The Washington times., 1901-10-06

80 feet in width. with an L extending
q feet farther, and 75 feet in height.
Built of pressed brick and trimmed in
| white sandstone it is rather Of old
English design, and gives but little i'm
preston from the exterior of what will
| be disclosed inside Entering the front
door you pass straight into large Sun
day school room capable of accommo-
dating 500 children Brilliant chande-
liers are suspended in two rows. and
with their ground glass globes are in
perfect harmony with the bright settees
and bright amber painted walls. Lead
ing into this large room, and so adjust
ed as to open into it, are three rooms
furnished rs the main room, and only
separated from it by suspended doors
To the right is an exit on l Street and
also stairway leading above From
the same place leads a stairway to the
basement, where the furnace and stor-
age cellar are. By a system of registers
in the most improved style this furnace
heats comfortably the whole building.
From the left of the Sunday school
room you lind yourself in neat kitchen
with full cupboard of dishes, good
range, table, hot and cold water, etc,
all fitted up to be used in church enter
tainments. Another stair here leads
you to the floor above Going back,
however, as you entered, you notice at
the front entrance two grand stairways,
and taking either one you reach at the
next story the auditorium, from the rear
of which you can look upon a most
beautifully arranged and colnmodious
interior. There aresfour rows of pews,
with nicely carpeted aisIes, comfortable
cushions are placed upon each pew, en-
abling one to remain during the entire
service without experiencing -atigue.
Along each side and at each end are
galleries large and comfortable. nearly
doubling the seating capacity of the
church The pulpit is simple yet artis-
tic, and is quite in contrast to the old
time pulpits where ministers exhibited
only their heads and shoulders to the
audience. Just beck of the pulpit is the
pool" or baptistry, which is used for
immersing candidates for membership.
Two doors lead from the rear into
dressing rooms, another door opening
into hallway. Following it you are
ushered into the ladies' parlor, a room
nicely furnished The next door is the
pastors study, where, between the
hours of II and he may be found during
the days of the week. a full set of ref
erence works. as we'll as many treatises
on profound subjects, constitute his Ii
brary.
There are nine church aid societies,
as follows: Mite Society, Industrial
Club, Home Mission Club, Pastoral
Club, Church Aid Society, Minute Men,
Willing Workers w. c. 7. L.. Kings
Daughters. These clubs are all doing
very telling work in the present pros
perity of the church.
Some years ago an English gentleman
visiting in America wrote quite at
length concerning his impressions of
this church, which he had visited. After
referring to the condition of the colored
people in various places, he stated:
Whatever else we may forget of our
holiday trip to America, we shall al
ways remember vividly and with pleas
ure our visit to the Nineteenth Street
Baptist Church"
Rev. Walter H. Brooks. a. NJ, D. D.,
is now in his nineteenth year of the pas
torate of this church. During his con-
nection the church has prospered as
never before, both spiritually and ma
terially. His personal history is fun of
interest He was born in Richmond,
u. II
had no educational advantages until
free. His struggle for an education
was courageous and in his efforts his
industrious parents pushed him for
ward. 1t was early seen by his friends
that he gave promise of filling an i'm
portant place in life. Making his way to
Lincoln University and graduating
from there in 1872 he dedicated his life
to the ministry and took charge of a
church in Richmond. which he made a
prosperous institution. Resigning this
charge in 1880 he spent a year in
Louisiana as missionary under the au-
spices of the American Baptist Sunday
School Mission. Finding the health of
his family was being impaired, he re-
signed and accepted a call here. He
has been prominent in many conven-
tionaI bodies @mong his people, and is
thoroughly progre essive man. Amid
all the honors which he has justly re-
ceived he carries himself with such
genial demeanor that to know him is to
admire him.
THOS. J. GALLOWAY.
-x7cT pAv Special TAX