Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-15
The Baptists Of Washington.

The Baptists Of Washington.
SOMETHING OF THE HISTORY OF THE DENOMINA-
TON IN THIS CTTY-THER FIRST CHURCH
HERE-GRowTH IN MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANI-
EATON OF OTHER CHURCHES.
That large and influential sect-the Baptists-
formed their first congregation in this city as
early as March 7th, 1902, with the following
persons. among the original members: Charles
T. Polk. Cephas Fox, Charles Rogers. John Bu-
chan, Joseph BOrrOws, and Sarah Borrows At
that time Congress was holding its second ses-
sion here, and Rev. VIM. Parkinson, the chap
lain of Congress. preached for the infant con-
gregation. There were then less than four
thousand inhabitants in this District street
was the main thOrOughfare from east to west,
and pennsylvania avenue was an unimpruved
road-the CITY then being in reality one Of mag
niticent distances
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The young congregation took steps, imme-
diately after it's formation, to provide a house
of worship, and in the fall of 1902 meeting
house, at the corner of 10Th and 1 streets, was
occupied. Although they had no regular pas
tor. the congregation kept up the meetings In
January, 1907. a call was extended to Rev
Obadiah B. Brown of New Jersey, and he
entered upon his duties as pastor of the new
church February 2lst, following the member
ship numbering but twenty-three at that time
Under the pastorate of Mr. Brown. which con-
tlnued until 1856 years at 18th and streets
the church grew steadily, and at times enjoyed
several seasons of revival
NOTED CONVERTS.
In 1914 Hon. Oliver C. Comstock, a member
of Congress from New York, was baptized. re-
ceived into the church and licensed to preach.
and five years afterwards OSLO, he was or
IN no i,iS
cal life. he became an evangelist The actor
Spencer II. Cone, having relinquished the stage
on profession of religion in Baltimore in 1914
ana removed to this city accepting clerkship
In the treasury was licensed and ordained as a
minister by this church. and subsequently, was
called to the Baptist church of Alexandria
which he served some years.
CHANGE OF LOCATION.
In 1S16there was quite revival in this church.
and the membership was largely increased. The
church building, in 1880. was found to be too
small for the congregation, and having be-
come somewhat dilapidated, a new edifice was
erected On 10th street. betw cen and F, in 1888.
which was occupied till 1859. and the site was
afterwards occupied By FOrd's Theater now the
Army Medical Museum. Here the congregation
increased and prospered, revivals having oc-
CURED in 1889 and 1913.
THE FIRST COLoRED BAPTIST CHURCH.
Up to the time Of the removal from 18th
street there was quite number OfcOlOred men,
bers, and for few years some of these con-
tinued to worship with the whites, but most of
them remained at the old location. and in 1899
they were organized as the First COlOred Bap-
fist Church, with Rev. G. w. Anderson as pas
tor.
MORE CHANGES
In 1850 Rev. Mr.. Brown having served the
church on 10th street forty three years. re-
signed. Rev. DIR. 8. p Hill succeeded Mr..
Brown, entering on his duties In October. 1850.
and continued as the pastor until after this
congregation was merged with that of the
Fourth Church. on 18th street. in 1859
and with Rev. Isaac Cole he was Joint pastor
until 1869. Rev DIR. Samson, president of Col
ulhoian college, was next pastor. without SAL
airy, for about three years. The Fourth Church
with which this congregation was merged was
formed by a number of members from the y
street church, associated with Rev r. C. Teas
dale In 1853, and having erected the 18th
street church, between G and Fl streets a
goodly congregation was built up. Rev. DR..
Teasdale was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Cole. and
1t was mainly through his efforts that the union
OF the two congregations was effected During
Dr. Samson's pastorate the church ediice was
badly damaged by a tempest, February, 1862
and the congregation accepted the use of the
New York avenue church. Mainly through DIR.
Samson's efforts the ediiice was rebuilt. In tbe
latter part of 1865 Rev. DR.. A. D. Gillette. now
OF Brooklyn. n. Y. succeeded Dr. Samson.
DR.. Gillette remained the pastor for about
seven years, resigning on account of ill health.
ana the membership continued to increase dur.
ing his pastorate. After few months supply
by DIR. Hall and Others Rev DIR. James N
Cuthbert was called and entered on his duties q
little over eleven years ago, and still remains.
Or. Cuthbert has been very successful in his nas-
tOrate and quite frequently have there been adj
ditiOns to the church which now numbers over
three hundred members and there is quite a
prosperous Sunday school attached to It,