OK, so these photographs of Chariton's First Presbyterian Church are not current --- I took them back in early April, 2012. But these two shots are more appropriate than bedraggled snowdrifts I thought for a birthday card.
If you pass this grand old building on Thursday, wish it a 110th birthday. She was officially dedicated on Sunday, Feb. 28, 1909, and has been serving congregation and community ever since.
The Presbyterians have been located on this corner since the 1860s, when their first building was completed. That brick structure served the congregation until 1907, when a new building seemed in order.
The congregation hired a Des Moines architect, Charles C. Cross; rounded up pledges to finance the new building; lined up Johnson & Best to do the constructing; had the old church torn down and moved to the courtroom of the Lucas County Courthouse for the duration.
Then disaster struck --- First National Bank went belly-up during November of 1907 and that chilled Lucas County's economy for a couple of years and also drained the pockets of many who had made pledges toward the church project.
The congregation soldiered on, but the building ended up taking two years to complete, only about half the necessary funds were on hand and after a mighty offering that netted in excess of $4,000 on dedication day some $5,000 in debt remained.
Originally, the building had a dome --- but that was removed many years later, leaving the stained glass interior dome that is one of the glories of the auditorium intact. Other than that, the building has changed relatively little and is remarkably intact and is in good repair.
Here's Henry Gittiniger's somewhat over-the-top preview of dedication day, published in The Chariton Leader of Feb. 25, 1909, under the headline, "Great Day for Presbyterians."
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After a year and a half's waiting, the long looked for day is near at hand. On next Sunday the new house of worship is to be thrown open for service and dedicated to the sacred cause. For many months has the work been in hand --- Precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until the perfect building stands forth. That is, as near perfect as it is possible for human architects to build. It is a shadow of the great and flawless structure not built by hands, with foundations as broad as the universe and as enduring as the eternal years.
The Leader is not going into long details but suffice it to say almost two years ago it was decided by the Presbyterian class here that the good of the church demanded a more commodious house of worship, one which would fill the modern demand. Later the old edifice was torn down and more than a year ago the foundation walls were laid.Then came discouragements and doubt; later the horizon clearified and the work was renewed until on next Sunday the builders, Messrs. Johnson & Best, will turn it over as completed. The days of rejoicing have come.
The ground plan of the building is 48x90 feet, stone foundation and the superstructure is of brick with pressed cement block veneering, one of the most handsome and enduring building materials in existence. The architectural style is on the dome plan, and shaded lights and makes an imposing appearance. The front is full height, dropping down at the back, thus breaking the monotony of contour. The construction cost in round numbers was $20,000.00.
The interior decorations are superb and the arrangement pleasing to the vision. The pulpit and choir loft are placed at the northeast corner of the auditorium within easy range of the entire floor space. The main auditorium is 48x48 feet, pew seated, with hardwood floor and covered with cork carpet. The Sunday school room covers a space 32x44 feet, seated with chairs, ceilings lofty and the ventilation good. Off the Sunday school room opens two classrooms and a ladies parlor.
The basement ceilings are 9 feet high, well lighted and airy. The entertainment room is directly under the auditorium, covering same space and kitchen is beneath the Sunday school room. This department is furnished with closets, cupboards, drawers, sink, drain boards for dish washing, pie and cake shelves and ample table room, cold and hot water. Next to this on the east is the furnace and coal room. One of the equipments of the kitchen is a Buck range presented by Blanchard & Beem and the Buck Stove and Range Co., of St. Louis. The building throughout is heated by double pipe system. The dining room is supplied with large tables 3x14 feet, 28 inches high and between the kitchen and dining room are two large serving windows. The floors are cement and perfectly dry. Thus, it is a well appointed structure from earth-line to altitude and from center to circumference, in which all take a pardonable pride and certainly commend the church people in their enterprise. To be admired it needs only to be seen and when once seen,entered, to be fully appreciated.
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