National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-22
DIR. RANKIN'S FLOCK.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Historical Sketch OF the Eaterprise-Its Rapid
Growth and Steady Presperitg-PronInent
Men Who Have worshiped There
The Founders Of the ehurck.

Several efforts were made away back in the his
tory of the District TO form society OF Consrega-
tionalists in Washington and to build q COngrega-
tionsl church. but they were all unsuccessful.
There were great many people of that denomina-
ton in the District, but for various reasons all
attempts to create distinct church Of that faith in
this locality failed. The effort made in 1877.
After several other endeavors contract was made
for the olGtTrinity Episcopal Church, now known
as the Columbia College Law Building; but suf-
fcient funds could not be obtained TO complete
the contract. The Congregationalists in the Dis
trict generally worshipped with the Presbyterans,
there being no difference in doctrine between
these denominations, only in church government.
Finally in 1854 another effort was made to furnish
the Congregetionalists with distinct society and
church Dlding, and after years of patient persist
ence this effort proved successful. society was
finally formed on the 18th of August, 1865, which
became ultimately merged in the First Congrega-
tionai Society Of Washington, incorporated under
act CT Congress approved January 81, 1851.
A COMMITTEE COMPOSED
of Messrs. G. Fl. Bliss, L. Deane, W. A. Thompson,
B. F. Morris, F. W. Robinson, 6. II. Hodges, and
O. o. Howard was appointed 10 initiate measures
to inaugurate church. This committee went to
work with such yigor that on the 18th of Septen-
Der, 1865, Rev. DR.. Boynton conducted public
worship for a very large congregation in the old
Unitarian Church, corner of Louisiana avenue and
Sixth street. They stayed there for three months,
and then removed to the Columbia CoIIeZz1 Law
Building They worshipped, howeYett, at Metzero,t
Hall on Sundays from Februe1y II, 1866, TO De
cember l. 1867. and part CSf-the time till March T.
1859, in the Hail Of Representatives. In 1866 sew
eral lots OF s.oInd the northeast corner of g
and Tenta streets northwest were secured On
wh31r''rt TO erect church building. The square in
Which these lots situated was for many years
one of the toughest in the thickly settled paI Of
the city. 1t was nearly vacant of houses. \
branch Of the Tiber ran through it, which few
years ago was arched oyer and made sewer. The
square for years was the chosen battles ground
of the students of McIeod's Academy and the
/ " Seminary now Gonzaga College. Carpenters
were in the majority over dwelling houses two 10
one But it was the centre OF that may be called
the religious educational, and charitable district
Of WashingtOn. In the area bounded b. Eighth
and Fourteenth and and streets there were
then or a short line previous eleven churches.
college, one high school for bo!s, two famous
academies for girls, medical college two orphan
asyiums convent. two theatres, three daily and
weekly. ard one Sunday newspaper Office, tso
dancing schools the Offices Of the New York Assc-
cated Press and Of the correspondents Of the pin
cipal journals throughout the country; and. ex
cept or its extreme southwestern border, less TCs
taursnts than III any other space Of equal area in
the city. Very little change has been made since
the above dates, except to increase the number of
churches and schools and lessen that Of liquor
saloons and theatres:
The CORNERSTONE
Of the new church was laid with appropriate cere-
monies October 1850 with an address by Rev. Z.
Johnston. Of Baltimore and history of the under
taking by General 0. o. Howard. The dedicato-y
prayer was offered 10y Rev. DR.. J. {. HolbEOok OF
Homer " v The building was then proceeded
with and. after considerable delay, and the blow
ing down by severe storm of large portion of it,
il was ready for occupancy Oh the jth Of May,
1855
Since then the church has been steadily pros
porous DR.. Boynton, its first pastor, who came
from Cincinnati TO Washington, was regularly in
stalled by council October 1, 1865. This was
yeryla council. the occasion being somewhat
unusual-the installation Of The minister Of the
first Congregational church ever erected in the Ma
tons Capital Dr. BoyEtOn remained with the
church until April 2. lo59 when he rendered his
resignation. A number Of the society followed his
example and united with the Assembly PreSby-
terrain Church.
Rev Dr. J. Eames Rankin was then invited 70
the pulpit and accepted the call, being installed
Wednesday. April %, 1870. He has remained with
II ever since. DR.. Rankin was born January 2,
y
family, noted through many generations for their
intellectual ability and the fe-vor and eonstency
Of their religions convictions. He graduated at
MiddlebuEy College. Vermont and .t AndSTsr The
illogical Seminary. he has had number Of pas
torates, coming direct to this church from the
Winthrop Church, il what wsz Chsrisstown, now
Boston, Mass. He has long
ENJOYED 4 HTGE REPUTATION
for ability both as speaker and writer He has
published several books, q number Of poems. one
Of which. considerable volume The Aud
Scotch Mither" mas received both favorable eriti-
cism and large sale. Dr.. Rankin was married in
Washington. IN December, 1872 b. the late Rev
John c smith and HIS lately been promoted 10
the dignity Of grandfather
The membership Of this church i the largest in
Weshington-54s. l. can comfortably scat 80.
The Sunday school. under charge Of Colonel Weston
Flint numbers 60 The organ i the largest in
fhe city, and the celebrated blind musician, Pro
fessor Bischoh Of Wisconsin, is the oEganist- F.
johnson i the church clerk
TIE HISTORY OF TIE CHURCH
does not extend backward long enough 70 give il
any of the traditions that cluster around many
other sacred edi6ces IL Washington Il has his
tory. however. N being the principal Washington
church that has consistently opened It's doors and
its menbe-zhip-roll TO all proper persons without
distinction Of color Or nationality. Among the
prominent ard famous people thar have voE-
SHIPPED there are General o. O. Howard, Judge
Polsnd Of Vermont, Senator Blaine. Senators
Buckingham OF Connecticut. RashSarne Of Mas
sachusetts Windg9n Of Siin1esJ;s. Vicc-P-cSideur
Wilson. whose memorial sermon was preached by
DE-. Rankin: YIng Wing. the Chinese ambassador:
Rev. Dr.. Patton. president Of Howard University.
and man! o:hers prominent in Political, Official,
ana literary circles. Only about twelve or fifteen
Ofthe original members remain The choir al "
usually good cne and Is composed Of sIi-s Minnie
Evan, leading soprano; Miss Alice yokHsol- Mis-
Duane, Mss Rciie-. soy-zni; Mrs. Powell. COZ
trsIio: HeSsEs. Harrison, Smith. and BOUghtoa,
TENOR: and NessE- z e. Dsan and : : Gardiner
bassi- The Philharmonic Society Of Washington
meet II tie sociai rOom Of the church. end Il hes
been the theatre CT many god concerts and lee
tGTas The buildiBg Itself i large and eoGmo3i-
ous and when IL tower j finished VII Be one q
the hsadsoces1 IN The District
SALLY RAY, OF LEADVILLEr
A washerHonzR Who Has Made \ FOR