The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-12

Appropriate dedicatorial exercises
to-day will mark the opening services
in the main auditorium OF the newly
completed edifce which will hence
forth be the home of the congregation
OF the Decatur Street Methodist Epls-
copal Church. South. The handsome
structure. erected at total cost o.
1000. is located on the southeast
corner Of Decatur and Ninth streets
Il is the prettiest, and PROBABLY ths
most up-to-date church plant on the
Scuthside.
Rev. r. NJ White. who recently sue
ceeded Rev G. T Forester as pastor.
will have the honor OF conducting the
first public service in the new church
lie VIII be assisted by Rev George II.
NcFaden and Rev. G. T. Forester,
FORMER pastors. Bishop Denny Collins.
y. D.. viii also lend his presence to the
occasion -
At the night service the sermon VIII
be delivered by Rev. w Asbury Chris
,ian. y. D.. pastor OF the Union Stauon
Methodist Church. and until last
month presiding elder of this district
DR.. Christian ably assisted the conSre-
CATION in securing the new house OF
worship. and has preached before them
innumerable times.
Special Music.
The regular choir, consisting OF
twelve will he augmented by the al
dition Of Miss Irrna Reanas. soprano;
Mrs. T T wallace. alto: Messrs Had
don : Watkins. J. W. Watkins and ].
- Norrisset, tenors. and w r Shar-
ritz. baritone. A splendid musical pro-
cram, has been arranged.
The morning service will begin al
the customary hour. The order OF
service is as follows:
MISUNDERSTANDING. The LORD
Rciaueth" q. II. Incredibly. choir
HYMN. prayer: anthem. Consider the
Lilies" (Toplid). choir; psalm; The
Gloria Patri-; Scripture lesson; an
nouncements. offertory. Fear not lie
q Israel" DUDLEY Buck). Miss Reans
| hmm. sermon. by the pastor, Rev Il
NJ White. prayer. hymn. nenedlction-
Fvenfng-Voiuntarv. "Jubilste Dec
Il. Rose Corbin). choir; hymn, the
Apostles creed. prayer. anthem. Cal
xa-v, Rodney Shcyherd). choir. Scrip
| .Y~c lesson. solo Cselected). NJ. Wat
! tirs HYMN. sermon. by Rev. ". As
| bury Christian. p. D; prayer; hymn
I bonediction
Gradual Growth
! The Decatur street Methodist Churc'
il concrete illustration OF VIVA
reaseiess plugging will do. Its rs
was from a small beginning Indeed
From a mission sunday school. ests-o
l'shed IN 1874 BY members - the con
sr-erasion q the Central hethooas
church. Il j. to-day the equal OF u
pa-ent in size and importance.
The first meetings were held IN IN
old Masonic Temple az FIFTH and Balm
bridge streets. a structure that Ia
long since disappeared From this be
ginrine sturdy congregation arose
In 1879. after months q careful de
liberation. tie struggling members de
oidsd 60 erect their own house OF wor
shiu ana d chapel was erected Al fiit'
and Decatur streets. This sfructur'
was dedicated carly in the year lsSe
and under .he name Of the Fifth stree
Church Rev y. a. Howell wes oalie'
20 the pastorate. SIX years later, :
meet the Increase IN the size % IN
congregation. . wing was added u
the building.
The church Tor the next twenty year
experienced = natural growth. IL
building then became too small
YVES decided 90 erect another and nue.
larger one The cncroacnment Of bus
/ ness houses ncccssitatcd move OF 10