Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-17
ANNIVERSARY SERVICES IN
GRACE CHURCH.

/ LARGE congregations attended the II
a. m. and 1880 p. m. services yeseer
day in Grace Church.
It was the 5Oth anniversary OF tnt
conservation OF the church.
| There we're members OF the family o
the late Rev. DR.. Sprigg at the uioin,
ing service. Letters OF congratula.'ol
we're read, in which were also expires
sions of regret at their inability 70 at,
tend. from two former rectors, Rev
Henry T. Sharp and Rev. c. E. Ball
The music was of high order ano
we'll renpered, under the charge OF Mrs
RAYMOND Hulfisl., and the choir wa:
assisted by Mrs VIM. Woolls ano
Mrs Thomas Hulfsh, both singing
solos at the offertory.
Rev. Edgar Carpenter, the rector
gave the historical address, and said in
part: THE 9O.h Psalm and 10th verse
gives the keynote for our services, Lei
thy work appear unto thy servants, and
thy glory u"to their children.
I'VE stand today by one OF the mile,
stones of the history of the church. II
is IS years since the congregation Of
Grace Church was organized, but we
are celebrating the 50th anniversary OF
the completion of this church building,
its being paid for, and consecrated Tor
| the worship OF Almighty God"
Let mo read from q copy OF the
Alexandria Gazette OF October 9Th,
1860, which has been preserved in the
Paris Register:
Conservation OF Grace Church, &C.,
by the Rt. Rev. John Johns, D. D.,
assistant bishop OF Virginia. Bishop
Meade being present, three professors
from the Theological Seminary and the
rector, Rev. DR.. Sprigg, all OF former
generation"
One entire column Of the Gazette was
given to this subject; with the bishops
PRAYER, extracts from his sermon, and
the request OF the rector and vestry to
have the church consecrated; the con-
grega,ion filled the church, the services
were well rendered.
The vestry of that day consisted
OF Rev. DR.. Sprigg, rector; Messrs.
JAS. Entwisle, jr., Chas. R.Hooff, G. c.
Berry, VIM. H. Fowle, George I. Bald
win, S. E. RiGgeley, W. ]. Entwisle,
David Funston and Cassins F. Lee
The question may be asked by some
why there should have been third
church OF this old Episcopal faith in
1855, or indeed why there should be
the third church today in Alexandria,
Va. Let me read from the Grace Church
News published by Rev. DIR. sprigg.
There is copy in Tin -; : I,.'rof March
1876. 1t would be to- long here to re-
peat it, though it was read 10 the con-
gregation.
In the summer of 1855 the present
rector of the church was appointed edl-
tor OF the Southern Churchman. He
was given the choice OF either removing
the paper to Richmond, or to continue
it in Alexandria He preferred the
latter, with the understanding that he
might be at liberty to organize another
church" He moved to Alexandria,
made necessary arrangements anu com
menced services in Lyceum Hall south
west corner of Prince and Washington
streets.
A congregations Of 20 began there
and services held for 2 years. Then they
bought the lot on which the present
church stands and the building was be-
gun paid for and consecrated Oct. 1860.
In addition to this reason OF Rev.
DR.. Sprigg, it may be said that Grace
church is a free seated church. From
the location of the church, it is the
only one in this western section of our
city and it tries to minister to the peo-
pie living here, though there are mem
bers in every section of the city.
The statistics OF the church: "a years
under Rev. DIR. Sprigg, IA under Rev.
Mr.. Sharp, II under Rev. Mr.. Ball
and 6 under the present rector; bap-
,isms, 1877; combinations, 636; mar
riages, $40; burials, 929; communism IS
in 1856 were 20; now 1856; contributions
have been SS5 900, and S13, 200 OF this
was given to missionary and charitable
objects outside the parish; 81 900 has
been given to the Alexandria Hospital
for memorial cot.
For the church a rectory has been
built, improvements have been made on
the church costing $1,000, and many
memorials added, and the church free
OF debt today
Rev DR.. Wallis of the Seminary, gave
an address of congratulation on the
past and the record made, inspiration
for the present. and prayer for guild
ance and help in the future, and thanks
giving for those who had labored here
in the past generation. In the words
OF the Psamist, Gods work has appeared
and does appear here to his servants,
and as His Glory did appear to them,
may it also appear to their children.