In this 1913 photograph, the Second Baptist Church steeple can be seen behind the Triangle Block at Franklin, North and Achilles Streets. The Church preceeded the Temple Building at this downtown location.

In the foreground, on Main Street, a man stands above a horse drawn wagon-based elevated platform to work on the overhead trolley wires.

Photo: Copyright Albert R. Stone Negative Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Printed in the Rochester Herald November 23, 1913
Sometime in the early 1920's, Reverand Clinton Wunder, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, convinced his congregation to build the Temple Building. The parish had outgrown their existing Church. Rev. Wunder thought that a nine story building would become an economic engine for the Church's mission. Eventually the plans changed to a fourteen story building. Many in the congregation thought that it was unwise to build a fourteen story "Skyscraper Church."

Photo: "Reverand Clinton Wunder sitting at his desk." Copyright Albert R. Stone Negative Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
Rev. Wunder prevailed however, and a building committee, headed by William Hartman was established. Originally the committee decided to build a combined church and hotel. They changed direction though and decided a combination church and office building would be better suited for the needs of the church and also more profitable. Mr. Hartman died suddenly in July 1923, but not before every penny of the estimated $1,900,000.00 had been raised to build the Temple Building.

The existing church was quickly demolished and construction began sometime in 1924. The congregation would temporarily worship in the old Lyceum Theater. Arthur Castle, the chairman of the building committee was determined to finish construction within one year, and very nearly succeeded. Despite many trying circumstances, the new Temple Building was dedicated on September 7th, 1925.

Photo: "The Temple Building Skeleton." Copyright Albert R. Stone Negative Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Printed in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle March 1, 1925
During the early years of it's use, the splendid auditorium was frequently filled to capacity, and it was not uncommon to turn folks away. Rev. Wunder had strong oratorical skills and unusual advertising and promotional abilities. Each year more than 100,000 people would walk through the Temple doors to attend worship services or an occasional debate. The Church prospered and the Temple Building became one of Rochester's landmark destinations.
Back in 1926, the Rev. Clinton Wunder and Clarence Darrow stand on a sidewalk with their hats in their hands. Darrow had just arrived in Rochester for a debate at the Temple Building with Rev. Wunder on the topic "Has Life A Purpose?" Darrow's argument was based on his bold agnostic theories.

Photo: Copyright Albert R. Stone Negative Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Printed in the Democrat and Chronicle October 30, 1926.
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