Year: 1873

sTR0YED-Loss S50,000.


A fire was discovered last evening at about
o'clock in the First Baptist Church, at Nassau and
I,berty-sts.. Brooklyn. The congregation had Just
left the house, and when the sexton turned off the
gas one of the pillars running between the roof and
the gallery was seen to be column of fire. and al
most on the instant the flames burst forth and en-
yeloped the body of the church The alarm was at
once given and at least six of the BROOKLYN fire en-
cnes were soon the spot. Meanwhile, however.
the flames had extended to nearly every part of the
church. and il became question whether or not
any part of the structure could be saved Fornealy
three hours the engines were kept work, and at II
o'clock the fire was announced to be entirely out
the naked walls alone remaining to indicate the size
of the building.


When the fire was discovered 80 persons were in
the church. The sexton states that the pillar
through which the gas pipe runs must have been
tiled with gas from leak in the pipe and upon its
becoming igpited, the pillar seemed to burst and
scatter the flames in every direction, so that al
though many were present nothing could be done
on the instant TO check the flames. 1t was not
thought necessary at first to give more than
ALARM but by the time the first engine arrived the
progress of the flames had been rapid that in
creased force requisite TO stop the ravages IL
later found difficult to get control of the ele
ments with water playing upon them from half a
dozen engines. The church for a time was lighted
throughout by the blazing timbers giving the sp-
pearance TO outsiders of an immense furnace but
stream added TO stream the blaze gave
place to dense black smoke, and all the
glare that was afforded by the shafts
OF fire was changed to the gloom which
the dark smoke creates. The streets in the vicinity
were filled with people, many of whom were in some
way connected with this church, and busted them
selves in relating sketches of its history and mourn
ing over its misfortunes. All seemed pleased how
ever when it was ascertained that the whole prop
erty properly covered by insurance, and some
were almost ready TO express satisfaction that
new church. and one more adapted to the demands
of the united congregations, would be the early
result of the present mishap Others saw direct
providence in it, and had no doubt that the Lord
Christening them by fire." and were satisfied
that all was for the best" The church building
~ all events was now destroyed, and every one
compelled to accept the situation.


Ia regard to the origin of the fire, Richard Oliver
of No p Libertv-st- one of the deacons of the
church. stated that flames first appeared around
one of the pillars nearest the pulpit
and an alarm was Immediately given. Members
OF his family who heard this cry of fire
etate that they instantly looked toward the church
aud at that time the flames were pouring out
through the ventilator in the roof Mr. Oliver
thinks that there must have been some escape of
gas inside of the pillar and that the fire must have
been burning for time before the congregation
was dismissed


Ate O'Clock the crowd was almost wholly DIS
persed. and the exact damage upon the church
moro readily seen. The east gallery still held its
place. hut end of the west gallery had fallen TO
uhe floor. the supports having been broken or
burned away; the seats presented sorry plight,
end the entire floor was saturated with water.


OF the furniture of the church, the cushions,
aymn-books church bible, and chairs, were safely
conveyed to neighbOrng houses; but the organ, the
pisno-which was new and valued at S1500-after
several unavailing attempts to carry it out. 1.-THE
Sunday school library. banners and other ap-
purtenances either burned so
damaged by the smoke and water to be
of little value. The church was of brick.
Gothic IN architecture, and seated 1,6O0 persons.
IT was insured for about $4,000 while the organ and
piano were secured by insurance for nearly OF quite
sheir full value. The insurance. far could be
learned at late an hour. was found to be in the
American Exchange Company ,0o0 and in the
Long Island. Mechanics, and Germania forTsrious
amounts. The estimate of the loss on the church
was numerous and conflicting but the best informed
spectators we're convinced that it would reach$
and not above that figure although others placed it
at $4,000. The estimate of insurance in case was
more than $4,000.


The organ which was entirely destroyed by the
falling in of the roof. put in thorough order
when the church remodeled five years ago> and
with the organ of the Peuepont Street Church was
said to be more than sufficient in value to defray the
expense of new one A loss which the members will
feel very severely, though there is little intrinsic
value attached. were the Sunday school banners.
Among them the first one made I'D 1882, when
the school was organized. They were hanging irn-
mediately back of the pulpit. and could easily have
bean saved but in the confusion forgotten.
Another LOSE which cannot be replaced is series Of
pictures of all the old pastors.


1t was apprehended from the first that the adjoin-
ing buildings were in danger, and many, recalling
the great fire of 1913 which burned over that whole
rection of the city, feared that there might be
repetition Of that disaster. 1t was found, however,
at the close of the excitement, that only
swo dwelling houses were in the least de-
gree damaged and they by water and not
by fire. The four-storied brick dwelling house No.
Is Liberty-st. owned by William Phippard. was
flooded with water. and the furniture and walls
were damaged to an amount not exceeding $1,000.
Dir Phippard is fully insured in the Nassau Com
pany. The brown-stone dwelling house Of A. s.
Brown of No. "A Nassau-st was damaged. perhaps,
600, bat is well insured.


HISTORY or THE CHURCH.


The First Baptist Church substantial brick
building about 100 feet in depth and 20 feet front,
with seating capacity for 1000 people. The origi-
nal building occupied by the society, the first Pres
Ayterian organization on Long Island was erected
en 1926 II was plain frame building 60 feet by 40
feet costing about 81 900. The original agreement
,of Nathan Young 4 Co. to frame and cover and
put down hoor of house 40 feet by W feet for
Hi0. in a good workmanlike manner" Is still pre-