Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-01-22
THE GARFIELD MEHoRIAL CHURCH
Dedicated in the Presence OF Large
GrOwd-The Ceremonies.

WASHINGTON, January 2l.-The new
Christian church in this city, generally
known as the Garfield Memorial church,
was dedicated yesterday. 1t is designed to
be the principal place OF worship for the
Christian (Disciplesl Church in the United
States, and the funds with which 1t was
built were raised by contributions all over
the country. The late President Garfield
was n prominent member of the ChurcA,
and his election to the Presidency gave
decided impetus to what had until then
been but feeble movement i'll the direc-
ton of establishing in this city central
house of worship for the brethren. IN
November, 1880, ;he work OF raising tun',S
was begun, and subscriptions were re-
ceived from various parts OF the United
States and even from Canada and England,
the collections being carried on under
the auspices OF the General Missionary
Board. IN May, 1882, the ground
for the erection OF the new building was
broken, and the cornerstone laid on the
first anniversary of the assassination OF
President Garfield. The dedicating ser
vices begun Yesterday were continued this
evening and will be concluded tomorrow
evening. At the opening OF the church TO-
day there was very large attendance, not
only OF members of the church congrega-
ton, but members Of the Christian Church
from several States, members oil Congress
who had been Gen. Gartields colleagues,
clergymcn of other denominations and
prominent people OF this city, including
President Arthur and Secretary Freling-
huvsen. The services consisted of an in-
vocation, reading the Scriptures, prayer,
dedicatory sermon by President Pendle-
ton, of Bethany College; historical
address by Ex-Gov. Bishop, of Ohio,
chairman OF the Missionary Board; the
formal delivery of the church by the
Building Committee, its acceptance on be-
half of the congregation by the pastor,
the Rev. Frederick d. Power, and betre-
diction by the officiating clergyman. Mem
bers OF the Building Committee, visiting
clergyman end prominent members OF the
Christian Church from abroad sat with
the pastor, the Rev. Mr.. Power, in the
chancel, which was handsomely decorated
with flowers, ferns and potted plants from
the White House conservatory. President
Arthur and the Secretary of State sat in
the center aisle in the body of the church.
Ex-Gov. Bishop, in his history OF the
Christian church at Washington. spoke
briefly OF the late President Garfield S con-
nection with it, and said: 1T Is now ht-
tie more than three years since a few
ministers of the Church met to inaugurate
the work in whose completion to-day we
40 greatly rejoice. At that time the little
chanel had become noted rs the worshi p
ing-place of the President OF the United
States. The congregation was at once
lifted into great prominence. The call Tor
A church building more worthily to repre-
Hent the great religious denomination in
the capita. uf the country met hearty
response throv ghout the Union, and Dis
ciples in foreign lands recognized the I'M
portance OF the enterprise. Three years
have wrought many changes. In some o
our hopes we have been disappointed
He whose election TO the Presidency
gave such an impetus to the work and in
spired the congregation with new hopS
and courage is no longer with US. Ere
the work had scarcely begun he wa!
called away from his post OF honors Il
a higher sphere. He has gone, but th'
work whose undertaking is so largely du,
TO his Christian faithfulness has not taiieC
of completion. Being dead, he We
speaketh.' The church which woulC
have been his religious home very natuF
ally became the memorial of his name
and here, through coming generations
the visitor 20 the naUong, capital vii
pause and look upon the house which still
with us, bears his name. But this beauti
lul building must also serve still highe
purpose. II is the house OF God. 1t il
built for His worship, and il is sitting tha
rs we dedicate it 10 His service We shoui'
recognize that to His blessing above tn
gifts OF all others are we indebted for tn
success attained, for except the Lor
build the house, they labor in vain tina
.