Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-04-03
NOW IT IS DEDICATED
The New Grace Church Formally
Opened Yesterday
WITH EASTER EXERCISES
The Large Vested Chair Made iss First
Appearances and the Ceremonies
Were OF = Pleasing Charaeser.

How beautiful and churchly~ was
the universal expression - the eongfe
cation as i, crowded into the new Grace
church yesterday morning az the dedl
catofy service. The beautifully and
finely decorated interior Vas surprise
@ those sho hrheld II fer the first time
ifs harmonious blending OF eolors. its ex
quisite wood work sndturnisure. and the
pretty wall decorations were cause foF
admiration. The chaneel Is especially
handsome The choir stalls. the altar
and the reredos. the gift u the Sunday
school. are me specimens Of quarter
sawed red oak after most chaste de
sign. In every detail the interior Is most
pleasing in eject. The floral decorations
were pretty IN quality and design At
thisiseryice tho rector. the Rev. j. u.
Hnbhs. delivered the dedicalory sermon
FROM the first verse Of psalm i22 The
sermon was a CAREFUL setting forth at
the uses of church and an earnest plea
for the always open and free church.
The new choir Of men and boys, about
fifty IN number. rendered the servire re
markabiy well. The quality and guam
tity of voice Is excellent and promises
well for the future. The dominant sug
gcstion 81 the service as far as the music
was concerned was worshipful and -
absorbing was this that one hardly
thought ~ the elements that entered to
make il. The musical part advanced
steadily with a quiet majestic pace.
without haste or excitement and with
freedom from loud singing so common
with new vested choirs. The evening
prayer Was choral throughout. Of a
simple devotional character and was
called the first choir festival. The clear
tones of the sopranos We're strikingly
noticeable. The Rev. j. f. Wilkinson Of
Grand Haven delivered the sermon at
the evening service. giving a scholarly
explanation OF the power Of the resur
rection.
Bishop Gillespie was not able TO he
present at the dedication 81 this pretty
church. but sent the following com
munication to the rector. wardens and
yestry:
Bishop Gillespie's Congratulations.
To the Rector. Wardens and Vestry and
Pensioners of Grace Church:
My Dear Brethren -Debarred tho
pleasure of being with you this day.
made doubly happy by your entering
into your new church, permit me to pre-
sent To- you my sincere congratulations
The erection OF Grace church is a con
Summation for which l have longed and
prayed. have felt that while your sec
ton Of our city offered the opportunity
Of furnishing parish, that as long as
you were in the chapel. only slow growth
...1 1sAfntrIfx x,,trof u.
pected- / have never sympathized with
other churches or that il ought TO be-
difficulty with the location of our
churches in Grand Rapids. is that there
is unoecupied territory.
You have entered on great enter
prise and all such enterprises involve
struggle and anxiety. But you have the
incentive in the possession Of conven-
lent, beautiful cdifice. which will meet
the wants Of an advancing parish. The
same interest and self denial that have
brought you tn your present position
will enable you To meet your indebted
ness. So much secured is the prospect
and pledge for the future.
With temporal advancement. will,
trust. be- correspondent spiritual growth.
We may never forget that our churches
stand to he the gathering places Of souls
to be Before the throne OF God and To
serve Him day and night in his temple. .
On this blessed Easter morn. through
the churches services and sacraments,
Seek those things which are above,
where Christ stitch on the right hand
/ Of God"
Peace be 10 this house and to all that
dwell in il"
Very sincerely.
Your friend and bishop.
GFo. ID f,TfIEspIF