Design for a church at Shanghai, China [graphic] / Tho. U. Wlater, archt., Philada.

Format:

Image

Author/Creator:

Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887.

Contributor:

Shuck, J. Lewis.

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Churches--China--Shanghai.

Shanghai (China).

Presbyterian Church (Shanghai, China).

Local Subjects:

Shanghai (China).

Presbyterian Church (Shanghai, China).

Physical Description:

2 drawings : ink & wash on paper ; 70 x 66 cm. overall or smaller

Contained In:

Walter, Thomas Ustick. Architectural drawings collection.

Place of Publication:

Nov. 11, 1850.

Notes:

Title taken from WTU*055*002, which shows a front elevation. The other drawing, WTU*055*001, is entitled "Design for a new Presbyterian Church" and has two images, a plan of first story & plan of basement which appear to correspond to the elevation.

While these two drawings appear to belong together visually and by the given written identification, a difficulty comes in the supporting identification of this project. A partial transcription of a letter, from the collection of J. Lewis Shuck and his wife Henrietta Hall Shuck in this archives of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, gives a description of this project. "Plans and specifications for the Building were drawn and kindly presented to me by Mr. Walters of Philadelphia ... They were very nearly like those drawn by the same Architect for the new Baptist Chapel in Norfolk, Va. In Shanghai we could not secure a lot sufficiently large ... so that we had in some respects to deviate from Mr. Walter's drawings." The letter goes on to describe the church. This documentation makes sense, perhaps, if the letter was written by the Presbyterian official in charge of the construction of the church to his Baptist colleague, Shuck. Evidentally due to the deterioration of the letter, this cannot be confirmed. The transcription also appears to confirm that the church was constructed, though with some modifications. The specific location in Shanghai is not given. A drawing for the Freemanson Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., is also available in the Walter Archives, cataloged separately.

Forms part of: Walter, Thomas Ustick. Architectural drawings collection.

Cited in:

Laverty, v.1, p. 238, WTU*055/002