The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-12
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
differences Among the Members Which
Have Now Become Public.

differences Among the Members winch
Have Now Become Public.
For several weeks past spirit of dissat-
islaciion has been developing ia the Grace
street Baptist Church, in reference to the
now buildinr soon i0 De erected ON the site
of the old one: i'm fact, the beginning of the
manifested disc0rd dates back 90 the first
move 10 erect the new building. AS time
went ON the trouble became more evident.
until last Monday night. when ana enihu.i-
astic meeting was held. which resulted 300
the withdrawal of about forty members in-
Guiding four Of the Oeacons and some
Of the oldest and most prominent members
aftha church. This made the friends of tine
building movement more determined, and
they resolved 90 build the new church 900 All
hazards. some of those who nave Wiil-
drawn say that they did not object To- the
new building $50 much, as they oQecied tn
the manner in which some OF the members
acted about DO.
A prominent member of the church. who
is closely identified with the friends of tne
building. was seen by TINES reporter last
night and makes the following statement
ONE VERSION or THE AFFAIR.
AS already mentioned i'm your paper, the
Graco-~trect Baptist Church is in Che midst
of several great building enterprises. For
one thing. 10 is building % fo,Wp house OBJ
Worship at the corner of Cary and Meadow
streets. which is 90 Doe the seat 0i new
church. which is 90 Doe known as the West
view Baptist Church. That house is
rapidly approaching completion, and Will
De one OF the neatesi. most attractive
chapels I'M the city. furnished With almost
every convenience. and capable of seating
$50 people. The church has recently re-
cciNcd a lot ON Barton Heights. the gene
rous eift of Mr.. Barton, and upon DO house
of worship is t0 Doe erected at once. The
church has had for some time q lively and
interesting mission out ON the Brook road
and that is To- Doe merged into the Barton
Heights enterprise.
But the great movement of the Grace.
street people is for new house for Them
selves Their present building ls antiquat.
cd. shabby and incapable of accommodate
ing the great congregation. 10 mas been dc.
tommed. therefore. that there must Doe q
new house. and committee has been APP
pointed with authority i0 build it. 10 i-
hOned that the house can Doe erected at q
cost not exceeding $4,000, nearly three
f0urihs of which have been provided ior
and the church has agreed, ID necessary, o.
put "a debt of $4,000 upon the new building
The committee is greatly encouraged hl
the general lihellliiy of the people
and Dr. Hatcher is also receiving
from the outside some grateful help
lie is in receipt OF great multitudCs of lot
tors from various sections of the country
concentrating BIN upon the splendid libcr
ality OF his church. lie says That hc cal
not appear upon the street without hndin-
the citizens ready to extend 10 him then
greetings and best wishes i'm view of the mo-
bile spirit of bis church. His people seen
90 have q genuine passion for giving. AZ
the church meeting last Monday night, OBJ.
claims of the Ncnablc-strect Church Wor,
presented, and help asked for the compile
tion of their house of worship, and many o
the members poured ont their money. as II
they had not had "a chance 90 give any
thing for quiic'a while
one way n which the Grace-stroot Rap
tlst Church has become famous for libor
ality is in giving its members tO Other
churches. 10 was from that church that tho
Clay-street Baptist Church went out a
few years ago. and from time % time AN the
Younger and weaker churches in the upper
part of the city received acccssi0ns from
this source. just now, this church feels
peculiarly the help of every one of 10.
members. 10 rs carrying heavy bur-
dens, and from an Of its loyal
children it profoundly needs generous help
And yet the church is sending ont lbs mem.
beers 90 reinforce other churches, SUNDAY
before last Toe pastor said from the pulpit
that while 10 would be- painful 90 him and o.
the church i0 lose any member; that those
who felt that they could do better work else
where, especially no the missions, would ro.
ceiNe the OcnodIcil0n OF the church III thcy
went.
AT the church meeting ON Monday night
There was quite am exodus of members and
some of them among the most hOnorod I'm
the church. About twenty asked letters
iO Join the new church soon On
Dec constituted 0n north Fourth street
and 10 was touching indeed 90 mark the ten.
der words ana ieryent prayers uttered fol
this devoted little band. There We're per.
haps as many letters granted TO others o.
go either % churches in the new places "a
which they have moved, or else into other
churches IN the city.
The church meeting was one Of great
harmony and kindliness OF spirit. The
church conferred freely about It's various
enterprises and had special seasons OF
prayer for the guiding hand OF God.
DR. Hatcher received letter yesterday
from DR.. W. e.. Biting, a pastor in New
York city, praying him 90 come 20 New
York ahd let hin show him some OF the
most highly improved houses Of worship in
lhe great city. Or. Biting was educated no
Richmond College and is an ardent lover
Of Richmond. and he said in his letter that
he roioiced greatly that the Grace-street pc0-
pie had determined 10 build for themselves
n handsome house of worship. that would
cmbody all the Improvements Of modern
church architecture, and would avoid the
incurable mistakeof attempting % patch up
an old building.
SIR. A. l., West has been chosen by the