THE accompanying picture represents the new church building erected in a thickly populated district in Pittsburgh, for the worship and services of our colored brethren there. The dedication of this building marks a step in advance for the colored work in this large city.
NEW CHURCH IN PITTSBURGH, PA.
The dedication took place Jan. 16, 1916. The church was well filled with an excellent and responsive audience. The lot on which the building stands is 40 x 98 feet, and cost $1,062. The size of the building is 28 x 38 feet, with an extra addition of 8 x 10 feet for a vestibule. The total cost of the building and the lot was $5,300.
For a long time the work in Pittsburgh has suffered because of the constant removals of the place of worship. The citizens were surprised to see the church go up so quickly and be dedicated practically free from debt. Sept. 20, 1915, the ground was broken for the beginning of work on the new building, and the work was so far finished that the brethren were worshiping in the building on December 18.
Brother A. N. Durrant, who is our colored pastor in Pittsburgh, has worked faithfully since he came to the city four or five years ago. At the time of his arrival the membership was twenty-three, but it has now grown to fifty-nine. Five years ago the annual tithe was $443, while this last year it amounted to $972. The offerings to foreign missions increased from $95 to $357 for the same period. Thus the Lord has blessed the work of Brother Durrant, and the new building rises as a memorial to the efforts of all the brethren there.
At the camp meetings we have always noticed the devotion, sincerity, and liberality of our colored brethren from Pittsburgh. It was certain when they undertook to secure a house of worship that they would be successful in their enterprise. The writer was present on the day of dedication, to give the dedicatory sermon. On that day $2,290.46 was needed to meet obligations. Although the writer himself was ill with an attack of la grippe, and was not able any more than to start the call for contributions, yet all the brethren responded heartily, and $1,625 was given in cash and pledges.
The brickwork, plastering, and finishing of the building were cut out from the contract, and were done by our own brethren, several white brethren helping. Elder F. H. Robbins, president of the conference, his two brothers, and Brother Brownlee did the brickwork. Two other brethren did the plastering, and the pastor and another Pittsburgh brother did the painting. The building, as the picture shows, is of brick construction, with rough stonework for the basement. It is both gas and furnace heated, and is electric lighted. It has full basement below, and a reenforced concrete pool, built on pillars from the basement up to the pulpit platform, serves as a baptistery.
A committee meeting being held at that same time in the city, nearly all the workers of the West Pennsylvania Conference were present at the dedication. The occasion was an inspiring one, and speaks well for better days. The prospects are now bright for many additions to this company, the Bible worker reporting that there are three or four ready for baptism.
