Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-07
THE METHODIST HOST.
Followers of Wesley in the District
of Columbia.
CHURCHES AND PASTORS.
Congregations In This City Connected with
the Baltimore NJ. L. Conference.-The Birth
place Of Methodism-Ths Early History of
the Denomination.

TNHE BALTIMORE CONFERENCE OF THE
Il Methodist Episcopal church is now in ses-
sion at Hamline Church in this city. The an
nual meetings Of this representative body OF
q large and fiourishing religious denomination
are always events full of interest. The pres
ent occasion has been no exception to rule. 1t
is especially appropriate that such gatherings
should be held in this city, for here was the
scene Of the labors Of the pioneers of Meth
odism in this country. As early as the year
1854. seven years before the site Of the capital
city was chosen, there was congregation of
Methodists in Georgetown. and here Bishop
Asbury, the first bishop of the church in Amer
lea, came TO preach. Georgetown, was the
scene of the labors of Rev. William
Watkins, the first native-born minister of
the denomination. 1t was the day Of
small things, for the records show that in the
year 1901 there were only So white members
and 81 colored members in Georgetown and
Washington In 1905 the members had in
creased to 17S whites and 1877 colored- The
Dunbarton Avenue Church, then located on
Montgomery street, was the only Methodist
church in the District The old Ebenezer
Church, now Fourth Street, was organized in
1906, and in the next year there were reported
to be in Georgetown ITO white members and 90
colored while in Washington the membership
comprised 81 whites and % colored.
An incident in the war Of 1s12led to the erec-
ton Of the next church edifice in the city-the
Foundry, at 18th and G streets. Rev. Henry
Foxhall, local minister, having come from
England. established foundry above George
town. Here under contract with the govern
ment he cast many guns. 1t was believed that
hal and h.
he buildings, intended to destroy this foundry.
A terrific storm, however, caused a change OF
plans and Mr.. Foxhalrs property was saved.
He regarded this as the result of providential
interference and as a token of his gratitude he
decided to erect a church. He purchased the
site at the corner of 18th and G streets and
erected a church building, which was appro-
priately christened Foundry Church.
Shortly after the war Mr.. Foxhan made
visit to England. During his absence the con-
gregation erected a preachers house" as the
parsonage was then called. When Mr.. Foxhall
heard of it on his return he was not pleased
with what they had done and did not again
enter the church. He returned to England in
1928 and died in that year. Rev. Thos. Burch
was the first pastor Of the Foundry, and in
.sl7. with the Fourth Street Church, reported
these congregations the other churches have
sprung. As the membership of Foundry
Church increased some who lived farther east
found it Cxpedient to form a church and thus
Wesley came into existence in the year 1929,
Next Mckendree Church was formed by those
members of Wesley and Foundry churches liv-
ing in that section. Union Church estab-
lished by members Of Foundry and
Georgetown churches; Ryland by men,
bers of other churches living in
South Washington, who held first prayer serv-
ices in an old engine house on Maryland avenue
near 10th street; Waugh Church originated in a
mission Of Wesley congregation, Gorsuch from
Ryland and East Washington, Grace started
a mission Sunday school from Wesley Church,
Fifteenth Street Mount Zion) from Foundry.
Twelfth Street from East Washington, North
Capitol Church. on street, succeeded Provi-
denee at % and i streets. Hamline had its
origin in split in Mckendree Church.
Fletcher was regularly started by McKendree
people. Metropolitan NJ Z. Church was projected
in 1853. but owing to the unsettled condition
of affairs the building was not completed until
about 1863.
1t will be of interest to know something more
Of the churches which were thus established.
Sketches are given below of the history of the
churches in the District. accompanied by some
details of the lives of the pastors.
DUSBARroy AVENUE CHURCH
The Dunbarton Avenue Church of George
town is one of the Oldest societies of Metho-
dists in America. 1t is also the first one es-