The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-06
CHURCH EDIFICE
IMPROVEMENTS MAKING BY METH
 ODIsT CONGREGATION.
pr. ,. A. Rice Talks of Hnndscne Pian Which .wflI Ornament Court
 Sfreef--Lomax Annex
 Nearing Completion.

Sfreet--Lomnx Annex
 Nearfng Completion.
 The Lomax Annex to the Court street Methodist Church is nearing comple- tion. The date set for It's occupation by the members of that cnurcn IS June 15s and every effort and energy on the part of those in charge or tne work is directed to that end
 The cost of the new building will ap- nroxinnste s2o, GOO and as soon as com r,Ieted A contract will be let at once for the thorough overhauling of the old building.
 When the old building Is remodel ed and the entire plant is completed the Court Street Methodist Church will be one of the best equipped churches for practical purposes in this country
 pr. J.. A. Rice. pastor Of the Court Street Church. to whom in great measure is due the thanks of his con gregation for the spirit of progress and enterprise that he has shown, in pushing forward this work, and giving to them one of the most beautiful and comfortable church homes in the city. was seen at his home vesterdav. He talked freely of the building, its cost and other matters of interest connect ed with 1t.
 when came to Montgomery and the Court Street Church about three years ago" said Dr. Rice. T recogniz- ed at once the need of a modern church pIant including appointments and fix lures for the Sunday school I pre- ssnted this pressing need to Mrs. Car rife A. Lomax and she donated s1o,0o0 to the church. to be used for the pur- pose of building an annex which was to be used as rallying place for the young people of the congregation.
 'This annex is now nearing com pietion It consists of semi-circuiar building between the church and the parsonage. ssx45 feet and three sto- ries high The building is so arrang- ed as to give the primary department of the Sunday school entire control of the new basement. This will be thor ourhiy modern in every respect as will every other part of, the building.
 "A superintendent's desk VIII be placed at the side of the new base rnent next to the parsonage and the whole space will be divided into three apartments by folding doors. This will enable the Superintendent of the primary department to assemble that department for. the opening and clos ing exercises and then separate the room with three grades by closing the folding partitions
 ssThe entrance to the basement will be. in the rear of the present basement where door will be so placed that one can enter either of the three pri- mary departments without disturbing the other.
 Near the northwest corner of the old building is the entrance to the main Sunday school room above. The main door facing Court street.
 "The shape of the building as whole is practically T., In the north west corner of which, facing Court Street is door leading by stair way to the main Sunday school room above, which is on level with the main floor of the, auditorium.
 'The landing of the stairway is in vestibule from which one passes through a door into the main Sunday school room
 .The g,lperintendents desk will stand where the old organ loft was formerly. and radiating from that point are thirteen class rooms on thai floor and thirteen more rooms in a gallery above. giving fin all twenty six rooms in the two tiers.
 ''The Superintendent Will have un- Ger his observation, for the opening and closing exercises the entire main school
 sThe arrangement IS such that ev- cry pupil on coming into the building will take his or her place in their re- spective classes and at the cIose ol opening exercises the doors will he. closed and every class isolated from
 srbo entire interior of the annex will be furnished in white with ma hogany trimmings and a light gal 1ery surrounding the upper tier or class rooms gives beautiful finish to the Interior.
 ''This building Is the product of tho vary best thought yet brought out Tor Sunday school equipment The pres ent contract includes the furnishing of the annex and the entire re-roof- ing of the old building.
 n ura the new building by June IS. and i'm \ Ynediately upon the completion of the contract it is intended to arrange second contract which will include the overhauiing of4the old building.
 "The present Sunday school room ,u,,,l nrobablys be cut up with libraries, parlors, ladies society room. dining room and ofiices. Adequate dressing rooms will also be provided.
 .Tt is proposed to finish up in the most artistic way possible, the main auditorium so that when completed the interior of the entire plant will prob ably be unsurpassed from point ot comfort practicabiiity and elegance, in the south.
 "The details for the work on the au- dftorium have not been fully decided upon It will be necessary to rear range the pulpit, the main front en- trance and perhaps the galleries. TWO ample doors, one to the right and one to the left will connect the auditorium with the Lomax annex ,st.
 When the Improvements on the old huildinR are completed new organ. fully adequate to the needs of the church will be, put in.
 ''It will be seen that the purpose of this old and historic congregation Is to provide themselves an adequate. up to-date and artistic place of worship and when finished nothing in the coun- try can surpass the interior for prac- ticai work.
 a'The Lomax annex cost $20,ooo and the cost of the work on the old build ing has not yet been estimated.