Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-03

LIST, I'd or Sd street west but Washington par.
ish suggested 9Th street west Of A street north.
Rev. Mr.. Mccormick oficiated rector till
1873. when he was succeeded BY Rev. Ethan
Allen, who resigned in August 1880. In 1895
an addition was built to the church and Mr.. Allen
built the rectory. The subsequent rectors were
as follows: Rev. Henry b. Bean, resigned 1885;
Rev: W. Hodges, resigned 1855; Rev Joshua
assistant; Rev. C. II. Shield. Rev. A. +. Steele,
assistant; Rev. VIM. MCGUIRE Rev. C. d. An
drews, who served from 1873 TO 1887. when the
present rector, Rev. Gilbert F. Williams, was
elected. Gen. Archibald Henderson of the marine
corps was for many years a vestryman, during
which time the marine music boys attended
services, regularly marching from the bar
racks, but two squares distant. In 1849 and
1850 a new front was put in, presenting plain
gable to the street and in 1854 belfry and
vestibule were added.
In the early part Of the war the government
was about to take the church for hospital pur-
poses, but on inspection they did not take pos
session. The Fourth Street NJ. E. Church was.
however, pressed into service, and Christ Church
gave the congregation of that church its use
on sunday evenings, which was accepted.
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS
As stated above, the edifice, which is about
forty by eighty feet, has been almost entirely
renewed, and although the congregation is the
oldest in the city their church is not only a new
one in appearance, but one of the handsomest to
be found In this section. The front is in imita-
ton OF stone and the tower has been raised some
sixteen feet, relieving the front of its former
squatty appearance. 1t may be said that SO ex-
tensive nave been the improvements that it is
almost an entirely new structure. Judging from
the condition in which the joists were found the
work would have been imperative in q short
time. The joists and floor were entirely re-
moved and beneath a cellar dug, and the new
floor is laid on joists placed on sustaining walls
hn nfoiI IL
INTERIOR DECoRAr IONS.
The interior has been handsomely frcscoed
and decorated according to the designs Of J.
H. Lamb of New York by Messrs. Kahlert &
Beiser OF this city. The chancel windows have
Deen removed and above is half a dome, the
waincoating OF paneled walnut on a wide
border OF royal purple tint on trefoil designs
In tan color, and above in tracery work all
round and in regular spaces are six
m ,ha Ions !; in blending light colors.
which scintillate streaks of white color or
cream, the foliated tops Of which are high.
lighted with gold. In the main body the frieze
Is ornamented with the symbol of the COM
munion-the vine and grapes-and the ceiling is
OF obiong paneling. Along tine whole length on
both sides Of the center ceiling is round mold
ing in gilt. producing fine effect, and the
lower edge Of the arch over the chancel
Is III bronze. While the fresco work is elabo-
rate and the design in exquisite taste it is not
overdone In any part and is not open to the
criticism OF overcrowding. The wainscoting
Is paneled and the old-fashioned pew ends and
doors have given way to modernized ends
without doors, old oak body and cherry mold
ing, Messrs. T. s. Denham & Sons being the
painters. The gas jets were made especially
Tor this work, four lights on each of the eight
columns. The entire floor has been carpeted
by MIR. W. H. Hoske, one of the vestry, the COL
ors and figures harmonizing with the interior
decorations.
vEsTIBULE AND PORCH.
The outside vestibule and porch have been
tiled In mosaic design-old red and French
gray, with blue centers and white corners and
buff border. The porch is finished with small
lancet windows on the sides and heavy paneled
doors and the inner doors of glass, the
pllasters on the four corners of church and
tower with galvanized iron finals and the
pllasters in front with galvanized iron CAPS.
while the fronts of the gable and four sides of
the tower are battlement finish, giving a very
solid effect The Munson lightning rods are
placed on the roof
The present vestry is composed of W. E.
Hutchinson, W. H. Hoeke, H. C. McCauley.
George c. Henning, James C. Berry, 8. J. Nc
Sathran, y. b. Hallam and W. Danenhower
The wardens are Joseph II. Gibbons and L. B.
Fonda
The boundaries of the parish which once
covered the two cites are now that portion of
the city bounded by South Capitol street, North
Carolina avenue, 9Th street, East Capitol street
and the Eastern branch.