Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02
JUBILEE CELEBRATION
.GURLEY MEMORIAL CHURCH
SCENE OF THE EVENT.
Delivery of Deeds Transferring Title
of Property - A Memorable occa-
sion-Address by Churchmen.

The Gurley Memorial Presbyterian Church
was the scene last night OF an event which
is regarded as a. memorable one in its his
tory. The occasion was a jubilee celebra-
ton attending the delivery of the papers
and deeds transferring the Gurley Memo
rial Church property from the trustees Of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
to the trustees Of the Gurley Society. Ad-
dresses were made during the evening by
representatives of. the two churches as fol-
lows: For Gurley Memorial Church, Rev.
j. Russell Verbrycke, pastor; Mr.. Frank
McClelland, president board of trustees;
Mr.. c. H Merwin and Mr.. Benjamin D.
Stallings; for the New Y ork Avenue Church,
Rev DR.: Wallace. Radcliffe, pastor; Mr..
John B. Larner, president of the board Of
trustees; Mr.. Justice John NJ. Harlan and
Mr.. Walter c.. Clephane.
The rooms in which the affair was held
were handsomely decorated with palms,
plants and flowers, while the American flag
added a patriotic coloring to the scene
There was special music furnished during
the evening under direction of Mr.. Thomas
b. Easily, musical director of the church.
Pastors and LayInen Speak.
The Rev. J. r. Verbrycke, pastor of the
church, gave the address of welcome to the
visitors, which was responded to on behalf
of the New York Avenue Church by Rev.
DR.. Wallace Radcliffe Mr.. John b. Lar
ner made the address of presentation, dur
ing which he spoke OF the remarkable man
ner in which the lot on which the Gurley
Church stands, given by Governor Shop
herd, at one time was nearly lost to the
church. The response on the part of the
Gurley Church was made by Mr.. Frank Nc
Clelland.
Addresses of congratulation We're made
on behalf of the session of the New York
Avenue Church by Mr.. Justice Harlan and
on the part of the board of deacons by
Mr. Clephane.
The responses for the Gurley Church
were made by Mr.. Nierwin of the session
and Mr.. Benjamin D. Stallings of the
deacons. The latter read memorial,
which will be presented to the New York
Avenue Church, expressing the appreciation
of the younger organization for the care
and assistance given to 1t during the earlier
days of Its history, and which had just
been contaminated by vesting the title to its
house of worship in the Gurley Church.
The remainder OF the evening was spent
in reunion of the representa- of the
two churches, quite number of those from
the New York Avenue Church having been
actively engaged in the work which result
ed in the Gurley Church.
Mother Church Transfers Title.
The Gurley Memorial Church originated
in a Sunday school formed by members of
the New York Avenue Church. With the
exception of several additional lots, pur
chased since the organization of the Cur
ley Society. the title to it's property has
remained vested in the mother church.
Several weeks ago the subject of trans
ferring the title to the property was taken
under consideration and the deeds trans
ferring the property to the younger church,
having been executed, 1t was decided to
make the delivery of the papers the occas
ion for a jubilee celebration, which was
consummated last evening. A large repre-
sentation of officers and members of New
York Avenue Church were present at the
affair by invitation of the Gurley Society.