The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-05-20
Dedicated On Sunday May 16, 1915.

day May 16, 1915.
loosa again on the occasion of the
dedication of the new church, Sun.
day, May lG.
The New Building.
The beautiful new building now
stands completed and in it's varied
appointments and convehiences, it is
probably the most thoroughly up-to-
date church building in Oskaloosa.
AS it stands on the corner OF High
avenue East and North Fourth street,
1t presents an imposing appearance,
and while its architectural lines
largely favor the classical, there is
pleasing inter-mixture of modern
ideas, that appeals to the march OF
events In this, the twentieth century.
Perhaps the most pronounced feature
of the exterior is its main entrance
on High avenue East. Practically
from the curb line by the wide sweep
of cement walks we gradually rise
by series of steps to the floor level
of the POrtico with its red cement
floor, blocked off in large tile or
squares.
On both sides of the entrance on a
brick base, with cement caps, are
placed ornamental iron stands, with
electric light globes and at each end
OF the portico are ornamental iron
ratings, that. add considerably to the
attractiVeness of the front. At the
top of the steps and on the outer
edge of the portico are four large
futed columns with Corinthian CAPT
tails, that rise to the ceiling
over thGS2 IiSes a gabled front
that seems to complete and beautify
the whole entrance. Passing on into
| the interior, we come to q beautifully
tiled and decorated Vestibule with
| two double entrance doors. These
loors swinging both ways afford easy
entrance to the Audience room.
The Audience Room. e.. ..
| The entrance here is on the south
side and the pulpit and choir are 10
Gated at the Northeast corner. The
/ pews are arranged in a Semi-circulaT
form, so that all OccupOnts face the
pulpit The floors are slightly bOwled
or slanted toward the platform and
being OF hard wood they are not car
peted except in the aisles and the
open spaces back of the pews. The
| interior trim is of oak ana yellow
pine and the whole effect Is to bring
out the richest and most pleasing
results. On the west side is the lad
les parlor, with a seating capacity of
ISeventy-tive and this room is also us
ed for prayer meetings, official meet
ings, committee meetings, etc. 1t is
connected with the audience room by
Of TNlI
room is readily made a part of the
| church proper on special occasions.
On The East side is a choir room,
with a lavratory in connection. A
private entrance is gained from
| a small vestibule that gives access
to side porch without going through
the audience room. Another door
gives access to the choir space back
of the pulpit. From the audience
| room side entrances are also
on both the East and the West sides.
Back of the pulpit and choir is re-
serVel a space for a fine pipe organ
| that in time no doubt will be placed
there. On the North side and divided
| by a steel rolling curtain that can
be raised and lowered at will, is the
Sunday school room or transept.
The Sunday School Room.
Here have been planned various
rooms of the educational work OF the
church. On the main floor, by a SER
les OF three wide steps, three fine
rooms are accessible, each opening
toward the audience room. The large
room in the center has been fitted
up particularly, for the use of the
Sunday school Orchestra and near
at hand is a fine grand piano, music
cabinet and other necessary appoint.
ments. On the West side, near the en-
trance. is a stairway leading to the
gallery, the railing of which forms a
half circle ami this is capped by a
brass pipe railing. On. this floor are
six commodious class rooms, all OPP
ening toward the gallery and audi
torium.' All of the class rooms are
finished in a neat harmony with the
whole building and a home-like ap-
pearance Is given by the presence
of framed pictures on the walls. From
the West entrance, access is secured
to the basement. -.... -.
&C. The Easement Rooms.
The basement extends under the
whole structure and fine cement
floor has been in red and gray tile,
blocked out in large squares. In the
Northeast part of the building is
large roomy kitchen fitted with all
conveniences for the serving of social
etc, wall cabinets, gas
stoves, tables, sinks and china cabi.
nets, all find their place here,
Toward the west is the ladies rest
room, nicely appointed and { toward
the front. under the audience room
Is the large social room. On. the East
side are the toilet rooms and all ar
ranged for the comfort, and utility.
Special Features.
In a building of this character,
there are usually several outstanding
features that require more than a
passing notice. One OF the first i'm.
pressions that anyone gains is the fine
baautV and Recommendations ~