Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-27
The Union Bethel Church.

by members at the castle.
The Union Bethel Church.
AN EDIFICE IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION WHICH Is
TO SEAT 25e0 PEOPLE.
When the new church edfce In course Of erec-
ton on street, between 18th and 10th streets, by
the congregation Of Union Bethel African Meth
odist Episcopal church, OF which Rev. r. ]. w.
Stevenson is the present pastor, is completed the
two finest churches in the city for coIored people
VIII De on this square-that known as St. Angus
tines Catholic church being located 18th street
between and NJ The work on the new church edi-
flee has so far progressed that the lower story Is
up ready for the main floor. AS the policy OF the
building committee is to pay as they go, there Is
now temporary suspension Of the work till more
funds are in hand
THE SIZE AND THE ARRANGEMENT OF TIE BUILDING.
This building with the annex will about cover
the entire ground owned by the congregation, so
feet front and 127 feet deep. The auditorium,
which viii be so by les feet with ceiling 50 feet
in height will scat, with the galleries. about 1850
persons. On the lower floor win be the Sunday
school room, &c by so feet with infant class room
ana pastors STUDY, class rooms, &c. nd in the
mex will be Othef class rooms The front will be
OF pressed brick, with stone trimmings and will
make a fine appearance. 1t is intended to make 1t
a model church with every convenience, the proper
heating, lighting and ventilation being provided
i0r There Will be no less than seven exits from
the lower story, through which, in case OF neceS-
slty, the building may be empt1ed in few min
utes The estimated cost is about 81, OO0 and the
work is under the superintendent or Mr. S. T. G.
NoIsei, the architect.
THE CONGREGATION
belongs to the African M. E. connection, the first
ohshoot from the NJ E. church, which took form
in 1916, Rev. Richard Allen being the first bishop
The original members, about 1OO. under the lead
OF Kew. James A. Shorter now Bishop Shorter, lett
israel church to form the new church in 1885,
They first occupied rented brick building on the
PACK OF the lots now occupied by st. Augustine
IN Nlta offnr DC hi ~,
the nrst preacher, Bishop Shorter, then a layman,
the first steward, and Robert Wilkinson the first
on THE the fowng Year frame church
Gated by Bishop Quinn. In October OF that year
Mir. shorter Organized the sunday school S1bse-
Others, In turn, filled the pulpit, and the mem
bership grdually increased. In 1853 when
Rev. A. W. Wfymon tnow Bishop Wayman)
at cost of 5000, the CONGREGATION at
this time numbering about $50. Following Mr.
Wayman Revs J. r. v. Morgan, NJ. T. Siubey, W.
and Others filled the pulpit till the membership
uncer Rev. G. w. BrOdte exceeded a thousand.
Aoout Two years ago the present pastor, Rev. J.
1erred from Trenton N. j., TO this conference and
appointed to Union Bethel MT. Stevenson, who
Well efficient minister, at once took measures
looking TO the Improvement Of the property by
tearing down the old building and putting up
new one.
OPPOSITION TO THE BUILDING PROJECT.
This project caused some opposition and led
(after Mr. Stevenson had been reappointed for a
second year, to the withdrawal of a number Of
members who have since been organized as the
plymouth Congregational church. The building
having been appointed, and the plans
having been prepared and adopted, the cOngrega-
ton and pastor concluded not to i've up the
project. In August last the Old church was torn
down, The Foundation laid and the erection OF the
building commenced.
The Railroads and River Fgats.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
Aside from the increase of our water supply.
the two most Important matters affecting our
city are the railroads and the river improve
lnent, and while l deprecate any quarreHing
over plans still there are some facts that cannot
be ignored, if We expect to ever have these mat
ters attended to.
The first and most important of these facts is,
that the plans proposed by Major Twning are too
expensive. 1t is simply absurd to suppose that
the railroad companies will ever spend from two
aid a-half to three million of dollars to enter
the city, as his plan proposes. We all know
that they have sufficient influence in Congress to
defeat any scheme that requires any such ex-
pendlture, and therefore unless some cheaper
and better plan is adopted We shall get nothing
done.
The same Is true Of his plan for the improve
meDt OF the river flats. The principal objection
IN the discussion IN the House was the large
sum required, from two and a-half to three mill
lion of dollars and that supplemented by the
letter Of Mr.. Waring. showing that to extend
the river front with its tide sewers out half
mile further than at present, would necessarily
make it worse instead Of better is what pre-
vented favorable action In the House.
In view OF these facts which no one can ignore
or dispute, desire to make a suggestion which
1t seems to me will Obvate all the difficulties
and unable us to get something done.
In brief 1t is this-tO defect both railroads and
let them pass north of the city, making union
depot in the vicinity Of 9TH and Boundary
streets, passing from thence to Georgetown.
where OF course there should be another station
and then cross the river at or above the present
bridge. entirely out of the way of the shipping
Then, tear awav the Long bridge and its en-
and dredge out the river, making an
open channel along the Washington front to
and if necessary make an island in
the center. to reduce the width Of the channel
at low water, so as to carry the silt and deposit
along down stream, as was done before the
channel was INSTRUCTED by the Long bridge
Or course. the main sewer, instead OF running
out across the flats In the form Of an open ditch
at right angles to the current should be carried
south, and made to debouch at the James Creek
canal or some better point, if there be one
may be wrong in my view of these matters
but it does seem to me, as / know it does to
many Others. that this plan il adopted, would
solve the whole trouble.
COMMON SENSE.