WORTHY OF RECORD.
In the May number of the magazine for 1881, was a picture and a description of Christ’s Church, in Wilmington, N.C. We intimated at that time that the same generous friend who had built the church intended still larger outlays and improvements at the same point, an account of which might be expected at a future time. That time has come, and we proceed to complete the picture and the description of Hon. James J. H. Gregory’s noble gift to the Wilmington mission.
First, the School-House.–This was, originally, a wooden two-story building, 84 × 30 feet, one end of which was occupied by the mission family, and the other by the schools. It would accommodate, by crowding, 150 pupils. This building has now been completely remodeled, and the whole of it devoted to schools and mission work. It has been flanked by two wings, each 54 × 16, two stories high, having a front of 116 feet, with room for 300 or 350 pupils. The lower story contains three school rooms, first and second primary and grammar; also room for lady missionary, in which she holds sewing classes, prayer-meetings, and deals out books, papers and clothing to the needy.
CHURCH, HOME AND SCHOOL, WILMINGTON, N.C.
The upper story contains high-school room, principal’s room, assistant’s recitation room, and a hall capable of seating between three and four hundred, and which can be used, if necessary, for a still higher grade of school in the future.
Second, the Mission House.–The house is a wooden frame in a brick “jacket,” the main part three stories high, and each story containing four rooms fifteen feet square, with an open fire-place in each. The L has nine rooms, exclusive of storeroom, pantry and wash-room, the latter of which is in the basement.
The roofs are flat, that on the main building having, beneath the eaves, eighteen ventilators, which insure fresh air for the house and coolness for the chambers. The house is finished throughout in pitch-pine, merely varnished, no paint being used inside. The window sashes and the door frames are of cypress, and with care will last a century.
The brick is deep red, laid in one-half cement and one-half mortar, a mixture which has hardened like stone. The walls are plastered with the same, with the addition of hair to give it proper tenacity and cohesion. The whole structure is solid, airy and imposing, admirably arranged for convenience in domestic work and for the comfort of the teachers and missionaries.
The entire cost of the Home, and of the extension and repairs on the school-house, is $12,550, and including the church (which is seen on the left hand of the picture), the whole group of buildings has cost the donor $16,150.
For the purposes in behalf of which they were erected they are nearly perfect. Utility and comfort have been combined in everything with the least possible waste of room or money. They are a monument to the head and heart and hand of the generous giver, such as any might covet, but such as few will have.
While they stand they will be a beacon of light and hope to benighted thousands, and will bring upon the head of their author the blessing of many ready to perish. Who will imitate the example and share in the reward?