Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30

went forth spiritual Influences that cul-
other societies, scattered through Wash
fngton-Wesley. Ryland, Mckendree and
Waugh were all Of them direct descendants
of old Foundry. May her future In the
fourth church of the name now erecting
past
Concerning New Building.
A word before / close in regard to this
new" Foundry of which so much has
been recently heard and picture OF which
The Star gave last Saturday. 1t is spoken
in no spirit of hostility to the enterprise.
for, deeply interested in the movement, as
you may Judge in view of my lifelong as
sociations, 1 have been thorough friend
to the proposed plan of securing a new
home and center of greater influence than
seemed possible in view of the changed
surroundings at the old site.
The view presented of the proposed edifice
is a distinct disappointment. This is not
simply my own view, but that of many
others. The edifice presented does
not compare. in churchly beauty and mag
nificence. with either the Metropolitan
Church in Baltimore or the Wesley Me-
mortal Church in Savannah. Its huge
Gothic tower in itself looks well enough
but placed between the main edifce and the
Sunday school chapel. it dwarfs effectually
the latter. while it leaves the former des-
titute of front attraction. The flattened,
Dutchlike contour of the roofs on both
Madison and 10Th streets is also without
churchly appearance. Pity that with so
many acknowledged models of combined
beauty and grandeur scattered over the
land for suggestion-those already men,
toned. the magnificent pile of Phillips
Brooks Church in Boston. the Epworth
Memorial in Cleveland. more than one in
Toronto and other places-all of these adj
mitted universally to be models of churchly
architecture. and with such an amount of
Of md y,ftx hot ,p1,
an arrangement as your picture shows
should have been determined on.
Aside from the fine tower. there is GER
tafnly no Improvement so far as appear
ance goes on the squatty, Dutchlike front
of the fine building just vacated. The
tower itself would be much more impressive
at the north corner There it's impress of
grandeur would be shared both by the Mad
ison and the 10th street elevations. AS pro-
jected. at this the most important angle of
the building. indeed the only front angle
of the church. there will be a nondescript
little "doubedecker'' that minimizes the
vestfng rooms or trustees Offices or some
thing else
Suggests Change in Plans.
Then. as look at it, another huge blum
der is to be made in connection with the
interior arrangement BY universal con-
sent. the modern arrangement of audience
rooms separated from chapel that the
two may be thrown into one by rising par
tftions. thus adding large accommodation
for special occa sions. is an ideal one. 1t is
now adopted for nearly all great modern
churches. In this case accommodation is
made for but one thousand persons,
though galleries may be put in later"
There will be but one period of regret
should this plan be carried out. 1t will
begin on the day Of dedication should some
great pulpit orator. like Bishop Chas. e.
Fowler. be announced. 1t will be continued
and emphasized hereafter. on all occasions
that call great masses together. say it
kindly. these two immense blunders should
be corrected before it is too late.
First. transfer the tower to the corner,
choosing a more churchly appearance,
sharper gables. for the roofing.
Second. arrange for the throwing to-
gether of audience and assembly rooms,
with great central dome for light. AS on
the great Protestant Episcopal Church at
Boston and Epworth Memorial at Cleve-
land also as on our Congressional Library.
Ample light and ventilation for both rooms
may thus easily be secured.
GEO. V. LEIGH.