Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-14
THE NEW YORK AVENUE CHURCH.
The Interesting History of one Of the
Leading Churches OF the City.
ITS EARLY STRUGGLES AND FINAL PROSPERITY
HOW THE ENTERPRISE WAS AIDED By A
TIMELY LOAN FROM JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
A LIST OF THE PEW HOLDERS.


will not be out of place. Independent of this
circumstance however, the history of the
church whose growth has been closely identi-
fled with that Of the city is interesting in
itself. In the early years Of the Capital city
there were three Presbyterian churches. The
First church which then occupied a building
at the foot of the Capitol, until the removal TO
the present site 4la street: the street church
which occupied the building now known as
Wliiiard's Hail, between 14th and 9Th streets,
ana the Bridge street church In Georgetown
which has also changed it's location. In the year
1870 movement was started for the organiZa-
ton OF new church, and some fifty signatures
the Presbytery to form church to be located in
the northwest DIR. Lowrie, who was clerk in
the Treasury department. was at the same time
dlschargipg the duties of a pastor of the street
church. The church also belonged to the old
school. while those who were in favor OF the new
church enterprise belonged mostly to the new
school. The permission to organize having been
obtained for the first few years of its organiza-
corridor of the old Navy Department building
which has recently been torn down. On Satur-
ready for the congregation that assembled the
next day, and on Monday morning they were
removed before the clerks arrived. This arrange
ment was. however, only temporary. and as soon
as the funds could be obtained the ground where
the present New York Avenue church now
stands was purchased from Nicholas Biddle, the
president Of the famous Bank of the United
States.
THE ORIGINAL CHURCH BUILDING,
A substantial brick building covering about
the same space occupied by the present build
ing was begun and the work progressed as far
as the root when the money gave out and fur
Their operations came TO a stand still. At this
critical juncture John Quincy Adams who was
then serving his second term with President
m OF STATE made the infant
could take their time in paying-hin This was
a large sum of money in those days, and with it
the structure was soon completed. 1t was known
as the Second Presbyterian church, and was
during the early years of it's existence in a very
prosperous condition. Among the names en-
rolled as the first members are found Mr. Colds
borough the father of Admiral Goldsborough,
5ohn McCleland, George ellis and DR.. Lowell.
Inc loan of Mr.. Adams was paid gradually, and
as he occupied a double pew in the church dur
ing his long official residence in this city. his
not until some twenty-five years after the
loan was made that, when Mr.. Adams was a
member d sf Of Congress- the last dollar was paid
| one of the organizers of the church, remembers
going as member of the board of trustees to
Mr.. Adams house, on F street between 18th
and 18th, to pay the last installment with the
accrued interest. The receipt which Mr.. Adams
gave and which remained In the hands of Mr..
McClelland was, during the war, added to q col
lection of autographs, and sold at fair held in
for $500.
THE OLD AND NEW SCHOOL PARTIES
The contest which was then going on between
the adherents of the old and new schools in The
presbyterian church at large, had a very disas-
trous effect upon the Second church In adj
dition, large number of members left the
church and organized the Fourth Church on
9th street. Of which Rev. Dr. Smith was pastor
for so many years. The Second church grew
weaker and weaker, and it was at times difficult
to get enough people together to hold service
The ministers who were called went to other
fields. Among the ministers, whose names
will be remembered, We're Rev. Daniel Baker,
rev j. Knox, Rev. George l Wood. Rev
Mr.. Fowler, Rev. Rufus Clark, Rev. Matthew
Hale Smith, and Rev. Mr.. Campbell. In the days
OF prosperity the church had among the MEM
bers and attendants those VINO were prominent
In social and official life John Quincy Adams
continued his connection with the church. and
Andrew Jackson while President was an attend
| ant In the years just prior to the war the
church was frequently without a pastor, and
offered his services, only enough nembers re,
manned to guarantee him salary of 5000
year which was however subsequently raised
During these years the F-street church in
creased In numbers and became prosperous
church: 1t also was not free from divisions, and
one party left and built the structure on Sth
street, which is now Jewish synagogue This
organization however was short-lived, and after
Under of the ReTp Gnrey s snd
ms predecessors, the F-street church grew rap
idly, and soon became too large for the building.
The Second church had to contend with exactiy
the reverse condition of affairs, and the mem
bersh1p at last became so much reduced, that it
close the church.
UNION EFFECTED.
This was the condition of affairs in 1885, when
proposition for union was made to the F street
church. This was accepted. The street prop
erty was sold and the united churches nroceeded
to the erection of the present church building-
The name "The New York Avenue PRESBYTERIAN
Church" was adopted and enrolled by the Pres
oytery. Kew. DIR. GuYey, the pastor Of the F
treet, was chosen as pastor of the united con-
gregat1ons, and his pastorate continued until
F street church when the churches united was
PRESIDENT Buchanan, who was a regular
tinued unchecked up to the present time.
During his administration President Lincoln
pew there. In this period, besides maintain
Ing fourishing organization of its own, the
church has been able to doa great deal of mis-
slonary work. The Metropolitan church on Capt.
tol Hill was originally started as a mission
of the New York avenue church, and this con-
was able to form an independent organization
me North Presbyterian s on n street
has two saF org hrey The church TO-DAY
sion, at the corner Of 18th and sinc's Streets s
charge OF an assistant minister, Rev. Mr.. Batch
elor, who holds alternate services and they bid
lar n G 70 become ndependent themselves. Since
IN the passionate by Rev. s. S. Mitchell, Rev.
J9hn r. Paxton and the present pastor, Rev.
steadily in numbers until it has now q member
ship OF over 700. Although the seating capa-
Sity LAS DeeH euldISeu recently DIV the addition
or galleries, 1t cannot accommodate the people
who wish to attend. The new church which is
now In progress of erection in the northwest
was begun with the view of relieving the over
crowded condition of the old church The
membership is not only large, but is composed
OF prominent representatives of the social, Off
clal and professional circles Of the city.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
The officers of the church are as follows: Elders
MIR. Justice Strong, William Ballantyne, Clau-
dius B. Jewell, S. L. Crissey, Charles B. Bailey.
Hon. n. n. Wells, Alfred R. Quaif, Nathaniel
A. Robbins, John Randolph, William L. Waller
Deacons-Mark Broadhead, J. R. Imbrie Philip
r. Larner, r. P. A. Denhanl, Brainard H War
ner, j. X. Van Mater John D. McChesnev Will
lam B. Gurley, Charles II. Merwin Charles S.
Bradley, Frank o. Beckett George ] Musser
Trustees-William Mckee Dunn president:
James +. Fitch, treasurer; Matthew w Gait
secretary; John T. Chapman, William NJ Gait.
J; W. thompson; DR.. j. P. Cauldeld, organist:
Harvey A. kohr, precentor.
THE PEW HOLDERS
The following are the pew holders: NJ Broad
head Mrs. ]. c. Townsend, Miss Bates Misses
Wing, Mrs. E.Ashepperd, Dr.. Dudley ,MrsStuart,
H.C.McKenney, Mrs. Morris Ketcham, oh. Lusk,
Mrs X. Il. McFeran, L. 8. Emery, Capt. Leonard
Whitney, Mrs. a. L. Bartlett, Joseph Tyssowski,
Mrs. g. w. Paschal, DR.. s. L. Crissey. Mrs. An.
drew Stewart, John d. McChesney Col A a
Hosmer, Chas. e. Foster, J. B. TAYLOR Miss Emily
Smith, DR.. J. G. Craighead, Jas Eveleth.
Dr. a g. Wilkinson, Gen1 +. d. Sewan,
MIS-; X. Nice. Chandler, C. 81. Merwin, n. A.
Robbins, Hon. VIM. P. Frye, James a. Saville,
Shnl1 nbn -