The Washington times., 1894-10-22
LAID THE CORNERSTONE.
Simple Exercises Conducted Yesterday
Afternoon by the Rector of ST. Stephens
pro,asran+ EpiScoDaI Church

Simple Exercises Conducted Yesterday
Afternoon by the Rector of ST. Stephens
Protestant Episcopal Church.
In the soft afternoon sunshine, with a
pretty background of autumnal woodland,
some 200 or more people yesterday witnessed
the ceremony OF the laying ofthe cornerstone
OF st. Stephens Protestant Episcopal Church,
on Fourteenth street, near Columbia road.
A temporary floor had been laid upon the
basement walls OF the new structure. and here
the services were held. On the north side,
ciasped in the chains of a derrick, and
guarded by sturdy workman, rested the
cornerstone, large block or rougn granite,
about which for the nonce centered the inter
est of the spectators and the ceremonial Of
the church.
Shortly after o'clock a little procession
wended its way from old st. Stephens to the
was headed by clergy, vestrymen, and choir,
and was composed of the Sunday-school pu-
pills of the parish. The clergy were Rev.
George T. Dudley, rector of st. stephen G;
Rev. Taylor Snyder rector of the Church of
the Ascension; Rev. James A. Buck. rector OF
ST. Paul's, Rock Greek; Rev. James E. Grow.
OF Brookland, and Rev. Dr. johnson. assist
were Messrs. G. b. Towles, senior warden;
George II. Hill, junior wardeni John B. Ken
dal, Gilbert NJ. Hustled. Edwin NJ. Mcleod,
john B. Tanner, Thomas Miller, and Charles
S. Bundy.
The service began with a professional
hymn, after which the rector, Rev. Mr.. Dud
ley. recitcd the Apostles Creed and the Lords
Prayer in unison with the congregation, and
said several appropriate collects.
Then Mr.. G. b. Towles, senior warden, read
an announcement of the contents of brown
tin box, which was subsequently placed in
the cornerstone. This little box will preserve
to posterity the following articles: Copies of
the New Testament, revised prayer-book,
revised hymnal complete parish roster, with
certified list of officers and vestry, name of
architect, invitation and programme OF sery-
ice held in the church when the name was the
Church of the Hallowed Name, programme of
the service Of laying the cornerstone of the
chapel an envelope and pledge-card. show
ing the financial system OF the ch-rch, copy
of the first number of ST. Stephens Herald,
copies of daily papers, Church Almanac, coins
of the year 1894, programme o. service of the
ninth annual convention of the Brotherhood
OF st. Andrew, held in Washington October
IL TO IA, 1894, copy of the Maryland Church.
man. clergy list of the American church, and
list of the officers and members of ST.
Stephens Chapter, Daughters o. the King.
The cornerstone was then lowered into
place, and Rev. Mr.. Dudley, tapping it three
times with a common mason's trowel pro-
nounced this sentence: I'm the Name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
Amen. We lay this cornerstone OF st. Ste
phen's Church. For the praise and glory Of
God-and for this work of redemption among
men,"
Another hymn was sung, after which Rev.
James A. Buck delivered a brief address upon
the historic character of the church and its
functions in modern civilization. A collect
and benediction concluded the ceremony
When completed st. Stephens Church will
have cost $50. 600. 1t will be built of blasted
granite with Indiana limestone trimmings, in
the early English Gothic style of architecture
At present only the rear portion will be fin
shed, and the present chapel will be con-
verted TO the uses of the Sunday school.