Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-19
CITY AND DISTRICT.
The WASHINGTON Pr ESBYTERY.
a sketch of its History Presented 10
the General Assembly.

An Interesting feature Of the centennial meeting
OF the General Assembly OF the Presbyterian
Church, which Is now In session in PHILADELPHIA
VIII be the presentation OF sketches OF the history
and growth OF the various syRods, presbyteries
and churches These histories have been prepared
IN comphance with resolution adopted at the
last meeting OF the General Assembly. The Pres
pSIeIy OF Washington city, through a committee
consisting OF Revs. J. E Nourse, b. f. BIttinger
DID,, and John CHESTER DID,, has prepared a very
iuil and complete historical account OF the growth
vi Presoyter1antsm ia the District OF Columbia 10
makes an octave volume OF "a pages. and records
1he founding OF Presbyteranism In this District
auu ths vicinity as effected more than quarter OF
century before Its occupancy for the seat OF Gov
eminent" In 1856 the churches In this vicinity
organized as the Presbytery OF RaItimore This
region, the historians state, "was In that day as
purely missionary ground as now is any In the far
west Balch, JOurncying from his church ia
Georgetown 10 found that OF Frederick and Others
ana bfeekenridge, crossing from Cabin John TO
bhden50urg, and the devOut elders who collected
FUNDS Tor the First Presby OF 1875 must have
KNOWN something OF frontier travel"
Inc OIaest church IN this vicinity was the Old
PdIaNent or Upper Marlborough church, which
was represented In 1704 in the synod OF PhiIadel-
phla- church at BIadensburg was organized In
LIS. IN the year l160 the Presbyterians OF Alex
andria received a license from the governor and
council OF Virginia 70 worship according 10 their
oruer 1he license required them ITO keep the
church building doors and entrance unlocked"
lest something obnoxious TO the royal power be
therein
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
In March, 1850. Rev. stephen B. Blch, native
OF Maryland, when on his way to make mission
airy tour IN the Caroinas, stopped at Georgetown
and preached 70 a small congregation. He returned
the following year and began his labors there,
later. The church building was for many years
on Bridge street, but now the congregation is
located on West street
The First Presbyterian church, on Az street,
was the nrst church Of the denomination organ
lied within the limits Of the city, ana was, In fact
one OF the pioneer churches OF the city. on April
- 1195, call was presented to the presbytery
Tor the services OF Rev. John Brecktnrdge, who
was then located at BiadenSOurg. The flrst Serv-
Ices OF the new congregation were held In a car
penteTS shop put up for the use or the wOrkmen
employed In building the Presidents house, and
when this was taken down a frame chapel was
erected ON 10th. near street northwest. Subse-
quently building on capitol HILL known as
Academy East, Was occupied In 1872 church
etince was erected on South Capitol street, near
II, which was occupied by the congregation until
their removal TO the present church edlfce on Az
street.
TIE p STREET CHURCH,
as II was called. was organized in 1903 by men,
DerS OF the Associate Reformed Church. Rev. Jas.
Laurie was the first minister, and his pastOrate
continued Tor 1fty-three years, and ended only
Win his death The church occupied BY this con-
gresatiOn Is now known Willard Hall.
The SecOnt Presbyterian church was organized
IN ls2U, md occupied building on the site OF the
tdHce Used by the congregation of the New ! Ork
Avenue church The street church became con-
neoted with the breSbytery Ia 1873, and Oh july
81, lSJ9, the two churches united and the present
New York Avenue church building was erected.
The Fourth church was organized in ISIS. The
first church building was a very unpretending one
and was on the east side OF 9th street, nearly op-
pOSite 70 their present edlficc.
The next church organized was the cOngrega-
tlOn OF cOlOred people who now occupy the church
etinee on 18th street. Inc nrst organization was
effected May II, 1872, and REV. JnO. f.. Cook the
father OF The ex-collector OF taxes, the first
pastor.
The Assembly or 9Th church was organized
March y, 49, and on March 30, 1853 9TH
tAurci, VI which Rev. Mason Noble was pastor Tor
50 many years was enrolled In the following
June the 9TH or Westminster church estab-
llshed- The Western church organized on
June Is, 1856, and the church edlfice was COM
p.eted and Dedicated June II, 1857. On the 18th
Ol April, 1854, the Metropolitan Presbyterian
church on Capitol Hill was established, and in
December OF the following year the North church
was organized The other churches are OF CON-
p1ret1vely recent origin. The Eastern church, on
Stn street northeast, was formally organized In
1ss1; the nifty church on X street. near 18th, In
lss2, and the Church OF the Covenant at CON-
hecucut avenue and 18th street, in the year 1885.