Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-03-14
TRINITY METHODIST EPIs. CHURCH

TRINITY METHODIST EP1S. CHURCH.
By THOMAS l.. PoULsoN, d. d.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church OF
Alexandria has IA history that stretches back
beyond the memory of the oldest inhabit-
ant. Long before amy OF US were born,
this society was welding a potential inhu.
euce ia this community for Got AMI souls.
Before the seat OF government, wa located
on the Potomac, aud you city became the
capital OF the nit;on, this church was
preaching Christ and Hun cruci6ed. Be-
tore the tall form of the father OF his couh-
try had bceu removed by sickness or death
trum the streets oil this city, the Methodist
society was factor in the educating and re-
inning influences of Alexandria.
The organization of the society, according
10 the best data at command dates in the
neighborhood of ITO. The first church ed
ice stood on South Royal street, where
the Roman Catholic Church now stands,
aud was probably erected about 1853, the
year before the assembling vi the famous
Christmas conference in Baltimore 1t hrst
appears in the minutes for the year 1872,
when Rev. Ezekiel Cooper was appointed
pastor.
By reference To the old deed, dated June
"A, 1903, We learn that the lot where the
church il now vas purchased at said date,
Of Wm Harlshorne, for s 900, for The use
of the Methudi,t Episcopal Church. The
trustees at the time were Jacob Holman,
Charles Shade WIN. Rhodes, Bernard Bry-
an, John Sloan, John Bryan and Henry
Stanton Earl The old structure was built
the same year
In the Methodist .Muyu=ins for 1901, pub
l.hed in London, is a long letter FROM one
Of the trustees, Charles Slade, a hardware
Inel chaut of this city, dated Alexandria,
Va, April =, 1903, giving detailed account
of u remarkable revival of religion then
in progress here, under the direction Of
Bishop Asbury, presiding Elder Hit, and
Others, resulting in adding to the church
$50 members.
Passing over series Of years before any
persons now living were cognizaut OF lis
work, we come to the days of thrilling IN
terest and of great revivais IN the midst OF
which some OF the aged members of the
church still among us participated. Some
of the greatest preachers the church OF
Christ ever knew have been stationed here.
Among whom may be ranked George q.
Goodman, one Of the most popular pulpit
orators in America, who was chaplain TO
Congress at the time and who, in the midst
OF bis pastorate embarked on the llth OF
March, 1871 on the Inflated steamer Presl-
dent, for q visit to England and the ship
was never heard of again. He has given
two sons TO the Methodist ministry-AItred
and John. Alfred also hequeathed two
sons TO the ministerial ranks. 1t would not
be possible, in this paper, to refer individual
~ TO the many mighty preachers who have
supplied this charge through these evenltul
years.
This old hive has swarmed three times,
and still retains the zeal and aggressive re-
lgous power for which she has been dis
tinguished throughout her wondrous history.
All along between these three sWarninG
periods she has transferred innumerahle vic
tors to the church triumphant, Is wei! a.
MANY useful pnd ornamental members to
the several branches ofthe church militant.
The first exodus was that which formed
the Methodist Protestant Church, about the
year 1928.
The second etflux was the Methodist EpS-
copal Church South, in the year 1913.
The third outflow was the Free Aletho-
dists in the year 1879.
We are not far enough away from either
emevte to write or read dispassionately an
impartial history of those bitter upheavals,
some of whose active participants remain to
this day. 1t is, however, but Just 10 record
that through NIL the revolutionary events 0!
those troublous times this venerable church
has not swerved an iota from he denomina-
tioual landmarks.
Up to 1882 the colored members Of the
church occupied the large gallery (Which
was at one end and two sides of the bulid-
iug) and were therefore under the direct
SUPERVISION of the Pastor Of the society DUR
ing the period terminating at salu uate. III
that wear beautiful and commollious church
edihce was built on south Washington street,
for their exclusive use, and TIL 1864 iu-
uior white preacher was sent to thisappoint-
ment to have charge Of them. From the
last date they have been to themselves.
In the wear 1851 the church established
mission and erected house of worship al
the corner of Princess and Patrick streets,
aud occupied the same Till 1866 when the
property WAS sold to the Third Baptist
Church. who still hold and use it.
The old building underwent repairs from
time to time, without materially altering It's
GENERAL form and features; but now 1t Is
thorouyhly remoieled and enlarged 10 SUIT
the imperative demands Of the times. III
WAS ali removed except the two side ana
rear walls which are raised about six feet,
with y new front brought out to the street
building line, which is six feet from where
the old front stood 1t is two stores-the
first is provided with suitable olvlslohs
and arrangements for Sunday school, class
and prayer meeting purposes, and the
second as the chief audience room, win q
gallery only in one end. A cellar lor iur-
mace and fuel is placed under the building
This undertaking has demanded courage,
confidence. liberality, faith in ourselves as
we'll as in God, and hope that all the out
side friends of the church would lend
helping hand. five are not disappointed q
in this last feature our complete success Is
assured.
ACQUITTED Captain Charles Miller was
Yesterday acquitted by Justice Taliaferro OF
the larceny OF the anchor and chain from