Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-24
NEW CHURCH BEGUN
By CATHOLIC CONGREGATION AT
NORTH CHESAPEAKE BEACH.

Contrary to the usual custom In church
building, 1t is announced that four weeks
from the date on which L. was first pro-
posed, the foundation has been laid for st.
Anthony's Roman Catholic Church at North
Chesapeake Beach. Md. The project had
its inception among the cottage owners at
this resort, who spend the greater part OF
the summer there, and owing to the energy
displayed by several of the promoters the
building Is now under way. Mr. and Mrs
A. R. Townshend of 234 North Capitol
street northwest make their home there
throughout the summer months. and at
the initial gathering of cottagers announced
that they stood ready to provide the lot.
Mr.. Townshend. who. though not a Catholic.
evidenced great interest in the matter. and
was asked to superintend the building oper-
atoms. And the results nave proved that
the confidence was not misplaced. Though
the amounts subscribed at the meeting
were small, he decided to go ahead with
the work. Mrs. John NJ. McGill agreed to
share the deficit, If there should be any.
Being Of practical building turn and
having considerable architectural expert
ence, Mr. Townshend made the work all the
more a labor of love and drew the plans.
The lot provided by Mr.. Townshend Is In
the center of the settlement Of houses, and
is 50x150 feet in size. 1t was thought best
to go slow in the matter, and such build
ing has been designed as will not cost more
than $500. exclusive of pews and fixtures
Therefore strict economy has been exer-
cised. New lumber Is expensive, espe-
cially when 1t must be hauled from Wash
ington or Baltimore to the Beach, and Mr..
Townshend sought to find adequate material
on the ground. His quest was not In vain,
and besides having a substantial building.
the material Is a composite of relics OF
two distinct and far apart architectural
scenes of endeavor-a Methodist Church
and a race track When the old Foundry
Church at 14th and G streets northwest
was RACED the management of the Chesa-
peake Beach Railway Company Is said to
have bought great deal OF the lumber
including window frames, with view 10
having suitable material on hand for a
church building. At that time new
church was being talked Of to be located at
the South Beach, for what cause Is nos
stated, and the lumber has since remained
where it was unloaded from the cars. Tne
window frames and larger beams Mr.
Townshend has secured for the new edlnce
One time high hopes were entertained ror
the future of Chesapeake Beach as sport
ing resort Western capital became inter-
ested in the resort. and such plans were
land as would ultimately make the Beach
the Monte Carlo OF America ana. TO use
an expression Of the turf. all the others
would be as ''mere selling-platers' In COM
parison. Gambling games and devices or
all kinds should flourish, while the shore
line was expected to be dotted with luxu-
rious casinos. race course was laid Off,
with its stands and stables
1t is also from the abandoned race track
that the balance Of the timber for the new
church is being taken. and with practically
all the hardware also on the ground 1t is
announced by Mr.. Townshend that in a
months time another Christian temple will
raise its spire on high. The mingling of the
timbers Of famous old church with those
of a race track In new edifice is thought
by the promoters of the movement to be a
promising commentary on moral improve
ment. and proves. they say, that mankind
is becoming more and more interested in
churches and church worship,