Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-12

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, LATELY
IMPROVED, READY FOR OCCUPANCY

I loved prelate. from Ascension, IN July
| 1883; that of Rev. DR.. Elliot in 1900, ano
that of our own Bishop Satterlee in FeD'
ruary. 1905, are marks in the mortuai
history of this house of God.
The coming of Rev. Mr.. Neims as 'hei1
minister just eight months ago mas
proved an inspiration and a success
Bishop Satter!ee, in discussing his APP
pointment, said: I'VE wanted. and De
Iieve we have found. a man capable OF
being a spiritual leader in the diocese
John Henning helms was born 1T
Smithfied. Va. in the early period or the
civil war. the son of planter VINO
shared the impoveriShment that over
whelmed those states which were the
theater of conflict in those dark days.
Naturally. he had hard-worklng BOY
hood but excellent educational adVan-
tages were afforded him at the University
of Virginia and at Richmond. Va. COL
lege At twenty-one he began pracuc-
ing law: at TWENTY-FIVE he was made
mayor of his home town OF Smlthneio
and reelected three successive years.
He became states attorney for that dls-
trict at twenty-six. Soon afterward he
married Miss RoSalie Cunningham
daughter of the late James ID. Cunning
ham of New York city. The ceremony
took place at Epiphany Church. Wash
irgton. the Rev. S. Herbert Giesy offlci-
ating. The young lady and her mother
had come here for the winter when Kew.
Mr. NclmS met her.
In 1901. while practicing law in Baitl-
more, where the Rev. c. Ernest Smith
then rector of ST. Michael and All An
gels in that city, was his rector and In,
innate friend. Rev Mr.. helms retired
from a profession where his income had
grown to an average of $1,000 year
ard at once began to prepare for hoix
orders. choosing Bishops College tnk
verSity of Quebec. because that northern
climate made it possible to pursue his
li,-iDi SIN
year. He was ordained TO the priesthood
in June. 1904. by the Bishop of Quebec
During the few months before his ordna-
ton he received the following calls: TIC
be dean of the Cathedral of Omaha. Neb.
special preacher at the Cathedral of Que
bee assistant at ST. Matthew's. Quebec
to St. Paul's Newport News. Va. and
to be rector of ST. Matthew's Church.
Philadelphia. Pa. He accepted the last
named call and spent three and one-hali
years there during which time the com
municants list increased from 49o tC
1890 He was greatly attached to this
his first pastorate and refers to 1t al
WAYS in affectionate language.
He has entered into the work Of Ascen'
sion as one with an earnest and COMPEL
ing purpose ''tO cultivate Immanuei
land" bringing to bear the charm Of ar
unusual and powerful personality. supe'
rior pulpit abilities. the ripeness of eigh'
teen years successful reading of human
nature in the practice of the law. and
not least of all. what Henry Van Dyke
calls "a talent for friendship beyonC
the ordinary. His former rector and now
neighboring fellow pastor. DR.. G. Ernes
Smith gave the personal facts that could
not otherwise have been CLEANED for this
! article and for matters of interestint
church history to several of the Older
communicates of the parish. One OF
these the earliest communicate now liv'
| ing was the protector of the only memo
rial window as yet existing in the church
An enthusiastic Sunday school teacher
! she inspired her class to raise funds for E
window to the memory of Mr.. John Dun
canson son of one of the original com
municants. and superintendent of the Sun
day school. then recently deceased. There
| is opportunity for other memorial win
dows and especially there should be 6
! splendid window picture Of the ascension
| above the chancel.