New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-21
TO REBUILD ST. THOMASS.
PROBABLE COST 100000.
Beautiful Structure to Rise from
fishes of old Church.

ST. Thomas's Episcopal Church, WHICH was
destroyed by fire last August, is to be reouii''
Up from the ruins of the old structure ne"
St. Thomas's is to rise which will vie in splenaor
of architecture and interior decoration Win
other stately churches in 5th-ave.
The new chdrch is to cost probably sSoo'Ooo'
Already ten of the ablest architects in the coun-
try are engaged in competition. the result OF
which, the vestry hopes. will give them 'nothlIs
less than a revival of Gothic architecture IN
America"
The Rev Dr. Ernest NJ. Stires, the rector ana
the vestry have been celebrating for months
over the plans for the new structure 1neS
bonad that the walls of the old structure "iioii
bsd resisted the flames, might be USED III 'As
new church. but experts ADVISED oIiel "t'o '
It was decided to rebuild from the ground up
This is the Christmas message to the pans
toner's of st. Thomass, briefly outlined Wy -
stires in a preface to the year book TOT lSV.- o'
T, +ba restoration Dr. Stires has the confidence
and aid of the vestry, composed Oh the AoA'o
we'll known men: Wardens-Georse MACE 49,
Miller and James c. Fargo. Vestryrnen-A
Flower Clarence NJ. Hyde, Charles H. otouI'
John II Atterbury H c. Fahnestock' AIeA1ii'ei
NJ MADDEN and James r. Woodward Jaiies -
Fargo is treasurer and Charles H stout cieth-
while scarcely a stone of the old structure
will remain in the new, the completed eollice
will not be wanting in mementoes. IAousii "-
artistic 7aauties of the interior were swept
AWAY. two things saved from the fire Will always
be g. reminder of it--vz.. the bronze memorial u
the Rev Dr. William F. Morgan under WHOSE
rectorate the old structure was built, and q finely
carved altar cross. Each of these VIII nIlo us
proper place in the new church
DR. STRESS preface in the year BOOK Is a
hopeful one and lights the way for newer
a+e,-D believes that
chemy of faith may yet transmute adversely into
a priceless blessing" He announces that the
late Henry H Cook provided in his viii Tor a
$4,000 gift to the church endowment fund and
the reception of $4,000 for the purchase and
maintenance of a deaconess home, at NO. 10
East 6Sth-st
Touching on the new st. Thomas's. DR.. sttres
says:
St Thoass parish has many trium m obi to
the greatest Of all For what could be finer , Taa an
9 rise even g9 c as then spring
eagerness and generous sacrifice to the privilege OF
eharchs e@ the afychitee9 ski ana SOUP
last forty years give US still Ioftier ideals in great
aspiring arches. more eloquent sermons IN stones
as it was is the less dear our traditions the less
6sspscted because OF P4Ss5e Grange eTf and
for freproof construction made considerable de-
must be determined by the best expert advice OBJ
tainable.
The influence Of the church will be felt far
beyond the limits of our parish; it will mean much
to the city of New-York: it will mean even more to
the American Church. There are many who fully
expect that the new ST. Thomas's will be an in
spfration. typical Of what noble parish church
complish such result! In money it will cost from
$500 900 $4,000 but it will be worth far more than
this building to God and the Church viii look with
pride at the beautiful evidence Of the wisdom and
devotion Of their forefathers Do not believe that it
is too good to be true that shall have church
which for its beauty and reverent appropriateness
will be almost as worthy of visiting, and of
thoughtful study, the famous parish churches of
England.
AS soon as the result Of the competition is known
and this it is expected. will be about the middle
of February--the rector will send letter to all
parishoners giving the fullest possible information
The time Is not distant when people will be in
vited say what offering they are willing to place
upon Gods altar as evidence of their faith,
thank-offering for all His blessings, and for the
purpose Of clarifying spiritual ideals in building
impressiveness fairly challenge the costly secular
structures in which city abounds.