Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-26
DEDICATION EXERCISES
Ninth Street Christian Church to B,
Formally Set Apart.
Ceremonies to Take Place Sunday
It's Rapid Growth.
The handsom. and cormodious house of

The handsome and corlmodious house of
worship of the Ninth Street Christian
Church will be formally dedicated Sunday
next. Ground for the structure was
broken in July, 1897, the corner stone was
laid September 49, 1897, and the lecture
room was first occupied February 6, 1895.
The edifice was built from plans prepared
by L. B. Walk & Son of New York, and the
construction was under the management of
A. GetZ, contractor OF this city.
The lot upon which the church stands is
10 by GO feet, situated at the corner of 9th
and D streets northeast, and commands an
elevated position in one of the NOSE desir-
able residence sections OF Capitol Hill. The
church is a three-story structure.
I'VE have built it," said the pastor, Rev.
Edward b. Bagley, Ito correspond to the
trinity of. mans being, the basement for
the body, the next floor for the mind and
the upr er auditorium for the SOUL
Entering either at d street or 9th, the
visitor, descending q short flight of stairs.
finds himself in large banquet hall, in
which 800 guests can be seated. In the
southwest corner there is an ample kitchen,
furnished with large coal range and
smaller gas ranges. The ladies' aid society
has a china closet filled with table ware,
which embraces everything necessary for
the serving of a modern meal. Convenient
to the dining room are the parlors of the
church Here the ladies hold their meet
ings, the young men gather Tuesday even
ings for social intercourse and the Beth
any reading circle and other organizations
hold their sessions.
Somewhat above the ground elevation is
the Sunday school room There Is nothing
too good for tn, children" has been the
motto of the building committee. The
brightest, most accessible and convenient
room has been devoted to their use
The primary department is located in tn,
n ha hat fhea
entrances. and the library in the southwest
corner. The Sunday school already fills all
the space provided for it, and will soon be
oS erfiowing into the rooms above and be-
low.
Display of Skill.
1t Is in the main auditorium above that
the skill of the architect and builder are
displayed to the best advantage. The cell
ing, decorations and Furnishings are all in
harmony with thu general design Of the
building. which is strictly Gothic. Around
the entire room extends a circular gallery,
which, with the main floor, gives seating
capacity of 500.
The pastors study, fitted with cabinet
mantel, tiled fireplace and bookcases built
in the wall, Is located in thu cheeriest,
breezeSt corner.
The arrangement for the baptistry Is
unique The entrance and exit to the pool
is in either side of 4 cabinet built for flow
ers. Back of this is a panel of cathedral
and opaiescent glass. The light, shining
through the glass upon the palms and cut
flowers, which are reflected in thu water
gives very beautiful effect. The dressing
rooms are built adjoining the baptistry
In the history OF the churches of WASH
fpgton probably none would show a more
remarkable growth than that of the Ninth
Street Christian organization. The church
was organized with sixty-two members
from the Vermont Avenue Christian
Church and sixty-five who had come in as
- fs,,rx kzl lx,E r.
B. Bagley. After the organization Mr.
Bag1ey accepted q call to the pastorate of
the church. and has continued in this rela-
ton ever since.
Total Enrolment.
In the seven years Of the churcf's his
tory there have been 6S1 additions making
q total enrolment of STA Letters have
been granted to 165. 15 have died and 20
have retired to the inactive list. leaving
at present membership Of 600.
The pastor considers the work done by |
the Sunday school as the most successful |
Of any of the departments of Christian ac- |
tivity, SO vigorously pursued by this young 4
congregation. The school has had total |
enrolment of 1870, and now has an at l
tendance of between 800 and 400. There I
have been 1873 conversions from the school |
and "a $50 contributed by it, of which the |
sum of $S45 was given TO missions The |
Sunday school has contributed thus far |
$1.oT4 to the building fund of the new |
church. ssss~
Among those CT the Vermont Avenue i
Church who labored for the upbuilding of |
the Ninth Street Church are ]. A. Scott |
and &. L. Bmgbee. who are identified now |
with the last named organization; also |
Mrs. j. II. Tibbitts. Mrs. II. p Maxwell |
and Mrs r. A. King. in whose homes |
cottage prayer meetings were held: Rev.
p. B. Hall, now In California, who was |
employed, as field worker for several |
months: Mr.. W.D. Owens who was superip- |
tendent of the Mission Sunday school: J. |
w. Thompson, who taught the Bible class: l
n l1x1>r xr.fx<a VA ia