Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-05
THE NEW CENTRAL CHURCH..
A Handsome Structure to be Dedicated
Tomorrow.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EDIFICE-ORIGIN AND
HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH-THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP, &c.

The handsome structure erected at the corner
of Sd and streets northwest, for the cOngrega-
tion of the Central Presbyterian church, Rev. DIR.
A. w. Pitzer pastor, will be formally dedicated
tomorrow. The edifice, of which a cut is pub
ished in to-days STAR, is of Gothic architecture,
constructed of brick with stone trimmings
1t has frontage, including the tower projec-
ton, of sixty-three feet on i street, and with
the chapel extends back 12O feet on 3D. street.
Upon the southwest corner of the building is a
graceful spire, whose height from the ground
Is 100 let. The interior woodwork of the
church is of yellow pine with cherry trimmings
There are five handsome double windows on
each side, of rolled cathedral glass; Five rafters
work, show from below. The distance from the
floor to the apex of the roof is sixty-three feet
THE INTERIOR.
The floor slopes towards the pulpit at an in
cline OF one inch to each row of seats. The old
fashioned pew has been discarded The seats
are comfortable chairs their backs being con-
nected so that from thu rear they have the ap-
pearance of pews. The seats are hinged so that
they can be raised or lowered and under each
seat Is rack where the occupant may deposit
his hat. The aisles radiate from the pulpt, and
the seats are arranged in semi-crcuiar rows
rising one behind the other in the style of an
amphitheater. Seven hundred seats have been
provided. but if occasion requires the seating
capacity of the church can be largely increased
by closing aises now lett open, and filling up
spa es at the side of the pulpit Instead of par
titlonlng off a veStibule space has been divided
OFF from the main portion OF the church by
means of tapestry curtains. If necessary these
curtains can be rolled back, and the auditorium
considerably enlarged. In the rear of the pulpit
is the chapel. where the congregation has wor.
SHIPPED for several years. door has been made
connecting the chapelwit IN the main auditorium,
and the large windows behind the pulpit can
be opened so that the two auditoriums can be
made practically into one: This chapel, which
Is So by % feet, has seating capacity for $50
people. In the construction and arrangement of
the church especial care has been bestowed upon
the details contributing to the comfort OF the
congregation. Instead of leaving all the space
to the apex of the roof open. a ceiling has been
made crossing a few feet below the apex which
arrangement. 1T is claimed, has great acoustic
advantages. At the southeast corner of the
church, near the main entrance, is a retiring
room provided with all conveniences The
plans OF the building were drawn by W. H.
Baldwin, and ii was erected under the general
supervision of Mr.. j. H. McGill. The entire cost
OF the new portion. exclusive of lot and chapel,
will be less than $4,000, which sum, in view
OF the completeness, comfort and beauty of the
building, Is considered by the congregation as
marvelOusly small Many churches that have
cost over $4,000 are inferior to the new Cen
trail church in these respects
GIFTS TO THE CHURCH.
Persons from all parts of the city, from all
classes, conditions and communions, have
shown great interest in building this church,
and have given freely and generously. The
organ Is a gift from Mrs. DIR. S. c. Busey; the
pulpit carpet, from Master George Whitwell: the
church carpet, from the Sabbath school,: the
pulpit; the Bible and the pulpit sofa, from Mrs.
A. u: Pedrick- One pulpit chair was given by
w. b. Williams, and another by Mrs. Olivia
smith; the communion table. by Mrs. q, A.
Pitzer; the posts and rods for the tapestry cur
tains, by Mr.. NJ. Murphy, and the collection
plates, by Miss Annie Shields.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
The Central Presbyterian church IL the only
church in this city connected with the Southern
General Assembly. Rev. DIR. Pitzer, the founder
and pastor of the church, a native OF Virginia
and graduate of the Danyille seminary or.
gained and was pastor OF the First Presbyte-
rian church, Leayenworth Kansas During the
war ne vas in the south and served as mission.
airy 10 the Army of the Tennessee. When he
came to this city, in January, 1868 he found
considering the practicability OF Organizing a
church in which all PTesby terians, OF whatever
locality, party or persuasion. might find a
church home. The enactments of the General
Assembly then excluded from communion
members in the southern states unless they re-
nounced their political error. The central
church was not organized i'm antagonism To anv
OF the churches OF this city. and since its organ
iZation the most cordial relations have existed
between II and Its sister Presby terrain churches
here.
In January, 1868 a few Presbyterians deter
january 10Th, at which Dr. Pitzer was invited
To Officiate, to be held in the Columbia Law
building, 9TH street. between ID and f north.
west, the monthly rental of which was guaran.
teed by Gen. Thomas Ewing. This building
had been the old Trinity church, and used as
such s until the completion OF their present edi-
flee at the corner OF e and Sd streets. After its
purchase by Columbia college it served as a
temporary worshiPing place for the Calvary
Baptist church until the erection of their pres.
emit edifice, and then for the Congregational
church until they took possession of their COM
modlous structure corner OF q and 10th streets
northwest
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS
May 31st, 1865, after q sermon by Rev. DIR. T.
V. Moore, of Richmond, Va, moderator of the
general assembly, south, the following persons
were organized by Rev. DIR. Pitzer into the Cen
McCaila and DIR. o. NJ Muncaster as ruling
elders: Mrs. Susan NJ. Burch, Dr. Bedford
Irown, Mrs. Mary +. Brown. MrWm G. Busey,
Mrs Elizabeth Busey, Miss Mary +. Coyle, Miss