The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-02
.RUHAMA |S ID HAVE Sl0O,OOO
 HOME IN 1924
Mother Church Of Baptists In Jefferson Will Be Housed In Handsome Structure. Work Resumed Monday
COLLEGE AND CHURCHES OWE TO IT THEIR ORIGIN
Foundations For Structure
 CompIeted-Members Ex- pect To Hold Services In
 New Home Before Next Fall

Norl. will be begun Monday morn- ing on the first story of the new Ra- hama Baptist church building. Since completion of the foundation several weeks ago. construction had been more funds.
 Interest is being centered in the erection of this new church buildings Ruhama being the oldest church in the city and in the Birmingham dis uict. and one of the oldest in north Alabama.
 short term subscriptions being the method employed for raising most of the money, the contract for each floor Is being let separately. Throu>h eff forts of the womens organizations of the church, the funds are being materially increased.
 Ruhama church was serving the early, settlers and citizens of this community before Alabama became u state, and many years before Bir- mingham was born. It is the mother church of the Baptist denomination in Birmingham. It founded the First Baptist Gate City Baptist. and others Baptist church, Fifty sixth Street others. and contributed directly or in- directly to the establishment of aI- most all the Baptist churches in the Birmingham district, and this section of the state.
 Many of the oldest business men of Birmingham are also taking a mor. than passing interest in the advance ment of Ruhama, owing to the for ner school, known as Ruhama aead- emy, on the present campus Of How ard college, and fostered by the church. This was the first schoo. founded Tn this district and many or the pioneer business men of the city got their education at this institu- ton.
 For the past 35 years. Ruhama has been the Howard college church. con- tinuing it's educational as well as re- lisious serving of the early years. The majority of the faculty and many of the students of the college are numbered among the present mem 5ership. Two presidents of Howard have been former pastors of Ruhama and many Baptist leaders in the state and the south have come from this church.
 While contributing literally to other churches and philanthropI., movements throughout the years, Ruhama has neglected her own equip ment, with the result that the pres ent church building is entirely made quate. That the church have q larger and better building is impera tive.
 The new building was started in August on lot located at the inter- : section of Seventy ninth street and Underwood avenue, said to be one of the best church locations in the city. IL vas donated by John Thornton and the Wood heirs. descendants ot Aunt" Harriet Wood, pioneer resi- dent of ltuhama community, and lalthful member of Ruhan.a church. The plans are for a modern approved church building, of Grecian architec- ture. The building and furnishings will cost approximately S100,100.
 Ruhania was one of the few churches in the state given recosni- ton at the recent Baptist centennial 4 convention held in Montgomery. Ing terest is being shown by Baptist leaders all over the state in ihe building program. Citizens of Rir- bingham of all denominations gre rot only showing good will toward tic building enterprise, but are sQs showing a willingness to contributee to the building fund.
 Dr. S. A. Ives Of the Howard faculty is acting as chairman of the cnn- struction committee. and pr. lanes IT, Chapman. also of the Howard fac- ultv, is serving as chairman of tic, plans committee. Dr. N. A. Barre tt is chairman of finances, and B. VI smith is the publicity committqS chairman.