New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
COSTLY COLLEGE CHURCH.
Memorial of Frederick Ferns
Thompson at W'ilIiamstO5gH, Mass.

What is said TO be one OF the finest coIla.,
churches in the country has been erected at WIZ
tams College. WHiamstOwn- Mass. BY Mrs. Mary
Clark Thompson. OF No. 2So Nladisou-ave New
York. a. memorial to her husband. Frederick
Ferris Thompson. who was trustee OF tbs
college. Il will cost, fully furnished EOe0
The structure stands on elevation. 50 that f.,
approach from any direction reveals the tower
its profile resembling at distance that OF one of
the smaller English cathedrals.
On one side OF the church Is Griffin Hau named
In honor of one Of the presidents OF the college
One OF the trustees. Francis Lynde stetson. os
New-YOrk. has recently expended 5000 on this
building to secure harmony with its surroundinps
especially with the new enurch-
On the other side OF the church Is Hopkir,
Memorial Hall named IN honor or DR. Mark Hon
kins from 1896 20 1872 president Of Williams Col
lege. and father OF the present president Oppo-
site the museum OF natural history the library
the old chapel and other college buildings
The architecture OF the church is strikinr
Technically. II Is a copy Of the English Gothic
The general outline IS simple. The form OF the
edifce Is that of Latin cross. with tower II i
1O feet by 50 feet To the ridge OF the high u-oba
slate roof II is 75 feet the outside.
The tower Is 80 feet high. While not an frui.a
tion. 10 Is not unlike the tower St Cufhherts A.
Wells, England Prominent architects as crIties
say its proportions are excellent IN contains a
fine chime Of ten bells. and them performer
produce the melodies Of 100 or moro hyrnn
tunes
The exterior material used IN the construction T.
Germantown. Penn, stone The inside rnater,
IS Indiana limestone The foorS are ~ r,arbf,
and mosaic the vaUlted ceiling is OF dark oak
and the pulpit. reading desk choir stalls and peu.
OF the same wood Throughout the strl,c-g-,
is practically freproOf The seating capacity 4,
go. II necessity requires. Il can be increased N
LOO In the mean time the space is given to width
and comfort between The peEs
Directly over -he principal entrance and fsc.,
the chancel Is tablet which bears the f7scriDrio-
Erected TO the glory Of God and in memory or
Frederick Ferris Thompson. Ammo Domlnl
AfCNIIH." On either side OF the tablet is the ra-
the other flowers. Two boy angels hold the scroll
bearing the Inscription, and on the side and above
Is appropriate ornameEtation.
About half way Up the sides OF the auditorium,
and extending around the transept 1re twerty-sfx
Bible texts engraved in stone. The architects ot
the structure Allen & Collins OF Boston.
Mrs. Mary Clark Thompson who gives this fra
edtfee and its equipment is abo5t sxty-eignr years
old. She Is the daughter Of Myron Holley CLARK
who was Governor OF NeVr-Tork in 1s54 the euIy
Prohibition Governor the State e-er had His
father and the father OF Frederick Fer1is Thonp-
son originally from fFf5rkshire county Mass
Ar. Thompson and Miss Mary Clark were mar
Tied IN 1851 They had children. At tho death
Of Mr.. Thompson he left an estate Of several
million dollars. He also left two wills one 70 be
used IN he oUtlived his wife BY the 7!Il
which was in force at his death he gave the great
tions In the condItioaaI will 10 be used IN csss
Mrs. Thompson died frs, was found a be4uest for
AS a matter OF fact. Mrs Thompson is rot only
building the church, but she is also carrying out
though not under the slightest legal requirements 70
DO So Mrs Thompson has summer home az
Tho dedication Of the new ediace will take place
On June n. commencement day az Williams