Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-09-09

About forty or more years ago when
stricter lines were drawn between mem.
bers of the theatrical profession aud the
outside world, certain prominen'
clergyman of New York was asked tc
bury a member of troupe. This he
refused to do but said tc the messenger,
"If you 90 to the little church
round the corner, you will find
some one who will do it. Ever after
this name has clung to the sacred build
ing and it h:s been called the actor s
church like its great prototype, the
Church Of st. Saviour 5, in Southwark,
London. DR.. HOughton who buried the
actor was the believe rector for we'll nigh
fifty years. There is no architectural
beauty about the church. The interior
is quite low and has the appearance OF
being added to from time TO time, but
tn ere is quiet charm about the place.
| The auditorium consist Of long nave,
with long transept running at right
augles TO ii and meeting at the entrance
10 the chancel The church Is eIabellish-
ed with number of paintings and the
service is distinctively "high." The choir
showed good training, the evening service
we attended being beautifully rendered.
One of the windows of the church is a
memorial TO Edwin Booth presenting a
| fine life-sizcd half-figure of the great
actor in contemplation with an appropri-
ate inscription from Shakespeare, which
we are sorry to say we have forgotten.
Near the '1ittle church round the cor
ner" on Fifth Avenue is the historic
Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church OF
the CITY of New York. The history of its
congregation carries one back to the old
days Of Dutch rule, for twas founded un-
der the governorship ofPeter Minuit. The
present building is the second or third
on the site and is therefore compara-
lively modern, but the spirit of the old
Knickerbocker families fingers -stil,
around the venerable spot. An old bell
cast in Amsterdam stands as a relic in
the front yard Of the church. We went
up to the door but found it locked.
This custom of keeping the churches
closed, except during hours Of service,
so common outside the Episcopal and
Roman Catholic communions, is mis-
take, and should lie numbered among
the things of the past. 1t was pleasure
to sec that the Old First Presbyterian
Church on Fifth avenue has an an
nouncement that its doors are opened
during the week for rest and prayer.
The Episcopal Cathedral of st. John
the Divine is making slow progress.
Bishop Potter has adopted the wise reso-
luton to build only as he has the money
in hand. OF course the laying of the
solid foundations required has taken a
large expenditure of time and money.
The crypt was fitted up some time ago
for service and can accommodate good |
sized congregation. The altar was made |
by Tiffany and received prize at the |
Chicago Worlds Fair. 1t was pre-
scented afterwards to the Cathedral by a
lady, not Of the Episcopal communion,
in memory of son. Her reason for
giving it to the cathedral was that she |
felt sure memorial there would never
be disturbed. 1t will, however, always
remain in the crypt as this part o,
the building will be considerably en-
larged when the upper portions are COM
pleted. The great arches which are
to support the central tower are in pro-
cess of erection. These will be concealed
from view when the walls are finished.
One of these arches is now prominent
feature in the landscape and can be seen
for mics. The whole building will
probably take from fifty to one hundred
years for its complete erection. 1t is
expected that the choir will be finished
in from to 10 years. The money for
the Belmont Chapel, which takes the
place of the Lady Chapel in the old
of Europe, has been given as
a memorial by the Belmont family and
it will shortly be completed. The sit
uation of the Cathedral on Morningside
Heights is very fine, commanding as it
does wide view of the city. The
buildings including the bishops resi-
dence will occupy whole square.
Close at hend are st. Luke's Hospital
anu OOluHlDld university. tols L dtIlCh
Roman Catholic Cathedral on Fiftieth
street and Fifth Avenue is ah imposing
edifice. The twin towers and spires are
graceful and the whole effect
of the interior is solemn and dignified.
Far above the choir hanging from the
roof is the official hat of the late
{ ardinal NcCloskey forming a unique
object in the sacred building.
The episcopal chair is draped in
mourning for the late Archbishop Corr
gan, who died a few months ago. Not fer
rom st. Patrick's is st. Thomas Episco-
pal Church of which the Rev. Dr. Stires, one
IF the Virginia Seminary men, is rector and
n the near vicinity is st. Bartholomew ,
Church, DIR. Greer, rector; where q number of
he Vanderbilts worship and where Rev. !
Luccn l.. KensOloing was consecrated Bishop
# Brazil. Oar ramble is now over. We bad
loped to pass from the churches to the great .
,cean liners, among which your cOrreJpOn-
lent delights to spend some of his time, but
his must be left for another visit in days to
,ome. If we have shown even in little way
few of the attractions Of New York for the
ummer visitor, these letters will Fave fulfill
d our purpose of the minutes employed in
heir desul,Ory composition. ;. w.