union avenue christian church |
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The Fulfillment of a Noble Dream “It was to be called the Union Avenue Christian Church and to be built on Union Avenue at Von Versen (now Enright) on a property already purchased, which to some seemed very far ‘out of town,’” wrote Dr. Philputt. Dr. and Mrs. Philputt arrived “tentatively” in St. Louis on May 20, 1904. “The great St. Louis Exposition was on and the city overflowed.” Dr. Philputt preached alternately to the two congregations in their respective churches, “thus getting acquainted and fostering the great project before us,” he wrote. “It was then mutually agreed that with September 1 (1904) we should enter formally upon the permanent relation of pastor and people.” The first “unit” of the new church, “a superb modern Sunday school building costing nearly $70,000,” was completed and dedicated in November 1904. “In this,” Dr. Philputt wrote, “were a commodious auditorium with encircling galleries, divided into classrooms so arranged that every eye might focus on the pulpit.” This first “unit” of the church was called the chapel by the early founders of Union Avenue (it is now the Fellowship Room). The design was characterized by the Akron Plan, which consisted of a large assembly room in the center of the building’s main floor with a balcony around three sides of the large space. Classrooms with dividing walls radiated from the general assembly room on both the ground floor and a second-floor balcony. “With what pride and joy we entered this beautiful building for our first service,” Dr. Philputt wrote. “It was the beginning of the fulfillment of a noble dream long cherished by our leaders with vision. There was heard occasionally from the other churches, ‘Last year we had ten churches, now we have only nine; what kind of progress is that?’ My reply was, ‘Sometimes nine is more than ten,’ and the sequel certainly proved this true. Almost at once the magnitude of the enterprise arrested the attention of the whole city.” more Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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