The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-03-22

q Considerable interest was man1- fested today in the opening of the new building of the Bridgeport Christian Union, Incorporated, st the corner of Main and Thomas streets. The building which is of modern construction was inspected by repre- sentatiyes of the various organiza- lions throughout the city during the day, the members of the Building Committee, of which MT. R. J. Mac Kenzie is chairman, acting as escorts. To most of the visitors the new building was a complete revelation, not. only in it's substantial construc- ton but in all it's appointments to meet the needs of such an institution in this community.
 Architecturally the new building of the Bridgeport Christian Union, Inc is unique in the truest sense of the word for it is a building of which no prototype exists. The req son for this is obvious; the work of the Union differs in one respect or another from that of similar institu- tions and as the building from it's first inception was planned to meet in so far as possible the exact pur- poses and functions of the Union a unique type of building was the logi- cal result.
 In the summer of 1917, following the selection of an architect for the new building, MT. George H. Ed wards, at that time president of the Union, Rev. c. w. Simpson, superin- tendent and Edward B. Caldwell, Jr., the architect for the new building, visited Boston, Philadelphia and New York in order to inspect the latest and most modern buildings of insti- tutions doing a similar work. In formation and ideas were obtained from these various sources and the mistakes in planning which had only been discovered through the use of these buildings were carefully noted so that the new building of the Bridgeport Christian Union could profit from these mistakes.
 Sketches were prepared by the architect with the very active colla- boration of the Rev. c. W. Simpson and after approval by the Board Of Directors the working drawings and Specifications were completed for the new building to be erected on Bank street. Contracts were let for the work in July, 1917, and the old building demolished, at which time the city stopped the new project be- ,sllse of the proposed extension of fiddle street which took two-thirds If the land owned by the Union-
 After consid erable delay, another lot was purchased and the plans were entirely revised to meet the new con- ditions on the location at Main and Thomas streets. Wartime building restrictions necessarily postponed the erection of the new building until June 1919, when tl-e general con- tract was awarded to the T. J. Pardy Construction Company, the plumbing work to R. T. Rock Co.,, and the heating work to The Wm. P. Kirk Go.
 The new building has a frontage of SS feet on Main street and 106 feet on Thomas street. The first story is a rectangle covering this entire area, but the upper three stories have a rear light court making the building U-shaped in plan. The exterior of the building is of rough faced red brick, trimmed with limestone and is simple and dignified in treatment with no elaboration of ornament, ex- pressing as far as possible the uses of the building. The structure is en- tire1y freproof, built of brick and reinforced concrete throughout, witt terrazo and cement floors, fireproo1 partitions and iron stairs.
 From Main street are two en- frances to the building, the northern entrance leading directly into the Chapel; high-ceilinged, well-ightet room, 60 feet feet by 3S feet in sizt and with an Annex 3S feet by 2z feet which is separated from th' main chapel by a sound-proof fold ing partition. The Chapel has : seating capacity of 450 and is equip ped with a projection booth for motion picture machine. With it direct entrance from the street tn Chapel can be used for gathering and meetings not wholly connecte' with the Union and thus helps t fulfill the great demand in Bridge port for meeting places of this typ < where community gatherings may b held and Americanization and sim liar work carried on.
 The southern entrance from Mai street is the main entrance to tn building, leading directly into hal on to which opens with wid counter, the Administration office. door from the hall gives direct acces to the superintendent's office whic occupies the southwest corner of tn building and is connected with tn Administration office- The offices ar provided with necessary coat an toilet rooms. Wide glazed doors lea from the hall to the Chapel an broad light stairs lead down to tn basement and up to the floors abov
 An entrance from Thomas stree leads into a, corridor, separating t1 Administration office from the reac ing room, 27 feet by 25 feet whic has glass partitions and is so ai ranged that all parts of the room al visible from the office, thus establish ing direct control from the office both the Main street and Thoms street entrances. From the readir room the men can go through a co rfdor to the Chapel. Adequate toll facilities are provided near the reat ! ing room. The Converts club ha' a room 22 feet by 20 feet with SCI arate outside entrance and CO room and toilet room for their oU nse This room is in the rear of u chapel annex On the first floor a
 also located the tailor and cobbl
 shop and clothes sorting and cleal ing room There is an enclosed Il stairs leading from the basement
 +ta roof. located on one side Of Il
 aar of the building and the oth