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

UKA(G NAAOAN~'
Large congregations attended inc II
a. m. and 7:30 p. IN. services yeSVci-
day in Grace Church. ~
It was the 50th anniversary OF 'no
conservation OF the church. =,
There were members OF the fanny Vi
the late Rev. DIR. Sprigg at the morn norm
ing service. Letters Of congratuiatioh
were read, in which were also express
sions OF regret at their Inaniilty 10 a'-
tend from two former rectors' hev'
Henry T. Sharp and Rev. G. e. Ball;
The music was Of high order and
we'll rendered, under the charge OF MIS-
RAYMOND Hulfisl, and the CHOIR was
assisted by Mrs VIM. Woolls and
Mrs. Thomas Hulfsh, both singing
solos at the offertory.
Rev. Edgar Carpenter, the rector,
gave the historical address, and said IN
bart: THE 90lh Psalm and 10th verse
gives the keynote for our services, Let
thy work appear unto thy servants, and
thy glory unto their children.
I'VE stand today by one OF the mile
stones Of the history Of the church. 1t
is 55 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 me read from copy Of the
Alexandria Gazette OF October 9th,
1860, which has been preserved IN the
Paris Register;
Conservation OF Grace Church, &C.,
by the Ri. 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 bishop s
PRAYER. extracts from his sermon, and
the request OF the rector and vestry to
have the church consecrated; the con-
gregation filled the church, the services
were well rendered.
The vestry OF that day consisted
Of Rev. DIR. Sprigg, rector; Messrs.
Jas. Entwisle, jr., Chas. R.Hooff, G. Z.
Berry, VIM. H Fowle, George L. Bald
win, S. E. RiGgeley, W. }. Entwlsle,
David Funston and Cassins f. Lee
The question may be asked by some
WHY there should have been a third
church of this old Episcopal faith in
1866, or indeed why there should be
the third church today in Alexandra,
Va. Let me read from the Grace Church
News published by Rev. DR.. Sprigg.
There is copy in Tia ..-i-'rof March
1876. 1t would be to, long here to re-
peat it. though it was read 10 the con-
gregatlon.
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
il in Alexandria. He preferred the
latter. with the understanding that hc
might be at liberty to organize another
church" He moved to Alexandria,
made necessary arrangements and 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.
DIR. 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. DR.. Sprigg, II under Rev.
Mr.. Sharp, IL under Rev Mr.. Ball
and under the present rector; bap'
tisms, 1.277; combinations, $50; mar
riaees, $40; burials, 500; communion t.
lin 1855 were 20; nov 1876; contributions
Ibaye been $50, 900, and $13, 200 of thi:
was given to missionary and charitable
objects outside the parish; 81 600 has
been given to the Alexandria Hospita
for a memorial cot.
| For the church rectory has beer
built. improvements have been made OF
the church costing 1000, and many
memorials added, and the church fre'
of debt today.
Rev. DR.. Wallis OF the Seminary, gay'
an address of congratulation on th'
past and the record made, inspiration
for the present, and prayer for guid
ance and help in the future, and thanks
giving for those who had labored her
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.
EUCHRE TONIGHT.