Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-04
Famous Churches.
Some of Those IN New York City That Are Known in This
Country and Abroad 1.-The Little Church
Around the Corner"

No one will deny that Trinity in New
York city Is among Americas most famous
churches Besides its other holds on this
distinction. Is II not the richest by far; does
It not stand intrepidly at the very head OF
the western worlds money mart?
Again, what New Yorker has not looked
with moist eyes upon old Grace through
the stage counterfeit in The Old Home
stead?" Truly, Its name is almost as far
flung Trinity's.
Yet, powerful. wealthy and STEPPED In
history and tradition these two churches
are, It is doubtful whether either of them
can boast of a fame universal as that
which belongs to a certain transformations
appearing church that has been in exist
ence only long enough for 1t to have two
rectors-one dead. after work OF forty
nine years; the other now in his ninth year
of service.
II you have ever Travelled abroad you
can undoubtedly bear testimony to the
statement that the only American church
which seems to be at all well known In
England and on the continent is this one.
"Oh, yes" say the people, in matter-of-
fact way, we've heard of that church.
But mention Grace. and unless you are
talking with ecclesiastics, the name viii
fall on new ears. Trinity? "Ah, let me
see. 1 believe have heard of church
not so?"
At home you always hear the name of
this church placed among the famous
ones: you are continually readins OF
events, big and little in which II figures;
perhaps in the year recently ended you
were one of several thousand who made
a pilgrimage, of curiosity at least, to Its
gates.
A Simple Act That Brought Fame.
"And the greatest of these Is charity.
Therein Hes the why of this structures
premier fame. which sprang from sim
pie, gracious act of its rector toward the
close of 1871.
It was on December 20 of that year that
George Holland, the actor, died In New
York city. The late Joseph Jefferson and
Holland had been bosom friends and
boys after Rips genial creator. So the
widow teIegraphed Mr.. Jefferson. and he,
breaking an engagement, came on to ar
range for the funeral
Learning that Mrs Holland preferred to
have her husband buried from the Church
of the Intercessor. then standing at the cor
ner OF 18th street and Madison avenue. Mr..
Jefferson, accompanied by his namesake.
now a leading actor, called on the pastor,
the Rev. DIR. Sabine.
81 shall be only too glad to officiate," was
the reverend gentleman's reply, after he
had been told the dead mans name and the
date of the funeral, two days hence Then
the hour was fixed, and, all the formalities
attended to, Mr.. Jefferson and young Hol-
land were leaving when the former, as an
afterthought, said:
Perhaps / ought to tell you that Mr..
Holland was an actor.
OH gasped the Rev. DR.. Sabine look
akin to holy horror taking possession OF his
features that makes a great difference.
really couldn't offlciate at the funeral
have been preaching against the stage and
actors; cannot, therefore, ofhciate."
Mr.. Jefferson was nonplusSed for a mo-
ment; then he replied:
81 am extremely sorry. II don't know
what to do. I am, indeed, surprised at your
attitude. Can you not tell me what l can
do?'
Little Church Around the Corner.
"Why yes, said the Rev DIR. Sabine
presumably he drew breath of relief as he
spoke-"you might go TO that little church
around the corner l think the rector will
bury your dead and ask no questions"
Were you ever fortunate enough to see
Joe Jefferson make his all-including bow?
Then picture him in this attitude before the
Rev. DIR. Sabine, as he answered:
"An honor to the rector of that little
church around the corner! To him I'll go.
And there he went and when the rector
was told that the dead man had oeen an
actor, the reply was: 1T makes no differ
ence what the man was we know that ne
is dead, and will bury him"
All you know the name of the church
now-the Little Church Around the Corner
Wrong. 1t is the Church OF the Transfs-
uration The first Is but the nickname
Still by II alone the church is known TO the
world at large, and did not the church
board IN the quaint little yard bear the
structures proper name II Is not 10 pc
doubted that 1t would soon cease 10 De
known even in a limited sort of way.
The story which so aptly illustrates the
broad charity OF the church Is ever oelng
told with countless variations me present
rector. the Rev DIR. G. c. Houghton, learns
a new twist every week OF so. Not long
ago. man who he'd just been made a
huppy bridegroom by Mr.. Houshton, turned
to him and said:
the actor whose marriage made the church
famous?"
the story. no matter how much twisted II
NAV otherwise be. That is the charity OF
Il. and so long as this Is preserved IN the
telling just so long will the Little Church
Around the Corner be known of men; for
there is no getting away from it-the great
est of all things is charity.
The Church's Humble Origin.
The Rev. DR.. George H Houghton. who
so kindly consented to bury George Hoi-
land. was the founder Of the church. It
had its beginning. humble enough, In
private house only a few blocks distant
from the present site. ] Hat was ~ ~
tober of 1878, and two years later the orig
inaI church building. so small that it now
forms only the west end Of the rave, was
eonsecrated Thus for tweaty-one years
the church. unknown and unsung outside
very small circle, went on its simple way,
dispensing charity to all who applied and
sitting in Judgment on none. This had
been DR. Houghton's chief aim from the
start, and so when Joseph Jefferson sought
him out 1t was only natural for the rector
to make the reply he did when tod that
Holland was a member of the then gem
orally despised tribe of actors. No one
was more surprised than the good rector
himself when his deed, news of which vas
straightway spread by the grateful Jeffer-
son, caused first the actor-folk 10 flock 10
him on all occasions, and later persons or
almost every walk In life under the sun.
Today they come across seas ana the
continent to be welded In the Little Church
Around the Corner. That would be count
ed a poor day at the church when ten wed
dings at least were not performed During
a fifteen minutes chat that the writer re-
Gently had with the present rector. @. G.
Houghton the maid announced two couples
MENTIONING to be married. Two weddings
were already scheduled. several tad al
ready taken place. and in an hour Inc rec
I. 1T he