Springfield's first church building in 1636 had to have two towers, one as a lookout for hostile Indians.— The mullioned windows of this old Christ Church were Gothic in outline, and the building was sheathed with wide boards, running from the roof to the basement wall, their place of joining covered by narrow cleats. It was painted a gray-brown. In the cupola hung a bell. One parishioner remembers its sweet tone; another, its harsh, unpleasant sound. It was cracked at one time, which, no doubt, explains the difference in memories. When it became necessary to remove this bell the rope was cut, and it fell crashing to the pavement. Two little girls, in a spirit of adventure, once climbed to the top of this cupola. It was easy ascending, but the returning, perilous journey, through those bare rafters, was a never forgotten experience.
A flight of stone steps led up to the church. The basement, from Dr. McKnight's time at least (possibly before), was used for Sunday-School rooms, lectures, Lenten services, and other parochial meetings. Two large doors, Gothic, like the windows, led into the vestibule. From here, a flight of stairs at each end, led up to the gallery where the organ and choir led the singing. When the Boy Choir was introduced the front easterly pews downstairs were torn out, and the organ and a few benches placed there. Benches for the boys also replaced some of the pews at the westerly side. One parishioner remembers that when she' had fulfilled a promise to be a very good little girl, she was given the wonderful privilege of sitting in the gallery with the choir. Blowing the organ was a position greatly coveted by ambitious boys. Parents did not always perceive the glory of it. Two baize-covered doors led into the church from the vestibule. There were three aisles, and long, low-backed pews entered at least for one period by little doors. The floor was carpeted. There were no transepts, but two groups of pews' faced each other in front at right angles to those in the body of the church. A small vestryroom was built at one side of the chancel, and a "Library room," at the other. The altar was a very simple one, and on each side hung a tablet.
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