Evening star., 1895-04-13
AT ST. STEPHENS
The Church Built by the Episco-
palians Of Mount Pleasant.
TO BE DEDICATED TOMORROW
Description Of Its Attractive Archi-
tecturaI Features.
IT'S PASTORS GOOD WORK

The new structure of st. Stephens Epis-
copal Church at Mount Pleasant will be
dedicated tomorrow and will be thereafter
regularly occupied as the parish house of
worship. The plans of the architect, Mr..
William n. Dudley, have not yet been en-
tirely carried out, but when they are COM
pleted, st. Stephens will present one of the
most beautiful ard imposing piles in the
country, comprising a church edif1ce hav-
ing a length of 40 feet and a width of
SO feet, handsome rectory to the north of
the church. and in the rear of that a par
ish hall. For the present needs only the
transepts and two bays of the nave have
been erected. the exposed portion Of the
front being faced in with bricks laid in
red mortar. The entire edifice. with the ex-
ception of this front. is to be in time en-
tirely Of granite, trimmed with Indiana
limestone, but for the present only the
side walls Of the aisles and transept have
been so constructed. The chancel and the
temporary west wall are of brick. When
fully completed the church will have a
noble tower, thirty feet square and ninety
feet in height, as the larger portion of
it's western front About on a level with
the clerestory and directly over the
massive entrance Is to be a splendid win
dow filed with stained glass, and having
a pointed arch. In the meantime entrance
il to be had temporarily from door in
front and also from the small south door.
Built In the Form of n Cross.
In plan the church Is that of a cross,
although the floor plan is almost a perfect
square, owing to the fact that the tram
sept extends only three feet beyond the
aisle. The cruciform design may, however,
be readily seen in the roof, where the ridge
of the transept runs parallel to the nave.
and also in the interior of the structure.
The nave is separated from the aisle by
arches of press brick resting on columns
of the same material, and the aisle roof has
the total height of sixteen feet above the
level of the floor.
The cleresuory has not been built yet,
but when completed will rise to height
of sixteen feet above the roof Of the aisle.
At present six feet and the windows suf-
flee. AS the church Is built but six feet
away from the south boundary of the lot
on which it stands, and as the parish has
to face the possibility of building being
placed on the neighboring ground, the most
of the light will be received from the win
dows of the clerestory. The aisle windows
are three feet square, and are divided into
three panels, with Gothic tracery. All the
windows are filled with plain cathedral
glass, diamond-Shaped panes, which will
cast a soft light into the church. There is
possibility of many of them being replaced
by handsome memorial windows in the
future. The seating capacity will be about
800 for the present
ChHncel, Sanctuary and Altar.
Particular attention has been paid to the
chancel. In dimensions this equals, If it
does not surpass. that in any of the local
churches, being thirty-two feet deep and
twenty-eight feet wide. The plan of the
chancel is of four successive platforms ex-
tending around three sides, and conse-
quently the choir stalls will be in three
tiers, ascending from the south. Ascent
by the sanctuary is made by three steps up
to broad platform five feet wide and just
outside of the communion rail. One more
step at this point leads into the sanctuary,
which is nearly fourteen feet deep and Is
apsidal in FORM having five noble lancet
windows and surmounted overhead by open
trusswork. The altar is placed upon
platform OF two steps, making it in all
above the floor of the nave four feet
South Of the chancel and divided from it
by an arch is what will eventually be
small chapel. At this time, however, only
a small part has been built, and for the
present 1t will be used for the baptistry
and additional members Of the. choir
To the north Of the chancel there is a
temporary room in which the organ will
eventually be placed. and which will be
used just now as robing room for the
choir. Entrance into the chancel Is by
means Of a door from the passageway to
the east of this room. Opening out of this
rassageEay Is the sacristy' and rector's
study. r by IA feet. The walls of the
church are plastered in celors harmonizing
with the windows and back arches and the
furniture is to great extent temporary
as good many of the old pews have been
used. All modern appliances for light
Ing, heating and vertilating have been put
In. Under the structure is a large cellar.
nine feet high, containing the boiler room
and toilet room. leaving the greater part
ha
of oak, with the exception of the OPEN
work roof. Eighty thousand dollars, will
cover the cost of the completed edifiee, of
which fifteen thousand has been raised nv
bonds for the temporary church.
The organ with which the new edifce Is
to be equipped combines magnificent tone
with great power. It's mechanical details
are regarded as perfect. 1t is what is
known as tubular pneumatic throughout
and contains twenty-five speaking stops
and adjustable combinations. The instru-
ment will be operated by a water motor
placed in the cellar below the organ cham
Der.
An Energetic Young Pastor.
The present rector of st. Stephens is Rev.
George Fiske Dudley. He was born Sep
tember 25, 1867, at Centerville. Ind, and
comes of clerical stock on both the ma
ternal and paternal sides In 1881 his faith
er, William w. Dudley, having been ap-
pointed commissioner of pensions, removed
to this city, and here large portion of
Rev. Mr.. Dudley's life has been spent His
academical education was completed at
Kenyon College, Ohio and his theological
studies at oxford University, England
Upon his return to Washington he passed
the canonical examination, and was ordain-
ed priest on Trinity Sunday of 1893. The
next Sunday after his ordination he preach
ed his first sermon in st. Stephens. Since
taking charge of ST. Stephens Mr.. Dudley
has by his efforts increased the congrega-
tion until the utmost capacity Of the chapel
is taxed. and chairs are placed in the aisles.
rested on the chapel has been completely
wiped cut.
Under his ministry a society of the
Daughters of the King has also been organ