Editor's note: As part of Historical Preservation Month, this story is a look back at the Register's coverage of the unveiling of the Methodist Church in 1904.

The New Methodist Episcopal Church Dedicated Free of Debt.

The Finest Edifice in South Dakota.

Brookings Register – December 22, 1904

THE NEW CHURCH

It would be difficult to picture in words the beauty and symmetry of the magnificent edifice which the accompanying engraving, even but poorly portrays.

The building cost almost $18,000 as it now stands. The foundation is 60x84 feet and is formed of solid concrete capped in Kasota stone. The entire outer walls of the church are constructed of pressed brick with Washburn sandstone trimmings, making it a very solid structure and of pleasing appearance to the eye.

The basement is the full size of the building and contains a coal room, furnace apartment, kitchen and dining room with two stairways leading from the main auditorium. The basement also has entrances from the street on the east and west sides near the front. Or one may enter the auditorium from those entrances without going into the basement.

The main entrance to the church is at the southeast corner and there is another entrance at the southwest corner. The auditorium floor is five feet above street level requiring steps to the entrances as shown in the engraving. The vestibules are simply large and well lighted.

The main auditorium is 44x60 feet, provided with oak pews, and will comfortably seat 400 people. Between the auditorium and the Sunday school room, which will seat 200 people, is arranged a rolling curtain. The Sunday school apartment is seated with chairs. The floor of the main auditorium is gradually sloping toward the pulpit, which is at the north end. The alter is nicely arranged and the pulpit is just the proper height and has plenty of room for the purpose it was intended. In back of the pulpit in a large alcove is the choir “loft” with ample space provided for a pipe organ. On the west side of the alcove is the pastor’s study with west entrance and on the east side is the choir room provided with closet for song books and music, cloak, and

hat racks. This room also has an entrance from the street and from this apartment there is a stairway and door leading to the balcony. The main auditorium and pulpit is neatly carpeted.

Perhaps the gallery or balcony is one of the most attractive features about the interior of the church. There are three entrances, one at the rear as previously described and one from either of the street entrances on the south. The balcony, with a seating capacity of about 200, extends along both sides of the church and across the south end. The seats are the opera style so arranged that every person seated in the balcony has a full view of the pulpit and choir circle. There are no poor seats throughout the entire church – no out of the way places. The towers each have a room amply large for a Sunday school class. A nice room is arranged on the west side near the entrance of the auditorium for the Sunday school library.

Three large windows, on the south, one east, and another on the west side of the church furnish abundant light to all parts of the balconies, Sunday school room, and auditorium. Theses windows are of stained glass, beautiful in design. There are other windows as follows: Epworth League, Junior League, Sunday school classes, Sunday school as a whole, Ladies’ Aid, and the Wilford memorial window.

Seating capacity of the church is, conservatively, 850, and by crowding somewhat will accommodate 1,000 people.

The entire woodwork about the church is oak, finished in natural color. This, with the general contour of the walls, and the ceiling with its large dome, forms a setting which makes it the most attractive church edifice it has been our good fortune to see. And many who have traveled widely expressed the opinion that for the money it was doubtful if there is another as fine a church in the Northwest. It certainly is the finest in this state, and reflects credit upon the society, and particularly is the committee in charge to be praised for their good taste and zeal in carrying forward the task set for them to accomplish.

There are 198 lights in the building arranged in perfect order and reflecting credit upon Prof. Hoy, who had this part of the work in his charge.

It is pleasing to note that contributions were received from the Prairie Home society, the First Presbyterian Ladies Aid society, and the United Presbyterian Church.