Days before its dedication, a new Presbyterian church in Binghampton, New York burns to the ground

An overnight fire completely destroyed the newly completed First Presbyterian Church in Binghampton, New York.  The new Romanesque church was to have accomodated 1200 people, had a tower 220 feet tall, and was scheduled for dedication the following Sunday.  The fire broke out in the old wooden church nearby and spread to the new structure while firefighting efforts were hampered by a frozen water supply.  A rebuilt church was dedicated in April 1863.  (By John Osborne)