The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
A RENOWNED OLD CHURCH.
One of the Quaintcst and Most Hon
orcd of Sanciunrics
From the New Nofk IIerald-j


In all the wide world there is NJ other
building like the Little Church Around the
Corner. for it is built on no plan. A bap-
tistry has been tackled upon it in one place,
a chancel added to another. an organ room
pushed out here and transept there I'M
til it has become tumble of queer pro-
iections and quaint gables and odd, null
lioned windows.
Within the church the light is very dim
and, looking through it one sees low, vault
ed ceilings. a forest of carved pillars,
many fretted arches and deep shadows.
with the glimmer in them OF marble stat
uary and the sheen of brass vessels and
the glitter OF golden frames. There are
long. dimly-lighted aisles and deep re-
cesses and many odd windows strangely
placed so that the light steals in from
unexpected spots. touching gently upon
the scmbre wall tints. or casting itself
with vivid effects upon marble statue or
great gainting. SO that they seem almost
things of life rather than mere stone and
canvas, and in other of the windows there
are beautiful figures and peaceful faces of
saints and prophets that seem, in the
gloom. TO glow with the actual color of
life so that one may sit alone and imag-
inc ones self in company of glorious
ones witnessing the TRANSPORTATION itself
through the beautiful window. which is
the fuCSl 6picuulu utCOI
II is three years nearly since the first
rector. the Rev. George H. Houghton, died.
after a ministry of more than half CEN
fury, but the marks which he left upon
the religion of New York will never be ef-
faced. He was succeeded at his own
request, by his nephew the Rev. George
Clark Houghton. d. D.. the only man in
all New York whom the old priest felt as
sured would administer the affairs of the
choice has never been regretted, and the
the exact lines mapped out by its founder
half century ago and pushed with mnde-
Waiting faith through his whole life.
All day long from early morn until
evening the church is open, and within and
without there is a peace and beauty and
restfulness tina. few churches held. 1t is
like a bit of country landscape dropped
amid the noise and hustle of a great city.
Tall elm trees shade it from the sun, and
in their branches are little houses for the
birds. The turf in summer is green and
refreshing, a fountain FLASHES near the
gateway, and there is a stone seat under
the Itch gate where tired wayfarers can sit
and rest. The quaint architecture and
the rambling lines of the building. suggest
the setting of an English village rather
than a new world metropolis.
All through the day they pass In and
out-the rich. the well-to-do. the poor.
and those unfortunate. wilted creatures
who seem to have no other place in the
world. II is the boast of the church that
no person. fortunate or unfortunate, Is
turned away empty. but if i man is drunk
en- or Enthusiastically an impostGr he is not
helped Sometimes as many as forty
strangers are provided FOR in day. yet
there is always a little left for the next
conner, and even at night there is a bell
10 be pulled and an iron tube from the
door to the rector's bedside. and through
it the unfortunate may ask for aid. or for
any of the ministries which the church az
fords.
And yet. with all its simplicity. the
church does not lack that social distinc-
ton which is sometimes expressed in
hand some equipages and splendid attire. II
is tie home church of most OF the oldest
and best families Of New York. and among
its members there are still representatives
Of these old hauses. On the plates of the
pews are such names as Verplanck "a
nriskic. Livingstone. Drexel, Aston, Fish,
B-onson. Chauncey, and Gerry.