The Washington times., 1906-01-11
CHURCH SKYSCRAPER
Fur THE WINDY CITY
Chicago to Have Worlds
Largest Edifice.
MILLIoN-D0LLAR STRUCTURE
First MethOdists Take the Lead IN
Commodious and Massive
Architecture.

CHICAGO, Jan. n.-StcpS to improve
the property at Washington and Clark
streets with the largest church building
IN the world have been taken at joint
meeting of the congregations of the
First Methodist Church and Trinity
Methodist Church.
The meeting, which was held in the
First Methodist Church, was presided
over by the pastor, DIR. J. p. Brushing
ham, and a committee Of three was ap-
pointed to menoriaIlze the trustees of
he property TO begin work on the i'm
provement az once.
For some time the matter OF improving
the property with a modern building has
been under consideration. but nothing
definite was done until last night. The
present building and ground are owned
by the Methodist Episcopal Church and
are controlled by nine trustees-three
from the First, three from Trinity ana
three elected at large from the other
churches OF the city.
A Record in Church Building.
The plans will provide for modern
skyscraper at a cost Of 100000, which
viii be constructed with a large audi
torium. easy of access, on the ground
floor and offices on the upper floors. The
present building yields an annual in
come Of about $4,000 which is devoted
to helping poorer churches. but the
trustees have decided that the ground
is too valuable 20 have an old building
on ii. They say a revenue of at least
thre times the present income should
be derived from the property.
The committee which was appointed
to memorialiZe the trustees is compos-
ed of William w. Dixon, William
Smithson, and c. L Blodgett. They
will wait on the trustees within day
or two and inform hem that it is the
unanimous wish of the congregations
of the First and Trinity Churches that
work on the Improvement be started
at once.
Three trustees were elected at the
meeting last night, which was the reg
ular annual meeting OF the joint con-
gregatiOns. These are John Johnston
for the First Church, former Judge oil
yer II. Horton for Trinity, and James
3. Hobbs. trustee at large. The tTus-
tees who hold over are Arthur Dixon
and Horace y. Goodrich for the First
Church. " W. Harris and Davis .. Al
ton for Trinity Church, and James 5
Harvey and Charles Busby at large.
Property Very Valuable.
The NJ e Block ut Washington and
Clark streets is one of the oldest build
ings in the downtown district. For
years there has been more or less talk
of having il torn down TO make way for
a building more in keeping with other
structures in the downtown district. II
is considered the most valuable church
property IN Chicago, the ground value
being placed at $1,000. 600.
There is no doubt but the project to
erect a new building Will go through
this time" said DR. BTushingham. after
the meeting. "Tt viii, Of course,
require some ore to perfect the
plans. To construct such building as
is proposed, with suitable auditorium
for church purposes and have floors
above suitable for offices. is no easy
. task. The sentiment for the improve
ment is unanimous. and that means
that IL will be carried to a successful
termination within a short time"