The Washington times., 1929-10-19
PRESBYTER|ANS
BUILD NEW
CHURCH

At an estimated cost in excess of
100000 and in conjunction with the
twentieth anniversary of the Rev.
j. Harvey Durham's pastorate, final
arrangements are in progress for
the building OF new Western
Presbyterian Church directly across
the street from the present church
on H Street, between Nineteenth
and Twentieth Streets.
The new structure will be per.
pendicular English gothic in archi.
lecture with variations from the
traditional practice. Treatment of
the interior will blend with the sur
rounding community and a concen-
tration of ornament will he made
on the traceried windows and the
main entrance.
The roof, of slate. finished with
heavy copper Cornice and cutters.
will rest on supporting walls built
Of local hammered-surface stone. An
artistically treated yard space. en-
closed by low wall capped with a
wrought-iron fence, will he entered
on a flagstOne walk. geometrically
designed, and through a wrought.
iron gate under an arch of stone.
Will Seat 600
The church auditorium. and gal
lery, having A combined seating
capacity Of 500 persons, will he OF
the clerestorv long-axis, a central
aisle e leading to balanced
sanctuary The interior will he we'll
lighted through large traceried win
dows on each side and one at the
rear. Side walls will be finished in
coarse textured. light-tinted plas.
ter and the sanctuary will have A
wood screen enclosing the sanctuary
arch and faced on all sides with
traceried paneling. Assuring perfect
acoustics the ceiling supported on
heavy oak beam.trusses will have
clear height of 38 feet.
Pews, pulpit. communion table
and other furnishings will be
especially designed to match and
will harmonic with the interior
decorations.
The building plans adequately
provide for social and recreationa1
faculties built around the church
proper. Sunday school rooms offer
a series OF assembly rooms for wor
ship and study on the first and
second floors and cozily furnish
chambers house the Mems Club and
the Ladies' Club.
A social hall capable Of seating
400 persons, equipped with a large
stage. kitchen facilities and a din.
ing room as well as individual
rooms FIR the Boy and Girl Scouts,
and a ueautiful chapel, are some
of the most attractive features.
Through French doors direct &C.
cess is had TO the stately court which
will be. made suitable for garden
parties in the summer time.
Old Church to BE Sold
Mechanical equipment OF the
church will be adapted for the heat
| ing OF separate units as needed and
| the radiators will be OF the concealed
| type. Lighting will be direct and
with dinners for the church audi
| torium and social hall lights.
| Upon completion OF the new edi-
| flee the old church will be sold and
| another historical building will give
way to progress march. The pres
| ent church. built in 1854 and one OF
| Washington oldest, is rich in ro-
nance Here Cen. u. s. Grant was
a frequent worshipper and the list of
| original Subscribers includes the
name Of Franklin Pierce, then presi-
dent Of the United States. Another
notable associated with the old West.
ern Presbyterian Church was Jeffer-
son Davis, who became president Of
the Confederate States shortly after
the present church building was
| ooy1, pIeta6