The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-12-01
CHURCH'S Stone
Laid BY MASONS
Hundreds Attend Services at
Petworth M. E. Congrega-
tons New Structure.
MUST STAND FOR CHRIST
Rev. DR.. Gray Says Pendulum Swing
ing Back to Days When Preachers.
Not Mixers, Were Wanted. g.

Several hundred persons stood in the
chilly wind for two hours yesterday att
ernoon as witnesses of the corner stone
laying for the Petworth Methodist Epis-
copal Church, at Grant Circle and New
Hampshire avenue northwest. The cere-
money was conducted by the Grand Lodge
Of the Masonic order Of the District.
Less than ten years ago the church was
founded with a membership of twenty.
Now there are $50 members and $50 IN the
Sunday school. The old quarters at
Eighth street and Shepherd avenue
northwest have been outgrown. When
II is completed next June, the congrega-
ton will have a hTeproof structure COM
pairing well with any. 1t will be mod
ern church in the newer sense Of that
term, with gymnasium and later swim
ming pool, club rooms, etc. Thirty-five
thousand dollars have already been
raised for the first stage IN the construc-
tion. Ultimately Il will cost SO. 900.
'.Must stand for Christ"
Rev. Joseph NJ. NJ. Gray, d. D., Of the
Grand Avenue NJ. z. Church. In Kansas
City, was the chief speaker. He was for
merly pastor of the Haioline N. e.
Church. of this city. In his address he
defended the idea of the modern church.
ITO many that term suggests a Judas
in the ranks of the disciples" said he.
But It is not Of such an idea that 1
would speak The true modern church is
the newest church and at the same time
has the oldest Scriptures behind 1t. The
modern church must stand as never be-
fore, or 1 might say as ever before. upon
the Christ of the creed.
THE church has but recently passed
through a stage in which the inquiry
has been of pastors rather than Of
preachers. is he a good mixer has
been asked, rather than can he preach,
or is he a leader The pendulum Is
swinging back now to a situation like
that Of sixty years ago. when men who
could really preach were sought. The
pastor of a modern church must be q
leader in his community. he must help
direct its thought, he must. in a meas
ure, represent the social spirit Of the
community.
'Tf the church brings social vision
and insight. II its work is reflected in
the homes of the people. then It mat
tiers not how high its tower is or how
plain its structure II VIII then be the
modern church with the old Christ, the
old creed and with greater power"
Masonic Lodge In Charge.
Following the address Of Dr. Gray. the
Masonic quartet. lead by J. Walter
Humphrey. sang and the ritualistic
services were conducted by the oft1cers
OF the Grand Lodge F. A. A. NJ. Those
taking part Mn these were: Alexander
Grant, William w. Jermane, James w.
witten. Lem. Towers, jr.. Arvine W.
Johnston. James A. Sample. Thomas II.
Young. Rev. Hugh T Stevenson. Rev.
Ulysses G. @. Pierce. Joseph ii. Milans.
j. Harry Cunningham. Charles J. O'NeilI.
Charles G. COOmbs, Mark F. Finley.
Charles +. Roberts, Roe Fulkerson, War
rem g, Bickford.
The invocation was by Rev. Lucius c.
Clark. II. D. and the benedIction by
Rev. J. Alvin Campbell Selections were
given by the Prince George County
Band. of Berwyn. Md.
Many Of the spectators on the plat
form examined small clay model of
the building as it will appear when fin
ished. The model WAS made by the
architect. NJ. F. Moore. The facing of
the building is Of tapestry style brick.
and gray in color: the trimming will be
Of terra Gotta. finished TO represent lime
stone. Above the center OF the building
viii loom the clerestory. designed to
give light and ventilation as well as
Tor appearance. All OF the beams are
OF steel.