The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-10-21
CHURCHES OF SNOW.
other Odd Materials Ueed 70 Build
Houses Of Worship.


The Rev. J. f. Peck. who after
thirty years missionary work amid
the iceSand snow OF the Arctic re-
gions, relates some curious experiences
in church building among the Esqui-
maux. One place Of worship he con
structed ont Of snow blocks. from
which material he likewise made 10th
the seats for the congregation and the
altar. This church. although but .
rude and temporary structure. says
London Tit-Bits. answered its purpose
in protecting the worshippers from
the bitter cold and winds
Even more singular was the church
this interchangeable missionary erect
ed on the desolate shore Of Blaeklead
Island. Cumberland Sound Forty
sealskins sewn together and stretched
over a framework OF whales ribs con-
stituted the walls and roof, while. the
interior was provided with precision
boxes and boards that did duty for
seats
The first place of worship ever erect
ed at Perth, in western Australia. is
worthy OF note. not only by reason OF
the unusual material employed in its
construction, but because Of the VIZ
ried uses to which It was put When.
in 1879. the Second Company OF the
Sixty-third Regiment arrived in the
colony the men proceeded to collect
quantity OF rushes, from which they.
with considerable skill and Ingenuity.
constructed small building, where
every Sunday divine service was held.
For more secular purposes. however.
did It serve, for not only was it en-
ployed as barracks, but at intervals
it did duty as a theatre. on the boards
Of which the builders displayed their
histrionic ability
Vitriied clay is the material Of
which Chicago church has been con-
structed, even the window frames
being Of that material The decora-
tive features are white terra Gotta,
the affairs, communion rail and organ
loft being Of that substance. The cell-
ing is Of brick and the vaulting, The
keystones of terra Gotta. and the ribs
Of the arches and groins Of moulded
brick Another popularity attaches TO
this church, for, like Solomon's Tenn
pie. it was built without sound of ham
mer, not a single nail having been
used in its construction.
Near the Niagara Falls, in the little
village of Mumford, stands churcs'
which may be said to be literally
built of fossils. At first glance the
edifice would appear to be construct
ed of rough sandstone, covered with a
coating of coarse plaster. which Oh
nearer approach, resolves itself into
delicate tracery Of leaves. branches
and twigs, preserved for all time by
being metamorphosed into indurated
masses OF flinted limestone erna-
nent mementos Of some primeyaI for-
est.
Though wooden churches are not
uncommon, one made from a single
tree must be almost, if not quite,
unique. Such one is the Baptist
Church in Santa Rosa, which is built
entirely from the wood of single
redwood tree. the size Of which can
be roughly computed from the facI
that after the church--one of the larg-
est, by the way in the country-had
been erected, enough material remain
ed from which to cut $4,000 shingles.
In somewhat different sense
church in Grippsland. the eastern pro-
vince of Victoria, may be said to have
required but single tree trunk for
its construction, inasmuch as a giant
eucalyptus was followed out until
a room sufficient to contain a congre-
cation of fifty was formed.