Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-03
LOCAL VS..
New Church % the Ascension

New Nnurcn % the Ascension
AN IMPOSING AND BEAUTIFUL EDtFfCE
The new Church OF the Ascension - now
about completed, and it Is probable that IL
will be opened for service On Sunday next.
The style OF architecture is mi Ned Gothic
and the walls are OF Maryland marble, vita
trimmings OF Ohio stone OF a light pink
shade, the two tintS hRrmOui Ling perfectly
ARD making beautiful eject. Toe church
u imposingly situated on one OF the highest
points OF the city, and It's finely proportional
sphs visible not only from many points in
me District, but nom mostof the approaches
prsCRIFTroN or TIRE CHURCH.
The dimensions OF the structure are 81 feet
inches mont and 100 y feet depth; the height
entire height feet AT TIE !. ssa lse
ner n tower OF 20 feet In height, OF the same
material (marble) arises, surmOuuted by a
spire OF galvanized iron 81 feet I'm height. IL
u octagonSl IN plan, as IA also tue turret 81
The southwest corner OF the edince. Tue
principal doorway is on the avenue mont.
and II double gothic-the principal arch
being pink MisSalon stone supported By three
columns OF gray stone, with nnely carved
eoroels- Over the doors is the monogram 4.
n. 3, surmouuted by finely chiSSeled
cross, and above is a fne mulliOned window
with Quartrefoil and trefoil ornaments.
The same care has been taken with
the sides aud rear OF the building as
with the mont There are on each Stta
six twin mullioned windows, aud above,
In the roof. are the same number OF
small gothic windows lighting the nave. Ga
The iSih street side There u porch Of solid
masonry FOR tie use OF the Clergy aud Afford
ing an entrance 20 the basement where the
Sunday school will be held. Back OF the
porch there is a pinnacle supported on
carved columns containing a rose window.
Under the turTei on The west side is n carved
po.ch similar In general design 20 that on
l2th street, and THIS Will be used as an en-
trance Tor Ladies. TIE rear part Of the cli-
nee Is not neglected, having a turret OF
masonry anu "A window somewhat similar
10 me window over the main frost entrance,
out more elaborate in desiga. On the eNte-
rior. carved cOrbels In grnteSque MASKS
heads OF animals, &c, add 20 tie harmony
OF the design, and a creSting rail- runs along
The ridge OF the slated rooG. There are a
number OF projections gothic dormer win
dows) Ia relieve the plain surface OF the root
while four Atlantic cable lightning con-
cuctoTs are m place.
THE INTERIOR.
On entering the edifice one is struck with
its beauty. The chancel Il spaunel by an
arch OF pink and grey stone, springing 10 The
height of Is feet, relieved by fiueiy carved
corbels. There is. an inner arcl OF raised
plaster work, finished in imitation of the
outer one. The feature OF the chancel IN the
elegantly proportional windOW-ll feet In
height and ~ feet wide-wtth It's stained
glass. The cr&nccl rail, altar, reading desk,
pulpit and chairs are OF walnut, carved In
antique gothic. On either side of the church
are arches OF hnely-caTved stone. Toe vestry
room and rObing rooms, each Il feet square,
are on the sides OF the chancel. Ia the audi
torium are l6l pews, each . feet In length, OF
hard wood finished with walnut cappings
and scroll, and around the sides rs wains-
coating grained In imitation OF walnut. The
slce walls are plasteTc1, but the roof is what
Is Known as an open timbere1 one under
which are gothic arches of Florida pine sup
ported by ten heavy iron columns OF an
original design, Ornamental with me scroll
work, columns and scroll work being painted
dark brown, and the caps OF the former being
touched with gold. The panels OF the cell
lngs ara tlmbers OF the roof are frescOed
with dellcate tracery OF arabesque work on
blue ground, with gray and brown border,
and the sides OF the etifice nave been fres-
coed In panels. At the south end front of
the building) is the organ loft. OF hard W pod,
and antique gothic IN style, in perfect mar
mony with the edifice. The chancel is car
peted with Wilton carpet OF crimson aud
JI0wn, small-ngured, and the body OF the
church is carpeted with ingram of CORE
spending cOlOrs and figure, while the pews,
which VIII seat about 900, are uphOlS tered
in crimson rep. The building is lighted with
gas, the jets being principally at the head of
the columns, and the best electrical appara-
tus for lighting has been introduced. The
basement is divided into four rooms, the
principal one being intended for the Sunday
school, and an adjoining one for the infant
class, and these are so arranged that they
may tie thrown into one. There is also n
library room, space for the furnaces 10y
which the building will be heatct), and for
the storage OF fuel. &c.
WHO ARE ENTITLED TO CREDIT.
The erection OF this splendid ediice is due
IN great measure 10 the liberality OF W. W.
Corcoran, who bias been for many years
COMMUNICATE OF this parish, aAd also a
member OF the vestry. In the latter part OF
lS13 the subject OF erecting a new edifice was
discussed. In the early part OF lS1i Mr.. Cor
coran purchased the site for the building at
a cost OF over $4,000. subsequently, Mr.. Cor
coran agreed TO increase his subscription by
paying one half Of the contract price for the
erection of the building, with the cost of the
lot-about $4,000, with the understanding
that the congregation pay the balance. The
proposition was accepted, and shortly after
wards the plans of Messrs. Dixon d Carson,
architects, of Baltimore, were adopted, and
the contract made with Mr.. W. II. Allen, OF
Baltimore, gentleman OF large experience
in the erection OF churches, this making
On the 14th Of June, 1874, the cornerstone
was laid, and under the superintendent of
Mr.. +. II. Mclaughlin, the foreman OF the
contractor, the work has steadily progressed
Robert Scott, of Wilmington, Del; plaster
ing by Sioussa & Hardness, of this city;
frescoipg by EmaIt & Quartley, OF Bal
timore; painting by Spalding a Co, OF this
city; stating by Clark & Montgomery, Of
this city; plumbing by Shepherd a Brothers
OF this city, and gas fitting by Hubbell 4
Dunnett; iron work by Bartlett q Rob ,oins
Rev. DIR. Pfnkney, the assistant ,,snoD q,
Maryland, is the rector, and y ~ ION II
w. Corcoran, II. 3. Davi Y w RnrchaII
w. NJ. Shuster, b. L. ac,Son TbonasS r.
vestrymen. 49, WIN
Il, Inc eoo contra g price of the building was
S-,ioOV' the furniture, &c, with the cost
oo,ae' ground, will make the entire cost
S0A ding near SlS0, 600, IL not ovy,,cnd,
District Government Affairs.
Tho district Comm fssionerS ara h,sfl., an