Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25

Is forty-six years old, of most attractive
personality, a writer Of prominence, a great
organizer and worker, especially among the
younger element. and a strong preacher.
He received his B. A. degree at University
College, Durham. England his d. d. de-
gree at st. Johns College and University of
the South, and his D. c. L. gree at Un.-
versity of Bishops College, Canada.
St Thomas presents q fine field FOR one OF
DR.. Smiths disposition and capabilities. Its
large and beautiful parish church. located
in the heart of the northwestern section Of
the city is perhaps the finest specimen Of
church architecture In the diocese, while
its chapel, in which the congregation wor-
SHIPPED before the church proper was COM
pleted, affords ample facilities for carrying
on the work Of the Sunday school and the
various societies of the church. and con-
tains the vestry room and robing room for
the clergy and the choir. Although this
chapel is substantial brick structure, It is
the expectation of the vestry that it will be,
in the near future, replaced by a parish
house Of stone that will accord with the
Gothic architecture of the church building.
and be equipped with all modern facilities
for conducting parish work thus compile ting
plant unsurpassed in the diocese.
Growth of the Church.
The growth of st. Thomas has been re-
markable. 1t started in 1890, under the
leadership of the Rev John A. Aspinwall.
In the abandoned chapel of the Holy Cross
at Dupont Circle. and became established
as separate parish by act Of the diocesan
convention In May. 1891. portions Of st.
Johns and st. Andrews parish having
been conceded for the purpose. In January.
1882, the present chapel was completed and
occupied, and so large did the congregation
become that a plan for the church proper
was soon procured from Mr.. T. P. Chandler
of Philadelphia. the architect Of the Letter
tol AZ,
necessary to commence building operations.
The work Of building went on as funds were
collected, and finally. in 1899. the church
was completed and formally opened.
The exterior of the church Is most impos-
Ing and attractive, and It's interior even
more so. beautiful reredos, the holy
table, the pulpit. all of appropriate stone,
are gifts Of devoted parishioners as me-
MORALS. as are also the lectern, cross,
vases and chancel furnishings.
The music of the church has always been
excellent, but since the change from
women has been made even more attrac-
tive and impressive.
The present choir. under the able direc-
ton of Mr.. Edmund A Varela Is composed
of picked singers of recognized merit, and
contains such well-known solosts as Miss
Grace McCulloch, soprano; Miss Antoinette
stewart. contraito. and Mr.. William D.
Hoover. basso. The position of solo tenor
lately filled by Mr.. Horatio Rench, who has
gone to New York to the Church of St
AaVler, Is vacant, but Will be filled as soon
as an acceptable singer can be procured
st. Thomas has always been the church
home of many army and navy officers and
their families. and that element has always
had good representation in the vestry
At present the vestry Is composed Of Col
George A. Woodward and Mr. Melville
Church. wardens, and Brig. Cen John M.
Wilson. Maj. B. P. Mimmack. Mr.. Murray
Addison, Judge Harry NJ. Clabaugh, Mr.
Theodore w. Noyes, Mr.. John C. Davidson
Chief Engineer Henry w. Fitch and Mr.
Norman Gait, vestrymen
The Retiring Rector.
The retiring rector. the Rev j. A. Aspin-
wall, to whom the present fiourishing con-
dition of the parish Is, In the MAN. due
has felt that a continuation of his rector
ship would be too great a tax upon his
health and strength, and in laying down
this, the browning work in his life will
practically retire from the ministry, though
will remain, with undiminished interest at
tached to the church as a member of the
congregation. The necessity of the sever
ance of his pastoral relations is a matter
of the deepest regret on the part of the
congregation. Every one appreciates his
unselfsh devotion to the work of upbuildng
the parish. The church itself will always
stand an imposing and fitting monumen.
to his wise and able leadership and success
full administration.
Dr. Smith will be duly installed on the
first Sunday in Advent November 800. and
his coming will mark an era Of expansion
at st. Thomas which is but the logical out
come of it's unique position in the growing
fashionable part of Washington.
Till the coming of the new rector the
services Of the church will be conducted
by the assistant ministers. the Rev. Carl
l. Nt,x IT..