The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-26
MANY WORSHIP ON
CHRISTMAS DAY
Special Services Held Yesterday
in Number of Churches of
Richmond.
THOUSANDS AT EARLY MASS
Sanctuaries Beautifully Decorated
and Fine Music Rendered
by Choirs.

Christmas observance was had In many
OF the churches Of the city yesterday
morning. and the congregations were un-
usually large. Those sanctuaries In
which services were held were all very
prettily decorated in evergreens and
flowers.
All the music ana addresses centred
round the thought Of the Christmas tide.
and were appropriate TO tho happy oc-
casion which they commemoratcd. Pas
tors spoke Of tho great. solemn event
in feeling and touching terms. and the
music programs vera all Of the best
composition on the theme Of Christmas,
and all We're beautifully rendered
Services were held in al the Catholic
and Episcopal churches. and the Met0o-
dists held "A union service IN Park Place
Church. The Bapusts and Presbyterians
did not hold services.
Catholic Services.
At the Sacred Heart Cathedral the
Right Rev. Bishop Van de Nyver cele-
brated high pontifcal mass ut the morn
ing service. and was assisted by many
priests from other churches I'm the city
The great sanctuary was filled with peO-
Pile. the splendid music and impressive
services drawing large throngs-. The ser
mon was delivered by Rev John j. Mas
soy, the gifted young orator OF this do
cese. II was splendid effort, forming
most fitting climax TO the preceding
beautiful services.
Among the Catholics Christmas IS
holy day OF obligation. and is observed
with the same solemnity as Sunday
Many masses were said in all the congre-
CATIONS. and special music was sung al
an of them AS rule tho sanctuarfes
=
and cut flowers and brilliant with fash
Ing candelabra- Themass at A. NJ
winch is perhaps the chief service eX-
cepting the pontihcal mass at the ca
thedrn. is always very impressive Yes
terday morning long before daybreak and
IN the freezing cold thousands OF cath
olics wended their way through the sent
streets % their houses of worshfn
The Methodists held their union service
M Park Place Church. where Rev w. r.
Proctor pastor Of Trinity Methodist
Church. filled tho pulpit The new min
lst"r preached a very able and effective
sermon, taking as his text the words. u
am come q light into the world. that who
socNer helieveth in Ale should not abide
In darkness. John Nii. 46. MT Proc
lor was assisted I'm The services by Rev.
ID. Wilson and Rev. Dr w. j. young.
Special music was rendered hv tho choir.
and the solo sung 10y Miss Mitchell was
especially pleasing IN it's hne rendition
Episcopal Services.
The services at Monumental p-niscopal
Church We're very elaborate The church
was beautifully decorated. an the pillars
and the gallery being festooncd with ever
greens.
Between the two columns OF the same
tuary was suspended beautiful many
pointed star, made uu entirely of small
gas Jets. q very impressive hit - work.
and one which gave an added touch of
briiliance 10 the already beautiful scene.
Rev. Dr w. T.. Evans. the nastor. de-
NvSred "a very appropriate sermon on The
Incarnation 81 Christ" touching on the
Importance OF the great event to the his
tory of tho world and 20 am religion The
sermon was followed by tile celebration
o. the Holy Communion A communion
service was also held at o'clock in the
morning.
other Episcopal churches held special
services and the real spirit of the day