Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-18
CORNER STONE LAID
FOR GIRLS HOME
$98, 900 Structure to Replace
C Street Building Taken
Over by Government.

The corner stone of the new $4,000
building Of the Young women's Chris
tian Home. 235 Second street north
east, was laid at noon today.
The home now is located at 81 and
315 C street. which premises are being
taken over by the Government as part
of the Community Center site. The
change win be made to the new build
ing when it is completed next Spring.
Miss K. E. NJ Dumbell. president Of
the board of trustees of the home,
presided at the exercises. introducing
the speaker, Rev. DR.. Robert Johnston,
st. Johns Episcopal Church, and low
ering the corner stone.
In the corner stone were placed copies
Of yesterdays Evening Star and OF this
mornings Washington Post, a history
of the home this years annual report
of the beard of trustees, a photograph
of the two houses now occupied by
the home, which will be vacated; a
copy of the act of incorporation, consti-
tuition and bylaws, photograph OF
Miss Jennie M. Roberts, house mother
since 1908; and United States coins Of
this years mintage.
Tells Of Homes Value.
DIR. Johnston opened the ceremonies
with a prayer and an address in which
he told of the home. its work and It's
value to the city of Washington.
The articles placed in the stone were
named by Miss Ethel Bagley and placed
in a receptacle by Miss Georgia Pills
bury. chairman of the Building Com
mittee. Miss Bagley and Mrs. George
w White also are members of the
committee.
Rev. Alvin Gurley of Philadelphia
blessed and dedicated the stone which
was lowered into place by Miss Dumbell.
Mr.. Gurley Is grandson of Rev.
Phineas Gurley, pastor of the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church. during
President Lincoln's administration,
who conducted funeral service for the
assassinated President. With Mr.. Cur
ley at the ceremonies was his mother,
Mrs. William B. Gurley, who was presi-
dent of the board of trustees of the
home for 20 years during its most Seri-
Gus struggle for existence.
Miss Mary p Godding has been sec
rotary Of the home for % years.
Founding Is RetOld
Buried in the corner stone was the
story of the founding of the home.
About SO years ago the story of girl
stranded in a railroad station here was
heard by Nr.'' 1-ary c. wilkinson, who,
short time before, had lost her daugh-
ter
She determined to found a home for
girls, and, with the assistance of friends,
established the first Young Womens
Christian Home in a little house rented
on Fifth street. On February %, 1887,
Congress granted the home its charter.
There were 16 members of the first
Board of Trustees.
hn
of the board took turns staying at the
home, caring for the girls. The mer-
chants with whom they dealt furnished
provisions without charge.
Congress later passed a bill providing
for an annual appropriation of $1,000
for the home, which continued for six
years. This enabled the trustees to en-
large the work and move into more suit
able quarters at 404 Sixth street.
Donated C Street Home. ;.
In 1892 Miss Bessie j. Kibbey pre-.
sented her residence at 311 c street to
the, home.
? In 1912 the need for additional quar-
tiers became so great the house adjoin-
ing at 315 c street was purchased. At
the same time an inflrmary was added
to care not only for eonvalescent resi-
dents of the home, but also for young
women recently released from hospitals
who were without money or work and
needed a place to recuperate.
During the Summer after the acuuisi-
ton of 3l5 c street, the girls of the
home raised enough money by a lawn
party and play to screen the house.
Every year a Christmas tree is pro-
vided for the IS or 80 young women.
There also is a New Year dance and
other entertainment throughout the
year.
home pay what they are able, ranging
from nothing, when they are unem-
ployed, to $50 month.