The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1905-04-11
ST. MARKS CHURCH
HANDSOME EDlFICE THRONGED
WITH WORSHIPPERS.
The Old Associations, the Tender Mem
ores and the Sacred Ties Are
Transferred to the New

In ST. Mark church, Sunday at least
a thousand people gathered for the first
time in this magnificent edihce, which
is in the course OF completion. In the
congregation were representatives OF ev-
cry denomination in the city. Rev. J.
II. Spearing had announced several
weeks since that the first service would
be held on the date fixed and there was
no disappointment This church is a
memorial to Rev. DIR. Dalzell who with
the exception of a brief interval of his
pastorship in Memphis, was rector from
1856 to the time of his death in 1899,
when he was succeeded by Rev. J. H.
Spearing, the present rector, to whose
ndefatigable energy and firm purpose
must be ascribed the success which has
been attained in the construction of this
church. through which he will be asso-
ciated until it shall crunble into ruins
The presence of Bishop Sessums, of
-\tN VI lSdllS, tolitl lDlleb ~ tilS 5 Vat
interest of this eventful occasion. In
his sermon, during which he alluded
ieelingly to DR.. Dalzell he credited
Rev. Mr. Spearing in words eloquent
with the fullest need of praise for his
good work, represented in the edltce
which is one of the most beautiful in
the State
At the outset of this undertaking Rev.
Mr. Spcaring was confronted with many
obstacles which would have led man
less resolutc to hesitate, but he had his
mind fixed on the success of the future
and persevered onward with his project.
lie was ably assisted by members of his
The site at the intersection of Cotton
street and Texas avenue was purchased
in June. 1900. costing $500. On which,
in 1902, the rectory was built, the cost
being $500. Work on the new church
was begun i'll July, 1904, the contractors
being Carson Brothers. It is one of
the most substantial and best construct
ed churches in the State and when COM
pleted will cost $3o,5oo, exclusive of the
site. 1t is proposed at some future time
to veneer the exterior with cement and
marble dust which will give the appear
ance of solid stone The interior of the
church is strikingly pleasing in its SIM
plicity, which enhances its attractive
ness and beauty. The altar is hand
somely carved. 1t is fifteen feet long
and has twenty-three carved figures. A
very handsome pulpit has been ordered
and with the altar are the gift of the
Sunday school class, as is also the Altar
Cross, which is a memorial to Henry
NJ. Furman, who at the time of his death
was superintendent of the Sunday
Schol. In the new church has been
the record and the associa
lions of all that which is sweet, dear and
sacred. from the old, which was con-
structed in 1860, forty-fve years ago,
when Shreveport was small town and
the congregation was not as large as it
is now. All that which is new about
St. Marks church is the edifce and its
beauty, wich typify steady progress
and development. The old, which per-
i>l, must give way to the new. It is
decree from which there is no appeal
or escape, but the old associations, the
old loves, the sacred memories, all these
linger in mind as they are enshrined in
heart These associations, these tender
ties. these sacred memories of the long
ago. when blended with the new must
strengthen the influence and the power
for good.