roberts Park and the Meridian
street Methodist Episcopal Churches also
offered their churches to the Baptist con-
gregatiOn.
Henry Eitel, one of the leading members
of the First Baptist Church, said yesterday
insurance chUrCn
amount to $1,000. 1t was divided among the
70 following companies; Robert o zen9r & Co,
Rassman & Co, $1,000.
He said a new church would be
built at once, but 1t was not yet
decided what location would be chosen The
official board of the church yesterday ap-
pointed a building committee and commit
tee to arrange for some temporary home.
The building committee is: A. A. Barnes,
NJ. A. Potter, II. c. Atkins and Arthur Jor-
dan. The committee for a temporary home
is A. Schellenberger, Arthur Jordan and the
Rev. Villers.
PLANS NOT PUBLIC.
The building committee did not announce
what locations were being considered, but
it is believed that if suitable site at all
can be found the new church will not be
erected on the old lot
The fire has had most telling effect upon
the pastor, the Rev. Thomas ]. Villers. He
was informed of the destruction of his
church early yesterday morning by the
Journal From that time he worked tire
lessly until yesterday afternoon, when he
was compelled from complete exhaustion
to take his bed.
Rev Villers at once assumed the whole
responsibility of the loss and began plan
ming that the work of his church might go
on without the least halt.
One of the great disappointments to the
pastor is the postponement of the protracted
services he had planned for this week. He
had been looking forward to the services
for some time. He wants to begin his meet
ing next week at whatever church the COM
mittee may decide upon