Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-13

REV. W. q. DAVENPORT. elected consisted OF the
following named gentlemen: Thomas An
ITSELF. N. D., Henry Naylor, ST., James H. Mar
tin. VIM. Parrish. Fl. n. Wadsworth. George
Martin, James Z. Arnold and VIM. Harshman.
The erection of a church building was COM
menced in August of the same year, but was
not completed until the fall of the following
! year. Meanwhile services were held in the old
| officiated in turn. The first clergyman to take
| charge of tie parish was the Rev. VIM. c.
| Cooley, who however. continued in charge only
three months. 1t was he who first suggested
the name Emmanuel for the new church.
He baptized the first infant in the new parish,
| who is still living in Auacostia. In March,
1870. the Rev. John A. Graves, deacon, was
appointed by Bishop Nottingham to take
| charge of the work, and continued to oficiate
as minister in charge until August. 1871. Dur
ing the ministry Of Mr.. Graves the church was
opened for services. The first rector OF the
parish was the Rev. J. N. L. Mckee, now as
sistant at St Johns Church, this city, who ac-
cepted the rectorrhip for one year. BE was
followed by the Rev. Charles Goodrich, who re-
signed in 1872. From that time until the be-
ginning of 1875 the pari;h was without rector.
services being kept up by the Rev. DR.. Knight
and the Rev. Mr.. Andrews of Christ Church,
Navy Yard; also by Mr.. John Lowry, lay reader.
Early n 1875 TIE Rev. VIM. Braddock was
elected the third rector OF the parish. In the
summer of that year the lots adjoining the
obtain earth for causeway for the bridge at tho
foot of ltn street. The excavations were carried
up ever with the west wall OF the church, which
stood directly upon the line. These operations
caused the walls of the building to crack and
so endangered its safety. in the opinion of
many, that 1t abandoned and services
were held III a school house. In consequence
OF this action the rector resigned and the Rev.
Mr.. Mckee was recalled to the rectorship. He
took charge Of the parish as it's fourth rector.
Rx hin rrA,, d. H. fa%xv 1f
the building was restored, and it was again
occupied by the congregation. Mr.. Mckee
continued rector until some time in the
year 1885, when he again rendered his resigna-
ton. He was followed by the Rev. Isaac Peck,
who held the rectorship seven months and
rector, the Rev. w. G. Davenport, who is the
sixth in the line. entered upon his duties a few
months after Mr.. Peck's departure. With the
rapid growth Of Anacostia the work has already
increased and a new and more commodious
edltice has become an absolute necessity. In
the autumn Of last year it was discovered that
the old cracks in the walls had widened to
such an extent as to alarm the vestry and con-
gregation. The building condemned and
abandoned, and thus the congregation was left
without a roof over its head and was com
PEELED to rent hall for services. The church
has been pulled down and vigorous efforts are
being made to put up q new one on the same
spot
The Rev. Mr.. Davenport, who is Q son Of
Thomas Davenport. the inventor Of the electric
motor, was born in Brandon, Vt, May 8, 1913.
He served during the late war in the fifth regi-
ment Of Vermont volunteers, was twice wounded
promoted to first lieutenant and honorably dis
charged by reason of expiration of term Of
service in September, 1854. He received his
classical education at St. Stephens College
Annandale- on-the- Hudson. read theology under
the present bishop Of Vermont, was ordained
deacon on Trinity Sunday, 1872, and priest in
the following year. On the first Sunday in
July, 1887, he assumed the rectorship of Ana
costa parish. The work there has been in
many respects laborious difficult and arduous
but with a new and suitable church building a
new era will dawn upon the parish in that
thriving suburb.