The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03
FLAMES TRANSFORM THE
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
INTO A HEAP OF RUINS
Early Morning Fire, Caused by
Overheated Furnace, for Second
Time Destroys Church's Home.
EDIFICE COST $4,000
Firemen Say Handsome Building
VIII Be Almost Total Loss
FLAMES Leap High.
INSURANCE IS HEAVY
Rev. DR.. Villers Hurries to Scene
to Help Save Part of Property
Houses Threatened.
INSURANCE IS HEAVY

A IRE which rageQ INSIDE the CnuTCn lOI
over hour almost totally destroyed the
First Baptist Church at Pennsylvania and
New York streets at o'clock this morn
ing. The fire was discovered by an a D.
T. messenger boy and he ran TO the first
fire alarm box and turned in the call to
fire headquarters.
Within a few moments after the call was
sent in the entire structure. from the top OF
the belfry to the rear OF the building, was
wrapped in crimson blaze and the sparks
and smoke surged from every window and
opening in the church.
Such rapid headway did the fire make
that before the fire department arrived on
the scene the flames crowded the church.
Second and third alarms were turned in
the first company from FIRE
headquarters reached the burning building.
and the alarms were responded TO with a
promptness that was surprising when the
condition of the roads. on account of the
recent heavy snow, were taken into consid-
GRAFTON. Within five minutes after the first
alarm turned in fourteen streams OF
water were playing the blaze, but in
stead of putting the fire out the water
seemed to feed it. The flames leaped high
in the air from the top of the belfry, and
the large colored glass windows broke
from the excessive heat huge tongues OF
fire ran out of the building into the night.
lighting up the sky for miles.
MOST SPECTACULAR FIRE.
From spectacular point of view the fire
was one of the most beautiful i'm the his
tory of indianapolis, but the result was
most depressing. From a noble and i'm
posing structure the church was changed
into a charred and ugly ruin The interior
of the building gutted completely. and
the pipe organ, which was one of the finest
in the State, was burned to cinders.
The fremen were hampered somewhat by
the snow which was on the roof Of the
building. The heat Of the fire melted the
snow and il slid in great blocks from the
caves, often striking little groups OF the
fire fighters with such force that il knocked
them of their feet.
A great amount Of water was thrown on
the building, but not until all the wood
work was burned from the bare walls was
the headway Of the firemen apparent
The property was insured TO the extent
of about $4,000, divided between Dyer &
Rassman and the Robert Zehor &
CO. agencies. on account of the hour at
which the fire took place. It was impossi-
bic to learn the exact amount of insurance
carried, but it is understood that Dyer Ss
Rassman have about $4,000 OF the insur-
ance placed with their companies.
During the progress of the fire great fear
was had by the fremen OF the danger from
the belfrey, should II fan, and the names at
that time seemed TO be eating their way
through that one particular part Of the
building.
After the first streams of water were
turned on the blaze little thought was given
10 the dangerous position OF the firemen,
and the excitement ran high.
Great crowds OF people hocked 10 the
scene, and within a few moments fifteen or
twenty policemen were at the fire keeping
the excited crowds away from the blazing
church.
One OF the firemen nearly lost his life by
standing at the base of the belfrey, when a
large strip Of iron from the weather vane
on top of the church fell TO the ground. Ii
struck within foot OF his feet, and for
moment he was dazed by his narrow escape.
The Rev Thomas Villers, pastor OF the
church, was awakened by the Journal five
minutes after the second alarm was rung.
He only said 1T can't be true, and could
hardly wait to answer whether or not any
possessions Of his OF any value were IN
the church. Il must dress at once and
hurry down to help the men" he said.
This makes the second time that the pres
ent congregation has suffered loss by IRE.
The first house OF worship was small.
frame building on the lot at the corner OF
Meridian and Maryland streets and this
was followed by small brick building.
When the building on Meridian street was
destroyed by fire the church was compelled
to use Masonic Hall for some time and IL
was while laboring under great difficulties
that Dr. Henry Day, who served them for
fourteen years became pastor In 1862. Under
his leadership the present house OF wor-
ship, corner of Pennsylvania and New York
streets. was dedicated in May 1864, at a
cost of $4,000.
Among the prominent members OF the
First Baptist Church are A. A. Barnes,
Dr. G. V. Woolen, NJ. A. Potter. Abram
Wagner, II. G. Atkins, Arthur Jordan. 5.
o. Pickens, William G. Smock, G. s. Dear
born, DR.. ]. ID. George, 5. G. Hanna, Hen
~ Eitel, II. b. Essex, II. B. Keith, J. NJ.
Crandall. Alex. Shallenbarger, r. T.. Stew
enson NJ A. WoOlen, &. NJ. Zener, T.. j.
Foster, r w. Douglas and ID. NJ. Parry.