Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-17
Th- New uarI,,e M r Caur.s.

will be dedicated 70 the worship OF God on Satur.
day ard Sunday next, and the congregation are
making considerable preparations for the event
7 The order OF exercises will be follows
Saturday-Preaching at p. m, by Rev. Thos
GBaTd, of Baltimore. Reunion lovefeast at I y
p. m. SBDdsy-Preachinga at II q. m. by Bishop
Andrews, followed by theususl dedicstory ex-
ercises; preaching at p. m. by Rev. o. II. Tiff
Isny; preaching at ?: m: by Rey B. I; Ives
Freeman, will be assisted by musical talent
from sister churches.
history OF THE CONGREGATION.
In the early part Of the summer of 1866 q
number of the members of McKendree NJ f.
church, desiring TO organize new society, mel
at Union League Hall for that purpose, ana
mere N formed the nucleus OF the present Hamiine
the records. classes were formed, a Sabbath
school was organized, a library procured, pulpit
services provided for, the present name chosen,
its career, announcing a. its standard Of faith
and experience: holiness unto the Lord" A
campaign of earnest work was at once inaugu-
rated, prosperity crowned their efforts, numbers
were added TO the church, and II became neces-
sary to provide a place OF worship suitable for
the growing society. A committee was ap-
chased, and q neat, commodious frame building
was erected at cost of nearly $1,000. During
the erection Of the new house application was
made to the Baltimore conference for q regular
pastor. The request was granted, Hamllns Was
placsd on the list Of appointments, and Rev.
John X. Effneer was sent to the station.
",
Rev. DIR. j. T. Peck now Bishop preached the
dedication sermon. Since then the growth of
this enterprising church has been so rapid, that
as early as 1870, the necessity of better accom-
the psstorate of Rev L. I. Waterman, the pres
ent architectural plans were submitted and
agreed upon. In the spring Of 1872, under the
charge Of the present pastor, Rev. G. G. Baker,
the work commenced. The old church was
swung around to the rear of the lot for occupa-
ton while the new one should be going up. A
contract was made with Messrs. VIM. and Robt.
Downing, builders, according to the plans and
under the supervision Of the architect, Mr.. Jas
II. McGill, and in July following ground was
broken and the foundations were laid, of one of
the most beautiful and substantial churches In
our city. The church has since.its organization
swelled its membership to 235. the congregations
being usually large, and the Sunday school q
very prosperous one. Preparatory to occupying
the new edifce, the trustees have disposed Of
the frame building to some Of the members of
Foundry NJ. Z. church, who propose to start
mission on X street, near 10th.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW BUILDING.
The new edifice is tfty-fve feet wide and
eighty feet long, with projections for the spire,
stairway, ventilating ducts, &C., which break
up any monotony Of outline and give . pleasant
variety to the exterior appearance. Under a
portion Of the building there is cellar of suff-
Gent capacity to accommodate the two large
furnaces and apparatus by which the entire
building Is warmed. In the first or basement
floor wide vestibule extends across the entire
front, with two entrance-ways on 9th street and
another large doorway on street, in the cor
ner spire. From the center Of this vestibule is
which is forty by tfty-one feet, with the super
intendent's platform at the center of the
back end. ON the side Of the corri-
Classroom twenty. one feet SQUARE. and ON the
other side are two smaller class-rOoms, sepa-
rated from each other, and from the m ain school
room by Fash partitions, filled with enamelled
glass, and so arranged that the rooms may be
thrown together. In each end of the front ves-
Thule are wide, easy stalrNays leading to the
main floor, and from that up to the gallery
floor. On the main floor the auditorium extends
the full size of the building except in the spire
and a space on the opposite side of corresponding
di mansions, which are reserved for the stair
ways and vestibules. The pews are made open,
and are curved, so that all face the preachers
desk. gallery extends along both sides and
the front end, the latter portion being arranged
for the choir and organ The capacity of the
fortably seat eight hundred persons. The gal
lery, pews, altar, stairs, and all other inside
wood work of the church, is OF solid walnut and
ash-walnut being used for the mould
ings and trimmings and ash for the
body OF the work, which makes an
exceedingly rich and tasteful contrast. All
the inside walls and ceilings are handsomely
and corbels-the ornamental por-
tons being a pure white, and the fiat plain
portions being tinted a light gray. The win
dows are all filled with stained glass, in lead
sash, and have bright-colored borders and
heads. The main audience room Is lighted
from the ceiling, in which set ii We Of Frink's
patent double cone refiect0rs and ventilators.
Each reflector is about four feet and half in
diameter, and has sixteen burners-making
eighty burners in all-which light the church
'plendidly, giving mild, subdued, pleasant
Over each reflector Is large
opening with a metal covering, all of which
are connected by wires running over
pulleys, and are easily raised and lowered
by wire that extends down to the audience
room below, thus fully regulating the ventila-
ton. The exterior presents highly imposing
appearance, although the gracefully propor-
toned spire which is to surmount the corner OF
streets are faced with selected brick, with
bright gray Ohio sandstone for the trimmings,
such as the sils and belt courses, buttress caps,
&c. The main roof and upper portions of the
turrets and minarets are slated with purple Sus-
luehanna and green Vermont slate, laid in Or
patterns.
The church, without the spre being finished,
has cost about $685. 600 and was erected from
designs and plans prepared by Jas. H. McGill,
a well-known architect of this city, who has
also given the work his personal Supervision
during its construction.
The contractors for the building were Messrs.
w. u. Downing & Bro, able and responsible
builders, who have executed their contract to
tee and the architect. The sub-contractors for
the work under the Messrs. Downing were Geo.
Cook, who had charge of the brick work; G. 7.
Bowen, paintingi George W. Harkness, plas
tering; Clarke 81 Montgomery, slating; +.
Simpson, furnaces; and j. A. Conner, the gas
fitting. Mr.. Conner deserves great credit Tor
the skill he has exhibitedin his arrangement for
the lighting apparatus.
The building Is grand success, and stands
an ornament TO the portion OF the city in which
IL is situated.
MONEY SSATCHERs-Three colored man ON