Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-13

hearers and general use of handker-
chiefs to wipe away the tears that could
not be held back. DIR. Chester made his
announcement in the following words
My failing health and advancing years
remind me that, however pleasant and
profitable have been our relations as pastor
and people, they must soon draw to a close
My desire is to end my pastorate in the
present full tide of the churchs prosperity,
rather than wait for a future which might
be impaired by my own declining strength.
Next April 1 terminate the thirtieth year
of my uninterrupted pleasant relation with
this church as its pastor. / shall then re-
quest you to unite with me in asking the
presbytery to grant a dissolution of the
pastoral relation. 1 make this announce
ment thus early. with the hope that we
can make the few remaining months a
period of spiritual blessing, so that who
ever succeeds me may find the church fully
equipped for its great work in this COM
munity."
ready planning steps to prevent the entire
dissolution of the relations that have ex-
lsted SO many years.
Or. Chester is the only pastor this church
mas ever mad. Through his faithful labors
it has grown from a small handful of
WorSh1pers, holding services in a school
room, to congregation of 600 commune
cants' owning church property, unincum-
bered, worth $50, 600.
In April, 1854 the Rev Dr. Chester came
mere from Burlington. n. j. and organized
what is now known as the METROPOLITAN
Presbyterian Church. Its few members
worshlped in little frame school house
south of the Capitol, with tallow dips Civ
ing out the light, and amid other primitive
surroundings. Then, as the little church
grew, II removed to the corner of Sd and
pennsylvania avenue to building pre-
viously used as a market house There
the congregation worshiped for a while
when little chapel was built upon the
present site Of the church. 4th and B streets
southeast. For while, however the con-
gregation worshiped in one of the rooms
or the Capitol, previous to taking possess
sion of the little chapel replaced by the
present edifice. To Dr. Chester's efforts
Is Is, que the success of the church. and by
his congregation he has ever been greatly
beloved and respected.
An Interesting Church History.
There are many interesting points in the
early history of the church. 1t was at first
known as the Capitol Hill Church. and
was organized in little school house cor
ner of Sd and streets southeast by the
presbytery of the Potomac, April IL, 1864
with thirty-four members, as follows:
Mrs Elizabeth d. Award, Mr.. John H.
Arrison, Mr.. and Mrs. James Batchen
Mr.. Theodore Blague. Mr. and Mrs. James
T. Birchard, Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander
Brown, Mr.. David B. Brown. Mrs. Rachel
A. Chester. Miss Mary Ann Davidson. Mrs
Mary Ellis, Mrs. Mary Grmley, Mrs. Lucy
w. Kellogg, Mrs. Isabella Kiddie. Mrs.
Mary Ann HOLSTER. Mr.. and Mrs Charles
r LathroP. Mr.. Robert Leitch. Mr. and
Mrs. MacKie. Mrs. Anna V. Moss. Mrs
Sarah Parsons, Mrs. Ellen Roper. Mir. and
Mrs John G.. Schott, Mr. VIM. Shearer
MI. and Mrs. James Simpson, Mrs Rachel
S SUnI Miss Margaret E. Taylor, MIR.
Rev. John Chester was then formally in
stalled as pastor; Chas. L. Lathrop and
Robert Leitch elders; John K. Artisan
Jas. L. Orchard and Jas. Simpson as dea,
cons 80 e
The chapel erected at 4th and B. the nra-
decessor of the present church building. was
dedicated February Il, 1866. "''
IhlS chapel had remarkable history II
was constructed in Burlington, ~ j.. on
me delaware river, and brought down on a
ship to the Potomac its materials arriyina
mere In such finished condition that tba1,
only required to be put together The chan
Ell was used by this church for a space Of
seven years, then sold to the public schools
and moved to the corner of a and ri
streets northeast. where ii was used nv tho
Capitol Hill Baptist Church then bv a CON
gregatlon of colored people. At present il
Eh' usei D G tne Grace Southern Methodist
church Thus this humble frame structure
mas sheltered four different churches in tbo
first years of their history.
The foundation of the present commodious
t Gnu S DuIidlng was laid April 10, 1868, and
time with the Metropolitan Church. an en-
terprise which had been started hnt had
progressed no further than the purchase Of
d churcn site on f street northwest That
Iot was sold after some legal difficulties had
been overcome and after MANY DELAYS De-
cefnper 3. 1872 the edfce was Dedicated
since then the church has prospered.