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First Methodist Church Plans Announced

First M.E. Plan For Building Is Told In Details
Magnificent Structure Purpose of Committee; main Auditorium Will Seat 800 Persons
Opening of Bids On Feb. 5 Is Proposed
Gymnasium, Motion Picture Booth and Other Entertainment Features are Provided For
The Hugo Husonian January 22, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Details of the plans for the magnificent structure which the First Methodist church is preparing to build were explained in full to the congregation at the morning service by Rev. Wallace M. Crutchfield, pastor. Bids on the contract are to be opened Feb. 5.
    The main auditorium of the proposed edifice will seat 800, with plenty of room in the aisles to provide extra chairs for many more. A gallery will accomodate [sic] about 30 percent of this capacity, besides providing room for the choir, pipe organ and several Sunday school class rooms.
    Main Auditorium
    There will be three entrances to the main assembly room from a large portico approaches by a flight of steps 30 feet in width. The pillars surmounting the top step will be of white stone. The trimmings and lower floor walls will also probably be of the same material with the walls of red brick, though this point has not been definitely decided upon by the building committee. Roofing is to be of tile. Outside measurements will be 80x125.
    The Sunday school floor, which will be just a few feet below street level, not too low to prohibit putting 30 full sized windows in the walls, is to provide the attractions to boys and girls provided by modern religious institutions – gymnasium, club rooms, shower baths, reading rooms, motion picture machine, etc. The kitchen and nursery will also be here. The principal meeting room will provide seating capacity for 412, with opera chairs.
    Many Sunday School Rooms
    The sub-basement will contain the triple heating furnace, motor, fan, fuel room and accessory accomodations [sic].
    Sunday school class rooms scattered throughout the building on all floors will allow every group to have its special meeting place.
    When the building will be finished is not specified yet, but a year is allowed in estimates. Whether the $75,000 pledged for the construction job a year ago will be sufficient remains to be settled by the engineer and contractors.