Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-30

and melting the snow on the roof was an
seen from all parts of the ne city and despite
the Indictment weather. a large crowd OF
spectators gathered about the building
many remaining until long after midnight.
Organ Practically Ruined.
Unfortunately the big organ was in the
path of the blaze and was practically
wrecked. Because of the Roadway that the
flames had made by the time the firemen
reached the church it was realized that the
big spre would be ruined also and the fire.
mems efforts were directed toward the main
body of the structure and the chapel and
infirmary. In saving the building from total
destruction the use Of great a, amount OF
water was necessary. and some little dam
age was caused In this way.
Several streams OF water were centered
upon the burning tower and occasionally
mass of burned timbers would break loose
and fall Because of the danger from this
source the police kept the crowd at a dis
lance from the building.
After several scares the tower finally fell,
and many of the spectators then started
homeward satisfied that there would be
nothing else worth seeing The falling OF
the tower gave the hremen clear Held,
and it took but short time to drown the
flames. Besides the destruction of the spire
and the burning of a hole in the roof the
building not greatly damaged.
Considering the start the fire had and the
delay in reaching the scene on account of
at the fire thought there was reason to con-
graduate the firemen for their good work.
The police also came in for their share of
praise Major Sylvester took personal SUI
pervison of the members of his force and
was assisted by the several lieutenants vino
responded with the reserves from their pre-
cincts. Detectives Trubo and Flather, from
the headquarters force, were on hand. They
took charge of the property in the in
Urinary and cared for the surgical instr1i-
mentS and other paraphernalia. The big
cases of instruments are of considerable
value, but the fire did not reach them.
When the last spark had died away .he
firemen and the people connected with the
church made an investigation of the build
ing and its contents and concluded that
the damage would reach $4,000, and possi-
bly, trifle more. The property is fully in
sured While the pastor deplored the oc-
currence he thought that he had reason to
be thankful that it was no worse. AS soon
as the insurance is adjusted the pastor will
take steps looking to the immediate re-
building of the church. In the meautiDle
the regular church services will be held in
the chapel, where services were held bel ore
the erection of the main building.
The congregation of the Eighth Street
Hebrew Temple has offered its building to
the members of the Luther Place Church
in which to hold services until the damage
from the fire is repaired.
Built Almost Thirty Years Ago.
For nearly thirty years the Luther Place
Memorial Church has been one of the
adOrnments of the city. Situated in the
triangle between Vermonts avenue, 14th
street and N street northwest, facing
Thomas Circle and the statue of Martin
Luther. it has never failed to attract the
attention of all who have passed its way.
st. Paul's Lutheran congregation purchas-
ed from a Protestant Episcopal congrega-
ton the lot which the Memorial was
built paying for it $500. a chapel was
soon erected and dedicated July ), 1868.
Shortly afterward a Sunday school was or
ganized, chiefly with teachers and scholars
from st. Paufs. Preaching soon COM
menced and from that time to the perma-
-nent organization fthe Memorial in 1873
Dr. J. G. Butler. who was formerly pastor
of ST Paurs alone had charge of both con-
gregations with the aid of associate pas
tors
The corner stone of the Memorial Church
was laid October 81. 1870. on which occa-
sion DR.. Eutler reported follows: THE
cash book shows that nearly 10000 has
been paid into treasury. largely from
the people of ST. Paurs Church.
At the time it was organized the church