The Washington herald., 1922-01-30
CHURCHES DEVOTE
RITES TOPRAYER
FOR THEATER DEAD
Pastors Visit Injured
And Comfort Grief
Stricken. .

In various churches throughout the
city yesterday reference were made
to the Knickerbocker Theater tragedy
and in some instances the entire
service was devoted to song and
prayer for the dead and in commits
Grafton for the bereaved. All Souls
Unitarian Church, which for many
services in the Knickerbocker The
ater pending construction OF their
new church at Sixteenth street and
Columbia road, passed resolutions in
regard to the disaster at a meeting
of the Unitarian Laymen's League
service at Hotel Washington last
evening. These resolutions were as
follows:
Whereas, this community has
been visited by an appalling dis
aster in the destruction of the roof
Of the Knickerbocker Theater. dur
ing the great storm OF the night of
the 2Sth OF January, with it's at
tendant extraordinary fall of snow,
resulting in the death and injury of
many persons. and
Whereas the congregation has
for for many months held its SUM-
day morning services and church
school in this theater by courtesy
of its owners,
Now therefore be it resolved.
that we. as members of. and friends
of this congregation, assembled at
evening service on Sunday. January
20. do hereby express our deep
sympathy. both for those who
grieve over the loss of dear ones
and for all who suffer physical pain
from injuries.
UnanimousIy Adopted.
we take this opportunity to
again express our appreciation to
the owners of the theater for their
continued hospitality, and we ten
der our great regret for their mis-
fortune in this disaster
The resolution was unanimously
adopted during a brief service par
ticipsted in by Rev. L. c. r. Pierce.
pastor of All Souls Church. The
service was in part memorial.
Churches in the Mount Pleasant
section were most vitality affected
by the tragedy. DR.. James Shera
Montgomery. pastor OF Calvary NJ.
f. Church. Columbia road near Four
teenth street. led morning and even
ing memorial services for victims and
prayers for the recovery of the in
jured and the healing OF the grief
stricken.
Rearis Twenty-third Psalm.
The. Rev. Clifton c. Ray. pastor
of Mount Pleasant NJ. E. Church.
read at the morning service from
the Twenty-third Psalm. stressing
the words Even though / pass
through the valley OF the shadow
OF death 1 shall fear no evil, for
Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy
staff they comfort me-" At the even
ing service the Rev Mr.. Ray preached
on Confidence in God"
At Central Presbyterian Church.
Sixteenth and Irving streets north
west. the thought was expressed that
tod at times arrests mems atten-
ton, turning it toward things spir-
itual. The text was read: And
after the earthquake and the storm
and the fire. was the still small
voice" Three members of this con-
cre=ation are thought to be missing.
The visit of the bishop of Wash
irSton to ST. MarSarets Episcopal
church. Connecticut avenue and Ban
croft place northwest. was postponed
until next Sunday. The bishop was
o have consecrated the choir at the
morning service. hut the services
were devoted to prayer and song
service. while the rector. DR.. Her
bert Scott Smith. visited the injured
and sorrowinG Of his congregation
Alfred G. EldridEc. orEanist, and a
most devoted worker in the inter-
"sts of the church music. is included
among the dead. Mr.. EIdridge was
10 have taken n prominent part in
the dedication Of the cho'r as planned
for the nlorrtns service.
Church Roof sound.
This tragedy has caused much
-Tief and suffering" said DR.. Chap
pell. pastor of Mt. Vernon VI. T.
church. Tenth and Mass avenues.
vet we must not let our physical
distress overshadow our thought of
God and things spiritual"
The services at Foundry NJ. E.
Church were in part devoted to
prayer for the victims.
In reply to inquiries from the
congregation. DR.. Aked. occupying
the pulpit of First Congregational
church. Tenth and G streets north
west. assured hearers that the roof
If that structure. one of the largest
church structures in Washington,
was both sound and substantial. A
former member of the choir at this
church is reported among the miss
ing.
At the Chapel of the Transfigura
tion. Fourteenth and GalIatin streets
northwest, a neiEhbOrhood seriously
affected by the disaster because the
residents of that section are ac-
Customed to attend the Knicker-
booker Theater. DR.. Quaelly. rector.
read prayers for the victims, the
evening service being largely de-
voted to prayers for those lying in
.jured in hospitals.
Pastor Aids in Rescue.
DIR. Wallace Radcliffe. pastor Of
New York Avenue Presbyterian
church. said: These experiences are
not accidents. but move in the SOW
ereignty of God. resulting at last in
love. God does not interpose mir
acles. but works lovingly for men
and nations"
DR.. Earle Wiley. pastor of Ver-
mont Avenue Christian Church. on
learning of the thestef collapse, |
went Immediately to the scene and
there assisted in rescuing partly |
buried victims and spoke last words |
Of comfort to those whom no hui !
man effort could extricate. Talk |
ing and praying as he worked, DIR.
WiIfey lifted hinge masses of dc