Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-03-22
ALMA CHURCHES
TO Be ENLARGED
Methodist Episcopal, Baptist
and Catholic Churches to
Seat Many More.
WORK WILL COST THOUSANDS
NJ. +. When Completed Will Seat
About Fifteen Hundred and
Others Somewhat Less.

This coming summer several of the
Alma churches will follow the exam
pie set by the Presbyterian church
last summer. and will greatly increase
the seating capacity by enlarging the
structures that are now located here
Among the churches that will be
considerably enlarged will be the
Methodist Episcopal church, the Bap-
tlst church and the Catholic church.
The increases in the size of the vari-
Gus churches is made necessary by
the continued rapid growth of the
city of Alma. which seemingly has
overcrowded the churches and made
them too small for the number who
are attending; either that, or Almas
religious atmosphere is increasing at
q most rapid pace.
The contract for the enlarging Of
the Baptist church has already been
let, Henry Soule having been the sue
ccSsful bidder for the enlargement TO
bC made on this place Of worship. An
addition, 40 by A feet, is to be con-
structed at the east end of the present
structure, which will have the same
construction as the main part of the
church. The new portion will have
two floors, and will be used for Sun
day school and social purposes. The
first floor will be equipped with
dining room and kitchen. etc, while
the second floor will be equipped for
the Sunday school.
Under the contract, which has been
let, the building is also to have a
steam heating plant installed. The
cost has not been given out, but the
probabilities are that the cost of max
ine the enlargement and installing the
heating plant will cost the church
well over $4,000.
The Methodist Episcopal church is
planning on an addition that will
more than double the seating capacity
o. the church. and possible make il the
Largest church in the city.
An addition, 80 by so feet, is to be
constructed. and added to the present
structure. This addition will extend
the church TO the east, the entire
length of the lot, bringing it up flush
against the old feed barn on the al
ley.
At the back and down the sides of
the church it is planned to have
gallery that will materially increase
the seating capacity Of the room. The
present auditorium will be greatly
increased in size through the extern
sion and will also have much greater
seating capacity.
At the east end of the church will
he the choirloft, as at present To
one side Of this will be the choir room
and at the other side the vestry
room. The present expectations are
that this addition, which is TO be eX-
tensive, will cost the church in the
neighborhood of $4,000 The con-
tract has not yet been let, but it is
expected that it will be let within the
next few weeks, and that work will be
started as soon as possible.
The Catholic church is also TO be
greatly enlarged TINS coming sum-
nier, but the Record is unable to give
the details Of the building to he done
IN this issue, the Rev Father Mulvey
being out Of the city up TO the time
that the Alma Record went 10 press
/. is known. however, that the addition
will be an extensive one, calling for
the outlay Of several thousand dol
lars The particulars will be- given
later