Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-21
LOCAL NEWS.

CHRIST CHURCH CENTENNIAL. The ccre-
monies in connection with the celebration of
mo one hundredth anniversary of the erection
If Christ Church commenced last night. Long
h,f,re the doors of the church were opened a
,,owd had assembled around them, and by the
,;me the services began every available seat in
,be body of the building, in the organ lott and
Galleries. and on the benches which had to be
NM in the asles, was filled, while many persons
o,upied standing positions near the doors and
widows
For several days past some of the younger
members Of the congregation had been busy
engaged in decorating the interior of the build
iur and when the full head of gas was turned
M last night aud their work illuminated, it was
apparent to all that their labors had not been in
vain, for more beautiful and appropriate dec
Grafton has been rarely seen. High up 90 the
wall, over the chauce, were inscribed in letters
Of evergreen, Hitherto hath the Lord helped
Us" immediately beneath, but projected from
thc wall was beautiful cross, the summit of
three connected Gothic arches, composed also
ofcvergreens, the top of the middle one cou-
raining gas star, while Christ Church was in.
srribed upon its centre, and upon the two side
ones, the numerals l773 and 1873, and ex-
tending across them ALL in letters of white aud
green, the lines,
Angels and living Saints, and dead,
But one Communi on make.
Over Washingtou's tablet was written, 'The
law Of his God was in his heart" and beneath
il. Elected Vestryman of this parish a. D.
1863 Over Lees tablet, on the opposite side
OF the chanccl, was written, MARK the perfect
man and behold the upright" and beueath it,
'.Ionirmcd i'll this church A. d. 1853" GA
this tablet were wreath Of flowers aud an
anchor. 90 the south wall of the church, under
the gallery, were the words, ''She shall still
briug forth fruit in her old age;' on the north
wall, Remember alf,the way which the Lord
thy God hath led thee ADD on the west wall
Peace be within thy walls The front of the
organ lott bore the Inscription, "We praise thee
0 Lord" beneath which was the sign of the
cross and the letters L H. S.
Rev. Messrs. Walker, Slaughter, Adkins
aud Mckim were within the chancel, while
nearly all the clergymen in the city occupied
reserved seats Immediately in front
Mr. Adkins read the Evening Service, and
Rev. Dr. Walker the Evening Prayer. The
rector Rev Mr.. McKim, from the text, Thou
shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy
Uou udlil leu tuee, pTedCueu Tue ScluOu luI
the occasion, containing an historical account Of
the church and biographical sketch Of It's
rectors. 1t was a long but eloquent aud inter-
esting address, FROM which We shall hereafter
publish some extracts.
Rev. Philip Slaughter improvised an apt and
beautiful poem upon the history of the Church,
which was much admired by all who heard it.
The music, prominent feature 10 the ex-
crciseS of the evening under the direction of
Professor Heyman, organst, was rendered in
the most artistic style. The programme was as
follows:
Exat and Glorify, (Rossini); Gloria Patri,
(kay); Gloria in Excelsis; Cantate Domino,
20 sing unto the Lord, dudley Buck; Praise
the Lord, (Beuedict, Anima Mca,) (Jackson);
Hymn 1911, (suug to Ararat); Hymn 1873, (sung
to Iddo.)
The choir was composed of Mrs. w. L. Mil
burn, Leading Soprano; Miss T. Eldridge and
Miss Alice Dienelt, Soprano; Miss S. Grigg,
Miss Ida Willard and Miss Mamie Grigg, Alto;
Geo. f. French, Josiah Willard, Dr.. Staber
and w. K. Davidson, Basso; R. w. Writ and
NJ. Buchanan, Tenor.
To night Re- union Communion service will
be held, aud au address may be expected from
Bishop Johns, aud also from the Rev. DR..
Walker and the Rev Alfred Randolph, former
rectors of the church. The doors Of the church
will be opened at clock, services to com
mcuce at half past seven