The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-02
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH
Having Been Freed from all
Money Obligations
FORMALLY DEDICATED
To the Service of God-Yestcrdny''
Impressive scrvlces-social Last
Nieht-Rev. DIR. swope's Good
Work In the Parish.

HOu, Sts MNttueN EpISCOpAl SHuASHt -
Public Building square, was laid in ac-
cordance with the impressive ritual OF
the church by the Rev. DR.. Thomas Adj
olson, now rector OF a large Episcopal
congregation in Washington, D. G., who
was then the rector OF the only Episeo-
pal parish in the city, the parishioners
Of which worshipped in the old st.
Matthew's church atthe Cornerof Byron
and Twelfth streets.
Yesterday the church was formally
dedicated and consecrated to the wor-
ship Of God. It is rule Of the Episco-
pal denomination that their sacred edi-
fees cannot be formally dedicated till
they are free from all financial incnm-
brances. Within the past year the bal
ance OF the building debt, about $500,
was lifted and the church freed from all
financial obligations. As was eminently
ton was the anniversary Of the
laying OF the corner stone and
most gratifying feature OF the ser
vices, especially to the older parishioners,
was that DR.. Addison, their old rector,
was able to be present and deliver the
dedicatory sermon in the editicc- he did
so much towards erecting.
The dedication took place at 1880
o'clock in the presence OF n large con-
gregation, many being present from
other churches to rejoice with their
Episcopal brethren. The services were
celebrated by the TT. Rev. Bishop George
W. peterkin, assisted by Rev. DR.. Nor
rill, Of Washington, Pa, Rev. Mr.. Nor
rell, OF st. Luke's parish, Island; Rev.
DR.. William Harrison, of Philadelphia;
Rev. John Wood, OF the Moundsville
parish; Rev. DR.. Moore, Of the PNrkers-
burg parish; Rev. Mr.. amber, Of the
Fairmont parish; Rev, DR.. Campbell, of
the Bellaire parish; Rev. DR.. Addison,
of Washington, d. O., and Rev. DR.. r.
Rush Swope, OF st. Matthews.
The clergy entered the church by the
main entrance, where they were re-
ceiyed by the vestry Of the parish. As
Bishop Peterkiu led the way to the
chanGel he recited the twenty-fourth
Psalm. Arriving ut the chancel the
clergy received the vestry who had fol-
lowed them up the centre aisle, and
from the hands OF Mr.. Joseph D. Dubois,
the oldest vestryman, Bishop Peterkin
received the keys and the parchment
document transferring to him Us. the
head Of this diocese, the property and
attesting to the fact that it was Tree
from all membranes. At the proper
time DR.. Swope read the Bishops nc
Ceptance. The other services OF dedica-
ton and conservation were in accord
ance with tho ritual OF the church.
The usual morning prayers and lessons
were repeated and read, and following
DR.. Addison's sermon, which was n very
able and polished effort, there was
Holy Communion.
The church us handed over to Bishop
Peterkin is in the very best OF condition,
everything having been thoroughly re-
paired within the year. 1t has ali the
comforts and conveniences OF modern
house OF worship and is credit to the
parish and ornament to the city.
The interior was most handsomely
decorated with flowers aud plants
yesterday. The base of every
window recess was bank OF
flowers, and in the center Of each stood
pot OF lovely chyrsanthemums. The
chancel, reading desk and pulpit were
lavishly decorated with flowers. This
work was done by committee, COM
posedof Miss Belle Armstrong, Mrs. NJ.
Thornton, Mrs. j. V. L. Rodgers,
Miss Eflie Russell and Miss
Sara Cecil. The palms, draconas,
bigonias and other hot.house plants used
in decorating, were furnished from the
Schneider Island green houses, and the
ladies were ably assisted in other ways
by the proprietor, who is well known us
an artist in the arrangement OF floral
decorations.
Last evening there was a delightful
social given in the lecture room. A.
committee Of ladies and gentlemen
made it their duty to cordially wei.
come everyone, and the younger
ladies transformed themselves into
charming mattresses and served cream,
cakes and coffee. DR.. and Mrs. Addison
were present and revived old acquaint-
ances with evident pleasure. Several OF
the pastors OF the other city churches
were also present. Some OF the floral
decorations had been brought down
from upstairs and helped make the
IOOilS oIISh9 luOuSH really uOLll0q WIS
needed to make them brighter or more
cheerful than the smiling and happy
faces Of the assemblRge. It was an occa-
sion that everyone enjoyed.
DR.. Addison was succeeded in the rec
torship OF st, Matthews by the Rev. DR..
Latene, and lie by the Rev. DR.. j. G.
Armstrong. Rev. DR.. Swope, the present
rector, followed DR.. Armstrong, and by
singular coincident took charge OF
the parish on November /, the
anniversary of the laying OF the
corner stone. That was ten years
ago and yesterdays celebration
was joint one. 1t marked the freeing
OF the church from debt and the end Of
q decade Of very useful ministry,
During the time DR.. Swope has been
rector the parish has contributed for
all purposes SGS,0OO. OF this $4,000
was used to clear the church Of
debt that being the sum hanging
over it when DR.. Swope took charge. In
the time he has been here he Ras at.
tended 4So funerals, solemnized 9S mar.
riages, baptized $50, assisted in the con-
tirmation OF $50, and is now the honored
head ola parish with 800 Communicate,
"Thc Contingent Amendment League"
An ORGANIZATION ,,,o, g. - -,