National Republican., 1875-12-06
DEDICATION OF 4 GTEMPLE.
ITE ASCENSION GHURCH CeNsECRAiED.

SERMON BY REV. DR.. ELLIOTT,
BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE DISCOURSE.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW EDIPlCE.
7he Services Yesterday-Musical Pro.
Sramme-Fun Text Of the PASTORS
Introductory sermOn-The Cost and
Details Of the BuIIding-A worthy
Temple Occupied.
The new and imposing Church Of the Aseen-
mon, at the corner Of Twelfth street and Massa-
shusetts avenue, was yesterday for the first time
spened 10 the public sad divine service was cele-
brsted in the church in the morning. The
large church was crowded to its utmost capacity
Ry the assembly gathered to witness the opening
services. There were present Of the clergy the
rector, Bishop Pinkney; the assistant rector Rev.
John II. Elliott; Rev. Robert Wilson, ID. u, OF
Easton, Nd, and Rev. Alexander Shiras, OF the
District Of Columbia The sermon was preached
nv the Rev, John Il. Elliott, the Bishops elo-
ausnt assistant, and is given In full below. The
eomposed of male voices, as follows: j. Remlpg-
ton Fairamb, director tenors, first, VIM. O. Hill
trSt bssso, Lennox Simpson and James Johnston;
second basso, VIM. Al. Shuster. IT., and W. Keen;
erganist, George W. Walter. The following was
Lord is King ]. r. Fairiamb; Venite, VIM. II.
walton; Psalter Glorlas; Te Dsum, II. Millard;
BeDeoicte; Jubilate, O. r. Fairlamb: Benedlctus;
Hymn, "Old Hundred" During Holy CON-
Munion: Introif; Kyrie Eleison; Gloria TIbi,
Plain; Anthem, (Post-sermon or Ofertory:) Sane
shant
TIE ASCENSION CHURCH.
II was in the year 1874 that the Ascension
church was organized, and the edihes on Il street,
between Ninth and Tenth streets, which has been
used M 70 this time by the CONGREGATION for de-
TotionEl purposes, was erected. The original mem-
hers Of the church have passed away one BY one.
IN the Opening ceremonies in the Old church.
Rev. Mr.. Gillis was the trst pastor, and nlled
the pulpit very aceeptaoly. He was sueceeded
strength Of the congregation was greatly de-
creased as the Doctor was fond OF displaying GER
Iain spriTnalistic views which did not please The
orthodox element Of the church.
Whatever was lost under DR.. Stanley was
IalIy regainsd by his successor, DR.. PInkney, who
was called October II, 1856. DR.. Plnkney has
since assumed the title and digBi, y Of assistant
Bishop diocese Of MARY land. ILis unnecessary
70 speak OF his ability as divine. Ry his excellent
qualities he has gained the love and respect Of
his parishi0ners. and the Ascension church, since
it has been under hiE care, has prospered wonder
1ully.
In October, 1870, DR.. Hutton assumed the as
distant rectorship Of the church, and succeeded
IN that place two years ago by DR.. John II.
DR.. Pinkney and DR.. Elliott, seconded by the
Vestry, the new and handsome edifice
which was yesterday opened to the world, was
projected and completed.
THE vKsTEY
is composed of Msssrs. W. W. Corcoran, H. S.
Davis, N. W. Burchell, W. NJ. Shuster, b. L.
Jackson, Thomas L. Hume, ]. L. Stevens and r.
w. Eurgsss: TheSe gentlemsn have all sub
aides giving much Of their time and thought to
the enterprise. Mr.. Coreoran, with the liberal
factions, purchased and presented to the church
The site upon which II stands and then subscribed
70 the building fund one half Of the contract price.
In the early part Of 1874 Mr.. Corcoran bought the
lot at the corner Of Twelfth street and MaEsachu-
Setts avenue, at cost Of over $50, ,000 The plans
mere, were adopted, and contract for the build:
ing made with Mr.. W. h. Allen, of the same city.
The cornerstone was laid June Il, 1874, and the
building has steadily progressed, under the su-
periptsndenee of the foreman, Mr.. p. II. Nc
E1ughlin, aided by an efficient corps Of workmen,
until It assumed It's present magnificent proper
.tions
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.
The dimensions of the church are eighty-six
feet four inches front on Massachusetts, avenue,
with depth on Twelfth street Of one hundred
efthe curbing Is thiIty-one feet, and the entire
Aeisht seyenty-four feet. The architecture is
mixed Gothic.
The walls are of Maryland marble in the rough,
trimmed with light pink Ohio stone. The tints
Of the two stones harmoniZe with beautiful effect
a tower Of the same material as the church
arises al the southeast corner TO the height of
ninety feet, which is surmounted bya spire Of
galvanized iron ninety. seven feet in height. The
10Wer and the turret at the southwest corner are
aetagonal in form. The main entrance is double
gothic doorway on the avenue front. The prfn-
e1psl arch IS OF pink Missalon stone, supported
by three columns Of gray stone, finely carved
and graced with corbels. Over the entrance is q
knely -chiselled cross, subscribed with the mono
with quartrefoiI and trefoIl ornaments and glazed
with Stained glass. The entrance is approached
BY fight of hve granite steps. On each side Of
The same number Of small gothic windows In the
roof On the THelfth-street side is q porch of
masonry, for the use OF the clergy, and afording
IN entrance to the basement. over and back Of
1his portion is q pinnacle supported BY columns
and containing rose window. There Is q similar
WI be used as an entrance for the use Of ladies.
In the rear Of the edifce is trrret OF masonry
and window similar IN some respects 70 that
ever the main entrance, but Of more elaborate de-
Hfth railing. Carved ccrhels, graceful scroll
work and many beautiful little designs add Q
pleasing effect TO the whole.
THE INTERIOR.
To whstever degree one may be impressed with
the imposing external appearance Of the church.
prise and pleasure upon viewing the interior.
An arch Of pink and grey stone, springing 70 the
as,Eht Of IoTtysight s isss sPsDs Ihs chsnsel and
In imitation Of the outer one. The elegantly pro-
P0rtioned window in the rear of the building
sheds sOffened light, mingled with myriad Of
eolors, from the stained glass over the ehanesl.
The ran and all the furniture Of the cnancel are
Of walnut, carved In antique gothic. Arches Of
stole spring up on either side OF the chancel and
tnelose the fsllewing inscriptions on the wall on
the west side: While he blessed them he was
parted from them and carried up into heavep.n -
and on the east side, Preaching peace by Jesus
Christ; his blood cleanseth rs from all SIM
At the sides Of the chancel are the vestry
and roblng rooms each eighteen feet square.
The walls At the sides are plastered,
t q, 15Ssb tSs TSSi rbS e St r.
supported by ten heavy iron columns, ornamented
with fine scroll work. The columns and their
caps are tinged with gold me panels in the
cofiings and the timbers Of the roof are frescoed
With arabesgue work on blue ground, bOrdered
with gray and brown, and tho sides Of the ediflce
are freseoed IN panels The south end or front Of
the building Is filed with eapacious organ lon,
"a surroundings. The auditorium contains one
hundred and sixty-one peWs, each nine feet in
length, Of hard wood finished with walnut, and
A Wilton carpet Of crimson and brown, contain
ing small figure, is stretched over the floor Of
Peted with an ingram corresponding IN color and
me auditorium viii seat about one thousand
1rity, are situated principally at the head Of the
columns. The basement is divided into four
apartment, for the accommodation sfthe Sunday
school, library and furnaces. The contract price
OF the building vas sl23 600 which, with the cost
Of the site and furniture viii amount TO $50 000
The stone work was done BY Robert Scott, Of Will
MiDgtoD, Del; plastering BY 6loussa Hlrkness,
Of this city; fresooing by Emart & Quarterly, OF
Baltimore; painting BY SpAldinE & Co., Of this
city; Stating by CLARK Montgomery, OF this
city; plumbing by Shepherd & Brothers, OF this
city, snd gas-httfDg By Hubbell 4 Dnnnett; iron
work By Bartlett & Robbins, Of Baltimore.
DR. KLLI0TT's SERMON
Or. Elliott preached yesterday morning IRON
the teIt: Hebrews, Xii :22-23: "Ye are come unto
Nj. Zion and unto the city ef the living God the
heavenly Jerusalem, and tom irnumerable com.
Rs1y Of anEels 20 the General Assembly and
Church o. the 11rst born, which are written in
heaven, and to God, the Judge Of ali, and 10 the
eptrits q Just men made perfect, and TO Jesus,
the mediator Of the New Testament, and 70 the
blood of sprinkling that spsaketh better things
than that OF Abel."
That, he said, is a most interesting scene in an.
elent history when the army Of ten thousand
Greeks, ascending lofty mountain range and
pc1rinE IN glad confusion on its summit beheld
IN the CLEAN OF distant wateH the haven they
were seeking. For weeks and months they had
been foilinG. struggling, watching, battling With
this one purpose that they might escape from
the heart Of an irsulted empire to the Euxine
Sea, whose shores we're friendly, whose surfacs
Vas dotted with the ships OF their native Greece
Nature and man seemed leagued for their de-
GlTns army OF colossal empire aad the irrcgu-
lar eoldfery Of barbarous tribes confronted them
wherever there was plain TO traverse, Q river to
AAE IL a. 49,