The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-06-23
DEDICATED ONCE MORE
The Congregation Of First Baptist Church
In Its Newly Acquired EdlfIcs.
Rev. W. E. HATCHER, .. o., BREACHES
After which $4,000 Was Raised Co
Lirt tho Debt on the Church-In.
teresting Services During the Day
old CRANKY street nemodeIed-
Invocation by Rev. A. L, owen, q. ID.

The congregation OF the First Baptis,
Church Of this city on Sunday took pos.
session Of their newly acquired sane
tuary. the edsfice on the corner OF
Grahiby and Freemason streets, formerly
occupied by the present congregation OF
Epworth M. E. Church, and known as
the CRANKY Street Church.
1t was a proud day for the pastor
Rev. Il. b. Hatcher, whose untiring eff
fonts. coupled with the noble add OF his
flock and OF generous outsiders, had
brought about such an agreeable con-
summation, and the occasion was made
u memorable one.
N 9:l5 a. nn. Sunday school service,
presided over by the superintendent, Mr..
II. }. Williamson, was held in the base
ment which has now the moss amIle
and admirable facilities for tina work
AT IL a. m. second service was held.
a large congregation being in attend
ance much interested In the able dis
course OF the lnorning. delivered by Rev.
James Nelson, D. D., presidem. of the
Womedrs College, Richmond. The pull
pit and platfornl had been very HAND
somely and easteful!y decorated with
PAINS and the scene, set off by the new
nuhhg nnd furnishing of the interior,
was both pretty and impressive
fhe dedlcatory services were held in
the afternoon and were marked by q
very large congregation. The s:rTnon
''S-' N~it' Ca Co 'pS IteN. w -ldlslln IL. HATCH
en- or richmond one of the most elo-
queNt and gifted of Southern preachers
ana the father OF the young pastor of
uhe church which was being dedicated to
the service of God. HIS theme was
The Widows Mite" which he handled
In mastery manner.
After the sermon he acconpIished =,
remarkable feat by raising a. collection
of $4,000 toward the payment of the
churoh debt The dedicatory Invocation
was then offered by Rev. A e. Owen,
-. D., of the Court Street Baptist
Cnurch, Portsmouth. There were also q
number of other ministers present nj.
this meeting
At night a maSs-mee.ing was held Mt
which Rev. DIR. NJ. b. Wharton, of the
re- mason Street Baptist Church. pre-
siued. and welcomed the congregation to
their new locality and new church. Elk
colent and appropriate addresses were
delivered by the following mJnYsters
Rev. Dr. j. r. Howerton. of the Firs,t
IRE soNterian Church; Rev G.. p. Rut
ledge. OF the Church of Christ. Freema-
son street. and Rev. w ]. Young. of
the Epworth Methodist Church. All This
S,uNlce Rev. DR.. VIM. E. Hatcher took
up hhrther collection for the church
debt fund and raised enough IN carr,,
une grand total for the day beyond $40
oeo. This amount, together with the
value of THE old church property enables
me membership to see their way clear
TO paying off the entire indebtness of
the church in the near future.
Lbesides the excellent singing by the
choir ard congregation. Nh. Haddon
hopkins, of Richmond, sang with most
pressing effect at the morning and af
ternoon services
me church is to all intents and our
poses practically new, having been re-
modied, renovated, reiiitted and In every
way made h. llbiflIl mud oan,fn,,ah,s
the transformation being 50 comnla,e
as TO be surprising to those who did nor
SNOW what was being accomplished dur
Ing the recent months.