Wilmington—The First Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest and wealthiest churches in this city, burned to the ground on the night of Dec. 31, with a loss of approximately $300,000.
The fire broke out while prayer meeting was in progress. It is presumed the fire resulted from the furnace. This is the church of which Dr. Joseph R. Wilson, father of the late President Wilson, was pastor for many years. The church also had an organ that cost approximately $20,000, which was presented by the late Dr. J.M. Sprunt as an offering commemorating peace at the end of the world war.
The property was worth several hundred thousand dollars, and will be complete loss.
The church building proper, with its high tower, was totally destroyed, and the Sunday school annex, called Chadbourn Memorial Hall, is practically ruined.
It is presumed that the congregation will proceed at once with plans for a newer and finer structure to take the place of the destroyed edifice.
From page 3 of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, Jan. 4, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1926-01-04/ed-1/seq-3/
No comments:
Post a Comment