The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1894-09-23
CENTRAL NJ. p. CHURCH.
4 Small but Energetic Congregation on
Twelfth Street-Its Pastor.

/ 4 Small but Energetic Congregation on
Twelfth Street-Its Pastor.
The Central Methodist Protestant Church,
corner Of N and Twelfth streets northwest. is
the leading congregation of that denomina-
ton in the city. Other churches have
larger membership. but in wealth and use
fitness it stands in the front. Its property
interests are worth 500, 600. and with young
and energetic pastor it is making itself felt.
This branch of Methodism was first estab-
lished in the District in Georgetown The
Central Church congregation came next and
was for years known as the Ninth Str eet
Church. Mr.. James a. Kennedy z member
Of Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, was
one OF the chief movers in the establishing of
the congregation. II was In 1929 that Mr.
Kennedy was dismissed from the Foundry
Church and with Enoch White. W. W. Bill
ing, Abraham j. Boss. Owen Summers, and
Thomas 5. ". Boyd held a meeting at the
home Of W. W. Billing and formed class of
which Rev. w. c. Lipscomb was the leader
The class was attached 10 the Georgetown
Church. but grew so rapidly that in 1928 il was
resolved to build a church in Washington
W. w. Billing, James A. Kennedy, and
Ulysses Ward were appointed a COM
mlttee TO wait on the trustees of the
Fourth Presbyterian Church 10 negotiate for
its purchase But the church was not for
sale, and lot at the corner of Twelfth and H
streets was given by Gen. John F. Van Ness
and tabernacle was built and dedicated
December z3 1882 Rev. William Kesley was
the first preacher sent TO this church by an
annual conference, and he remained from
April. 1888, TO April, 1884. Ii was at this
time that Rev. Thomas H. Stockton. of the
Georgetown church. was chosen chaplain o.
Congress. He was most eloquent preacher
and the fact OF mis- being selected for this posi-
ton gave the denomination a standing
throughout the country. Hon William Writ
at one time attorney general, was converted
under the preaching OF DR.. Stockton The
congregation grew so rapidly that July ~.
1885, the house Of worship on Ninth street
between L and E streets. was dedicated The
tabernacle property sold for enough to leave
only debt Of >. 500 on the new church. One
member Of the church was so anxious that
this debt should be paid that he mortgaged
his own dwelling. BY so doing he embar-
raised himself for long time
A STRUGGLE FOR YEARS.
For years the church struggled along as
Nbest it could. Sometimes it had pastor.
Sometimes it had not. Sometimes the con-
was only able to support single
matn. and in one case minister from Phila-
dellShia was appointed 10 the charge but re-
iuseS 10 come. Another pastor supported
hllAsA by teaching school. One pastor died
three Anontbs after ne had taken charge of the
stationA But with all these drawbacks the
mite congregation pressed en-. In 1853 gas
was put ln the church and in 1850 Ninth street
was gr@ded. This improvement cost the
church between $500 and $780, In 1868 Rev.
l.. ). Itunkhouse was placed in charge of the
church, and remained six wears Tho church
was much improved dnrine his
pastoraEe and interest in church WORT in
creased
Durinly the nastorate of Ray, David ViIsop
1877 sol the first church was torn down and
the structure still known as the Ninth Street
Onureh 6uilt In 1883 the chapel on Twelfth