The building occupied by our school is one of the finest ever erected
for Sunday school purposes. When dedicated, in 1877, Dr. (now Bishop)
Vincent declared it to be the most complete Sunday school chapel in the
United States, and this, he added, meant the world, for the buildings of
the United States for Sunday school use were infinitely superior to
those of other countries. It is constructed in the shape of a semicircle
and is two stories high. The first, or ground floor, contains a prayer
room, church parlors, class rooms, and the library. The second, or
principal floor, is arranged especially for Sunday school uses. This is
a vaulted room with a gallery running entirely around it. Beneath the
gallery, and facing the superintendent, are placed the Primary and
Intermediate Departments; their seats are on raised platforms. Large
folding doors with glass panels and illuminated Scripture texts shut off
these rooms from the Junior Department. The gallery over these rooms
contains five large Senior Class rooms. The floors are a series of wide
platforms, and chairs are used for seats. Lifting glazed doors,
beautifully ornamented with appropriate Scripture texts, shut off these
rooms from the auditorium. The main floor is occupied by the pupils of
the Junior Department, who sit on chairs grouped around their class
tables. The Normal Class sits at one side and the Reserve Corps at the
other side, behind the Junior Classes. The superintendent, from his
platform, commands a view of the entire school. He can see everyone and
everyone can see him and the blackboard behind him. The rooms are so
arranged that at the opening and closing exercises the schoolrooms can
be made one audience room. The visitors' gallery is behind and over the
head of the superintendent, facing the school. The woodwork of the
interior is of Southern pine, finished in oil. The entire building is
beautifully painted and frescoed, but the decorator's hand is shown more
prominently on the walls and vaulted ceiling of the Sunday schoolroom,
where the passion flower and grapevine are artistically blended with the
Greek and Latin symbols representing Christ. In the arch over the
superintendent's desk is a large--almost life-size--oil painting on
canvas, and attached directly to the wall. It is a copy of Hoffmann's
celebrated picture, "Christ in the Temple," and is pronounced a fine
work of art. The floors are all covered with carpets, which are of
colors that harmonize with the wall decorations, and the rooms are
seated with chairs, making this Sunday school building unusually
attractive and elegant.