Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26
IMPROVED CHURCH.
rus cLAy-srReeT METHODIST EN-
tAe6ep AND BEAUTlFlED.
Tn. ra,fce RemodeIied with New 'front.'
Large Gallery. Tall spire' ana In
creased Seating Capacity.


months has kept fully apace with the
DEVELOPMENT of her industries and her
business improvement
This fact is shown by the large num-
Der of churches that have been either
built or enlarged TO accommodate in-
creased numbers OF worshippers.
Church after church has been re-
modelled and several have been built and
occnpied or are receiving their flnlshlng
touches ready 10 be consecrated TO the
service of God. Not least among those
OF the former class which now present
improved appearances to the public gaze
ia the Clay-3treet Methodist, oil winch
Rev. ". ri. Atwill is pastor, and which
for several months has been undergoing
alterations
ORIGIN OF THE IMPROVEMENT.
At the beginning of this year the
growth and prosperity of the church
were so encouraging it was deemed
expedieat to take steps towards en-
larping the house of worship to accom-
modate its rapidly-increasing member
ship. which now numbers 600. A build
ing committee, consisting OF Messrs. u.
|. Hunt, w. J. Scott, and W. r. Nash,
was therefore appointed, and soon the
work was commenced. -,
The homely front OF the old edlhce
was removed and in its stead handsome
gothic front made OF stock-brick and red
mortar and trimmed with granite was
substituted.
A GRACEFUL sPrRE.
A spire 175 feet high has been placed
on the western corner OF the building
AID adds beauty and symmetry to Its APP
pearance, especially when viewed from
Adams and Grace streets, where the
steepIe can be seen rising aloft from
among the tree-tops in its vicinity.
The interior Of the church will be beau
tifully frescoed. reprinted, and refitted,
and exquisite windows of cathedral glass
will be put in the building One Of
these, which will be in the front, is ff-
teen feet high and ten feet wide.
NEW PEws AND GALLERY.
New pews OF modern size and con-
venience. of finished oak with walnut
trimmings, have also been ordered, and
when completed the church will seat
1000 people.
An "O-G" gallery, which is circu-
lar in shape, like the one atthe Academy
of Music, has also been built. This is
the only one OF the kind in O church IN
this city.
The improvements made will cost
sl1, 900. They will supply a pressing
need OF the congregation, which has been
increasing in size steadily since Mr..
Atwiil became the pastor. He has been
at this church about three years, and
during this time the membership has
grown from 800 to twice that number.
WILL BE READY IL DECEMBER.
While the church is being improved
the congregation are worshipping IN the
basement, which has a seating capacity
of 500. The remodelIed building will
be fully completed and ready for occu-
pancy by the lst OF December or some
time during that month, when it will be
dedicated.
These Christian people have display
ed great liberality and have contributed
freely towards the repair fund. Since
the session of the Conference here in No
vember last they have given s., 300, which
is certainly very creditable showing
MISSION WORK.
During the second year of Mr.. AtwllPs
pastorate the importance of establishing
citv-mission work was first considered at
this church, the Methodists Of this city
formed a union. and by that movement
the Howard's- Grove and Washington
Street chapes have since been built, and
lot also purchased at the corner OF Twen-
ty-ninth and Marshall streets, upon which
it is proposed TO erect another. Clay
Street contributed s., 100 towards build
ing these missions
EVIDENCE OF LIBEBALTTY.
Az an instance Of the generosity OF
this congregation tho following incident
may be told A gentleman who taught
a Sunday school class there, and whose
circumstances were reduced, left his
horse standing in front of the church
one Sabbath. BY some means the ami
NAL hung its foot in water.plug IN
front OF the building and broke It's leg.
The poor beast had to be shot, and its
loss was serious one TO the owner. The
pastor, knowing this. called upon his
congregation to assist their brother. A
collection was taken and in a short while
sufficient money was raised to purchase
another horse.
ITS FORMER PASTORS.
In recent years the following clergy
men have been pastors of this cOngrega-
ton: Rev. Z. A. Peterson, ID. d., Rev.
A. q. Brown, d. D., Rev. S. S. Lam
beth, d. D., and Rev. Joseph II. Riddick.
The present pastor is Rev. W. IL.
Atwill. lie is young man, and thisis the
third year he has been located here. he
has won the love of his people and has
their hearty sympathy and support.
During his pastorste the churche has
been exceedingly prosperous and re-
ceiyed new life and energy.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Atwill was born in Westmoreland
county and received his education at Ran
dolph- Macon College. He entered the
ministry in 1875, and spent several years
in circuit work in Powhatan, Brunswick
and Greenesville counties. From these he
was assigned 10 Petersburg, where he
built up Wesley church, Of which he was
pastor for four years. He then located
III Portsmouth, where he stayed two
years, during which time he hquidated
the debt of his church. From Ports
mouth he was assigned to Richmond,
and during his residence here he has
won many friends and become well
known for his excellent sermons and
affability as Christian gentleman.
Since entering the ministry he has re-
ceived about 1,050 persons into the
churches which he has served
FOOTBALL SEASON SOON TO OPEN.