Posted by Michael Stern on May 29, 1998 at 20:58:29:
In Reply to: SAVE THOMAS HALL NOW!!!! posted by Gerry Wilkinson on May 27, 1998 at 13:34:10:
The following is a brief description of Thomas Hall. Most information was taken from the Biographical Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects.
Thomas Hall at Temple University was built in 1886 as the Park Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The building was designed by the Philadelphia firm of Hazelhurst & Huckel, whose best-known project is the Mother Bethel African Methodist Church on South 6th Street. The firm was the partnership of Edward P. Hazelhurst, an apprentice of both T.P. Chandler and Frank Furness, and Samuel Huckel, Jr. This was the first church commission for the firm and was won through a competition. In 1891 the firm returned to design the adjacent parsonnage. The firm went on to specialize in church design for many prestigious Philadelphia congregations; probably their best-known project is the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on South 6th Street. The partnership began in 1881 and continued until 1900, when Huckel received the commission to remodel Grand Central Station in New York City. The firm worked primarily on residential commissions, and designed homes for prominent Philadelphia area families. Hazelhurst's late works included several major commissions for Pennsylvania State University.
Thomas Hall is a particularly exuberant example of the High Victorian Gothic style, and one of the firm's finest works, with strong massing and a roughly textured facade. It is reminiscent of Romanesque structures with some elements, such as the tracery and pinnacles, borrowed from Gothic architecture. The cross-gable plan is augmented by a rectangular bell tower on the northeast and the gable ends feature large stained glass windows. Thomas Hall is truly "a gift to the street."
Michael Stern, Director, Historic Religious Properties Program and Technical Services