Evening star., 1926-05-09
METHODIST HOME
-. CORNER STONE LAID
$250,O00 Structure Expect.
ed to Be Ready for Use
This Fall.

The corner stone of the new $780,
600 Methodist Home for the Aged,
GonneCtiCUt avenue and Ellicott
street. was laid with impressive
Masonic rites, performed according to
the ancient customs of Masonry, by
the members of the Grand Lodge of
MasonS of the District of Columbia
Yesterday afternoon shortly after 3
O'Clock. 1t marked the nearing of the
realization of the plans of those
Methodists who have worked for an
adequate home for the aged in the
District Prominent members of the
clergy of the Methodist Episcopal
Church took part in the ceremonies.
WELDING the gavel used by the
great Mason, George Washington.
when he laid the corner stone TO the
capitol, Sydney r. Jacobs, grand
master of MasonS of the Grand Lodge
of the District of Columbia. tapped
the stone in its final resting place.
The stone also was tested for plumb
ness and SquareneSS according to the
Masonic rites, and was pronounced
we'll formed, true and truSty. Corn,
wine and oil We're then poured over
it. symboncal of nourishment, re-
freshment and joy, respectively, as
well as representing health, prosperity
and peace.
Besides Grand Master Jacobs, the
following Masons off1ciated: Col. {.
Fred Cook, senior grand deacon of
the Grand Lodge, who acted in the
capacity of junior grand warden dur
ing the ceremony: Gratz T.. Dunkum.
deputy grand master of the Grand
Lodge; James T. Gibbs. senior grand
warden, and J. Claude KEEPER, grand
secretary, who read the list of
articles placed in the stone.
Many Articles i'm Stone.
The articles in the stone include the
first annual report of the first
Methodist Home for the Aged in the
District. which was issued in 1891;
the annual report of 1895; resolutions
Of appreciation to those who made
the building of the new home possible
and also to other workers: specif1ca-
tions Of the home furnished by the
architect, Arthur B. Heaton: pro-
gram of the corner stone laying eXer-
cises; a memorial to Mrs. d. 3. Street,
the first president of the old Meth
odist Home; a copy of the Masonic
code and a copy of the Masonic Cal
endar for 1926.
John c. Let's. who was instru
mental in obtaining the ground on
which the home is being built; Harry
Hoskinson president Of the board of
trustees: Mrs. Fred S. Carson, presi-
dent of the ladies' board of managers:
Mrs. Oliver b. Jenkins. secretary of
the board, and Mrs. Edward NJ. Hall,
helped to place mortar around the
stone.
The instruments used in laying the
stone We're handed to the Grand Mas
ter of Masons, Mr.. Jacobs, by Mr.
Heaton, the architect of the building.
Bishop Wilson Speaks.
Bishop Luther B. Wilson, who de-
livered the dedicatory addresses at
the formal dedication of the first
Methodist home, at Twelfth and \
streets northeast, in 1890, and also at
the dedication of the home now in
operation at COL NJ street made the
principal address at yesterday after
moons exercises. He called attention
TO the great strides made in religion,
and indicated that the new home is
an indication that religion and re-
ligious works are keeping up with
the general advancement of the time.
Bishop William L. Mcdowell also de-
livered a brief address.
The preliminary address was de-
livered by Mr.. Hoskinson, who pre-
sided. Invocation was delivered by
R6V. James Snerd montgomery, pas
tor of Calvary NJ. E. Church and
chaplain of the House. The remainder
Of the program included a brief ad-
dress by Mrs. Carson, president of
the board of managers, and Scripture
reading and benediction by Rev. John
Phelps Hand. superintendent Of the
Washington district of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The new home is to be a two
story brick structure. containing 100
rooms, including 60 bedrooms, and is
expected to be ready for occupancy
in November. 1t has an assembly
room,. and a room for the board of
trustees.
There are about 80 persons in the
present Home for the Aged at COL
NJ. street. and these are to be moved
into the new building upon its compile
tion. And, with several of the so bed
rooms including more than one bed,
there will be additional accommoda-
tions for many more; $150,000 more
must be raised to pay all expenses
on the building, it was stated.