Building Pilgrim Church
By 1893,
plans for a new structure were developed by Sidney R. Badgley and a bid was
accepted in the spring to the contracting firm of Jacob Schade. The cornerstone
was laid on July 6, 1893, on donated land and was completed for a total cost of
$135,000.
The architectural style is known as "Richardson-Romanesque," a popular Victorian style characterized by round arches and a massive structure. The large building has a brick masonry bearing walls and a brownish red sandstone facing from Jacobville, Michigan. The entry area is made from a fine-grained quartz, orange-red sandstone, known as "Portage Entry Red." The original color is still visible on the front porch.
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The Bell towers have round headed lancet windows, rose windows, corner turrets, and pyramidal roofs.
The Northeast tower stands at 150 feet and houses one brass bell cast by McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, and repaired in 1998 (photo on previous page). The central east tower is enclosed without a bell. Large stained glass windows fill the north and east gables.
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