Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-19
Humphrey Street Church.

ent-GenerOus Gfving-AbOut $o,5OO |
 Raised at the DedIcat1On-The New Ed
 ifce-Its Cost and Appearance.
 The dedication of the new Humphrey | street Congregational churc took place yes l terday afternoon. The services opened at | o'clock. The church was filled to overflow l ing. Deep interest was manifest in the l occasion. On the platform sat the pastor, Rev. Mir. Bray, Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth of Center church, Rev. Dr. Hawes of North church, Rev. Dr. Todd of the Church of the Redeemer, Rev. MT. Kelsey of College street church, Rev. MT. Hubbard of Brooklyn, 8 former pastor of the Humphrey street church. In the audience were Rev. MT. Hart of the First church, Fair Haven, Rev. o. Fl. White and Rev. MT. Moves of this city, Rev. Mr. Marvin of the Congregational church in Woodbridge, Rev. MT. Williams of this city, Rev. MI. Buck, pastor of the First M. E. church of this city, and Rev. MT. Wing, former pastor of the St. John street M. E. church of this city. There were probably also other clergymen present, and many prominent gentlemen connected with other churches, including some leading men of the city resident in that section. The new church AZ an ornament to that part of the city. It's proportions are slightly and graceful and it's design, including spire, tasteful. It is fash toned after church in Bristol in this State. Its seating capacity is 400 on the main floor, and the Sunday school room which imme- diately adioins will seat about 300 more. For extra occasions room can be provided for about 100 more with chairs. The pews are set in semi-circular order, rising in regular gradation from the pull pit, in the style of the seating in the parquet of the Carll Opera House. The church is well lighted by beautiful win dows of cathedral glass; which give fine effect. In the main window is 8 memorial
 sub-window to the memory of the late Rev.
 MT. Hanna. who immediately preceded MT.
 Bray, the present pastor, and died after serV-
 ing the church about eight months, leaving
 memory precious to many hearts. On the window is inscribed his name and the date of
 his death. cross of immortelles, which was one of the floral tributes to the deceased at the funeral looked out from the center Of the memorial window. The window is the gift of few friends of the deceased pastor, tribute of esteem. One of the principal donors is Mrs. Atwater, of Trumbul street, wife of William Atwater, Esq. The church
 ceiling with it's artistic curves and it's tasteful colors adds much to the tasteful appearance of the interior. The frescoing contract was | in the hands of Mir. George A. Durand, an | active member of the Humphrey street ! church. The pulpit is unique, consisting Of few bars and board for the bible-rest- | The choir sit in the rear of the pulpit, sep arated by ornamental wood work, and back of the choir is the organ, made by the New Haven company. The church has rear and side entrance. The space immediately in l front of the sacred desk looked particularly I lovely yesterday from the presence of many l beautiful foliage plants and plants in bloom, some of the finest of which were from the conservatories of Mir. Fellowes on Whitney avenue; others from the residence of MT. H. P, Hubbard, and others purchased, it was stated. by Mr. Horace P. Shares, formerly of North Haven. Upon the right hand wall, conspicuously painted on the illuminated background in three separate panels, are the following texts
 s'Choose ye this day whom ye will serve'-Joshus
 :'Be thou faithful unto death and will give thee | crown of nfe"-Rev. 2:1O.
 l s'My grace is sufficient for thee"-2 Cor. 12:9.
 The cost of the church exclusive of lot is | about $23, ,OoO The land on which it stands was | a gift from Mr. William Atwater of Trumbul ! street,w1aO also gave $5,ooo toward tba build ing fund, and was otherwise active in pro noting the new church enterprise. e7
 The building committee upon whom ha
 devolved the charge of the erection ant
 furnishing of the edifce, with it's numerou
 details is as follows: George P. Merwin | chairman, H. P. Hubbard, William Atwater Deacon Andrew Bryden, George A. Durand
 The audience at the services yesterda,
 afternoon was largely composed of ladies
 The choir sang first an anthem, and next
 ! hymn. Their singing gave universal satls
 faction. It is chorus choir. Miss Thomas ! daughter of the superintendent of the Sunda ! school, is one of the leading vocalists. B. F Durand is chorister, Wilbur F. McEwel ! oreanist. After the singing Rev. MT. Kel | sev read selections from the scriptures ! Following the choir sang the anthem "Giv unto God glory" Rev. Dr. Barbour, paste of the church in Yale College, preached tn
 dedicatory sermon, reading selection fror | UASAA verse, and taking his text from the 16tl , verse stAnd he came to Nazareth where h
 had been brought up, ,and ,as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the Sabbatl
 day and stood up to read" and including tn
 two subsequent verses. The sermon was hear
 | with deep interest and abounded with beat I tiful and impressive passages. The speake
 | enforced the example of Christ as to his us
 I of earthly temples in the work of his minis trv, his example in reading from the Bible and uttered beautiful and forceful sentiment
 regarding the need of earnest prayer for tn nurture of the spiritual life, and the spread c ! holy benign influences, such as result tror humble. prayerful living. He picture yiyidly in few trenchant words life with ont prayer. Prayer was necessity of mol tals The words of Dr. Barbour seemed
 be listened to with wrapt attention by tn , clergy as well as the laymen. After the ser mon Rev Mr. Bray, the pastor, called upo MT. H. P. Hubbard, chairman of the financ
 committee, who made the following fnancis ) staten ent
 Cost Cost of of 6ulldiRg 5ulnisRne Is; s2s,1t Collected on building; l5'3; s1s,5 , R.1.nca- 9,6t
 5sdnUt value of real estate held by church, at
 low estimate. 4'" Rs1ance to raise s5,6( : Following, the pastor made few intro
 ductory remarks relative to some of the mos notable contributions of money which ha
 been made towards the funds. One kin friend had to-day doubled his subscriptio l just before the present service. That wa
 cheering. Some kind friends had given it era4ly who were outsiders, including two c
 three donations from avowed skeptics, one ( .. $1OO, another of $50, etc. The pastor no made an appeal for contributions, in orde ,. that the church might be dedicated if poss ble free from debt. He spoke of the Daver
 port church, which had given $40o. Sine
 ! his coming among this people A had bee
 ! added to the church, only one of which wa
 ! by letter. The church was in a growth
 field, and grew without draining from siste churches Its Sunday school numbered BOG and the new Sunday school room was non
 too large, if large enough.
 eI Prominent members of the church no g circulated among the congregation receivin l subscriptions, after receiving which the pa!
 ! tor called upon the membership, whereve
 anyone felt able, to double his present sut ! scription, the additional sum subscribed nc
 | to be called for in three years. MT. H. 8 Hubbard called the roll, leading of by dout
 5 Iino his own previous subscription, whic