The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-17

slkyscrapers and literally speaking, they
are, but it is the small buildings which
form the real backbone of prosperity.
Dotted everywhere over the city are new
residences and small storehouses in course
of construction, showing the faith of in
dividuals in the future of Birmingham.
Many Church Buildings
Each new skyscraper ties capital more
securely to the city, each new residence
means a stronger citizen, but these are
not all unheralded and without public ac-
claim. Almost un-notced there is being
built up a large number of new edifices
that are more lasting and mean more to
our community than the combined efforts
of both capital and individual property
owners. In the heart of the central resi-
dence section and in many suburbs there
/ are being planned and erected by various
denominations, substantial church build
ings ranging in value from $1,000 to $780,
coo, buildings that represent the moral
effort and uplift of Birmingham.
At Ensley plans are being rapidly COM
pleted for the erection of two modern
and well equipped edifices, the Grace
Presbyterian recently purchased two lots
on which to erect the new building.
Architects are at work on plans and these
are expected to be completed in a short
time. Every thing is being done to facili-
tate the complention of plans as 1t is the
hope of the congregation to begin work
in the near future
At Ensley a new Catholic church will
be built. 1t will be christened st. Joseph
and the greater part of the funds, needed
for its construction, will be raised among
the italians of Ensley. Louis M. Maenza,
Charley Rouse, l.. Lovoy and Guy Lopres-
to are members of committee authorized
by Bishop Allen to receive donations.
| A lot has been purchased on Avenue j
and Seventeenth street for the site of the
new church. 1t is 15O by $50 feet and is
| an ideal lot for church, both in size
and location. According to present plans
| work will begin on the new structure In
| the near future.
| In the western portion of the city two
new church buildings Walker Memorial
and the Methodist Protestant, are being
erected and one, the st. Paul's Methodist,
! is being planned.
Walker Memorial to Cost S25, 900
The new Walker Memorial edifice is
being erected by the congregation at a
| cost of $4,000, and will be one of the
most imposing structures in that part
of the city. According to the plans, drawn
UP by Mr.. Hunt of Chattanooga, the
building will be in two sections one
| Tor the Sunday school department and
| the other for the main auditorium where
| services will be held
The main auditorium will be so feet
square, In addition to space for the
| pipe organ and gallery. The estimated
seating capacity of this section will be
| 100. The material for the church will be
high grade pressed brick
| The Sunday school and the foundation
| for the church was recently completed at
a cost of $1,000 And it was dedicated
on July N by Bishop James H. Nc
| Coy. The Sunday school auditorium has
q seating capacity of 300. By special ar
rangement the II class rooms have beer
so arranged that they can be opened into
the auditorium and by this the seating
| capacity will be increased 150
Although the plans for the new
building were adopted by the congre-
cation three years ago and the foun.
oatlon iayed at the same time active
| work did not commence until last Oc.
tober 1t is the hope of the congrera.
ton, however. to have the structure
completed and ready for services by
the first of the year.
| walker Memorial church was for.
merly the old Elyton Methodist church
ana Is the parent of all the other Meth
ooist churches In the city. Several
| years ago 1T became evident that tbs
location should be more central TO bo5h
the Princeton and Elyton sections OF
the western portion of the city and n
this end the old building was moved
three blocks to the lot adjoining thf
site or the new church, which was do
mated by r. S. Munger
AT an estimated cost of $4,000 the
| congregation of the Methodist Protes.
| tant church is erecting a handsomo
| one story brick edifice on the corner
| of Berry street and First avenue. Wori,
| on the present structure was begun IN
the latter part of March and If is
rapidly nearing completion.
This is the second attempt that ba,
been made by the congregation in th,
/ past nine months toward eractino .
church building. Last October a lot
l0Ox140 feet was purchased for $3.50
and work on church edifice was i'm
mediately begun. On March 21, 1913
the partially completed structure wa
totally destroyed by the cyclone thai
swept over the city on that date.
Although this was complete loss
n to the church. as no storm insura ncf
was carried on the building the conpre-
cation was not discouraged and at once
i started preparations for the erection nj
the present structure.
4 Has Interesting History
The church which has the unique dis
| tinction of being the only one of that
denomination in the city, has a very
Interesting history There was no
nomination in Birmingham until the
"A N 4. l..... ..s.- O..