The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-22
THE NEW CHRIST CHURCH.
A Wonderful Showing Made for the FRS
Year.

A Wonderful Showing Made for the First
Year.
On next Sunday morning the congre-
CATION Of Christ Church will worship in
their new church on Campbell avenue.
The history OF this organization is an
interesting one, and it shows what en-
ergy and perseverance, can do, if rightly
applied. The idea OF the establishment
OF new Episcopal congregat ton in the
city OF Roanoke is only about one wear
old, but in that time not only has that
congregation been formed, but church
building has actually been erected and
completely furnished.
The inaugufators of this movement.
eight earnest women, formed themselves
into what they termed the Ladies' Aid
Society of Christ Church, with the
avowed intention OF building q church.
For some time recruits to the move
ment were few, but those who wore in
it supplied by their zeal and fidelity
what was lacking in nun bers. They
worked as only Jealous Christian women
can work, encouraged by the knowledge
that everything undertaken for the
glory Of God, If sincerely entered into,
must arrive at happy fruition. Even
from Roanoke standpoint 1t is wonder
ful how much this handful OF women
accomplished. BY their united effort
they made enough money to make it
possible to secure tho handsome lot
upon which the church now stands But
that is not all they did, nor all they in
tend to do. To the Ladies' Aid Society
alone is due the credit that Christ
Church Is now an accomplished fact.
Tho
the 4th day OF June, 1892, at meeting
hold for that purpose, at which meeting
the following vestry was elected A. S.
| Hughes, w. ID. Stuart, j. Il. Smoot, c.
k Schwrar, j. G. Page, McH Booth,
and K. R. Wood On tho Goth day of
Juno this vestry called as rector of the
church the Rev j. Cleveland Hall, then
at Fairfax Court House, and he accepted
the call. The selection of Mr.. Hall by
the vestry was most happy one. He
has all the requisites necessary for
successful passionate. He took charge
| of his new field of labor on the 2Sth day
| OF last July, and from q small number
he has increased tho list of actual COM
municants to l25, which does not by any
means represent the size of the congre-
cation Indeed, it has not been yet pos
| sible to say what tho size of the congre-
CATION Of Christ Church is, as at many
services people have been turned away
on account of inadequate accommoda.
ton. 1t is confidently expected that
the seating capacity of the new church
will be fully tested. The new church
will seat nearly 500 members.
The vestry of Christ Church are to be
congratulated upon their work in SO
speedily. and satisfactorily erecting a
house OF worship. Begun barely sixty
days ago, it is model Of com pleteness
and beautiful simplicity Without being
expensive, it is handsome. The inside
finishing Is OF hard wood, with fine
arches of harmonious order. beau
tiful carpet will be laid in the church
this week. The chancel furniture is
very handsome. being OF walnut, appro-
priately carved and finished. This fur
niture was all made in Roanoke, and is
certainly credit to the town. The
church will be lighted by a largo gas
| reflector. which will illuminate every
portion of the church. A large furnace
will thoroughly heat tho building. In
fact, in every sonse of the word, the
| church will DO com fortabl
Some people think that the choir
which has been organized for Christ
Church will be ono of the finest that
has ever sung in the town 1t will be
under the able leadership of Mrs. DR..
Hodgson, and is composed of the fol-
lowing members:
Soprani, Misses Margaret and Bessie
Crane; alti, Miss Mamie Michael and
Mrs. j. L. James; tenori, Mr. William
l.. Reid and Mr.. Frank Cooper; bassi,
Mr.. r. r. Wood and Mr.. Ii. o. Mosher;
organist. Mrs. Kinnear.
This choir has been under constant
practice for the past six weeks. spe
cial programme has been arranged for
the services next Sunday-which will
be on the order of thanksgiving SER
vices-5hanksgiving for the success Of
the movement. A bright future is in
prospect for this young church and its
energetic, accomplished rector.