File:Baptist Church, circa 1915 - Valparaiso, Indiana (4177182222).jpg

BAPTIST CHURCH, VALPARAISO, IND.

Date: Circa 1915 Source Type: Postcard Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Paul R. Vogel Company (#803) Postmark: None Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: Located on the northwest corner of Lafayette Street and Chicago Street, the First Baptist Church was constructed in 1881 and replaced a wood framed church structure that was removed from the site and repurposed.

On Sunday, November 13, 1881, this church was dedicated. The November 17, 1881, issue of the Porter County Vidette provides the following description of the church:

About six months ago the first brick of the new church was laid. The intention at first was to erect a building that should cost no more than five thousand dollars, and one which could be paid for as the work progressed; but in building as in other things, we can not always foresee all the details, nor can we predict results. But all have stood nobly up to the work, and through many discouraging times have completed the beautiful edifice that was dedicated on last Sabbath.

The building is in the form of a Greek cross, having two entrances, one at the north-east and the other at the south-east portion of the church, both fronting to the east. The main entrance is at the southeast, over which rises a beautiful tower one hundred feet in height. In this is placed a bell of superior quality and tone. The audience room is thirty-four by fifty-feet in dimensions, having a ceiling twenty-five feet in height. In the back part of this room is a large alcove containing a rostrum and pulpit, with room for the choir. Extending under and across this, and through the wall in the rear, is the baptistry with robing rooms at either side. A door at the rear of the building gives entrance to the baptistry and to the rostrum. The seats of the auditorium are circularly arranged so that each one in the congregation sits facing the preacher's desk. At the east side of the audience room and between the entrances is another large room, the two being separated by a system of folding doors, which makes it possible, when occasion requires, to throw the two rooms into one, and gives a larger seating capacity. Above this is another room of the same size, used as a parlor and opening upon the gallery which has one hundred and fifty sittings. The gallery is also entered from the tower. The building is substantially and comfortably furnished and has a seating capacity of about seven hundred. The rooms are brilliantly lighted by gas and warmed by a furnace.

The cost of the church is $6,100, of which amount $2,700 was unprovided for. Of this deficit $1,800 was subscribed and much of it paid during the course of the morning meeting, and the remainder provided for at the following services of the day.

Information Source: Porter County Vidette, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; November 17, 1881; Volume 25, Number 46, Page 1, Column 6. Column titled "The Baptist Dedication."