The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-22
Project of MessrS. Cook
 and Laurie. PURCHASE PRICE $26,O00 Congregation to Use Property Until May, 1906. Their House of Worship, So Dear to Many, Will Be Razed to Make
 Room for Modern
 Structure.
PURCHASE PRICE $26,OO0

A trade was consummated yesterday morning whereby James H. Cook and George Laurie of Montgomery pur- chased for $26,0oo the old Baptist Church property on the triangular block bounded by North Court, Coosa and Bibb Street and Madison Avenue, on which the new owners expect to erect ten or twelve-story steel struc- tural office building.
 The sale of the church property will in no wise inconvenience the congre- gation of the First Baptist Church, which is now building a handsome house of worship on South Perry Street. as the terms of the sale specify that the congregation shall have the use of the old property free of charge until May 1st. 1906. At that time it is expected that the new Baptist edi- flee on Perry Street will have been completed.
 By the terms of the contract the Bap- tist congregation is to retain posses sion of the furnishings of the old church, including the organ. the pews,
 
 the benches, the bell and all other fur niture. Great value attaches to some of these furnishings because of their sentiment and their history
 Since it is especially stipulated that the new owners of the old church prop erty are not to secure possession of it for more than a year hence the con- tract is regarded by members of the church as good one for the parties to 1t.
 Messrs. Cook and Laurie are mem- tracting Company of Montgomery which has reflected much credit on this city by securing contracts for the con rstructfon of massive Duifasngs in some of the largest cities of the South.
 Plans Not Definite.
 MT. Laurie said yesterday that 1t was the present purpose of MT. Cook and himself to construct handsome office building on the triangular block how occupied by the old church. These plans were, however, not definite, he said. as it would be a full year before khey would secure possession of the property. If, in May, 1906, he said khere seemed to be the same demand Tor an office building in Montgomery lhat there is now, such a building would be constructed. It was possible however, said MT. Laurie, that hotel pr a theatre would be built on the site now occupied by the church. At any rate. he said the old building would be razed in 1906 and a handsome building of a public nature would take Its place.
 The deal by which Messrs Cook and Laurie become the owners of the old church property was consummated through the agency of w. A. Saffold with Michael Cody, representing the Baptist congregation as chairman of its Building Committee. Negotiations for the sale of the property have been bending several months. MT. Cody said that numerous oners had been made by individuals and corporations of Montgomery end other cities. but none of them were quite so attractive as that of Messrs. Cook and Laurie He expressed qualification that the property lad passed into the control of two such proI gressive citizens of Montgomery
 The dimensions of the old Baptist Church are 6Ox100 feet The lot, In its peculiar shape is approximately 100x145 feet Tlba old church fronts on North Court Street and runs back to Bibb Street.
 MT saffold who consummated the trade between the Church Committee and Messrs Cook and Laurie expressed the opinion that office building would be constructed beginning next year.
 New Building is Certain.
 'Inasmuch as the new owners do not get possession of the property until May 1st, 1906" said Mir Saffold, their present plans may be changed. Things may shape up differently In a years time. There Is no doubt that fine building will be constructed there, an ofhcebuilding, a hotel or a theatre whichever appears at that time to be the most desirable as an investment. It may be emphasized that the new owners did not buy the property as a speculation. They propose to build fine house on it."
 A payment has already been made on the property by Messrs Cook and Laurie and the deeds will probably be recorded today with the Probate Court of Montgomery County.
 The passing of the historic old Bap- tist Church is of great interest not only to people of Montgomery. but to the people of Alabama and to members of the Baptist Church throughout the South. It Is perhaps, the oldest Rap tlst church fin Alabama and It's pulpit has been filled by some of the most distinguished ministers of that denomi- nation Here the eminent Dr. Talbird ministered many years: from its pulpit the distinguished Dr. J, B. Hawthorne thundered his eloquence and voiced the wisdom that brought him fame: tho revered Dr. George B. Eager, now of the great Theological Seminary in Louisville. Ky. for many years passed in and out among its congregation and each Sunday attracted immense congre- Rations by his choice diction and his powerful sermons Others. long since gone to their heavenly rewards, filled its pulpits and made the First Baptist congregation respected as one of the most discriminating of this State.
 Love for old Church.
 Again the cherished sentiment of