Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-24
CHURCHES OF SNOW.
Various Things Used In Different
Parts of the World.
From Tit-iBts. !.

From Tlt-tBts.
The Rev E. ]. Peck, who after thirty
years missionary work amid the ice and
snow of the Arctic regions has lust re-
turned home, relates some curious expe-
rierices in church building among the Eski-
mos. one place Of worship he constructed
out of snow blocks, from which material he
likewise made both the seats for the congre-
CATION and the altar. This church. al
though but a rude and temporary struc-
ture, answered its purpose in protecting the
worshipers from the bitter cold and winds
Even more singular was the church this
interchangeable missionary erected on the deS-
olate shore of Blacklead Island Cumberland
Sound. Forty sealskins sewn together and
stretched over framework of whales ribs
constituted the walls and roof while the
interior was provided with provision boxes
and boards that did duty for seats All
went well until one day the Eskimos' dogs
hard pressed by hunger, made an attack
upon the structure, which they partially de-
VoGred The rents in the walls caused by
their voracious appetite were for time
mended with strips of canvas and old sack
ing, but the church was subsequently de-
molished and wooden one built In its
stead.
The first place of worship ever erected at
Perth, In western Australia, Is worthy of
note not only by reason of the unusual ma
terials employed in its construction, but
because of the varied uses to which 1t was
put w men, III 1919, the oScOIln COMPANY
of the SD Regiment arrived in the colony
the men proceeded to collect a quantity of
rushes, from which they, with considerab BILE
skill and ingenuity, constructed small
building. where every Sunday divine service
was held. For more secular purposes how
ever, did 1t serve, for not only was 1t en-
ployed a barracks, but at intervals 1t did
duty as a theateg on the boards OF which
its builders were wont to display their his
trionic ability.
Vitriied clay is the material of which a
Chicago church has been constructed, even
the window frames being of that material
The decorative features are white terra
Gotta, the affairs, communion rail and Or
gan loft being of that substance. The cell
ing Is of brick and tile vauting the key
stones of terra Gotta. and the ribs of the
arches and groins of nodded brick. Anoth-
popularity attaches to this church, for,
like Solomons temple. 1t was built without
sound of hammer, not single nail having
been used in its construction.
Near the Niagara Falls. in the little VII
lage of Mumford stands church which
may be said to be literally built of fossils
At first glance the edifce would appear to
be constructed or rough sandstone, covered
with coating of coarse plaster which. on
nearer approach. resolves Itself into dell
cate tracery of leaves, branches and twigs,
preserved for all time by being metamor-
phosed, into indurated masses Of fiinted
limestone-permanent mementoes of some
primeVal forest.
Though wooden churches are not uncom-
mon one made from single tree must be
almost, il not quite. unique. Such one is
the Baptist Church in Santa Rosa, which Is
built entirely from the wood of a single
redwood tree. the size of which can be
roughly computed from the fact that after
the church-one of the largest, by the way,
in the country-had been erected, enough
material remained from which to cut 10000
shingles. In a somewhat different sense
church in Grippsland, the eastern province
of Victoria, may be said to have required
hut a single tree trunk for it's construction.
tnasmuch as a giant eucalyptus was hol-
lowed out until q room sufficient to contain
a congregation of fifty was formed Al
San lose in California there is similar
church capable Of holding twenty-five wor-
eh pers and a small organ.