The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-29

VOLUME IX.--NUMBER
THE NEW GERMAN CHURCH.
THE FRUITION OF FIVE FEARS OF
FAITH And ENERGY
Solemn Dedication Serstces-The Re-
moval from the Old Church-A Well.
Earned Testimonial Presented to the
Architect-Descriptio OF the New
Building.
Yesterday was day that will long be re-
membered by the German citizens of Charles
ton, and especially BY that large and inauen'
tIal body composing the congregation of the
German Lutheran Church, as the day on
which was witnessed the result of their indus
trious efforts for the past five years to provide
themselves with commodious and approprt-
ate place of worship, the fruition OF their
hopes, and the realization of their most san
guine expectations In this direction. The
history of this enterprise, which has
at last eliminated in the impressive
scene of yesterday, is q record of patient en-
.ergy and perseverance from the year 1867.
when the resolution to build new church
was adopted, up to the present time when the
church stands completed and ready for occu-
p6tlon. Every method has been resorted to
by the indefatigable workers who have had
the success of this scheme and the welfare of
the church at heart, and large sums of money
have been raised by means of fairs, picnics,
musical entertainments and periodical con-
tIibutionp, until now the society can boast OF
as beautiful and appropriate aplace of worship
as any in the city, and one which will with
stand for years the fury Of the elements and
the effacIng hand of time, pointing It's slender
finger toward the heavens, and inviting with
In Its sacred walls the weary and heavy laden.
Farewell to the Old Church.
At an early hour of the bright, spring-like
morning, small boys in their holiday suits and
little girls In gala costume might have been
seen vending their way towards the scene of
action, and Hasel street grew lively and ami
mated as it began to fill and grow crowded.
On the sidewalks gathered the boys and girls
smiling and happy, while the older members of
thevarious organizations, "a little later and more
leisurely, began to make their appearance.
The arrival of the Rev. L. Muller, the loved
and revered pastor OF the old German Luth-
eran Church, was the signal for the commence
ment of the ceremonies, and the assembled
societies and guests began to enter the
OLD CHURCH.
This ediice Is situated at the corner Of Hasel
aud Anson streets, and though substantially
and neatly built, has but few pretensions OF
architectural beauty. 1t Is also too small for
the large congregation which. has hitherto
worshIpped In 1t, but its worn and familiar ap-
peaBance excited feeling akin to regret as
the congregation looked for the last time as
body upon the old familiar walls. The pews
are arranged In unusual style, there being
but two side alsles to the church and no GEN.
tral aisle. These run the whole length of the
church, and upon them are the entrances to
the four division of pews. It has also a neat
gallery upon each side, aud q place for the
choir In the gallery at the south eud opposite
the chancel. The latter is neatly rallied Of, and
contains the reading desk and pulpit. Both are
handsomely furnished with crimson vei7ets,
hangings and cushions, but the latter is most
peculiarly arranged. 1t is raised upon four
pillars to the height Of six feet and standing
against the wall Is entered from the vestry
room In the rear of the church proper. The
minister makes his appearance for the SER
mon through door high up in the wall, and
thus attains the pulpit. The pews Of the old
church were soon filed with
LARGE CONGREGATION,
consisting entire'y ofmales, with the exception
of the two female voices in the choir. The as
semblage was composed of the various clubs
and companies who were to take part n the
procession, the congregation ofthe church, the
invited guests Of the ministry and city gov
ernment, &c. On the right OF ta9 chancel
were the visiting mlnisters-among whom
were the Rev. Messra. A. r. Rude, j. L.
Honour, W. d. Adams, E. T. Winkler, Smart,
Wightman, Bracket, Dana, LaFar, and
others. To the left of the chancel were
Messrs. John q. Devereux and the other
builders The societies filed the body of the
Church, and among the invited guests were
Mayor WAGNER, and Aldermen Brown, John-
sten. Sweegan, O'Nelll, Michaels, Bowen and
Glover. After hymn from the choir.
THE KEY
of the new church was presented by Mr.. John
a. Devereux, the architect. It was hand
some silver key, with a gold cross, enclosed
within the oval handle, made at Haydens, and
upon the richly chased cross we're the words:
0To the German Church, from Its architect,
John H. Devereux.n Engraved by Mr.. William
Fisher. The key was about six inches In
length, and contained in a handsome case of
crimsoned morocco, with.a glass top. The
building committee advanced to the space In
front Of the chancel, and Mr.. Devereux meet
ing them there, the presentation was made by
him In the following words:
Mfr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Build
ing Conmittee-It Is now nearly five years
since we met for the first time within these
walls to plan and determine the style and de-
sign for your new church, made necessary 6y
your increasing numbers. Five years fraught
with so many changes to nations and indiVldu-
ais, OF sadness and Joy, OF life and OF death,
have found no change In our friendship, ex-
cept by most pleasant association In cement
ing more firmly those feelings Of mutual es-
TEEN which first brought us together. If
there is shadow of regret In my heart to-day
It is that our connections are about 10 be
severed, our labors together having drawn to
close. Mr.. Chairman, no man In this city
appreciated the peculiar position l occupied
4 than rnUlalf pro.