Editors note: As part of Historical Preservation Month, this is the 1918 report on the dedication of the Baptist Church in Brookings from the Brookings Register.
DEDICATE A NEW BAPTIST CHURCH
FINEST EQUIPPED CHURCH EDIFICE IN STATE
OPENED FOR WORSHIP
Brookings Register August 1, 1918
Above is a fine view of the new Baptist Church of Brookings, dedicated to worship on Sunday, June 2nd, 1918. It has been said by many who know regarding church architecture and planning, that it is one of the most complete and compactly arranged houses of worship in the west. Harry M. Jones of Minneapolis, the architect, has planned many churches and this is one of his finest and most satisfactory designs. The commodious one entrance on the corner leads to the spacious auditorium and Sunday school rooms above and to the assembly rooms, dining room, and kitchen below. Also, a broad stairway leads to classrooms housed on the second floor of the south end. The main room is finished in oak throughout, with heavy truss beams and with its furniture appropriate in design and color makes the scheme of furnishing both attractive and uniform. The pulpit, choir, and baptistery are specially planned for this structure and are unique and harmonious in their setting and arrangement. To the right of the platform is the commodious pastors study, having access from the outside at the northeast corner of the building. On the other side are the dressing rooms for candidates for baptism and a room for the choir. The arrangement of the Sunday school rooms at the south end of the church, both in the basement and the first and second floors, make this part of the church one of utility and service seldom seen in church buildings of an older date.
The spacious dining room in the basement with its model kitchen attached, are something that appeal to ladies of the church and assure them of a convenient place for their activities. Two heating plants are located in the basement, making it possible to heat detached portions of the building as well as provide sufficient warmth when all the structure is in use. This makes for ease as well as convenience. Another matter of utility is the manner in which the windows are opened. Being hinged at the bottom, there is provision against a draft or the leaking in of rain, a measure of thoughtfulness appreciated by the worshipers. Where oak has not been used in the interior finishing, a fine grained yellow pine has been placed, giving the woodwork an attractive and refined appearance. An entrance is placed in the small wing at the southwest corner of the front, which provides easy access to the assembly and Sunday school rooms without using the main entrance. In size, the structure is a full fifty feet in width, with a length of one hundred thirty-five feet. The outside is attractive, being of tapestry brick, trimmed with light stone. Adequate light is provided for all the rooms and convenience marks every one of the arrangements.
The building of this church has been in the hands of Sam A. Johnson, a local contractor and builder, whose reputation has grown with every one of the buildings he has erected. The committee of the church having charge of the building are warm in their praise of the thoughtful-
ness and care taken by Mr. Johnson in every step of the work. Mr. Johnson has built numerous dwellings in Brookings and has always satisfied the owners. At Cleremont, Iowa, he built a church that gave such complete satisfaction that the congregation gave him a testimonial when it was completed. At Montgomery, Minn., he also erected another house of worship that stands to this day as the finest built in that part of the state. The opera house and store buildings in Aurora, the only brick building in the town, are another testimonial of his thorough workmanship.
The Baptist congregation of Brookings is to be congratulated on this fine structure and the Register gladly publishes this view to show people away from here what fine churches we have.
We are also glad to think that this handsome building has been erected by a home contractor, believing as we do that Brookings has the best in that line of industry.
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