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architectural details
In 1923, Dr. Robert Leetch was called to Second Presbyterian Church on the same day the trustees' resolution to purchase property near the intersection of Charles Street and St. Paul was found agreeable by a congregation of less than 300 members. The Church House, which became known as Smith Hall in 1945, was dedicated in 1925. The Manse was completed and occupied in 1929 and our Sanctuary was dedicated on October 26 1930. Both buildings are a brick, Georgian Colonial style with stone trim construction which won a "National Prize" for the architects. The exterior Greek revival entry portico to the Sanctuary has six fluted Doric columns. The interior barrel vault ceiling rises from a colonnade of Ionic columns. There are 120 white painted pews, half of which originally opened onto a stone center aisle that led to the raised Chancel area. For many years, the choir sang from the area six feet above the Chancel. The Chapel and Office Wing, mostly paid for by memorial contributions, were occupied in 1966.
THE THIRD BUILDING
In the move to Guilford only 127 members could be counted on to relocate. The new property was purchased for $57,000, and the old Church was sold for $45,000. On December 11, 1924 ground was broken for the Church House and Tower. Less than one year later the Annual Congregational Meeting was held in the new Church House.
THE FOURTH BUILDING
Ground was broken for our present Sanctuary and Manse on April 26, 1929. The Manse was completed and occupied in December of that year, and the new church was dedicated a short time later on October 26, 1930. The Congregation at this service filled the church to overflowing. Then, in 1953, the Sanctuary was redecorated, for the first time since it was built, for the Sesquicentennial Celebration.