New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-09-10
''Ten Days in the Wilderness" at the New
Bethel Hall.

To the Editor Of The New National Ere.
A few months ago some of the members eff
the Union Bethel A. NJ. +. Church, of this
city, suggested the idea Of building a hall,
which, with Its appointments and adornments
should be equal to any, land second to none in
the District, and an honor to the Church and
the pride of the community in which it is
located. This suggestion was speedily ma
tured into reality, and the workmen began
their labors about the latter part oflast April
This hall is located on NJ street, about half
way between Sixteenth and Seventeenth
streets, next to the Sumner Public School,
and was completed about the first of last
month (August.)
The dimensions of the hall are 90 feet in
length, by IS in width, with a seating ca
pacity for $50 persons. On either side of the
vestibule is a dressing-room, one of which is
also used as a ticket office. Inside of the hall
the side walls are paneled about one third of
their height; the remainder of the walls are
painted beautiful lilac color, tastefully
bordered with dark brown, diamond-pointed
edging. The ceiling of the hall is supported
by five massive iron pillars, elegantly painted
A stage is located at the lower end of the
hall, which is divided into five sections, thus
making it convenient to remove the stage
from the room at will
Previous to the completion of the above
hall, the members of the Union Bethel A. NJ.
E. Church decided to give an entertainment
for the benefit of the hall.
This eliminated in (what is called "Ten
days feast in the Wilderness. The hall was
very prettily decorated with flags, streamers,
evergreens, &c. The tables representing the
different associations and societies Connect
ed with the Church) were located on each
side of the room, laden with the choicest
wares and delicacles of the season. The
National Brass Band (colored) delivered
sweet music each evening. In the rear of
the hall was the "Wilderness. This was
piece of ground, 80 feet long by 40 feet wide,
enclosed by fence, and covered with large
canvas. This tent being filed with pines,
cedars, tables, settees, &C., aud illuminated
by Chinese lanterns and rehectors, looked
very romantic.
This "feast" was began on the Sd of Au-
gust, and the patronage exceeded by far the
expectations of the committee, the hall be-
ing filled to repletion each evening with an
appreciative assembly.
Great credit is due the building committee
for the elegant structure which they (the
committee) have caused to be erected.
The praise and congratulations for the
architectural plans, &C., of The hall, is due
Rev. r. A. Hall, pastor of the Union Bethel
Church, who was the sole protector and
originator Of the architectural plans for the
above hall, and it is the opinion of your cor
respondent that. judging from the New Hall,
ii the above venerable gentleman (Rev. DR..
HalD should ever lay aside his ministerial
robes to follow some other profession, he
would make fortune and fame as an archi-
tect. l...
The following gentlemen composed the
building committee: .. .....
John Smms, chairman; VIM. Beckett. Jno.
Lacy, Jno. l.. Gruber, James l.. Thomas.
Hillary Burke. -. -t..-
Mr.. j. L. Thomas was also chairman of the
general committee, and Mr.. VIM. Becke.
chairman of the Reception Committee.
1t is estimated by good authority that one
thousand persons attended the evidences,
on Friday evening the 18th, and also on
Wednesday evening, 10th inst. of last month.
Nearly 81 600 has been realized.
Yours, &C., STYLUS"