Evening star., 1868-05-11
The Congregational Church.

DEDIcAToRY SERVICES.
Yesterday morn ing this splendid church ed
iice "a full description Of which was pub
hshed in the STAR several months since) was
opened for religious services for the first time.
and one Of the largest congregations In Wash
Ington assembled there, embracing a mum Der
OF our first citizens members of Congress &c
Among others of note we noticed Senators Will.
son, Anthony, Thayer, Pomeroy, Upton and
Poland; Representatives Baker, Cook aud
Farnsworth; Secretary McCulloch, Assistant
Postmaster General Mcclellan and General
Howe. The number present was estimated at
about LOO, and included abont fifty colored
persons, among them DIR. Purvis and George
II. Downing. The orphans from the Colored
Home were also present.
The edifiee is yet incomplete, but the audi
forum In winch the services took place, is so
nearly completed that the Trustees are making
arran e ments for putting IN cushions and lay
ing lne carpets, preparatory to renting the
pews about the first Of June. The building is
las feet in length, and 90 in width, and the au-
ditorum is 50 by 100 feet IS feet in height At
the north end Of the room is the platform for
me enoir about ~ feet in height, which is reach
ed Dy an easy flight Of stairs from the main
stairway to the galleries, and in front of this is
the platform for the Minister. A commodius
gallery extends around three sides OF the room,
reached by four starways, from the northern
and southern portions of the room, and in il
the seats are so arranged that all have a full
view OF the minister. Including the pews in
tne galleries there are l70 in the aud itorium.
and the aisles being broad, small ben ches are
near at hand, so that when necessary the space
In the alsles can be made available. On the
same nocr with the gallery lecture room will
be provided. separated from the gallery by sash
doors, which can be removed at any time, and
increase the sitting room at preaching, &C. by
6Oo seats. The front of the galleries, platforms
and stairways are unpainted. but oiled. and
contrast we'll with the white walls. The CELL
ing has In 1t nine openings, the centre being a
large one,) in which will be placed ground
glass plates, through which, at night, the gas
Jets above Will throw down amelIow light and
the windows, five on either side are of stained
glass OF beautiful design. On the right and lett
pastors study, and the other as a committee
room, and on the right and left of the main en-.
trance l1rom u streef) will be fitted up two
large rooms, into one Of which a dumb waiter
rises from the kitchen below, which will be
used as reception rooms, &c.
1he style OF architecture is BYZANTINE and
the material used brick and brownstone. When
complete, the whole cost, including the ground
Will be about SlU,OO0. The church Is being
built on the plans of Mr.. II. r. Searles archi7
tect, who has personally superintended its con-
suucuon. The masonry is by Mr.. Thomas
harvey, and the carpenters work by Mr. J. w
Rumsey. The building committee are General
y. y. Howard, ]. w. Rumsey, r. H. Stevens,
ID. l.. Eaten, &. 5. Mattoon, and L. Watson
The trustees, who by the charter have legal
control of the church property, are d. NJ Kel.
sey, General o. o. Howard. DR. H. Barber
I. Longley. and w. F. Bascom.
The exercises yesterday were opened by the
choif, lead by Professor Perkins, singing the
voluntary mighty Jehovah" the solo by Mrs
buts accompanied by a fine Cabinet organ
winch Will be used until a larger instrument is
built The pastor, Rev. DIR. Boynton, offered
prayer and announced the hymn ssGlorous
Things OF Thee are Spoken" which was sung
and the pastor read as the lessons the 32d
Psalm and Sd chapter of I'd Cori,. THAN, follow
ed by fervent prayer. While the collection
was being taken, which by the way was a very
LIBERAL one MRS Butts sang beautiful hymn.
Inc pastor then announced as the basis of his
discourse the Sth verse of the 18th chapter OF
Exodus, 10th and 18th verses of the Sd chan
ter OF LIST Corinthians and the I'D verse of the
2lst chapter OF Revelations. and after speaking
OF the commands of g cd relative to the erection
OF the temple and the duty Of keeping the
church holy unto the Lord he referred to the
TACT that u years ago the first attempt was
made to establish Congregational church IN
TINS city which failed and since several
other attempts had been made and
failed, but this house had been built
10 be dedicated TO religious services Ii
was dedicated also to reform, instruction
and the elevation of humanity: but the ulti.
mate success OF the church will depend on the
blessing received by the congregation and the
conversion of sinners to the living God. Here
would marriage vows be made here our dead
would De sometimes brought and the children
DaptZed and here would glad tidings be an
nounced. If strife and agitation entered he
hoped Christ would come and speak peace and
ne trusted that the members and congregation
would be Imbued with Christ like love and
charity. In conclusion, he said: Therefore
arlse o God, and enter into Thy resting place
Thou and the ark of Thy spirit" An appro-
pirate hymn followed, and after PRAYER the
congregation was dismissed.
The congregation was organized a little over
year ago, and already is quite large. The
doors OF the church are not closed to any one
coiorea people being admitted as we'll as
white, as was the case yesterday. In the Sun-
day school. in which there are at present two
hundred pupils, there are several colored
classes. one Of adults. The school at present
occupies the auditorium, but will be renewed
TO the lecture room as soon as ii is completed.
Some parties have circulated report that the
building was unsafe, and Mr.. Cough, previous
10 delivering his lecture there on Friday even.
ing. received note signed "Citizen," saying
that many would not attend because they con-
sidered the building insecure. The church
was crowded. Notwithstanding, and was well
nlled yesterday, and If ever building had a
thorough test of strength applied to ii, it was
this one on these two occasions.
We understand that in the election of deacons
noticed as having taken place on Monday even.
ing last, the controversy pending bet ween some
OF the mem bership did not enter, and the eIec.
ton was not held In reference 70 such contro.
versy. 1tappears that when the congregation
was organized and the deacons elected, their
term Of office was not fixed, and about month
since resolution was offered that the terms of
the deacons be as follows two at three wears
two at two years, and two at one year. This
resolution was adopted at the meeting on Mon
day night last, and the following were elected:
Messrs. Hodges, White, RUSSELL MorrelI, Ly-
man and Brewster.