The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-03

Handsome parsonage built. The filling in of
the great raviLe which separated cnurch
and Union His. and the Introduction OF
the electric railway, as wei as the COLI
stant rapid increase In population, occa-
stoned such a demand for houses, tnat
there was left few vacant lots on the nllls'
where in the memory OF the rev surNl-
vOrs Of the Old Union the eye was greeted
with bar5n fields and unsighuy gulies.
Union Station has kept pace with TINS
material prosperity. II became eVl1ent
that the old house couId nor
the congregations. TO meet the growing
. .eXiGency. IL was resolved TO build new
church. On the 18th of April. 1888, the
work of demolition commenced. and IN
a few weeks all that was left of the old
building around which clustered so many
hallowed associations, was its sacred
memories.
TIE PRESENT STRUCTURE.
The present house Of worship Of Union
Station Methodist church is an ornament
10 Church Hill. 1t is one Of the largest
and handsomest church ediices in the
city Something like two years ago The
church decided to erect a new house oi
worship, the Old one being insufficient 10
accommodate the rapidy-grOwing cOngre-
cation. on the nth OF last July, large
assembly were in attendance 10 witness
the laying Of the cornerstone. The 0c-
casiOn was "A notable one. and was ceie-
brated i'm solemn style with stately Ma
sonic hOnOrs. Since that time the work
has progressed with mutual satisfaction
10 the building committee, and contractor,
and the CONGREGATION occupied one pOr-
ton Of the building last December
The structure is situated on the south
west corner Of Twenty-tourth and
streets. the main entrance opening on
Twenty-fOurth. near the corner, and two
other entrances on the corners facing
Twenty-fourth and \ streets respectively,
adding greatly 10 the convenience and ap-
pearance of the edihce. which has seat
ing capacity OF LOO all told. Inc main
u-fff
Sunday-school room on the same moor,
and separated by iron rolling partitions
by which both departments can be readiiy
thrown into one, has seating capacity
Of TO There is only one floor. TN t-ls
IN addition TO the two spacious rooms
already mentioned, is the ladies' pGrior,
handsomely fitted up in taste1u style'
library. private classroom, lhIaht class
room ladies' dressing room, ana other
smaller apartment-aH supplied win at
tractive and serviceable furnishings. me
contractor, Mr.. James Fox. mas SUPERVISE
the work with unceasing assluuily @nu
has received every possible assistance
from the building committee. CONSISTING
Of Charles H. Hasker, v. HechleI IT,
c r. Rrauer, Richard {. BrlstOW, y, W
Enos Frank c. Bates, and J. H. Z. wal
ker.
IMPOSING GOTHIC sryLF.
The pulpit is located on the south n,.s sue
o. the Sunday school room, Iaelils a.
tA=f0uTfn
ihe organ loft and choir department.
Three galleries forming Kind OF clrGie
Is level, while that of the main
audience room is slightly ,c qrSngu
ana Is supplied e WIN s ;d nollsh-
b nine TO correspond with the
Interior finish OF the church which is
touched up in a pleasing style oi ~ ~
ter-cornice work The interior or the
1gdence room is a model Of beauty and
convenience. Pretty stained glass WIN
d0ws make a striking ADDITION 70 me
whole The entire building is supplied
with the best facilities for heating, ven
u,ating. and lightAB %. .n,oo,
Messrs Poindexter and Bryant select
Cd as the design for the edlnce STATE
ly Gothic style Of architecture, which
commodlous. The pointed arch, Of
course. predominates Within as wen as
on the exterior. and there is certain
richness 81 contrast and blending OF de-
tail that give the whole peculiarly Gas
tlc touch. On the corner OF the oniiuins
is a square tower one hundred ana hIty
ieet In height, and two small towers Oh 4
similar style one on TWenty-lourui, the
other on y street. destroy anything IKE
moaotony OF effect. Pressed brick - tne
material employed. This, however, Is
handsomely trimmed with ,an at,racfiy.e
rough-lnish brown stone. The entire cd
lice has a massive. striidngly majestic
appearance that invites an admirlhS
glance from everyone who has an eye
Tor architectural beauty. Inc structure
complete VIII cost about szs,VVo.
RIy. oTosGE HEVRy RAY. D. D.
The present pastor Of Union Station,
hev George Henry Ray. ID. d., was born
IN the District OF Columbia, near W asn-
iinngton city. October a., 1882, In 1859. ne
Joined the Virginia cohfefncs. and at
once entered upon the ittneropt work. |
AS preacher in charge and presiding cid
f ne Is well-known throughout the
pounds OF the Virginia Conference. DR.. |
hL@aneriy, In his sketch OF DIR, Ray. says |
ne Is "ureless ia labors and endowed |
WIN rare gifts In the conduct OF affairs |
onn with many engaging qualities"
" I'm membership exceeding one thou |
.sdh1 Dr. Ray exercises an efficient pas |
toral Supervision, visiting the sick. |
Ympathizing friend with those In affiic- |
,yh' meeting with the various commit |
-. ana societies OF the church, and |
withal finding time TO visit the veteran !
~'nps' the Masonic Home. and many !