Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-14
AN OLD CHURCH.
The Second Baptist Church-An Organ-
izatiOn which Dates Back to tho Be
ginning of the CentIry-PastOrs who
Have Preached to the People.

HE Second Baptist Church-An Organ.
izatiOn which Dates Back to tho Be
ginning of the CentIry-PastOrs who
Have Preached to the People.
The Second Baptist church of this city was
organized in McLeod's school-house. near the
navy yard, on June Sd, 1S10-Elders jeremiah
Moore, VIM. Grimstead and Robert Latham, of
Virginia. being the council. and Bartleson Fox.
Clement Boswell. Harvey Bestor, Joseph Bor-
rows and Sarah Borrows the original members.
After meeting few months at the school house
they removed to small frame building near the
corner of 4th and G streets southeast where, In
September following, the opening sermon was
preached, and in October four persons were
added by baptism. In 1911 Elder Toler, of Vir-
gnia preached once each month, and in Sep
TENDER there were % communicates at the
Lords supper. In 1874 Spencer H. Cone,
THE CONVERTED ACTOR,
having been ordained in the First Church,
preached his first sermon here, and soon after
gained the reputation of being one of the
most eloquent preachers OF the times, and the
following year, 1915, he was elected chaplain to
Congress. From 1915 to 1918 Elders VIM. Will
son and Plummer Waters and others supplied
the church one Sunday each month, and in 1919
Rev. Thos. Barton accepted the call to the pas
torate, filing the pulpit to 1924. 1t was under
Mr.. BartOn's passionate that a brick church was
erected on the present ste-Virgnia avenue and
4th street. 1t was occupied I'm July, 1923, and in
the same year the Sunday school was organized
Rev. ). W. Lynd succeeded Mr. Barton, serving
till 1926, when Rev. r. H. Neale, student at
Columbia College. became the stated supply
and. in 1927, the regular pastor till June, 1880.
when he resigned. The church prospered under
Mr.. Neale's pastorate. one hundred members
being reported in 1923. Mr.. Charles POlkinhOrn
was licensed to preach the same year. In the
following year. 1922 Il number of members took
letters OF dismissal to join Shiloh Gold school
Church In South Washington. In 1881 and 1852
Rev. DR.. Chaplin. Rev. John Maginnis and stu
dents from Columbia College filled the pulpit,
and in 1888 Rev. Mr.. Wooiford was pastor, fol-
lowed by Rev. B. F. Brabrook in 1884 80
and SO, Rev. G. G. Park in 81 and '3S.
Rev. N. A. Purify in '39 and 40, and in the
latter year 40 persons united with the church.
The next year Rev. Emerson Andrews, an evange-
list, held continuous meetings for some weeks,
and As were received in the church. Revs. w.
Laws and Mr. Ravens supplied the pulpit for
few months. and Rev. Abner Webb became pas
tor in 1912. In May this year Ii members were
dismissed to form the Third or street church.
In 1913 Rev. Flaws and Rev. Nv. Tobey filled
the pulpit, and SO persons were added to the
church. In 1914 Rev. N. B. Tindall was pastor,
and, Rev. Z. Andrews assisting in series Of
meetings, 20 joined the church. In 1916 and g,
Rev. Z. h. Hendrickson was pastor after which
AlCf. u a Ddf SupPUeu pulpit IOI SOHc
months. In 1SH Rev. V. Palen was
the pastor, and in 1913 and 40
Rev. w. Laws served the church In AS num-
Der of the colored members were dismissed, to
form the Second colored Baptist church. In 40
and 80 Rev. G. Bradford was the pastor and
Rev. Mr.. Andrews again assisting in the meet
ings, 10 were baptised. In 1851 Rev. Mr.. Collins
filled the pulpit and 53 received the ordinance Of
baptism. From 1852 to 1855 Rev. Isaac Cole
was the pastor, and in 1858. the building being
out OF repair. 1T was determined to rebuild. In
February of SO a building committee was ap-
pointed and
THE PRESENT EDIFICE,
on the plans OF Mr.. John C. Hardness, was
handed over by the builder Mr.. Robert Clarke.
in June, 1855. The contract was tor 5000
with the materials of the old church. and when
completed there was less than $500 to be pro-
vided for. Rev. Mr.. Cole resigned in 1855 and
was succeeded by Rev. 7. W. Greer, who con-
tlnued III charge till October. 1859. In 1915
and 1856 under DR.. Cole and Mr.. Greer, 93
were added to the church. and in 1857 and
1853. under Mr.. Greer, 144 additions We're
made In 1897 a parsonage was purchased.
In 1850 and 1861 Revs. r. A. Mallory
tors, and Rev. Mr.. Porter and Rev. J. Hammet
temporarily supplied the church until Rev. w.
L. johnson. after temporarily filling the pulpit,
accepted the pastorate, which he held until May,
rooo LII Oi ana TO there were 81 baptiSmS.
In October. 1865. Rev. John Bray accepted the
pastorship. Mr.. Bray continued in the pastor
ate several years. and was succeeded by Rev.
Patrick Warren, of AccOmac county, Va, who
III turn was followed by Rev. W. 1ngersOl who
served about four years. to September. 1878.
In January 1879, Rev. Dr. Isaac Cole, who was
the pastor In former years. was recalled,
and served till the spring of 81. During the
second pastorate OF DR.. Cole the church was put
III thorough repair. and the church property
was much improved and beautified.
THE PRESENT PASTOR.
In May, 1851, call was extended to Rev.
Samuel Saunders, who became the pastor on
July l. 1881 Mr.. Saunders has made O. good
impression. and new life and energy has been
infused into the membership. few months
ago this congregation sustained loss in the
death of Mrs. Sarah Davis, the widow of John
Davis. OF Abel, who. having joined the church
prior to 1870, was for over half century promi-
nent i'll the church work.