The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-25
CHRISTMAS At THE CHURCHES
ELEGANT DECORATIONS AND
INSPIRING MUSIC.
SERVICES OF THE DAY.

In the Episcopal and Catholic churches
Christmas is above all others season Of joy
and praise. The houses of worship are de-
corated with eyergreens, the music Is of the
most jubilant and elaborate character, and
the lessons of the day are full of thankfulness
to God and the Son. Here In Richmond,
where the ladies Of the churches are ever
active in good works, there has been no want
of preparation, Wreaths and festoons, and all
else needed to put the churches in their pro.
per: Christmas drapefy, have been carefully
prepared and are now 10 place. Never before
was there more interest and skill manifested
or labor spent 10 church decorations, aud the
const quence is an elegance of display highly
creditable to our people, and especially to
those By whose diligence chiefly the work
was accomplished. The sermons will doubt.
less be appropriate to the day, and abound
with the pous teachings which the occasion
suggests; and with good weather there Will
be large congregations.
. Our reporters have briefly sketched the ap.
pearance of the churches. They have also
obtained much information as to the services
arranged and the music that may be ex-
pected.
GRACE CHURCH.
Grace church, corner of Main and Foushee
streets (Rev. kinloch Nelson pastor), is as
nicely, though perhaps not as elaborately,
decorated as any house of worship in this
city. There are no side galleries to the
building and the walls are frescoed, thus
leaving but little scope for display. On each
of the side walls are four shields, or tablets,
of white ground ,friuged with green. Run
ming from one to another of the tablets ON
the eastern wall, as if from page to page.ot Q
book, is the text-"GIory to God in the
highest; and on earth, peace, good will 10
mep.~ The opposite tablets contain the mo =
toes-"God with u.s." "Saviour," "Holy
Child," Emanuel"
On the right and left Of the chancel are
two other tables of crimson ground and
green borders. On one is "The Everlasting
Prince of Peace" on the other, "His
Name is Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty
God" Owing to the necessity of arranging
the letters to suit the space ut command, the
exact Biblical quotations could not always
be given. Over tine chancel, rising from
posts about five feet high, is frame shaped
like A covered with cedar and holly wrapped
to the framework closely. From the apex
of this, and from the posts on either SIDE,
crosses rise. The chancel.railng, baptismal
font, and choir-gallery have sll received
due attention, and show the results OF
diigent labor and well.couceived plans.
To-day at II O'Clock there will be full SER
vices and administration of the holy commu.
nion.
The music will be very fine and specially
appropriate to the day. The organist, Miss
Mera, though very young, is winning praise
as frst.class performer. The quartette
choir is an excellent one.
ST. PAUL's.
Around the gallery is a band Of heavy,
dark-green cedar, leaving white margin,
which relieves it handsomely. Opposite the
pulpit, space being left for it, is large star
made in cedar, except the centre ground,
on which is the monogram of l. II. s. in il
Illuminated letters. The arc Of pillars within
the chancel is decorated with rich cross
doube-wreathing of dark evergreen. Sus-
pended between the two centre columns ls a
large cross, wrought also in evergreens, stud
ded with immortelles.
Upon the pulpit, and above the reading
desk. is a handsome emblematical design OF
crown on ground Of cerulean blue, framed
with an elipse in dark greenery. The
cbancel-railing and the baptismal font on
the right are lightly draped with running
cedar. From the centre of the latter rises
a cross also in running cedar. The tops OF
the windows are likewise ornamented. Tue
whole design and execution exhibiting de-
gree of taste highly creditabe to the inde-
fatigable ladies and gentlemen who devoted
themselves to this work.
THE MONUMENTAL.
By recent resolution of the vestry of the
Monumental church, and on account OF
the repairs going on, the ladies were restrict
ed from any extended display of their taste
in dressing the old building, but they have
arranged The chancel beautifully, and consid-
ering they had such limited field of opera
tions have done wonders. A beautiful arch
has been placed over the communion table,
and in each corner stands vase filled with
ornamental cedar. Outside Of the chancel-
rail there is on each side Of the church also
vase filed with eyergreens and beautiful
autumn leaves, and standing near each vase
| is handsome cross entwined with wreaths OF
running cedar, moss, etc. The most striking
feature of the decorations at this church are
the letters l. Fl. s., made of immortelles and
set upon the face Of the pulpit just under the
banner. To-day number OF rare natural
flowers in pots will be set in the chancel.
| ST. JAMES CHURCH.
St. James church, of which Rev. Joshua
Peterkin, D. D. is pastor, is susceptible OF
being beautifully dressed at the Christmas
season, and this year the ladies have eXcelled
themselves. Entering the church the first
thing that strikes one is the appearance OF
| the pulpit and walls in its rear. Just over
the pulpit and hanging in front of the church
| inscription, but not so as to obscure it, are
many wreaths gracefully interviewer be.
| tween each other and reaching to the gallery
on either side. In the midst Of this festOon-
work is large cross made of ever.
green. Under the cross is a frame.
work with a pure While background,
held, as it were, in frame of cedar and holly,
| Upon the white backgr uni is lrlceful
cross with the letters l. FL. 5. The chaucel
rail and pulpit are also appropriately deco
rated. The iron posts under the galleries
and the galleries themselves are covered
with Wreaths, while the font is ornamented
with cedar and holly and bghly-colored
forest leaves. Upon the walls under each
gallery Is the inscription, which begins on
| the left side of the church: And Hi;
| Name shall be called Wonderful-the Mighty
God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince OF
Peace" Altogether the church is beauti
fully decorated.
| CHRIST CHURCH.
Christ church, of which Rev. Dallas Tuck.
or is pastor, is situated on Washington street
| near the corner of Seventeenth street. The
| ladits of the congregation completed their
| labor of love in dressing their neat and at
| tractiye house Of worship on Thursday. 1t
certainly reflects great credit upon all
WHO took part in it. From the very cen.
tire of the church fur heavy wreaths branch
off to the tour corners. In the centre, or
| it might be said under the apex of the
wreaths, is suspended conspicuous star. Un-