Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14
THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
INTERESTING MEETING OF THE KvAY-
GELIcAL ALLIANCE
Opening Of the New venable-strest Church
Sunday School Meetipgs-Nis-
sion Meetings, &c.

The regular monthly meeting OF the
Evangelical Alliance Of this city was held
at the Young Mems Christian Association
rooms yesterday evening at 4:30 o'clock.
The attendance was large, both Of minis
ters and laymen, the spirit OF the meeting
delightful, and the results attained of
permanent value.
The constitution submitted bv COM
mittee previously appointed was
adopted.
The alliance is 70 be auxiliary TO the
Evangelical Alliance of the United
States. It's object is the promotion of
Christian fellowship and cooperation
and the reaching with Christian inAu-
enccs the entire community without in
teTfering with the methods or pohty Of
any denomination. its meetings are to
be held on Tuesday night after the third
Sunday of each month, thus allowing
the attendance Of the largest number
possible. A board Of managers consist
ing of the officers and one layman from
each denomination represented IN the
organization guide its affairs IN the Sc
lection of subjects and accomplishment
of the object in view. Each monthly
meeting continues for an hour and
half Rev. DIR. T. p. Kerr is
the president. Rev DR.. Landrum,
Rev DR.. Peterkin, Rev. r.. G.
Cave, and Rev. S. $. Lamberth are the
vice presidents, Rev. DIR. George Cooper
secretary, and Messrs. B. G.. Gray, Bos-
well Alsop, John p. Branch, b. NJ.
Quarles, Josiah Ryland, and Adam
Diacont the Board OF Managers. Many
new names were added to the list Of
membership. The next meeting will be
held at the Young Mems Christian Asso-
clatiOn Hall on March 10th at S Z. NJ.
OPENING OF THE vESABLE-srREET CHURCH.
Among the many recent improvements
which have added attractiveness to Union
Hill there is one which deserves special
mention. This is the new house of wOr-
ship erected within the past twelve
months by the Venable-Street Baptist
church. This body of Christians was
organized some fourteen years ago, and
has worshipped since that time in
wooden building at the corner of Nena-
BILE and Buchanan streets. The house
was inadequate to the needs OF the con-
grcgation. and 50 about year ago the
building was sold, and IT was decided to
build the present house, the lot on which
it stands Corner Nenable and Twenty
first streets having been previously pur-
chased by the church.
The new building is unique and
marks decided departure from the old
architectural notions which have long
prevailed here.
The building is Romanesque - in
design and IS treated in broad, liberal
manner. the openings being wide and
crowned with round-head arches. The
materials used are brick stone, and iron,
and the roof IS covered with slate. The
building IS cruciform in shape and has
its main entrance on Nenable street.
Quite "A graceful tower rises from the
northwestern corner OF the nave, and
from this to the western wing there
extends a little arcade which, besides
being very useful as a vestlbule, forms
quite a pleasing architectural feature.
The whole building lmpresses one as
being strong and durable and at the
same time graceful in outline. The
main auditorium has a seating capacity
of 500 and the basement will seat about
the same number.
The entrances are numerous, being IN
front and on both sides, point often
neglected in places where large crowds
congregatc. The acoustic properties are
delightful. The interior of the auditO-
rum has a high ceiling, which will be
paneiled in wood. and the sides walns-
cotted in the same manner, All the
woodwork will be oiled and vanished,
allowing the natural grain to be seen.
The basement, in which the congrega-
ton is worshipping for the present, IS
tastefullv painted Immediately behind
the rostrum are class-rooms, whose occu-
pants have full view of the speaker and
of a large portion of the main room.
The floors are inclined, and the ceiling Is
parallel. CAPTAIN NJ. j. Dimmock is the
architect.
On Sunday at $3.50 p. NJ. some simple
opening services were held III the base
ment. Despite the horrible condition of
the streets and the unfavorable weather
the crowd exceeded the capacity OF the
building. Addresses were delivered by
Drs. Cooper, Landrum, and Hatcher, be-
sides other exercises, participated IN by
Drs. Pollard and Goodwin and Revs. j.
b. Hutson, W. J. Shipman, and j. f.
Hutson, and the pastor OF the church,
Rev. r. Ii. Pitt.
The congregation is by no means
wealthy, but they have struggled nobly.
There will be services at this church
every night this week under the conduct
of Rev. j. +. Hutson.
THE BAPTIST sUNDAY-sCHooLA ASSOCIATION.
The monthly meeting OF this associa-
ton was held at the Clay-Street Baptist
church Sunday afternoon-Mr. I. il.
Elicit. the vice president, presiding. MIR.
Robert A. Gary was secretary. The ex-
ercises were interspersed with excellent
singing by the choir of the Clay Street
school. Mr.. William Ellyson led the as
sociation in prayer.
The average attendance for the past
month was as follows: