The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-23
A Beautiful Church.

THE BUILDING OF sCNDAY-IMMENsE con-
GREGATIONs AND INTERESTING EXERCISES.
a Sunday was o day OF extraordinary de-
n light to the good people OF the Grsce-Street
!. Baptist church. II twas the occasion OF the
!. rc3pening OF the main audience-room OF
their church, which has been closed for
> several months for repairs and additions.
|. The congregation came out in full force on
Sunday morning, and there were also many
: visitors drawn together by the interest @!
. the occasion.
!. 1t is hard to conceive Of more radical
), transformation than that through which
!, the noble old structure at the corner OF
h Grace and Folshee has lately passed. Both
! within and without 1t seems another and an
y entirely new building. The outer walls
h have been handsomely succeed with Port
h land cement, and nicely blocked. New
h cornices have been built, new m0uldiDgs
to the windows, and new fence on Fousbee
street. The poItico, columns, fences. and
y indeed the entire exterior OF the building,
= has been thoroughly and beautifully paint
ed. But even more elaborate and attrac-
! tive are the Improvements Of the interior OF
II, he house.
". rhe ceiling. walls, aud pulpit have been
,re,. 'oed. This part OF the work was done
hy n, Lewis Il. de Quinfini. II Is rich,
oiah1,s, e, and brilliant, and has been pro-
r"unItea by the best critics magnificent
en,.,,. 1 art. At first the ceiling was
.p,ornoH,s, some as too highly coiored, but
80 ,ho -. OF the changes have been
aGo nnG the -s,s. raj verdict Is that il Is as ex.
- -, ,os.:p IS il is admirable in execu.
ton.
H. hro,,.na iron railing, manufac-
n,nrod a,d IN nar, c,n tributed by Mr.. w. B.
Cook. has been NV, up. This is capped
with a handsomey.orpa. nented walnut rail,
and is the admiration Of u oeboiders. The
inside blinds and Ssh are 1eW. IDe entire
room has been wains,oted, the Sals OF The
pews lowered, and the eentr. al aisle widen
ed. The pews are spleBdiL ~ ctahoDtd
and covered with crimson rep, tins
part of the furniture being cofafrf-
button from the Boys Society. The ebh7e
| floor is covered with a rieh ant elegant
carpet, which was purchased eXtIusiyay
with money given by the Girls' Society ct
the church. All the woodwork IS hand
someIy-grained walnut, and blends In ad-
mirabe harmony with the other OrDam, Dtal
arrangements OF the room Eor The copve-
nience Of pewhoders book.racss have been
placed in The pews. The pulpit. stand and
furniture are covered with crimson, to cor
|
church. One OF the most useful changes
that has been made is the erection OF stair
ways fiom the basement to the Sestibule,
under The gallery steps. by which persons
may pass from the Sunday-schoOF room TO
| the audlence-roOm OF the church without
going outside OF the building.
The general appearance OF The room is
fresh, bright, and attractive. The ex-
pres,ons Of satisfaction on the part OF the
members were numerous, spontaDeooS, and
enthusiastic. The traditional croaker aoay
have possibly been present, but if 80, bis
dismal notes were drowned in the general
chorus Of praise.
For the pasiering, the contractor was
Dir. William l.. Carnea; for the carpenters
work. Captain Samuel Herndon; for the
painting, Mr. Luther Martin, and il is sim
pie justice to say that these gentlemen di@
their work In a manner entirely satisfactory
to the committee. The painting by Mr.
Martin has been greatly admired, and marks
bin as superior workman.
The committee under whose admirable
supervision the work was done were B. B,
Van Buren,. Thomas j. Todd, DR.. Ii. w.
Davis. John II. Gresham. Colonel Thomas
!. Evans, II. w. Gates, William Ii. Sands,
Nrs. NJ. G. Jeter. Mrs. Thomas j. Todd,
Mrs. John n. Parker, Mrs. :. S. Carter, and
Mrs. William l.. Carnea. These ladies and
gentlemen bave been prompt, dilieenf, and
faithful in their work, and are fairly enti-
tied to The gratitude Of the church.
Ii is a pleasant and unusual circumstance
in connection with these repairs. the cost OF
which exceeds considerably $4,000, that the
church renters the building with only
debt OF $3O0-a mere fragment, which can
not give any serious trouble.
On Sunday morning Dr. Hatcher occupied
the pulpit, and gave an historical sketch OF
the church, its pastors, its buildings, and
its work. and indicated the spirit in which
his people should Renter their renovated
and beautified house OF worship. AT night
DR.. Curry delivered a magnificent address,
the. occasion being the anniversary OF the
Missionary and Library Association.