Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-23
Calvary Baptist Church as it Now Ap-
pears-HistOry Of the Congregation.


The Calvary Baptist church will be reopened
| Tomorrow. thoroughly repaired and completely
and handsomely redecorated and refurnished,
the work Of improving having occupied the
summer months.
The main audience room of the church. with
its ceiling OF many arches and panels, Is suscep-
tiole Of elaborate decoration, and, as now I'm
ished, constitutes beautiful interior.
The decorations have been done entirely in
fat or edged ornament, of Free modern Gothic
| detail; the main or key colors being old blues,
over worked in diaper ornament, &C., with the
ribs, corbels, pendants and raised plastic work
in Complementary effects OF yellowsh drabs,
bronzes and gold. The effect is further height
ened by rich borders over the wainscoting and
at the spring line oi the pointed windows. The
pulpit recess is of elaborate fiat ornamentation
OF the combined harmonies OF the whole scheme
OF cooring. The walnscoting. pews and plat
form are in mahogany, while the frames of
windows, gallery, front and screen work are
painted In warm shades to harmOuZe with the
general coioring of the church. Tue details and
rich color scheme are original in their compost
ton, aud produce exactly the effect desired,
viz: quiet, elegant church decoration.
The floor carpet Is Oh two shades Oi olive, ara
besque pattern, and was designed and manu-
iactured expressly for this church. The carpet
for the pulpit platform is rich crimson Will
ton. The cushions are covered with linen
velOurs, old gold in color, and the tasteful
hangings and desk mat are OF plush of a SINH
lar snade. The chandeliers are flushed IN gilt
and harmonious colOrs Cathedral glass win
dows nave been put in the pulpit stairways.
Additional means of ingress and egress nave
side of The pulpit opening on to the eastern
stairway thus removing all ground of appre-
henson on that score in any emergency likely
TO arise.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The Calvary Baptist church was organized
June I'd, 1862, with thirly-iour constituent
members, of whom seven only now remain
members.
Rev. $. II. Kennard acted temporarily as pas
tor, with great acceptance.
On the 11tn of SEPTEMBER, 1862. the name,
"The Calvary Baptlst Cnurcn, was adopted.
and Oh the gath Oh the same month the church
WAS RECOGNIZED by council, and The recosni;
ton services were heldant tue New York avenue
Presbyterian cnu,cn, Dr. Gur,ey, pastor.
In January, 1868, Rev. L. X. Hewlett, OF
Trenton, Nj, was cnOsen pastor, and arrange
ments were maue Tor holuing the sabbath ser
vices In the hal of The Columbian college, On
5Ln street.
MADE with Hon. Amos Kendall by which he
provided Tor the PASTOR saiary, and the church
began The accumulation Oh IA fund for build-
Ing purpose>-eacu member contributing
monthly thereto.
During the first year the membership doubled,
anu 1t has twitn slight since stead
uy worcestershire present number Oh menUerS
Oeiug ABOUT 700.
In November, 1868, the lot on which the edi-
nee stands Was secured, and in the iall OF 1864
Tue erection VI house Of worship Was begun,
the estimated cost there. OR being S6O,OOO.
Tue building was iuly completed aud dedi-
Gated June 81. 1866, at cost of about
$So,OOO, which Was paid 10y Hon. Amos Ken
Dali. Tne organ, bell, clock aud furniture were
provided Oy Tire other members and the friends
OF the congregation, at a cost ot nearly $3U, UUU.
Ibis building AID furniture were destroyed 10y
IRE on the morning vi sunday, December 15,
1867. On tile succeeding TUESDAY evening, tue
congregation as ,enUled al ST. Pdul's Lutheran
church, and unanimously resolved 10 "rebuiid
our oeauniul temple Of worship, without
material alteration OF tie plan" Tue in
surduce 10 Ue cOiIected-S46, 0UU-WaS apprO-
prIateu to reconstruction.
Expressions OF sympathy and offers of tenn
porafS accommodation were received from the
First Baptist church, the First Pre>by terrain
cnufcu,and perhaps otners not now remem-
Oereu. Inc congregation concluded to accept
The offer OF the oniiOn Baptist church, OF the
exclusive use Oh their house Ol worship ON
Massachusetts avenue at II moderate reuL.
EARLY la 1868 The WORK OF recOustructiug the
house Was dedicated July l1tn, 1869. The cost,
excluding the organ tooushL a lew years aiLer-
waru>) was abou, $50 900.
Rev. L. X. HOwle, l Resigned his pastorata in
August, lo69. Ii November, 1870, Rev. JOS.
w. Parker Uecalne pastor and served until May,
1875. In Aprii, 1876, Rev. A. +. Mason =
Chosen, anu served uuLl Marcn, 1879. In ~
cember, 1879, Rev. y ii. Greene entered upon
tue pistOiaLe, aud now continue, therein.
Under his Care and guidance the church has
greatly prUSpered, and now has prospect vi
enlarged usefulness
Besiues the nome Sunday school, which was
established immediately after the organlZat on
vi the church, the congregation maintained one
mission school, org niZed III 1860, and has
sustained two since 1S69-thc Kendall chapel
schoO, corner vi l3i2 aud u streets southwest,
aud tue stickney memorial chapel, corner vi