A small church that still belongs to Lutherans, now as Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Chapel (a Missouri Synod congregation). It is an exception to the general rule that Lutherans did not build corner-tower auditorium churches; the shape of the tiny lot dictated the shape of the church. The slope dictated that the sanctuary would be on the second floor if you enter from the front, but the ground floor if you enter from the back.
W. Ward Williams was the architect of this fine hall, built in 1912 for the local lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Like most lodge halls, it was built with the meeting hall upstairs, so that the ground floor could be given over to rent-paying storefronts. The building has been neatly restored and is now home to Community Kitchen Pittsburgh.
The three-link chain is the emblem of the Odd Fellows.
Map.
This was the place where the marvelous Ruud water heaters were produced. We take hot running water for granted today, but in this 1908 catalogue, the novelty is brought out in the “instructions” at the front of the book:
COMPLETE DIRECTIONS
Note carefully the instructions
for operating the Ruud
Water Heater
“TURN THE FAUCET”
You may add hot water in your home to the list of innovations for which Pittsburgh is responsible.
