The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-24
INTERESTING CEREMONIES.
DEDICATION or BETHLEHEM cHrRcH


The beautiful brick structure which has
recently made its Appearance on Sixth street
between Clay and Leigh has doubtless at
tracted the attention of many Of our citi-
zens as one of the neatest specimens of
church architecture that our city can boast.
1t is Bethlehem church, built for the use OF
the Evangelical Lutheran congregation, Of
which Rev Louis Lochner, q talented young
German divine, is the pastor.
The cornerstone Of this edifice was laid
with imposing ceremonies on Easter Mon
day lin April last, and since that time
the work Of bricklayers and carpenters has
progressed with great rapidity, it having
been stipulated that the house should be
completed in time for the sessions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Synod Of Missouri,
Ohio, and other States :" which meets in
this city on Wednesday next.
For the excellent workmanship and
speedy construction the congregation is in
debted to Messrs. Lybrock & Gibson, the
well-known architects also to the several
contractors-vih., John & George Gibson,
wood work William Davis & Son, brick
work William Pfeitfer, painting William
Kennedy, plastering; and Shanks, Bowers
4 Barret, gas and plumbing. To each Of
these firms the building committee are
grateful.
The style of the building is Byzantine,
and it is surmounted by spirc 100 feet in
height. The front is fortytwo feet with
height of ceiling, which is archcd and in
tcrscctcd by ornamental transoms twenty
five feet high. The interior is plain but
neat, and marks OF taste and good work
manship are everywhere visible. The
reading desk, pulpit, and altar are highly
were constructed by Mcssrs. Leonhardt, AL
brcch 4 Eckert. In rear of the altar are
three handsome glass tablets, with the fol-
lowing Scriptural passages handsomely
painted in German text:
FGr$t.-'' Blessed are those who hear the
word of God"
Second (centre).- Take, eat, this is my
body. Take, drink, this is my blood"
Third" Baptize them in the name of
the Father, and Of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost"
Above these tablets is a circular window
of stained glass, the work of Mr.. Wenden-
dlcsticks, contributed by Mr.. Frank.
The choir gallery is commodious but
we'll proportional 10 the size of the build
ing, and the body Of the church will seat q
good congregation. The aisles are covered
with mating, and the ladies Of the church
have carpeted the ycstry and space about
the altar in Il manner rejecting credit on
themselves.
Yesterday morning ut half-past o'clock
tho congregation assembled for the last time
in the old church, just in rear Of the new,
to engage in the yaicdictory services. These
we're appropriate and affecting. An inte-
resting discourse by Rev. Mr.. Lochncr,
from 50th Psalm, l4th verse: Offer unto
God thanksgiving, and pay thy VOWS unto
the Most High" The ministers and congre-
cation then marched from the old church to
the new in the following order:
First, four clcrgymcn-Rcv. L. Lochncr,
pastor of the church: Rev. Charles Gross,
of Buffalo, y. Y. Rev. p. Brandt, of Buff
lalo, and Rev. Z. Gottlicb, Of Port Richmond,
N.Y.. two carrying Bibles, another hymn
book, and the fourth prayer-book.
The ministers were followed by Mcssrs. E.
Q. Noting, c. Spott, \. Spott, Z. Franck,
II. Walter, and c. Faitig, elders of the
church, bearing new set OF silver Commu-
Mon vessels. The members Of the church,
congregation, and visitors brought up the
rear.
Proceeding to the front Of the new
church, Rev. Mr.. Lochner, 1T the head of
the procession, was met by Mr. Lybrock,
the architect, who presented the key (nade
in Baltimore specially for this house, to the
pastor, who, taking it with bow, unlocked
the door and opened it wide, pronouncing
the words:
II open this house Of worship in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and Of
the Holy Ghost. Amen"
The procession then filed in the church,
the organ playing and the choir singing:
Praise to Cod the Almighty
After the singing, the congregation being
seated, an appropriate prayer of dedication
was offered to the Most High by the Rev.
Mr.. Gross, after which the usual Sabbath
morning services were held. Rev. Mr..
Gross preached in the German language
from the first ten verses of the nineteenth
chapter of st. Luke. Then followed the adj
ministraton Of the Sacrament Of the Lords
Supper, a hymn, and the benediction.
In the afternoon, Rev. MIR. Brandt
preached to n good congregation, taking as
his text the first five verses of the Hundred
and Fifth Psalm. At night services in
English were held, which we were unable
to attend.
We may add q word about the church.
1t was established only about twelve years
ago, and now has about forty members, and
good congregations attend the weekly SER
vices. With their present pastor, and
hearts warm in the cause, these Christian
people hope largely to increase their mem-
bership and widen their field Of usefulness.
ACCIDENT.-William Catlin, the wheel
L.. I D. rl.r,+,,