English Lutheran, south-west corner of Broad and Arch streets, will be, when completed, one of the finest churches in the city. The prevailing material is green stone variegated with light sandstone and stone of other colors. The style is castellated rather than ecclesiological. The design of the building carries out the idea of Luther, “Ein feste Bourg ist unser Gott”—“Our Lord is a strong castle.” The square tower at the north-east corner rises from the pave ment in the castellated style to the height of 92 feet. At the corners are to be circular turrets with pinnacles. Above all will rise a slated Mansārd roof with louvre windows, making the total height 147 feet. There is to be an ornamental railing on the peak. The main audience-room is 112 by 70 feet. The building is 75 feet on Arch street by 139 feet deep. The style will remind the traveller of the castellated structures on the Rhine and throughout Germany. It is Florid German-Gothic. On the Arch street front the main building is relieved by a covered arcade, the arches being supported on polished stone pillars. The interior is richly fitted up, and the cost of the building was over $200,000. This church was dedicated in 1875.
(Source: The official guide book to Philadelphia by Thompson Westcott, 1875)
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