Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21
M C X NDREE CHU RICH
Will Tomorrow Celebrate Its Forty-Ninth
Anniversary.
Its Second Pastor Will Preach and
There VIII BE Other Interestinx
Services-Its History.


Tomorrow viii be the forty-ninth anniver-
sary Of the McKendres Methodist Episcopal
Church. on Massachusetts avenue between
9th and 10th streets northwest, and the
congregation will celebrate their many
years Of prosperity by commemorative ser
vices of an interesting nature.
The McKendres Church has a unique his
tory, dating back before the middle Of the
century. 1t Is the fifth oldest Methodist
church IN the city, the Dumbarton, the
Foundry, the Ebenezer-whose name was
changed to the Fourth Street, and within
the last few days to Trinity-and the Wes-
ley Methodist churches only being older
than 1t Is. But not so much on account of
It's age as on account Of the troubles which
the church has weathered is its history In
teresting. The church was built In 1915,
and an Invitation has been sent to all the
living pastors who have held 1t as Q charge
to be present 1t was expected that Rev.
William G. Egsleston, the first pastor of
but he, unfortunately, is for the time oon-
fined to his bed with sickness. Dr. John
h. Dashiel, however, who served the
church from IA to ~. will speak in the
morning, and "reminiscences win be given
BY others who may be there.
Origin of the Church.
In May, 1874. Rev. French 8. Evans in
augurated a mission for such localities in
the city as were destitute of church facil-
tiles. His first sermon was to have been
preached at the Northern Liberties Fire
Company's Hall, a two-story brick building
which stood within the space now improved
as the Mount Vernon Place. The hall how
ever, was not available and the sermon was
delivered from a carpenters bench with
arousing effect and Mr.. John T. Walker
promised to build a suitable frame building
Tor mission purposes, If the site and ma
terials were furnished him. For the time,
however, Mr.. Walker offered them the use
OF his carpenter shop. where the people con-
gregated, sitting on rough inch boards sup
ported by empty boxes.
Erecting the Building.
A committee, consisting of Zepheniah
Jones. Asa Gladmon, James H. Bushby,
Michael Rearden and John T. Walker We're
appointed to procure site for the church,
and at length obtained the one now occu-
pied although Massachusetts, avenue was
then broad underlined roadway. impossible
for vehicles, by reason OF deep ravine
which crossed in front Of the lot. Mean
while a Sunday school had been organized.
and without any corner stone laying DEM
onstration. or as yet an open subscrip-
ton book, John T. Walker. Zephaniah Jones
and John c. Hardness started to put up the
walls Of the church. The labor was done in
the main by sympathizing mechanics, and
encouraged by the public in general. The
congregation wintered in school room Of
fered by Mr.. John z. Norris, but in the
spring Of 1915 took possession Of their meet
ing house and were assigned a pastor by
the conference.
The Church Dedicated.
William G. Eggleston was their first pas
tor. the church being dedicated on April 90
1s45. Rev. William Ryland preaching the
the United States, and James Buchanan,
then Secretary of State, with other distin-
guished men, were present. Three days
later sixty persons Joined the church, Of
whom four only are now left. The church
grew and prospered and Mr.. Eggleston was
followed by Rev. Thomas NJ. Reese. Rev.
Asbury RosZell, Rev. William Hamilton,
Rev. Thomas T. Wysong, Rev. George Hildt,
Rev. Dabney Ball, and second term by
Rev. William Hamilton. until DR.. VIM. NJ
d. Ryan was appointed to the pastorate In
81, at the most critical period in the history
of the church. The church was not a unit
in political sentiment, but DIR. Ryan kept
the ranks together while he stayed. Begin
ming with the pastorate of Rev. John
Thrush. who followed him, however there
was trouble In the flock. A large number
withdrew, attempting to start a mission at
9Th and U streets. Others went to Foundry
and Wesley churches. Finally Rev. Mr.
Thrush was transferred to another part of
the country, and Rev. Mabury Goheen took
his place. the exiles were invited to return,
and peace was again restored. Part of the
congregation, though remained away and
organized church at Union League Hall.
the outcome of which was the Hamline
Church.
Renewed Prosperity.
Rev. William Krebs followed Mr.. Goheen,
and was in turn succeeded by the Rev. s. A.
Wilson and Rev. G. w. Cooper. In the
pastorate of the latter the church, which
was now reasonably large and prosperous,
decided to rebuild. This was in 1872 The
old church was demolished and the new one
erected at cost of about 27,0O0. Mr..
Cooper was followed by Rev. DIR. John H.
Dashiell, DR.. A. H. Ames, Rev. c. H. Rich
ardson, Rev. William s. Edwards, Rev. Mr..
Richardson, in a second term, and DIR. L. T.
Waterman, the present pastor of the church.
The church Is now In a most prosperous
condition. Only four of the original MEM
bers are living, Zephaniah Jones, Rebecca
Jones. Thomas Langley of Hamline and
Maria l.. Morsen of the Mount Vernon
Church South. Mr.. Jones Is the only one
now remaining with McKendree. The first
pastor, Mr.. Eggleston, now has a charge
under the NJ. e. Church South at Martins
burg, W. Va
TOmorrow's Services.
DR.. John H. Dashiell will speak in the
morning. and there will be an old-time love
feast at O'Clock in the afternoon Dr.
Waterman went over to Baltimore yester-
day, where he expected to get Dr. Morgan
or DR.. Macauley, two Of the former old
presiding elders of Washington, to preach
on Sunday evening. The church choir is
making special preparations, and the serv-
ice promises to be most interesting both
from historic and other standpoints.
The present officers of the church are as
follows: Trustees, z. Jones' A. o. Latham
w. p. White. George E. Gartrell, H. p
Pillsbury. A. 3. Browne. c. E. Hodgkin and
l.. W. Worthing ton; stewards q. Jones, W.
P. White. Frederick Sioussa, H. L. Harter
J. J. Souden, A. B. Browne. r. v. Belt
Thomas G. Smith, Charles w. Keyes and
William G.. Mason.
Three Wills Filed.
The following three wills were filed with
the register of wills yesterday: That of
Mary Ellen McDaufal devisinp the iot of