The Washington times., 1894-08-12
Remarkable History of the First
Presbyterian Church.
GREW UP WITH THE CAPITAL
Many of the Most Illustrious Names in the
Nation Intimately Associated with It
Powerful Influences Have RadIated from
It-Some Interesting Facts Recalled.

Such is the inscription which is to be seen
on bronze plate, deeply set, but not SO
deeply placed us to be difficult of observation,
in one of the great granite blocks which
form a part of the front wall of the First
Presbyterian Church, on Four-and-a-half
street northwest and but short distance
south of Judiciary Square.
The idea of putting this plate where it is
originated with Rev. S. V. V. Holmes, for
merly assistant to the paster, Rev. DIR. Byron
Sunderland. now pastor of Westminster
Church. Buffalo, n. y, and in the two years
since it was set in the wall hundreds of per-
sons have ayailed themselves OF the invita-
tion.
How much good has been accomplished by
these visits there are no means of knowing, as
no records on this subject are kept, visitors
being free TO come and so as tkey please.
Mr.. Holmes believed that as saloons are kept
open every day in the week, except Sunday,
the churches should offer the inducement OF
place 10 rest and pray every day. The ses-
sion of the church adopted Mr.. Holmes sug-
gestion, and since that time it has been car
ried out. 1t is noteworthy that the First Pres
byterian Church of Washington is the first
church OF that denomination to extend It's
hearty welcome to all who may call every day
in the year, and so far as is known, 1t is the
only Presbyterian church in the United States
to do so thus far.
The First Presbyterian Church possesses
history of thrilling interest. 1t is approach
ing the one hundredth year of its organiZa-
tion as a congregation, the centennial of
which Will be observed early next year. and
by reason of the fact that it has been the
place of worship OF a number of the Pres-
dents of the United States, it is visited by
hundreds of tourists from all parts of the
world. whom business or pleasure calls 10
Washington.
Presidents John Q. Adams, Andrew jack
son, james X. Polk, Franklin Pierce, james
Buchanan. whilea United States Senator from
Pennsylvania; L. 5. Grant, previous TO the
erection oil the Metropolitan NJ. L. Church.
also on Four-and-a-haf street. and Grover
Cleveland with Mrs. Cleveland made the First
Presbyterian their church home when in
Washington, and now when in the winter
President and Mrs. Cleveland attend the
spacious ediiice, well filled at all times by the
members Of its own congregation, is thronged
TO overlooking.
IT'S VENERABLE PASTOR.
Rev. Byron Sunderland, D. D., the venera-
BILE pastor, is one of the most eloquent as he
is one of the most outspoken ministers in the
nation. and he never hesitates to keep abreast
or even ahead OF the times, as the following
incident will show. On one occasion during
the war Frederick Douglass asked permission
10 speak in the First Presbyterian Church
Some of the members were opposed TO grant
ing the request, but DIR. Sunderland said he
was in favor OF free speech and Fred Doug
lass should speak there if he wished. if every
brick in the structure should fall down as the
result. Fred Douglass did speak. the bricks
did not fall, but the congregation was rent in
twain.
The first meeting place Of the congregation
Of the First Presbyterian Church was the car
penters shop in the grounds of the White
House in 1875 After that they met in "A
frame building near the corner of TeEth
ana streets northwest. Then they removed
TO what was known as 1.-The Academy East
near the navy yard. When the large block
on First street northeast was built consisting
now Of three private residences. but then used
for the sessions of Congress while the Capt.
tol was in building. they obtained leave 10
worship there and also in the room of the
Supreme Court. in the basement of the Capt.
tol, where their first communion was OBJ
served.
Later on they determined 10 erect church
to the south Of the Capitol. which they first
occupied in 1872. but was long known as The
Little White Chapel Under the HILL The
site OF it was on Pennsylvania avenue. be-
tween First street and South Capitol street,
where some of its walls. still standing, are
buried by the debris deposited there.
PURCHASE OF THE PRESENT SITE.
In course OF time. the congregation increas- |
ing and the city growing TO the west and |
north, it was decided to purchase the site on |
Four-and-a-half street and erect larger |
church. it was dedicated in December. 1927. |
day of great rejoicing in the church
The main audience room of the edifice |
was entered directly from the street. between |
4. four massive pillars, which formed a porch.
and We're an ornament TO the eastern facade |
The auditorium extended some sixty feet 10
the west. where a fine o;d mahogany pulpit
stood. and was reached by flight OF circular
steps on either side. Back of the pulpit was
e window recess, hung with scarlet damask
curtains. gallery extended on three sides
OF the auditorium.
There was no organ-only a huge bass yioL
Side lights furnished the illumination. On
the pillars in front Of the pulpit rested four
long poles. each with Il velvet bag attached
for taking the collections. The communion
vessels are still in use. Above the four pillars
IN front rose a small dome. where the church
bell was mounted. from which ran a rope into |
the front porch, where the sexton Piled his
task. calling the people to worship. In the
rear OF Inc church ran long. low building |
entered from the south yard. and serving as
sabbath-schOol and lecture-room.
In 1850 the church was much enlarged and
put in the shape which it retained until two
years ago. when the interior was remodeled
and improved in various ways ut an expense
OF more than S15. 900. On each occasion the
church was rededicated. The services at the
first rededication were notable. The vener-
able Rev. DR.. Gardner Spring. of New York,
preached in the morning the dedicatory SER
mon: III the afternoon Rev. DIR. Reed. of
Richmond. Va, preached and in the evening
Rev. DR.. Perkins. of Philadelphia. 1t was re-
earded as white day. in the annals of the
church.
SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK.
Including Dr. Sunderland there have been
eight settled pastors. Their names are Rev.
DR.. John Brackinridge. who served from 1895
o 1917; Rev. DR.. Reuben Post, 1919 to 1886:
Rev. DR.. William McLain. 1886 to 1910; Rev.
Charles Rich. 1910 to 1913: Rev. Dr. William
I. Sprolc, 1913 to 1917; Rev. Elisha Ballan-
tine. 1Si7 to 1851; Rev. DIR. Byron Sunder-
land since 1858. and Rev. Adclos Allen, CO.
pastor since April II, 1894.
In the early history the temporal affairs of
the church were managed by board STYLED 4,
the Temporal Committee" Fifty-three diff
ferent persons were for longer or shorter
period members OF this board In 1868 the
church obtained special charter from Con-
gress for the regulation of its temporal affairs.
Under the charter the church society was per- ;
manently organized, board of trustees ap- 6
pointed. and a system of bylaws adopted. {
There have been six presidents of the society.