The New York herald., 1870-08-31
IMPOSING RELIGIOUS CEREMONY.

Laying Of the Corner Stone Of the Church Of
the Ascension, West Brighton, Staten
Observation-Disclosures OF the Old Church
Description OF the New EdIfce.
On one OF the most beautiful building sites Of the
North Shore OF Staten Island church edince Is in
OF for the congregation or the Church
OF the Ascension.
Sixty-seven years ago John Mcvicker, then a resi-
dent Of the vicinity and the owner Of the Dongan
Manor House and of large tract OF land, conveyed
the church lot to the Rev. Richard Charming
Moore, the rector and to the church
wardens and vestrymen Of St. Andrews
church. in the county Of Richmond. little
chapel, called Trinity chapel, had shortly before
been built upon the spot, and Mr.. Moore held re-
lgious services In 1t on the afternoons of alternate
sundays spending the rest OF his time at the parish
church and rectory at Richmond. lie was succeeded
by Rev. David Moore, his son, who held service
every Sunday afternoon. The congregation increas.
ing In size, the church was considerably enlarged
The ministry Of Rev. David Moore covered a period
OF more than forty eight years. Since it terminated
BY his death, the church been supplied in various
ways until somewhat over a year since, when the
congregation caused new parish be set or from
the original parish, and organized the Church Of
the Ascension. Rev. DIR. Theodore Irving, then at
Newburg, accepted call to take charge az rector
and the church has ever since been growing to-
ward permanent prosperity. BY the earnestness
and charm Of his preaching. the courtesy of his
manner and his example Of faithful work, he has
drawn together such congregation as will
make his lab labors more so.,e effective and aid
frame church having been found too small and
being inconvenient and OF very nOmey pattern, It
was, In June last resolved to erect better building
and to double the number OF pews. The work was
Immediately commenced under the direction OF Mir.
r. p Smyth, the well known builder, frOm q fine
design by Mr.. Henry ]. Dudley architect, 40 Wall
street. and has made rapid pro2ress. The stone and
bricks are already laid up to the windows, and the
plan Is sufficiently developed to give promise OF q
most superb structure. Mr.. Clement Newton has
charge OF the mason work. and Is doing II in his best
The church is cruciform IN plan and consists of
nave, aisIcs and transeps. The chancel is apsdal
Chapel aud baptistry The tower occupies the north
west corner OF the church and turret the north
east, with vestibule connecting the two, The style
OF the building Is In the second period OF Gothic,
freely treated. IL il built OF native stone and brick
| and OHIO stone trimmings, with slated roof and
spre. The roof Will be open tfmbered with traceried
spandrils The height to the ridge VIII be Al feet
and the sDre lis feet. The seats and chance fittings
! WIN be OF hard wood.
The corner stone Of the church was laid yester-
| day afternoon in the presence OF very large num-
ber or persons. The following exercises took
place:-A procession was formed, composed OF
! OF Right Rev. Bishop Potter in his robes, accompa
MED by the following clergy IN snrplices:-Rev. Dr.
Irving, rector OF the Church OF the Ascension; Rev.
| I. Brackelbank, Fellow Of Kings C0llese.. Cam
| bridge, England; Rev. Horace Pratt, OF ST. Mary's;
| Rev. Pierre irving, OF ChrlSC Cnurcn, ana Kew
| George b. Reese OF Zion church, DObbs Ferry, for
merry associate rector OF st. Andrews; Gabriel Mar
| tino and Sidney ID. Roberts, wardens. and Cornelius
| Du BOIs Richard p. Smyth, Erastus Brooks Joseph
| II. Heal and Mortimer L. Fowler vestrymen.
Arriving at the place, the Bishop stan0ng near
the corner stone, delivered the opening address and
| appropriate prayers. The inscription on the stone
then read by Dr. Irving and the list OF deposits
within, which Included Bible aud book OF common
prayer list OF the names OF the rector, wardens
and vestrymen and some statements as To the found
| ing o. the church; photograph Of Bishcp Moore;
| photograph of Rev. DR.. Moore; sermons on the
death of DR.. Moore; history OF ST. Andrews par
isl, by Miss Margaret Moore; copies OF the frOtes.
tdmt C2,trc',,nda, NEW YORK HERALD, and other
| city papers OF August 80, and Richmond county pa
| pers.
the corner stone being laid It's place, the Bishop
| struck lt three times with hammer, Saying-"ln
the name OF the Father, and OF the Son, ana OF the
| Holy Ghost, Amen, ! lay the corner stone OF an
edi6ce to be here erected by the name OF the Church
| OF the Ascension, and to be devoted To the
| service OF Almighty God agreea0iy TO the
| principles OF the Protestant EplscOpal Church
| In the United states OF America, IN Its doc.
| trlnes, ministry. liturgy, rites ana usages.
Other foundation can no man lay tnan tnat Wnlch ID
laid, even Jesus Christ, who Is GOD over ALL blessed
| fOrevermore, and In whom we nave redemption
| through His blood even the forgiveness OF sins.
| Amen.
| trowel OF silver and silver hammer were used
| by the Bishop. ELOQUENT addresses were made by
| the Bishop and the Rev. Mr.. Reese.
| Other exercises then took place, IN wnlch the
| clergy named above participated Inc Gtor,d IN
| EyceisfS was sung, ana the Bishop pronounced the
| benediction.