The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-04-02

ALAMEDA, April 1.-The people of
the First Congregational Church are to
have new place of worship, to be
constructed on the old site, corner of
Central avenue and Chestnut street.
Since the founding of the First Con-
gregational Church in Alameda TWEEN
ty-five years ago the congregation has
increased until it has assumed such
proportions as to necessitate. the build
ing of a new edifice.
There will be no delay in building
the new church. The contributions
are generous and it is almost certain
that when 1t is ready there will be no
debt. The plans contemplate build
ings that will almost cover the entire
lot and comprise a church proper,
with large addition for Sunday
school and social purposes. The type
of architecture selected is modified
Gothic, from designs of D. Franklin
Oliver, architect of the new Oakland
theater and other large buildings in
this city and. elsewhere. The lower
walls will be constructed of real Ari-
iona sandstone, with upper portions
and roof covered with cedar shingles.
tower, twenty feet square, affords
the principal entrance to the audito-
rum, which is to be 50x65 feet. IT
Will seat 500 persons on the ground
floor. In the foyer and gallery 400
more s1ttlngs are provided. The tow
er is approached by stone steps and
VIII contain the pastors library in the
second story. The ceiling and the au-
dltorium will be vaulted. The pews.
platform and other wood furnishings
VIII be OF oak or mahogany. Light
VIII be afforded by triple windows of
cathedral glass, and the general col
ors will be white, with ceilings which
are to be covered with fresco. The
auditorium is without angles. circular
In every point; superior in this re-
spect to every church in the State. as
a perfect system of acoustics is thus
assured. In the rear. besides the pull
pit there is to be the elevated choir
and an organ loft 14x20 feet.
NO church has provided with greater
generosity for the numerous adjuncts
OF Its work. The Sunday school room
is model. 1t is to be in the form of
half circle and especially well lighted
Around the circumference there will, be
arranged roller partitions, which. when
drawn down, will afford fifteen sepa-
rated classrooms. besides a large CEN
tral space which has seating capacity
Tor S00 scholars In the basement below
the large assembly hall, seating 400
persons, is situated This will be ar
ranged for banquets, socials and special
parish meetings and has, besides. a
permanent stage twelve by eighteen
feet with dressing rooms at the sides.
Kitchens, pantries, cloakrooms, etc.
are all planned for. A dumb waiter will
act between the upper and lower floors.
In ADDITION every appurtenance of the
modern church required by later con-
ditions of religious activities have been
planned for on most perfect and COM
plete scale. Lighting, ventilation heat
ing, with all culinary arrangements and
other necessary conveniences have been
the subject of anxious forethought The
new church will be model in all these
respects.
A special feature of the new church
and direct innovation in ecclesiasti-
cal structures is the open court situated
between the church and Sunday-school
room, in the center of the whole build
ing. This will have a floor of concrete
and be filled with palms and rare
tropical plants. Entrance to the ladies'
parlor will be through the court.
The cost of the church will approx
mate $4,000
Rev. l.. Potter Hitchcock is the ener-
getic and highly respected pastor of
the First Congregational Church, and
its trustees comprise the following we'll
known citizens: George W.. Scott,
George A. Moore. F. N Eckley. H. r.
Dexter, Harry w. Lobb, William ].
Walker, J. Edward Warren.