Evening star., 1922-10-01
BAPTIST.
CORNERSTONE LAID
Masonic Grand Lodge Takes
Charge of Service at
New Addition.

Impressive Masonic ceremonies,
under auspices of the Grand Lodge
of the District. marked the laying
of the corner stone of the new addi-
tion to the Petworth Baptist Church.
day afternoon. The exercises were
witnessed by large assemblage of
members and friends of the church.
Preceding the Masonic rites an in
troductory program was carried out
under the supervision OF the pastor
Rev. Paul f. Langhorne. A dedica
tory address was delivered by Rev
W. S. Abernethy, pastor. Of the Cal
vary Baptist Church, and various re-
ligtous features were introduced. in
Guiding reading Of appropriate
Scriptures and singing of anthems by
choir.
Masonic Rituals.
The handsome limestone block
was cemented into place by Rev.
Abernethy, as Maj. c. c. Coombs,
grand master OF Masons OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and other lodge
uals. dressed in the customary apron
and welding the various instru-
ments of their offices. Just before
the stone was placed on its base a
deep -chiseled recess was fitted with
a copper box, into which had been
value to the church. and commemo-
rative Of the days events.
In congratulating the church on its
progressivenesS in raising another
noble structure dedicated to human
ity," Rev. Abernethy exhorted the
congregation to maintain the integ-
rity OF the new building as place
for worshiping God. for preaching
the gospel and for service to the
cause of mankind.
People Are the Church.
This is not church which we see
started here today" DR.. Abernethy
pointed out at Is to be an edifice
in which the church may assemble
for devotional services. The church
is the body of members which COM
pose the congregation. Just as the
sound, the framework secure and the
walls true, SO must the church it
houses possess similar characteristics.
Some hold that a house OF God
should be plain. I believe that it
should be as beautiful as 1t can be
made. The olden tabernacle Of Moses
and the temple OF Solomon were made
beautiful" the speaker continued. He
then traced the history of the church
through the dark ages and empha-
sized that all branches of the Protes-
tant Church today should look beyond
the dividing lines to their common
origin in the days of Luther and the
other early workers.
Gives Historic sketch.
A BRIEF historical sketch of the
Petworth Baptist Church was given
by James L. Jones, church clerk. He
recounted that the church was organ
lied in 1912 by a small group OF ardent
Baptists who saw the need for a
church of that denomination in Pet
worth, and who persisted In their ef.
forts to make success certain until
the present edifice on Randolph street
was obtained Since that time, he ex-
planned, the church and its afiliated
Sunday school and societies have
grown to such an extent that the new
addition was found to be necessity.
The new structure will be of lime
stone and brick construction. modelled
architecturally to conform with the
present church building. 1t will oc-
cupy most of the lot at the corner Of
7th and Randolph streets, with wide
entrance on Randolph street Charles
w. Bolton & Sons drew the plans for
being done by Joseph F. Mi 5.
Many Take Part.
The program began with y hymn
inF BY Dean W. x. Wilbur. Of deorse
washington University, who is chair
man OF the missionary. committee of
the church. A responsive reading of
the Scripture followed. the pastor
leading. The laying OF the corner
stone was accomplished with dispatch.
after which Rev: John e. Palmer,
offered 4 prayer OF blessing. Another
prayer was pronounced by Rev. H.
w. o. Millington, executive secretary
Of the Columbia Association, and E.
Gratz Dunkurh, vice moderator Of the
Columbia Association, who is senior
grand deacon of the Masonic Grand
Lodge, spoke few words of commen-
The services were closed with the
sinnins bf hymns by the lodge and
church cho4rs, concluding with q
benedictfon by. the pastor.
- Articles sealed in stone.
. The following articles were sealed
.into the corner stone: Copy Of the
Holy Bible, minutes OF the hrst meet
ins of the church. asspclation min
list Of charter mem.
hers list Of members to date, several
conies Of church bulletin and speciai
numbers, photographs OF original
building and new structure, copy OF
and and The Eip. list 81 building commit
tae architects and builders names,
itrnce ines of Grand Lodge, 1921. and
Masonic code of the District Of CO.
lumbia and 1922 calendar.
The building committee OF the
chfrch Is composed Of Rev. r, Paul
Lanshorne, pastor; Charles p. Co
berth, chairman: Alfred. B. Pierson,
Howard r. Norton and Joseph f.