Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-26
FIRST. EV / AID
Corner Stone Laying Yesterday
Makes Era in Y, M. C. A. Work

Coiorcd Young Mems Christinu
Association = PrSn,inons Colorea
Men Present.
The laying of the cornerstone of the
new building of the colored Y. NJ. C. A.
on Queen street. near Cumberland
street. yesterday afternoon was an
event Of unusual significance and in
terest.
Mr.. j. e. Moorland. Of New York
City. who was present as the represent
tative of the International Committee
of 7. NJ. c.. A. Associations. Of which
he is junior secretary OF the colorcd
department, states that this Norfolk
building is the first home ever erected
by coiored Y. NJ. c. A. This speaks
we'll for the interest of the colored peo-
pie Of Norfolk in religious matters,
THE CORNER STONE LAYING.
Some delay occurred in laying the
stone because the place selected by the
association officers was at the south.
west corner OF the building, while the
officers of the Masonic fraternity, who
had charge OF the OCCASION, insisted
That their ritual required the stone to
be laid In the northeast corner of q
building.
The brickmasons had. fortunately.
originally left niche in the location re-
CURED by Masonic usage and the stone
was transferred to that corner of the
structure. The formal exercises were in
charge OF Rising Suns Lodge of Masons
No. q under the auspices of the grand
master, X. 10. Jones. of Richmond, Va.
and the colored knights Templar of
Norfoik and Portsmouth. Rev. A. L.
Gaines delivered an invocation and
NO al =.
shtpful Master DR.. r. S. Spiller, pastor
or the First Baptist Church of Hamp-
ton. Gospel hymns 729, $751; SGT and 61S
were sung. The address was by Rev
A. l.. Gaines, of Emanuel A. NJ e.
Church. Portsmouth.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The building is being built by the
association, While the general superIn-
tendence Of construction Is in charge of
c. N. Peppers, n well-l1nown local col
ored contractor. II will have a 'front.'
age OF 81 feet on Queen street. with
depth of sc feet. be three stories high
and cost about. $1,000. The roof will be
of metal
The first floor will be devoted to bust
ness uses and be divided into two large
stores In front. with bath rooms class
rooms and gymnasium in the rear
The gymnasium VIII be equipped with
an ample outfit of apparatus A wide
sun way AT inc west or the front will
lead to the second floor. This floor will
he devoted to parlors, reception rooms,
office. reading rooms and boys room.
The third floor will be used as a bali
md assembly room. The brick work is
In charge of Gordon & Sharpley.
THE LOCAL WORK.
The Norfolk colored Y. M. c. A. now
mas a membership OF about 200. Mr.. G..
9. Dogan, the present secretary, who
has filled this position since 1892, Is an
Intelligent, energetic young man and
q graduate Of Claflln University, OF
Orangeburg, S. c. He devotes his whole
time to this Y. NJ. G. A. work
The local association was organized
IN 1883. Mr. w. a. Hunton, its first
secretary, has been emlnently success
ful In y. NJ. c. a. work and is now the
senior colored secretary OF the Inter
national Committee. Mr.. Moorand re-
cards this Norfolk association as the
strongest colored Y. NJ. c. A. in Amer
icn.
COLoRED Y. NJ. c. A. WORK.
The Y. NJ. C. A. work in Virginia and
elsewhere in the South was first asked
Tor In 1855. at the time that the Inter-
national Committee was in session at