Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-01-24
Sr. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Ihs one l1duraotu auuiFeiesiJ VI tuo
foupding Of S.. Paals Ohurch Hss cele.
brstsd Yesterday with impressive and
interestiog ceremonies. The other tWc
Episcopal churches in this city, Chris!
and Grace, we're closed 10 the morning
In order 10 permit their respective con-
gregations to participate in the services.
The recess chancel of the church was
beautifully decorated With palms and
flow ers and the elaborate musical pro-
grsmues published in Sa!urdaJ's Ga.
zstte nefs most admirably rendered and
greatly enjoyed by the large congreg:-
tious Wh!ch.filed the edifice to the doors
and which embrsced members Dot only
Of tbs Episcopal churches, blu: those
from practically every other cougrege-
ton 10 the city, besides visitors from
Washington and the surrounding
country.
This services began al 1880 o'clock in
the moroipg With holy communion cele-
brs!ed by Rev. P. P. Phillips, rector of
the charch. The services were we'll e..
tended Notwithstanding The early hour.
The main service was a. II O'clock
which began With .he professional hymn
by vested choir OF nearly fifty voices
and ended with the recessi3nal. 10 this
service Reys. David Barr, now OF Wash.
ipgtop; Rev. Edgar Carpenter, rector OF
Grace Church; R.v. Angus Crawford,
dean of the Episcopal Theological Semi
nary. Rev. DR.. g. A, Wsllle, also of the
Seminary; Rev. P. P. Phillips, rector OF
St. Paups Church, aud Bishop r. A.
Gibson took part. Rev. W. J. Morton,
rector OF Christ Church, was prevented
By sickness from being present.
The bishop took his text from First
Samuel, TIN chapter aud 12ih verse:
"Hisberto hath the Lord helped u.s."
and in a most interesting snd iGstruc-
tive address gave history OF 81. Psu's
Church from the date OF its orgsniza.
ton, January %, 1910, TO the present
time, also brief biographies OF Its ak rec
tors-Rev. William Gibson, 1slO.lSl2;
Ray. William H. Wilmer, d. D., 1872
1926; Rsv. William Jackson, l827.l833;
Rev. J. T. Johnston, 1884, 1859; Rev,
G. 81. Norton, D. D l859'ls93; Rev.
P. P, Phillips, present rector, 1893 1917.
In sn impressive maantr the bishop
told of the influence 70, coed st. PAurs
Church hiss exsrted In the community
and In fact over the entire diocese, and
paid jass and eloquent tribute to the
worth of lis six rec.ors.
At $50 O'Clock 10 the evening the
scholars OF tbs five Episcopal Sunday
schools OF the city and vicinity assem-.
bled In the Norton Memorial Hall and
marched in procession into the church,
filling almost the entire edihce. RsV.
P. P. Phillips read short service and
Bishop Gibson addressed the children,
eadeavo,ing 10 interest them 10 missions
foreign and domestic. Besides The
800 Children, many adults ware present.
The concluding services OF the snn:-
versary were held last night when Rev.
DR.. Berrynau Greer, of the Episcopal
Theological Seminary, preached most
eloquent seymon. Re spoke OF the
difference between faith and hopa; por-
trayed the faith and activity OF g century
ago, and cop:rssted it With the condi.
tons of today. He also paid a glowing
tribute to the memory of the late George
Il. Norton.
Assisting st the service vas Raw. T.
P. Phillips.
The services throughout the dsy we're
both Interesting sud editying aud the
many who attended will pleasantly re.
member them for years to cooe.
The present church edifce ans built
under the recto5ship OF Rev. William
II olland Wilmer, d. D. and the corner
stone vas laid by Alexandria Washing
ton Lodge CT Mssous in June, 1917,
and the church was coasecrstea in May,
1918. The edi6ce VAS constructed at
cos. of $4,000. 1t bag q seating Ca
pscIty Of l, 200 people. About i've years
ago o recessiopal chsncel MSS added anc
Norton Memorial Hall wss built. 1t is
Cow the largest Episcopal Church in the
city.