n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 4
“Ed and Kirsten Gyllenhaal’s book about the Bryn Athyn Historic District
has a photo of a remarkable wooden crane, about 20 feet tall, that was set up
over the site to lower the cornerstone into place.” (Pictures of the cornerstone
and crane are featured in the current Glencairn Museum Newsletter and on
the Cathedral’s Facebook page.)
Steven also offered excerpts from a lengthy letter written by Raymond
Pitcairn to his father, John, who was traveling in Europe:
“At half past five, with rain threatening, the congregation gathered in
Benade Hall’s chapel, which was full to overflowing. The service included
singing, readings and prayers. Bishop W. F. Pendleton then announced the
order of procedure to the cornerstone, which was followed by the choir singing,
‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.’ These words
greatly moved the Bishop and the entire congregation.
“Next, he gave an unwritten address explaining the signification of the
cornerstone, the frequent use of the words ‘stone’ and ‘rock’ in the Scriptures,
and the internal sense of these passages.
“Carrying the Word in his hands, the Bishop, followed by the choir and the
congregation, marched out. . . . The group moved slowly and silently down to
Alnwick Road and wound up the hill to where the cornerstone hung in a great
frame that looked like an ancient gateway. As the congregation approached,
a rope was held by several men until a circle had been formed by the people
gathered around the huge rock. A small table for the Word stood near the
stone.
“The Bishop read several passages from the Scriptures, including from
Psalm 118, ‘The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of
the corner.’ The congregation then sang ‘Jerusalem the Golden,’ during which
the great stone was lowered by Edwin Asplundh. Four men, one at each
corner, guided the stone into place and another watched a guiding mark in the
stone. By the close of the hymn, the stone was in place.”
After Bishop Pendleton dedicated the cornerstone and pronounced a
blessing, “The sun broke through the clouds, shining upon this venerable,
white-robed figure with outstretched hands and face upturned toward heaven,
and also on the stone and on all those round about. Then all, with thankful
hearts, returned in procession to Benade Hall’s Chapel, where the people sang
the hymn, ‘O Light Whose Beams Illumine All.’
“The Bishop then pronounced the benediction and closed the Word, and
all went out filled with the greatness of the occasion.”
Following a banquet for 250 people, Mr. Pitcairn reported: “All went home
deeply moved, feeling that they had participated in a holy and ancient rite,
made living in our New and Glorious Church.”
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