Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-26
THE CHURCH. AND ITS PASTOR.
Cost and Description Of the b"ii"-
fnn-,Dr. Hatcher's Life Norh'

cation.
The late 4. l.. west was chosen as the
architect. and he and Dr. Hatcher were
sent 10 New York and other cities TO
study up and secure the latest improve
mcnts I'm church architecture. The burned
building was the outcome Of months or
careful study. II was not only delight
ful auditorium, but a vast institution Tor
carving on the various enterprises in
which that stirring aud busy church was
engaged. The house had about thirty
different apartments. admirably arranged
for the comfort and the activities OF the
church.
MASSIVE AND COMMODiOUS.
The building was massive. being Of Ro-
mancsque style Of architecture. in pro-
portions 10 feet in length and % feet in
width II had towers at every corner,
Its chief tower standing at the corner OF
Grace and FOushee streets, and it, en-
frances were through these towers. The
house was built OF brick. being hand
s0mely trimmed with Thunderstorm
hrownstone. and covered with slate from
the Buckingham quarries. 1t had over
sixty doors. ls2 windows, about thirty
five rooms including parlors, lib ary-room'
kitchen. pastors study, deacOns room,
missiOn-roOms. infdnt-class, Bibe-ciass
rooms etc, etc. The height Of the build
ing from the ground to the apex Of the
roof was % feet. and the height OF the
main tower was rs feet.
An exceedingly attractive feature of the
house was its glass. The entire building
except in the rear wall, was furnished
with fine glass. Even the basement had
the finest embossed glass in Its SASH
doors. and the outer windows had glass
OF good quality. In the auditorium the
glass vas rich ana beautiful. II was
selected by Mr.. J. j. Montague. of this
city. who went to New York at the re-
quest of the building committee ana
spent days in picking out its designs ana
qualities The great window WAS a thing
Of universal admiration. its cost being
thousand dollars. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
put In the west side Of the church by
Mr. and Mrs a. l.. BurfOrd in honor Of
their daughter. May Burf0rd, was strik-
incly beautiful. II cost the sum Of $3.50,
and was made I'm Brooklyn. 1t was Of
course demolished In yesterdays catas-
trophe.
The auditorium of the church had a
seating capacity for Loco persons. the
floor OF the main room being bowled, the
fan being 9 feet from the rear 10 the
pulpit.
GALLERY AND FURNISHINGS.
The organ gallery was specially beau
tiful. 1t was in the rear Of the pulpit. yet
of such gentle elevation that 1t was IN
easy communication with the pulpit. 1t
was capable of accommodating about
twenty singers.
The color on the walls was terra Gotta
very strong at the base. but gradually
sOftening upward 10 the ceiling In the
recess OF which was an exquisite piece
OF artistic work. which was lifting
finish for the wall coloring The decora-
ton Of the walls was quiet and chaste'
but vet brilliant in the charming blend
inE Of colors.
The pews were purchased through sgd
nor Il Hundley. Of Richmond. and were
manufactured by the Grand Rapids
school-Furniture Company. They were
very handsome, comfortable. and durable.
The carpet in the auditorium was of
the finest body Brussels, and was manu-
featured for the room. IL was mar
vellous match for the pews and lower
walls and was of a lovely pattern. the
tower floors were covered with the IN
laid linoleum. the steps were covered with
rubber. and the halls had heavy mats.
the fixtures for lighting the building
were of copper. and arranged for the
use Of gas or electricity. The ladies OF
the church had put their best attentions
for this furniture was made by some OF
the girls OF the church, under the leader
ship Of Mrs. w. l.. Carneal and Mrs. b. IL.
Van Buren,. The curtains and chairs
were Of the finest brocatelle the brass
lecturn being a present from an honored
family Of the church. The pulpit was
surrounded with a solid brass rod, and
the baptlstry was adorned with coping
OF italian marble.
The church building cost $4,000 and
i'm order 10 secure its completion the
officers placed upon il loan for S2J,OOo,
secured by ten-year bonds OF the church.
This loan was negotiated through Messrs'
George y. Peasants q Son. and as the
structure was only insured for that sum,
when the bonds are paid the church viii
have LEFT only its lot.
rev. DIR. Hatcher's Life Work.
Rev. DR.. william El1ridge Hatcher has
been pastor OF the Grace-Street Baptist
church nearly twenty-one years. During
All mis- time his charge has grown in
popularity and influence. He is faith
ful worker. a powerful exIounder Of the
Gospel and a man OF rare personal
magnetism. Or. Hatcher was born IN
Bedford county, OF old English STOCK
July 25 1854 and Is grandson OF
minister who, after serving a church IN
AfNatffNelNs UipNtQ W AfNNANAN' 40
mother died when he was only years old,
and when his father was quite advanced
In years
lie was baptized at the age of Is, ana
in 1851 entered Richmond College as
ministerial student. He was graduated
from that institution In June, 1855, with
the degree OF Bachelor OF Arts his gradu-
ating essay being an index of his char
acter. his methods Of thought, his sim
pllcity, directness, and power. The sub
je1 Whs THE GradIate-Whai, lie
Thinks OF Himself: What Others Think
OF Him; His Privileges. and His Re-
sponsibnity to the World and 10 God"
AS college student. the future pastor
OF Grace-Street Baptist church proved
himself a keen deba;er. and was one
OF the founders OF the Philoiogian So
clety OF Richmond College.
HIS FIRST CHARGE.
DR. Hatchers great desire was a
country pastorate. but about the time
NJ his graduation, Jeter George. who had
,,eonin 10 build church In Manches-
ter died. and Mr.. Hatcher was
called TO take up the work. he
entered the field under very dis
circumstances, but II was
NOT long before he had completed
The Ba.nbridge-s Street church. Manchester
and raised a congregation. weak In num-
hers and finances, TO a vigorous and Hour
lshing condition. He remained with this
church eight years. and while IFS pastor
<I44xg1