Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-30

u,o, tho, a suitable lot could be had.
hut about this time Dr. Peterkln's heaith
broke down, and owing to MS absences
from, home and the necessity Tor MS
ceasing for a while from his laDors. lurth-
or action was delayed until the summer
OF 1873. Then by order OF the Ve1try Oh
{, lanes the site of the church. which
90 ON laurel street between Main street
and FLOYD avenue. was purchased tafiy
IN 1gTi a committee was appointed with
directions to cause TO he erected on the
site a chapel and a contract was at once
made for "a building.
THE FIRST SERMON.
The building was completed in July, 1874,
and on Sunday. the 2ith Of that month,
the first sermon was delivered within It's
walls by Or. Peterkin. The cost of the
lot and building was about SS,Vp ana
the new place Of worship was dedicated
70 the memory of Bishop Richard Chah-
ming Moore During the latter part OF
The summer OF 1874 Rev. Robert a. Glib
son and Rev. Edward Wall. assistant at
s, James. preached on alternate Sundays
in the chapel, but gradually the work
fell entirely into the hands OF the former.
who continued to serve the congregation
for four years. and whose rectorsnp was
greatly blessed. In July. 1873. MT. Cid
son accepted a call 10 ParkersDurg, W.
the deepest regret, and for nine months
thereafter the chapel was without regu-
lar preacher. In April, 1879, however.
Rev. DR.. d. +. Sprigg. OF Grace church.
Alexandria accepted the charge. In June
following ST. James church donated the
lot and building 10 the vestry ana con-
gregation OF Moore-Memorial church, ana
then began new era OF useful
ness and influence for the erst-
Oldest and most jealous West-End
members OF the mother church had
united with the chapel. Under the devoted
and indefatigable ministry OF Or. SprisS
many new and earnest members were
brought in. and plans were soon under
way to build church edifce proper.
THE CHURCH COMMENCED.
About eight years ago the congregation
sent out circulars inviting competition in
MANS for the building. In response TO
there circulars several Richmond archi-
tects submitted designs and the late IL. j.
J{lack was the successful competitor. Mr..
Blacks design contemplated very effec-
live Gothic creation OF granite with
quarry face untouched except that the
boundaries OF the various openings would
be dressed. AS thesamount OF money on
hand when the plan was accepted was
limited only the rear portion of the build
Ing was erected. and this portion stood
unfinished with temporary board front
for several years. The intention was TO
complete the church according 10 the de-
sign first adopted, but when II became
practicable TO resume the work Mr.. Black
was dead
The building committee decided to con-
suit Mr. ]. Stewart Barney. OF New York.
formerly OF this city. and that gentleman.
xeft hs
mittee mo other architect having heen
approached, made the following liberal
proposition:
THAT in consideration OF the fact that
the church was the one attended by his
mother the late Mrs. Charles @. Barney.
who had been intimately associated. with
81 for several years past. he would
donate 10 this church his professional
services, which were 10 be considered and
70 stated on a tablet placed In the build
ing. as a memorial TO his mother"
THE PROPOSITION ACCEPTED.
Mr.. Barney's proposition was accepted.
and the front portion OF the building
which is on Laurel street facing Monroe
Park Is the result OF his labor and archi-
tectural taste. The style OF this addition
fs what IS known as late French Gothic
ana mas been very conscientiously adhered
90 by Mr.. Barney.
The task OF the architect was q most diff
ncait ore The height OF the main roo,
ana the position Of the building on the 10,
mad already been established. and the
obstacle presented itself OF adjusting these
to the feeling Mr.. Barney sought. II
was necessary in order 10 deyelop the
pufdiny Into good architectural nropor-
tons. 30 70 design the base. working IN
20 the pre-established gable-line. and no
treat the AUDITING tower as 70 make a
harmonious whole The motive OF the
man BODY OF the church. as far ~
erected. had TO be merged into a now
conception 50 as not 70 offend the eve
with ineongruities. either An resnsc, o,
mass or detail This has been success.
fully accomplished.
Inc piqure Of the building the Die.
patch presents this morning ia AN go,
reproduction Of the arehitec,s ara go,
and OF the completed church. save "a,
IN the constrnction the Porte-cocnsr. -
the left OF the main entrance 10 a..
tower. has been omitted. This was AZ
in Difference 10 objections raised NV N css-
tain prcperty-owners Of tho vic,n,ty ga
although it, incorporation would have
been . great convenience. the omission