Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-11-21

the corner OF Filth and Washington streets by the
congregation of the old Union NJ. Il. Church, on
Second street, was on Sunday dedicated with SOL
emn and impressive ceremonies to tho worship of
God. 'e
5 TiIE BUILDING. M
Il may not be out of place here to give o brief
description OF the building, though we have kept
our readers so well posted concerning 1t, and all
the other new churches at every stage of their
progress, that most Of them doubtless have pref
ty fair idea Of what the church looks like. The
church WIS commenced carly In the Spring OF
1861 and la the fall oftliat year the basement con-
tanning good large lecture room and several
clnss rooms was flushed and the congregation
commenced worshping there, work on the upper
part OF the building being suspended for the win
ter. In the Spring work was resumed, aud on
Saturday last the building was finished.
II is Of pressed brick with brown stone facings,
and presents very plain but elegant appearance.
The main building Is ninciy feet long by fifty-iour
wide, n yestbule In front eight feet deepand
q semi-eircuar ut the rear seven feet deep.
The building Is two stories In height, the first
story being divided into n lecture and Sunday
school room and several class rooms.
The whole OF the second story forms the maia
auditorium and is of the full dimensions of the
church except a yestibule of ten or twelve feet.
THIS loss Is, however more than made up for by
gallery over the vestibule and extending some
few feet over the audience room itself 1t is cal
cnlated that this room will seat seven hundred
people, though It held many more than that yes
tertay. The building faces east on Washington
street, and ~ this front and over the gallery is u
large and hauds ON. stained glass window. Along
each side are five long windows also OF stained
glass. Two beautiful small windows in the SEMI
circular recess back of the pulpit are splendidly
ornarncnted with Eucharistic symbols. The walls
and the high arohcd ceiling are beautifully frcs-
coed, ard suspended from the ceiling are some of
the handsomcst and neatest bronze gas fixtures
We ever saw.
The .pews, pulpit, pulpit furniture, and railing
around thu choir are all of solid walnut and the
first arc oilcd the oitcr walnut, with 1t seems TO
us, very questionable taste, being vanished. The
pulpit is in the west end Just Ia front of the
semi circular recess md tie latter is fitted up for
the choir who thus face the audience from behind
the pulpit The nisles arc carpeted with hand
some green carpet and the pcws are cushioned
with gtcen wOrsted. Altogether the interior is
as neat and handsome as could be asked for.
Perkins ~ Weldie did the brick work of the
building. The carpenter work was not given out
by contract but was done by jonrneymen employ
cd directly by the trustees and working under the
superniendence OF Joseph Robinson. Pickles IL
Cotter did the roofing and Jackson Il Sharp fur
nished window stills, doors and seats.
SERVICES YESTERDAY.
A preliminary serylc! was held in the church,
yesterday morning, and m immense congrega-
ton crowded all the seats and aisles.
The service commenced with the singing of
Pile, and THE Lord is King, by the choir, for
the occasion, which consisted of the regular choir
OF the church, assisted by Mr.. Pickles, Miss Con-
ner, Mr.. and Mrs. Downward, and Professor
Grobe Of the choirOt Grace church. Mr.. II. f..
Pickles, header oi the latter choir, led, and Prof.
Globe presided ut the organ.
Bishop Anies then read the fret portion oil the
Defeating service, after which the choir and
congregation united in singing hymn. Rev.
Mr.. England, pastor OF the church, then made
at md
sung.
Key. Mr.. Woolslon, Of the New jersey Confer
ence, then read tine first and second lessons Of the
morning service, and Bishop .Aines being intro
dutcd. delivered mn eloquent and appropriate SER
mon ir IN the text /" My House shall be House
| Of Prayer"
| After the sermon the Bishop announced that
| the whole cost of the church and ground was
~, O6O, for the payment OF s23 900 OF which pro-
| vision had already been made, there being bal
anee OF about gil 600 TO collect. This balance he
now asked OF the congregation present. The
collection continued for some three-quafters Of an
hour and resulted In the subscription of $4,000
dollars.
| THE DEDICATION.
The evening was the time fixed for the deiicu.
| tory services aud the church wils even NOR,
| dcnsely packed than il was in the morning, and
hundreds turned away unable to gain an cHtrancc
| The services were opened by the same splendil
| choir singing MS voluntary The Evening Hymn
after which the choir and congregation united il
singing hymn Rev. Mr., Houston then made
a prayer, and after another hymn Bishop Scot
preached the dedcatory sermon.
| Bishop Ames after the sermon announced Sha
considerab balance still remained to be paid on
the church, and asked for further contributions
$1,000 more was subscribed, leaving the balance
| under $50 o.
| The service OF Dedication was then read, ant
after the singing of the long meter Doxology by
the whole congregation, those present were dis
missed with the bcnediction.