The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-06

The congregation OF C,race-Stree
Bapt:st church VIII on this morning
enter its new house OF worship alter nav
ing been homeless for many years. Inc
occasion is fraught with peculiar interest
not only 10 The congregation itself but
10 the community at large, and the
dedication service promises TO be an
event.
The heroic struggles Of the Grace-street
Teoplte 10 build themselves Il home IN the
face of many and great difficulties nave
received the admiration OF all, and TINS
morning when the congregation inSpecis
Its ;.ew house and sees what its struggles
have produced, it can be but with ming
led feelings of gratitude and felicitatlon.
The church as it stands completed IS
SURPASSED in point of beauty by none
other in the city. From those who have
already had the privilege OF inspecting us
interior, expressions OF the greatest adj
7uiratson at the admirable and beautiful
arrangements have been elected. Every
feature is a separate delight, and as
whole it could hardly have been better
The history Of the erection of the new
church IS an interesting one:
In 1890 the church pulled down its Old
house of worship. and erected tho most
spacious. convenient and imposing church
ed!fice in Richmond at 4 cost OF nc"TiY
s7G1a1 which WAS dedicated in March
1891 While this house was in process OF
erection. The church worshpEed in a
Tabernacle at the corner Of Grace and
Pine Streets. on the 18th OF February,
1926. The magnificent new house, with but
little more insurance upon it than was
necessary TO remove the debt upon ii. was
entirely destroyed by fire. 1t was a
srishtful disaster but the demonstrations
of sympathy called forth by this grievious
loss, was simply wonderful. Thousands
and thousands of generous friends Sprang
Forward 10 offer sympathy and substan-
tiaI help, and over $1,000 was given by
outside friends for u new house The
church itself. though crippled by mis-
fortunes promptly subscribed $4,000 for
the same purpose. ON the second sun
day OF December, 1S9S tho lower apart
1neut of it's magnificent new stone church
was opened for public worship During
7%,o The church has expended about Sl5,-
cog IN completing and furnishing the
house. \ magnificent organ has been
placed IN the church and all Of the APP
20 ntneuts of the auditorium are modest,
beautiful and convenient.
DEDICATION TO-DAY.
And to-day the lonG-awaitcd dedication
VIII take place
The several numbers OF the dedication
exercises have been prepared with the
greatest care by a committee appointed
viii be a souvenir. 1t has been gotten up
by Nr S s. Adkins. who has succeeded
most happily in the plan II is printed
on linen paper enclosed in a deckle edge
rover. which latter contains a picture OF
The church and an announcement OF the
occasion. The inside sheet is hand-sewed
10 The cover with silk cord.
The exercises to-day Will begin at
E:3o O'Clock IN The morning With a prayer
meeting, held in the seuth-room Of the
Easement, ana which VIII continue for
forty-iiyc minutes. Rev r. j. Willing
ham, D. d. Will preside at this service,
The Sunday-school viii reassemble at
a:I5 O'Clock y dedicatory service will
be held, with an address by DR.. j. NJ.
Frost, of Nashville Tenn During The
session of the Sunday-School the Infant
Glass viii have a brief service appropriate
10 dedication-day. The address will be
delivered by Rex. Z. L. Bonar, d. d.
st 1915 o'clock the officers of the
church. with the ministers, VIII assemble
IN the pastors study for prayer, after
which they viii enter the church in q
BODY.
At Il o'clock the service proper will be
begun with the following programme:
orgsn-Eoluntar5.
Doxoiogy.
Inrocaton-Dr r. J. Kellogg.
Lords Prayer-Chant
scrotu-Dr. JaIne. Nelson