Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-07
CONSIDERATION SERVICES
At ST. THOMAS's CHURCH
Bishop Gibson tn Dedicate New
Building In Ginter Park
To-day.
CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 1905
Rev. Churchill g. Chamberlayne to
Deliver Dedicatory Sermon-Con-
gregation Has Grown With Build
ing Up Of Section.

81. Thomas's Episcopal Church, Gin
ter Park. Will be formally consecrated
this morning at the regular hour for
service. Right Rev. Robert 4. Gibson,
Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, will
sisted by the rector, Rev. +. T. Warren.
Rev. Churchill G. chambcrlaync will
preach the dcdicatory sermon.
The church is Gothic in design, and
Is built Of granite. costing something
like 100000. II was completed We
years ago, but has never been consc
Grated. The committee Of the church
in charge of the construction was Il.
Lorraine Rufin. chairman; s.. Ruther-
ford Rose and Amos NJ. Cover. 1t is
located at the intersection of Haw-
thorn and Walton Avenues. The site
was donated by Miss Grace T.. .Arcnts
and her sisters, Miss Joanna H.. Arcnts
and Mrs. Minnie T.. Young. the last
two being OF New York They arc
nicces of the late Major Lewis Ginter.
MISSION WAS IlSTAR LIsHED
ny REV. r. A.. RIDOUT IN zoos
Through the influence Of these
women, the mission Was established in
1905. with Rev. r. \. Eidou, in charge.
y rcctory was bull; AMI a site kept for
the future church.
Tho mission was organized at "A meet
ing of church members held at The
residence of MIR. Cover. on Chamber
layne Avenue. The first service was
held in the assembly hall Of the school
building in May Of that year. and a
Sunday school organized. Later, funds
were raised. and ~ room in the chool
building fitted UP as Il chapel. Through
the generosity Of the congregation of
81. PaulS church. Il communion service
was provided The mission was called
st. At the suggestion Of Miss
Arents.
The growth Of ST. Thomas's Church
has been coinrident with the recent
rapid development OF Ginter Park.
The mission Increased until the school
house chapel could no longer convcn-
icntly accommodate the membership
Plans We're then made for the erection
of a church building or the lot do
mated. Members of the congregation
and friends Of the church, by Volun-
tary contributions. succeeded in rails
inc An mount equal to one-fourth the
cost Of the building proposed. Miss
ArcntS and her sisters generously sup
piled the remainder. The cornerstone
was aid with religious and Masonic
ceremonies. May 6. 1872. Lewis Gintcr
tN.'''i' wv ~ W L am,
laid the cornerstone. The Droporty
WAS turned over to the c~onSreEatiU,
complete in February, 1913. and the
first service in the new building was
held that month, Bishop Gibson de-
livcring the address.
The church now having become self
sustaining, formal action was taken
al the Council that year to have il de-
clarcd a separate congregation of
Hcnrico parish. Mr.. Ridout resigned the
rcctorship, and Il call was rendered Rev.
T.. +. Warren. who accepted, and began
his ministration in November. 1919.
Since that time tho church has grown
and p~rospercd. Its membership has
doubled in numbers, and it's Sunday
school is. in proportion. one of the
most fiourishinG in the city. The
church has always been a liberal con-
tributor to missions.
The active organizations in the
church under the direction of the rec
tor include. in addition to the vestry
and Sunday school. the brotherhood Of
st. Andrew. the Junior Brotherhood. st.
Thomas's Mems Association. Woman's
Guild. Auxiliary, Junior Aux
Hilary. Chanccl Chapter and choir, al!
doing effective work.