Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-11-06
nethoaism inlAlexandria Va. !.
From the Washington Chronicle.]

Keth0d1sm IN Ae1auuf1a va. *
From the Washington Chronicle.]
The members Of the venerable Methodist
Eo;seopal Church on Washington street have
celebrated the Centenary; year thus far, by
,snairing and thoroughly renoyating this, one
dthe very oldest sanctuaries in the United
States reminding the few men and women of
'threescore years who remain of its early
appearance. .ss4...,t... sS.t d, :.
The Baltimore Annual Conference Of 1894
designated Alexandria, Virginia, asa aastation.5
There were sixty white members and forty
eoored. Rev. John Bloodgood was appointed
preacher in charge !for.the first six months, s
and Rev. Thos Anderson s'the last six months
ofthaty year. Atthat period itswas but seldom
thstappointments extended beyond six months;
they we're often made. for four months. For
several years the society worshippediin a. sail.
lott on the wharf. -.
Of the original sixty white members we may
first give the name of Bernard Bryan. By
dint OF industry, prudence and perseverance
Young Bryan was successtul.in his business and
soon saved FIVE French crowns, currency well
known in that day. A few years afterward,
when called upon by the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper,
first book agent of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, to know ':hoW much he could contri-
butte toward little meeting house, as he
looked upon the young man he thought, here
is poor young brother, cannot ask or expect
much from him" The visitor was cordially
welcomed, however, and stated the object of
bis mission.
Young Bryan arose from his scat, ascendeda
ladder to his humble lott, and taking one of
the Gowns proceeded downward :. He had
descended but a few feet when he thought,
Ican spare him two crowns Instantly he
returned to his chest, and with another-now
two crowns made his way downward. At
about halt way down the ladder another pause.
Said the noble Bryan, Il am young, plenty Of
work-Iwill give him three crowns. : Back
again with nimble feet he approached his
chest,and took therefrom third crown. Down
the old ladder he went again, thoughtfully,
and reached step a little lower than on either
Of the other trips. when he said, almost audi
bly,, "One crown wilt be enough for me, and
the preacher shall have four crowns: So he
Immediately returned as before, now with four
crowns in his hand He reached the floor.
Atthe foot of theladdcr his soul again seemed
to swell with Joy and gratitude at the prospect
Of a new meeting house, and he said Il will
give him ALL . Hastily returning to the, loft
be took the last crown from his chest, came
down, and in most hearty manner handed
the FIVE crowns to Mr.. Cooper, who was sur
prsed exceedingly at the;scene as we'll as the
iberality Of the young Methodist OF Alex
andria. ltsSsI
The subsequent life Of this good nan eyi-
denced his exalted Christian character, and
that he never wanted crown in Heaven: OF
that little band there were also Isaac Robbins,
William Veitch, Isaac kell, John Wood, John
Creighton, John Shackelford, Benoni Wheat,
Aquilla Lockwood and Jacob Hoffman.
Returning toLoursearier records we lind that
IN 1895 Rev. Lemuel Green was the preacher IN
charge, z..,...: t.. .s-s,s
1906 Rev. Benton Riggin. - =.
With the sailloft fora sanctuary, the bless
ing Of Heaven seemed to rest upon and encour-
age the hearts Of the faithful band, SO that in
1901 Conference established the : Alexandra
District Daniel Hit, presiding elder; Rey.
William Walters, the first American travelling
preacher. in charge This new district was
composed of Fairfax, Stafford, Lancaster,
Berkeley, Winchester, Rocking CHAM, Pendleton,
and Alleghany Is asE<<fz
1902. Rev. Joseph Rowan succeeded Mr..
Walters as preacher in charge, and he was
stationed in Georgetown and Washington
city - ts.ss5sess ;ssS - aSas* ,sa
sItwas during this year that Rev.. Ezekiel
Cooper, first agent of the Book Concern,
g.lslted Alexandria for the purpose ofascertan-
lngtheprospects fora new meeting house. sjShe
sasso far successful 4that the little band of
Metbodlsts purchased a lot and put up little
house OF worship on the very site now occupied
eey st. Mary's Catholic church. We are In
formed that the Methodists soldsout this pro.
PPerty Supposing it was too near the marsh
we may we'll smilesat this apprehension III our
: : With the proceeds of that sale the Methodist
pseopalians purchased the lot and built their
ame, ,honored' edifce Washington street.
=, ancl still remains as permanent and rs lnVl-
oag TO every Christian heart asever <
now many thrilling "reminiscences cluster as
Nc Nc survey this goodold sanctuary: How many
!99ys and SORROWS have been experienced
'aas a. alter within threescore and; three years?
o6der Divine Providence the new ''Alexan-;
una s District aourished-fo at the end Of the
a,s year the Society Of fAlexandrial increased to
a'S - Whites. land ITO colorel " 90.
The conference oflsO3 appointed two preach
tss. ts William Walters returned from George
aS1 Wv and Washington, aud had for his assocl-I
ate Joseph Rowan. .s's1 &e
,eos lsN, John Walters and John West. ~
1918, John Pitts. E'sassssS '59S.tss
ioOo ,oOo and !, Thomas FsSargeant: p S1}.s.@aia
isVS 1SIS and 8, John Pitts.
isiO, ,s Seely Bum ~ ssasA s-stssass<s @A
ioll and L. Roherf= r. Roberts
'01S' T' Richard Edings.s sses.ss.<s
lae Oldest preacherssin the Baltimore An
Gl:n Cuas Conference xeis8 the venerable6A1fred
HIslihth, In who, in shiss declining years, has a
Mlepy NJ! Z home withshis SON in.aw in Alexandria.
o. o. drth.h entered the Baltimore Annual
,voa voalerence in 1906 His first field of labor
,n;1ss NIL the NSoming Circuits about 800
,'es nbas y ~ extent. That man of God, Christie
p1eI 'eI rye, was his associate. 80 $500
j = iae present presiding elder is the Rev. y ).
nj NJ o. Morgan who entered conference In 1929.
eh.. aas hey. Joseph r.. Wheeler IS preacher in
) saiee, HIS father was one opthe earliest
= s"sS ss}fsssss ~ 82ss3A .8~&s at