The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-07
NEW CHURCH DEDICATED.
Gift 20 the Westminster Prcsbyteriar'
Memorial Congregation.

ts1tN 10 fhe " est h1EfNbN
Memorial Congregation.
/ The new house OF worship Of the West
/ Minister Presbyterian Memorial Church,
| Seventh Street between D and f Streets
/ southwest was dedicated yesterday with
I appropriate and impressive services, in the
/ presence Of congregation which filled the
beautiful ediice. The new building. which
/ is the gift to the church OF Charles b.
/ Church and his son. William A. H. Church,
and is presented free Of all debt, is fine
example Of Gothic architecture. and is
most complete with modern church ap-
pointments.
For the dedication ceremonies, the chan
eel was buried behind a mass Of palms.
dogwood blossoms. roses, lilies. and Wild
field flowers. and festoons Of purple wis
terra depended from the chain rail above
the pulpit.
The services commenced with the invO-
cation by Rev. Charles B. Ramsdell, d. D.,
followed by the singing of a hymn by the
congregation and an anthem by the chorus.
The dedication sermon was delivered by
Rev. DR.. Benjamin f. Bittinger former
pastor of the church. He took for his
text "Ye are Gods building" l Cor. iii:9.
The metaphor employed in the text
to represent the Church is as appropriate
as it is suggestive said DR.. Bittinger.
with building we associate the builder.
the foundation upon which the building
rests, the material OF which it IS COM
posed, and the use which it is designed to
serve. | need hardly say that the builder
Of this house, the Church, is God Hence.
it is called the Church of God, the Church
which was purchased with his own blood.
Originating in the couusels of eternity and
dn4~fc fa = =frrFln1
to be a perpetual monument of Divine
mercy and love in the redemption Of al
those who in every age, should share in
its precious benefits in the present world
and be fitted for glory and happiness in
the world to come. This beautiful and
well appointed edifice. in which, for the
first time. we now meet for worship with
grateful and joyous hearts. we dedicate
to the Triune God. Given and set apart
for worship SO let 1t be devoted, house
sanctitied by prayer and the preaching OF
Christ and Him crucifed, a house to re
sound with the praises of a willing and
happy people. and a house in which may
also be found the gate of heaven. And
now it remains for me to extend to you
my heartfelt congra tulations that under
such favorable auspices you and your
pastor are the rich possessors Of this new
and beautiful church home. and to express
my ardent hope that growing numbers
may worship within these sacred walls, and
from time 10 time, many may be added
to the communion CT such as shall be
saved"
After DR.. Bittinger5 address the keys
of the church were delivered to the Presi-
dent Of the board of trustees. The pastor
of the church. Rev. E. Lawrence Hunt.
then conducted the dedication ceremony.
Preparatory questions were asked and re-
sponses made by the congregation The
pastor and congregation then repeated in
unison the act OF dedication as follows;
This house which we have been permitted 20
build through the gracious favor Of divine Prov
dence We DO now solemuly dedicate to the worship
and service Of Almighty God, the Father, the son,
and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
A prayer of dedication was delivered By
the Rev Dr. Wallace Radcliffe, and the
ceremonies were concluded with the bene-
diction.
A service Of praise was held at the
church at O'Clock last evening. at which
an extended programme Of music was rem
dered in conjunction with the usual church
services.
The Westminster Church was organized
in 1853. and held services at its church
on the site OF the new structure until il
was torn down to make place for the
building given to the congregation by
Charles B. Church and William A. H.
Church.