Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-03
CORNER STONE LAID
New Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church to
Be Built.
VIII Be q Handsone Structurc-Cere-
monies YesteriEay-The COnHre.
cation andDIts Growth.

The corner stone Of the new Grace Evan
gelical Lutheran Church, corner of 18th and
Corcoran streets northwest, Rev. J. E. A.
Doermann, pastor, was laid yesterday after
noon with appropriate ceremonies, In the
presence Of several hundred persons.
The pastor was assisted in the exercises
by Rev. DIR. George H. Schodde, professor
OF theology In the Theological Seminary at
Columbus, Ohio. Others on the platform
besides those named were the choir OF the
church. Rev. DR.. Domer, pastor of st. Paul s
Church; f. A. Heitmuller president, and Il.
I. Eberbach, secretary of Grace congre-
CATION, which Is erecting the structure; L..
F. Stutz the architect, and several promi-
nent members of the congregation.
The Grafton was delivered by Rev. DR..
Schodde. Before the close of DR.. Schodde' s
ADDRESS rain began falling, and Mr.. Doer-
mann announced that in consequence of this
he would omit the remarks he had intended
10 make: The work of supervising the lay
ing OF the corner stone was performed by
Mr. A. Fl. Jouvenal. Mr.. Doermann placed
In the cavity of the stone Bible and a num-
Der OF reN6iouS books, also hymnal and
copy OF the confession of faith of the
Lutheran Church, constitution of the con-
gregation and rules governing the body.
photographs of the old chapel. copies of The
star and other Washington papers, history
OF the congregation, names of the officers
or the church and Sunday school, also Of
various committees, and some other docu-
menus. All the hymns for the occasion were
rendered by the choir.
The congregation Of Grace Evangelical
lutheran Church was organized August
Il, 1876, and the corner stone Of the chapel
was laid June IL. 1877. Two months later
the chapel was uedica ted. the pastor be-
ing Rev. E. T. Tressel. who remained in
charge until January s. 1893. when he was
succeeded by the present pastor.
Inc new edifice will front AZ feet on 18th
street street with depth on Corcoran street Of
-" 1eet. The principal feature Of the de-
sign VIII be central tower which will rise
TO the height of IS feet from the side
walk, and have a handsome b ,lvidere at
the top, which will be surmounted by a
r"o1 OIL sea green slate. which will be
crowned with q golden cross.
Inc main entrance to the auditorium will
De through an arched opening in this tow
er' and there will be a pediment over the
entrance, the jambs of which will be
hanked by clustered columns with carved
capitals.
over the entrance there will be a large
panei window, with a semi-circu.ar head,
" hich will be filed with stained glass of a
rich design. Flanking the tower on the
upper stage there will be octagonal turrets
WIN carved columns and pyramidal stone
rcoi: The entire 18th street facade in
cludihg the return, ard the entire tower
viii De raced with blue lime stone, said to
De the frst OF its kind used in this city,
with richly worked carving and tooling
me steps to the main entrance will be Of
gray granite
Inc basement will re divided into an
asse mbly room. Sunday school room and
1n1ant class rooms. arranged and di-
vided by rolling partitions that the three
rooms may be converted into one The
school room will be two stories In height
and will have gallery This part of the
building will be devoted entirely to the
interests OF the Sunday school and will
Oe hoeraily supplied with cloak rooms.
etc. together with a library and office
rooms Tor the school officials. The entire
building will be heated by steam
The main auditorium will occunv the
principal floor, and the seating capacity
VIII be about 500. the sttings will be
arranged in semi-circular form, with wide
aisles. and the room will be handsomely
and becomingly finished.
The chancel floor will be elevated three
steps from the main floor A new organ
or fine proportions will be placed in the
gallery, where there will be choir and
musical library rooms. The lighting will
De both by gas and electricity. The cost
OF the building complete will be about
$4,000.