Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-26
SERVICES IN CITY CHURCHES
OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS
DAY IN WASHINGTON.
Catholic and Episcopal Choirs Give
Musical Programs-Appropriate
Sermons From Many Pulpits.

Christmas day was observed in many
Of the city churches. the programs en-
bracing music appropriate to the anniver-
sary, and in many instances serm ms were
delivered upon the one theme which the
festival illustrates. Mass was celebrated
In the Catholic churches, accompanied
by choir service.
Rev. Father Joseph F. MCGEE celebrated
solemn hiCh mass at the Church of the
Sacred Heart, 14th street and Whitney
avenue northwest, at 12 o'clock Tuesday
night. Father John F. Eckenrode was
deason and Father Carroll, subdeacon
Rev. Aloysius Brosnan of Georgetown
College delivered the sermon. The choir
furnished music
At st. Patrick's Church yesterday mass
was celebrated at o'clock in the morn
ing. At this mass Rev. Father William
]. Carroll was celebrant: Rev. T. E. Nc
Guiggan. deacon: Rev. George Savage,
suodeacon; Mr.. Thomas Victory, master
CT celemonies. and Paul Hines, censor
bearer.
Program Of Music.
Haydn's Mass No. was rendered by
the choir, assisted by an orchestra under
the direction Of Mr.. Arthur Gumprecht
The quartet consisted of Mrs. Blanche
Madigan Rogers, soprano; Miss Tyler.
alto; Mr.. Melville Hensey, tenor, and Mr..
Thomas Murray. bass.
Preceding the mass "Adeste Fidelis"
was sung by Master Peter Becker, as
sisted by the altar boys.-as they marched
in procession before the sanctuary. Rev.
I. E. McGuigan preached the sermon,
choosing as his. text the gospel of the
day concerning the nativity Of Jesus
Christ.
A large number of parishioners at
tended this mass, many receiving COM
munion.
The celebration of Christmas was con-
tinued at IL O'Clock by another solemn
high mass. celebrated by Rev. J. j.
smyth and assisted by the same choir
that sang the early mass with the excep-
ton of Mrs. Rogers. whose place was
taken by Miss Edna Sheehy. Mr. Charles
c. Dunn presided at the organ.
Rev. Father Stafford, pastor of the
church, did not assist at the services,
owing to his recent attack of grip. He
followed the mass by listening to the
singing from his room. which adjoins the
church. DR.. Stafford has not recovered
from his illness Of last summer. being
confined to his room since returning from
Atlantic City.
st. Aloysius Church.
The interior Of st. Aloysius Church was
decorated with evergreens for the mass
at midnight Christmas eve. The altar
was illuminated with many tapers ana
incandescent lights. while palms and
Christmas wreaths of red and green were
in evidence. Shortly before midnight
procession of priests and altar boys form
ed at the crib of Bethlehem in the base
ment and marched into the church sing
ing "Adeste Fidelis.' The semi-dark-
ness of the church was to some extent
lightened as the procession entered the
church by the appearance of huge star
in the altar. loft: Immediately below
were the words Gloria in Excelsis Deo,"
shown in incandescent lights.
High mass was sung by Rev. Father
Henry A. Leary, s. J., with Rev. Father
Timothy Barrett, s. j., of Woodstock Col
lege, deacon, and Richard A. O'Brien, 8.
j.. sub-deacon of the mass.
Low masses were celebrated every half
hour from 5 until o'clock, when high
mass was sung.
At IL o'clock solemn high mass was cell
ebrated for the second time.
Church of New Jerusalem.
Holy communion and an eloquent ser
mon on the birth of Christ by Rev. Frank
Sewall marked the celebration OF Christ
mas at the Church of the New Jerusalem.
The choir. under the direction Of Mr..
William M. Shuster, rendered ''Adeste FL
della" ''Sanctus Allegri,' Mercy and
Truth Are Met Together "Benedictus
Gilchrist." THE Creed and 90 Come.
Redeemer of Mankind" The choir con-
Swanton, Miss R. K. Sewall. Miss E. L.
Smith, Miss Frances Twitchall, Mrs, H.
H. B. Sperry, Mr.. H. Wilbur Maddox.
Mr.. Lewis Darlington. Mr.. F. W. Swan
ton. Mr.. H. r. Smith and Miss N. G.
Miss Gertrude Willard. former nresi-
dent of the Senior Christian Endeavor So
ciety of the Calvary Baptist Church. led
the exercises at a sunrise meeting yes
terday morning at the church, and many
members were in attendance
Church Of the Epiphany.
A solemn procession. holy communion
and a special program by the choir
marked the celebration exercises at the
Church Of the Epiphany, G street between
18th and 14th streets northwest. Rev.
Randolph H. Mckim preached the sermon.
The following program was rendered:
o Come, All Ye Faithful; TIE Deum.
them. And There Were Shepherds Abid-
ing in the Field, Vincent; oratory an
them. o Sing to God, Gounod; Sanctus,
Sta!ner: Gloria in Excelsis, old chant; re-
cessional. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.
Rev. DR.. Mckim chose for his text the
nativity of Christ. and delivered sermon
on the story of the babe of Bethlehem.
also teaching the lesson Of generosity to
The poor.
The personnel of the choir is as follows:
Soloists-Miss Lillian Haley. soprano:
Mrs. F. B. Gilmore, contralto: Mr.. Otto
Luebkert. baritone. The chorus consisted
OF Mrs. J. W. Anderson. Mrs. R. P. Cur
rie, Mrs. j. II Lloyd, Mrs. W. B. Patter-
son. Misses NJ. Chamberlin. Davenport V.
English. F. Goldsborough. L. Gerlach. M.
Hennen. NJ. Larner, NJ. Marean, w. Muel-
Ter, E. Mckee, Saffold NJ Taylor, B. Thy
son and r. Tunis: and Messrs. Rollin
Conwell. r. P. Currie, H. ]. Daily. w.
Cash, Graves. H. P. Hoover, c. E. Lati-
mer. ]. H. Lloyd. Russell Patterson, E. L.
Springer, James G. Traylor. ]. NJ. Waters
and W. Fl. Waters. Organist. Otis D.
SWEET; choirmaster, James G. Traylor.
In Other Sections.
Christmas services were held at the
Church of the Nativity. Brightwood. Sit
uated in the suburbs of Washington. the
church presented a picturesque scene
Christmas morning. with its illuminations
and decorations.
The German Catholics Of Washington
were out in force at a similar service at
St. Mays Catholic Church.