The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-10-19
DEDICATION OF THE N. E. CHURCH

DEDICATION OF THE N. e CHURCH
BISHOP T.. Il. AIMES TO PREACH THE DED
IcATORY SERMOS--THE BUILDING
TRUSTEES, &c.
There has been erected upon beautiful
site on Augusta street, one Of the principa
thorcughiares of the city, q handsome brici
ediflce, whici, on next Sabbath. the 22d inst
viii be deaicated to the service OF Almighty
God. Bishop Edward Il. Aimes. Of Balti
more. is to preach the dedicatory sermon. Tht
history ofathe church, lis cost, and the diff
cnlties triumphed over. constitute a lasting
and sacred monument to tile religious zeal
enterprise and seli-sacriticing libcrality OF
the colored people OF Staunton.
They had, Immediately after the war. pui
chased large lot, on part of which is 10
Gated the new building, upon which they
erected very crcditable frame church, ca
pablc Of seating between three and four hun
dred persons. About eighteen months ago,
the Suggestion was made that an effort be PM
forth to devise y plan for amore commodiou,
house OF worship, as the congregation had
grown beyond the capacity Of the one occ,i-
pied. With an energy born of religious fer
vor, these poor people determined finally
that they acould erect aeW church., and
forthwith we're put forth active endeayors
lay the foundation for the !mpoi tant enter
prise. It was huge undertaking, consider
ing the poverty of the members OF the con.
gregation. and required courage OF NO
ordinary stamp to encounter the difficulties
that confronted them. BUT at the work they
went, and by degrees accumulated snbscrp-
tons and contributions, sufficient to justify
their advertising for estimates and bids.
These were furnished. and the ascertained
amount necessary for the original plan was
0,20o. VIM. Jordan became The contrac-
tor for The brick work, j. d. Shomo, the
carpenter work, f. Jessup for the painting
and J. s. Lipscomb for the gas fitting.
The work Of the contractors has been near
~ completed. and there is presented now a
handsome church editice, an ornament to the
city, Dimensions OF the auditorium so BY Is
feet; the basement room so by 80 feet, with
two rear rooms for officers &c. II by %. The
church proper has seating capacity for 1900
persons, is lighted with gas, the burners ele-
gantiy arranged, the windows frosted and
hung. with weights. and the house painted
and finished in manner that will compare
favorably with that OF any other similar edi-
fee in the city. The change Of plan in the
roof and ceilings, Incurred an additional
cost Of about $1,000. making the entire cost
Of She church about sl2, 500, all Of which has
been paid. except aboat $4,000.
1t is the purpose Of the trustees and build
ing committee to enclose the yard with
brick wall, surrounded with neat
railing, which will add to the attractiyencss
OF the exterior OF the building.
The ceremony OF dedication will be con-
Quoted and the sermon preached, as above
stated, by Bishop E. Il. Aimes, OF Baltimore.
the services to commence at IL O'Clock A. NJ.
Bishop Aimes is western man, a native
we think OF Indiana. and is exceedingly pop
ular In that State and section ofthe country
Our impression is that he started out In life
as lawyer, but changed his profession to
that Of the ministry. lie was very highly
esteemed in his conference, (tlie Indiana) fill
ing many OF the most important positions,
until at the General Conference in ls4S or
1852. he was elected to the Bislopric Of his
church. He is highly esteemed in his church
for his purity OF character, executive and
preaching ability. Before his election t o the
position he now holds in his church, he was
named as candidate for the United States
Senate from Indiana. ..and could have been
easily elected, but promptly declined enter
ing the erena of politics.
We hope That many OF Our white citizens
will avail themselves OF this opportunity to
hear this distinguished divine, and give some
financial aid to orr colored friends, in clear
ing their church OF debt, which is an orna
ment to Augusta Street and the city at large.
Bishop Aimes viii be the guest Of Rev Dr.
Martin.
The Trustees OF the church are Frank Over
ton, c. T.. Brock, Riley Mcdaniel, Thos. J.
Smith, Leonidas Scott, Henry Davenport,
Frank 7. Ware. Aaron Shower, Wash Rob-
erts.
Bxilding Committee, r. J. Shelton, Aaron
Shower, Wash Roberts, Frank Overton,
Frank T. Ware.
Rev. Robert Steele pastor OF the congre-
cation.
FRIGHTFuI, GAS ExPLosIoN.-On last
Saturday evening about dark, heavy concus-
sion was felt, and loud deadened report heard
for some distance, from the brick house of
Rev. DR.. Phillips, on St. Clair street. lead
ing to the Wesleyan Female Institute, oceu-
pied as residence by Mr.. Someryille, OF the
firm OF Lipscomb & Somervlle. The alarm
OF fire was given, and in few minutes
large number Of persons and the Fire COM
panies were on the ground. It was found
that instead of q fire, there had been an ex-
ptssion Of gas, which tore the hall part Of
the house almost to pieces and did other
damage.
We learn from Mr.. Somervillc that the gas
from the pipes in this house had been leak
Ing for some time before the occurrence
WORT had been sent to Mr.. F. W. Har-
dy. who has the Gas Works in charge, to
make an examination. Mr. Someryille did
not know that Mr.. Hardy was about the
premises, and was passing through the hall
to go after him, when there was a terrific en-
plosion, tearing up the flooring in the hall,
SCATTERING the doors and window blinds,
throwinga chair in fragments into the cell
ing where its pieces penetrate, and tossing
Mr.. Somerviile against the ceiling also. but
not severely injuring him. Its seem that Mr..
Hardy had repaird to the premises on receiv-
ing the message, and naturally went to the
basementroom where the metre is located
The room was full OF gas, and as he opened
the door, he struck match, which ignitcd the
gas and caused the explosion. Mr.. Hardy
was thrown violently against the brick wall
of tho ,ho,,se with sn}intera and fra0mnnts