The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-05
CHURCHES OF CHARLOTTE.
Interesting Description Of the Pastors and
Congregations.
THE MAYOR ENTERTAINS THE PRESS CLUB
A Coming Musical Festival--The Songs and
the Slngers--Otber Interesting Points
About the City.

week in the calendar of time. with rose-tinted
sunshine fItering through outrageous
| shadows As Charlotte wins the admiration
of the visitor during six other busting. busy
DAYS. so does she bring to his eye an enchant-
ing picture of peace and rest on this the
I Lords day.
A quiet pervades fireplace that is very CRATE
| full 10 the wearied work-worn bodies 81 TOLL
! ing population; but 1t IS quiet fuli Oh reson-
ance. harmonious silence that invites re-
| pose and can be found nowhere else than IN
| inst such n typical Southern city as TINS. Inc
| mocking-bi answers back the musical rever-
berations from church tower and spire, ana a
Thousand other feathered SOngsters sing
Natures beautiful call 10 prayer. Oh
what a blessing is Christian Sabbath
where all is rest and Natures God restores Ma
lures waste Of heeting week. Charlotte is
n CITY Of churches. and nearly every known
denomination il represented here with good
congregations which oil goes 10 stamp it as
strong Christian community. Beautiful
church buildings with towering spires that
pierce the sky above lofty oaks are dotted
here and there. and add stately grace to beau
tiful architecture.
Some of these church buildings date far
back in the century. and massive and mel
lowed with age they contrast strikingly with
the no less attractive beauties OF the more
modern models.
A cHURCH-GoIEG TOWN.
Charlotte is a ch-going town." said a
drummer to-day. Everybody goes 10 church
here, and have 10 go too in self-defense, al
though do not go elsewhere. What better
object lesson of the moral force Of Christian
community than this?
And so II IS. A round dozen Of churches
are filled from door 10 pulpit with interested.
devout congregations. and Charlotte Is re-
puted for its moral tone. No pretuer sight
can be conceived than that which filled the
shaded vistas of beautiful Tryon street this
morning when its wide walkways were
crowded with chuFoh-gOers IN endless streams,
and were it admissible here.l might dwell ut
length upon the beauty and refinement that
graced the throng; but this reserve for the
festive occasions yet to come
The churches here are without exception
handsome buildings and occupy ample sites
with carefully tended grounds. and, as rule,
are shaded by magnificent spreading oaks.
There is strong. cOmmendable Christian
rivalry displayed in the yet handsomer and
more costly churches either in contemplation
or under construction by every denomination.
The increase in membership in each case
is the cause of these engagements and
much taste and money are being
expended on these beautiful edlices. lmag-
inc large massive gray church with lofty
spire set in the Gently Of Monroe Park IN Rich
mOnd, handsome parsonage OF harmonious
architecture IN a rear corner, It's Young shade
trees replaced by enormous oaks. and you
would have fair picture Of the First Presby
terian, Rev Dr. A. w. Mller's church. Large
congregations attend there. and the reputa-
ton OF this eminent divine always makes that
church attractive TO strangers. The choir
music is a strong feature, and the singing OF
Miss Tate is never mentioned without high
praise.
OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
There are two other churches Of this de-
nomination and all OF nearly equal strength.
The Second Presbyterian has for It's pastor
Rev r. c. Reid. Very interesting services were
held at this church both morning and even
ing. when n number of new elders and dea-
cons were ordained and installed. The MUSIC
on each Of these occasions was OF high or
der and the ofertOry. Saviour Source Of
Every Blessing" sung by Mrs. Ernest f.
Young and David Baker. gave exquisite
The Tryon-Street Methodist church is for
tunate IN the possession of Rev. Solomon
Poole D. D.. as pastor. A beautiful building,
large and wealthy congregation. with fine
preacher make this one of the Leading
churches of Charlotte. The unavoidable alb
sence of the pastor to-day precludes any fur
Their report here.
Indeed. it was not expected by me to give
any extended report of the various churches
in this letter, but they will receive attention
Rev. c. ~ f. Jelries. of the Church OF
England. from London. filled the pulpit of
St Peters Episcopal church to-day III the
absence of Rev. }. b. Cheshire, ID. D., the
pastor
The services at ST. Marks Evangelical
Lutheran church were Of special interest this
morning, lnasmuch rs the congregation lis
tened to the introductory sermon of a new
pastor. Rev. T. 5. Brown. the former pastor
resigned his charge last winter on account OF
Ill health. and since that time Rev Dr.
Steck has filed the pulpit Now Rev. W y.
Bowman. for a NUMBER OF years IN charge OF
the Church of Ascension at Savannah. Ga,
has accepted the pastorate. Ha suTenders
q very large charge 10 take a smaller one be-
cause of the neceSS " of recuperatlOn from
excessive work in larger fields. The sermon
this morning WAS IS ec ally appropriate 20 the
occasion and his touching appeal T. his con-
eregntion TO uphold him III his now work here
met with ready response in every heart. lie
is man of force III aud out OF the pulpit, and
to say that ms cOngre aiOu aie greatly
pleased with him but 1eeby expresses tAeir
evident delight.
4 CHURCH BUILDER.
His personal manners are particularly
pleasing and he has Il hne reputation as a
church builder. and no doubt under the new
impulse of his pastOTate ST. Marks Will be-
come still larger and more influential. This
congregation feel especially gracious toward
DR.. Bowman since he voluntarily surren-
dered a very large salary for one only half IS
large St. Mark IS perfect gem ct church
and one of more than ordinary seating capa-
city. Its inner arrangements are very strik-
ing and some radical departures from the old
style in its furnishings add much to Its beauty
and comfort
This. church has recently been fortunate
enough to receive two legacles, one from Cap
tain w. 4. Barrier of twenty thousand 10
build a parsonage, and another of one
thousand 10 90 10 fund for the purchase Of
a grand pipe organ soon 20 De secured. Tie
latter was IRON CAPTAIN T. t. Seigie Both Of
these gentlemen in lie were prominent mem
iers OF this church. Charlotte is a musical
center. and the outcome Of l. thorough educa-
ton Of tins taste among its people has re-
suited in excellent chOirs. The singing of
Miss Jennie Freeman. the soprano or tho
choir. Is especially pleasing. and although 1t IS
composed of only trio. It is one Of the
best cholrs in the State. Acustom prevails
here among the Sundays schools that Is dit
ferent from Virginia cities that OF holding
them in the afternoon instead of in the
morning The Sunday-sch0Ol attendance Is
very large. and the interest manifested By
both old and Young Is largely attributed 10
the convenience of the nour of meeting
The Young Mems Christian Association Of
Charlotte is the pride of the city. and very
justly so.
HANDSOME BUILDING.
They have one of the handsomest buildings
in the South and everything connected with
Il Ill