Evening journal., 1921-12-20
CHURCH LOOKS
FOR new SITE
First and Central Congrega-
tion Hopes for Definite
Action Soon
OFFICE BUILDING
MEETS OPPOSITION

AS result OF meeting OF the
trustees and elders Of the First and
Central Presbyterian Church. last
night It now appears likely that the
proposed new church building will
be erected on some other site than
the plot owned by the congregation
on Market street between Ninth and
Tenth streets.
The Rev. DR. Aquilla Webb. pastor
OF the church presided over the
meeting Eight Of .the ten elders
and all ten trustees were present.
Various committees presented re-
ports and a general discussion was
held concerning the new church
building.
II was the consensus OF opinion
according to trustees and elders seen
today that some action toward sell
ing the Market street plot or the old
Central Church. on King street.
should be taken and that right
speedily" as one trustee expressed
It. The congregation is anxious "
remain somewhere on the east side
of Market street, but is not wholly
desirious OF building on its present
plot between Ninth and Tenth. as
! has been generally planned hereto
fore The first and Central Church
Is the only one OF the Presbyterian
churches in he city still east OF Mar
ket street and It is anxious to re-
main in that district.
It was learned today that one site,
not far from the present one oc-
cupied by the church. is under con
sideration and would prove highly
desirable II IL could he had at fair
/ figure. Some negotiations already
are underway concerning this.
Or. webb has presented a plan
for erecting a store and Office build
ing on the site OF the present church
or on the plot Immediately to the
norh OF H. adjoining the new Pub
/ lie Library site. This building would
contain a central arcade. extending
through from the Market street
front and faced by shops The ar
cade would lead back to a spacious
auditorium and church building on
the King street side.
IL is DR.. Webh's idea that the in
come from the store and Office build
ing, coupled with the returns from
the sale OF the old Central Church
property would provide not only for
the operating expenses OF the new
church on the King street side. but
would afford sufficient money TO en-
able the congregation to accomplish
considerable in the way OF estab-
fishing something OF a public center
from which would radiate various
movements for public good.
While the elders and trustees hav,
expressed appreciation OF the marni
tude OF this scheme. they have beer
asking where the money 10 hnanc
such an ambitious project can b.
obtained. It Is estimated that anv
where from 100000 to $1,000. OOl
would be required Some doubt ais,
is expressed II such an arcade stor,
and office building would bring in q
proft for several years to come
which would make It diflcult fol
IN trustees TO maintain expenses.
Still another proposal. and one
which is gaining favor. is to sell
SUFFICIENT OF the present plot OF 14t
feet frontage on Market street foi
the erection OF a large department
store. The site is regarded as idea
for such a purpose. lying directl,
between the DUPONT Building ant
Delaware Trust Building. the larges
two buildings in the city. Leasing ol
the plot on the ground-rent plaI
likewise is under consideration.