Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-03-05
BAPTIST CHURCH OPENING
AN EPOCH MARKING EVENT IN
BRyAN'S HISTORY.
PROPERTY INCORPORATED. $4,000
Building and Furnishings Cost SIS, 5000.
Church Officers and Committees.
Program.

This day witnesses the opening
Of Bryan's new First Baptist
church and marks an important
epoch IN the history Of the city's
moral and material advancement.
1t is another splendid achievement
Of christian zeal a milestone on the
road from time 70 eternity, pointing
the way; a house Of refuge where
the weary and sin sick wayfarer
may find rest and peace and
strength to renew his journey; a
bulwark Of religion; temple dedi.
Gated to the living God.
The Eagle has heretofore given
in detail, in connection with the
laying of the cornerstone, the his
tory of the Bryan Baptist church
and the successive steps ofprogress
leading up to the building OF this
magnificent house Of worship.
Work on il was begun in June of
last year, and the cornerstone wa.
laid with imposing ceremonies in
August. The total cost Of the
great enterprise for building and
furnishings foots up S2S,25O.00,
and no investment ever made in
the community will yield greater
returns. Aside from its moral and
spiritual influence upon religious
and social life and citizenship, il
adds material value TO every foot
of property in Bryan, and is a
credit not only TO the community,
but TO the county and the state.
The people of the entire commun-
ity share with the Baptis, congre-
CATION the thankfulness and just
pride which fills their hearts this
Sabbath morning.
The new church j. Gothic in its
style of architecture. The general |
dimensions are l04xS3 feet, with a
principal tower 9S feet high. II is
a solid and substantial brick struc. /
ture, good for a couple Of centuries
of service, and at the same time el. /
aborate in design and ornate in I
finish. The exterior is striking
and handsome in appearance, with
sixty-four art glass " n d ows
of varying shapes and sizes, suited
TO the location. Among these are
large memorial windows in loving
Of Major J. W. Tabor
and Col. A. VI. Rhodes, the designs
being from famous paintings
Massive staff ornaments surmount
The gables and beautiful finals
ldorn the modern roof. Over the
portals elaborate and artistic de.
signs in terracotta blend with the
red and bull brick work. Solid
stone steps lead up TO the several
yestibuled entrances.
The interior embraces, on the
irst floor, the auditorium, Sunday
school or lecture room, two class
looms, pastors study, ladies par.
or AMI dining room. In the base.
nent ere the kitchen and furnace
ooms. Two large furnaces are
lsed, one for heating the auditorium
md the other for the remainder of
he building.
\ handsome stairway leads from
he lecture room TO the second story,
where are located three largo class
ooms separated by folding doors.
III three rooms may be thrown
nto one for social purposes, and in I
ase of overflow congregations
own stairs, may be used as u gal.
cry to the main auditorium.
The auditorium and Sunday
chool room, when thrown to. ,
ether by means of raising the
ght partition through the center, :
ave a seating capacity to accom-.
iodate 1000 persons. The pews {
nd pulpit are quarter sawed
olden oak finish, a green velvet
irpet covers the sloping floor and f,
So hundred and twenty electric
ghts magnificently illuminate the ,
OF these fifty bulbs =
dorm the arched ceiling of the
lditorium, while other lights are ?
eld in oxydized chandeliers.
mic columns support the super. -,
ructure. The interior finishing B
,lors are old ivory with accrew
alls. 4 baptistry is provided in "
Ie rear Of the pulpit, where is also p
Gated the organ niche. Ample
'ace is provided, with raised :,