The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-01
HANDSOME CHURCH
 BUILT BY NEGROES Sixth Avenue Baptist Has
 Cost S38,000 FORMAL OPENING TODAY Architecture Is ROmancsQue and the Church Is By Far the Abandonment Place for Coiored Worship
 in the State
FORMAL OPENING TODAY

The formal opening of the Sixth Avenue i Colored Baptist church at Sixteenth street and Avenue F, will be held this | afternoon at o'clock and the occasion will mark an epoch in the history of the congregation which has built without doubt the handsomest edifice of public worship for colored people in the state.
 Among the well-known people who will be present at the ceremonies are Belton Gilreath and Mayor Exum. The latter will make an address for the occasion, taking as his subject, "The Church as q Factor m the Moral Development of the City" One of the largest crowds in the history of the church will probably be gathered to witness the exercises.
 Structure Cost saS,OOO
 In appearance, design and equipment the beautiful structure which the col ored people are just completing for oc- cupancy will compare favorably with other fine buildings in the state of the same nature, whether erected by one de- nomination or another. The cost will be $3S. 900.
 The edifce has an imposing appearance from tine outside. Situated on gentle elevation, it stands out strikingly as piece of romanesque architecture against every other building in that locality. The first story of the church Is built of dark rcd stone-faced brick on which lies a stone belt. The second story is set off to good advantage by the use of buff pressed brick, and to crown the whole central dome supported by a steel truss has been utilized. The three fronting corners of the building are capped with something like the medieval turret, one of which serves for the belfry
 Pains have not been spared in the ar rangement and furnishing of the building. In addition to the regular auditorium Sunday dol room has been provided connect .sith the auditorium by means of a la iding door. There are rooms also fo. z trustees and deacons of the church, ldition to the pastors study. The bs nt of the church has been utilized dining rooms, kitchen and toilets. les the space taken up for the hes apparatus.
 Iaa ,ghnm's Product Used
 The eating capacity Of the build ing wi POO. The pews are of hand some oak, which match the in- terior ing of the church. A large chand suspended from the center of the g, and the place is otherwise lighte. with wall clusters In the side of the house facing the pulpit is a ben tiful stained glass window represe "The Good Samaritan" which CT and back of the pulpit are tw windows done in stained 2
 cost each s25. Nearly every Ud yM3 building is of stained eiss
 the large skylight dir>o n t
 will be filled with ar 4ea r CT A fine pipe organ yl5 1lN be installed
 One of tb 1p.0e ldcts construct Ia 0cIure id practical aa nsif-is sad were s airoslaehaoi. 1'be sgele were ma sa.a falsarra.a anS thel ieneas work done lsssa Ius1)Aal EHs electrical ans 'sealE Fti,gfos sera furnished by It .a. and ,jf lnslaiia- ton made by lo>9 oogtre iosfs.
 The ssfo-
 For all the interest .'oi fss bsen shown in the building of this c.llfcA much credit is to be attributed to the pastor, the Rev. J. G. Goodgame. The Rev. Goodgame came to Birmingham about three years ago from Ta1ladega, where he was born. In January of 1908 the movement to build new church which would be adequate for the needs of the Sixth Avenue Bap- tist Colored church was set on foot, large ly through the instlgation of the Rev. Goodgane, and to date over S17,0O0 has been collected and paid on the new build ing by the congregation. There Is a membership of about 800, of which 65O are active.
 The undertaking to build a church with specifications like those of the Sixth ave- enue structure was to begin with huge attempt. Within two years after the idea of building the church was conceived the colored people of Birmingham have dem- onstrated their ability to shoulder and carry more than ordinary responsblli- ties by executing with promptness and judgment a work which will be a monu- ment to their efforts.