The Washington times., 1894-08-05
How Foundry Came to Be So Called
Long Years Ago.
HENRY FOXHALL'S GRATITUDE
His Cannon Foundry Was Saved as II by
Special Dispensation and the Good Nan
Gave Thanks to God in a Substantial Way
How the Church Has Grown.

banks Of the Potomac near where George
town now fourishes.
He was an iron worker and moulder by oc-
cupation and erected near Georgetown, about
midway between Foxhall road and the Aque-
duct Bridge, enc of the first foundries ever
operated ON the western continent for the
manufacture Of cannon.
The war of 1912 found Foxhall at his post
engaged in casting guns for the use of the
American Army and Navy. From his factory
cannon were sent overland to Lake Erie aud
were used by Commodore Perry at the time
he won his famous naval victory.
Many of the old rough guns now treasured
among the national relics bear his name as
the manufacturer. His reputation as a pa
triot, and the business in which he was .en-
gagged, whereby he gave aid and comfort to
the enemies of the British crown, were we'll
known to the English leaders. and when
Washington city fell into the hands Of the
red coats, he fully expected to see the accu-
mutations OF his labor sacrificed. 1t is said
that the order for the destruction of his prop
erty was actually issued, but that its eXecu-
tion was prevented by furious storm.
FoxHALL's GRATITUDE.
Out OF gratitude for the preservation Of his
property the worthy Wesleyan determined to
appropriately commemorate it. He decided
to erect house of worship for the use OF the
Methodist congregation with which he afili-
ated, which should serve as a monument to
what he WAS pleased to regard as special
Interpolation of Providence in his favor.
Preferring to locate the building near the
Executive Mansion he cast about for suita-
bic spot and finally selected from ground of
his own the site upon which Foundry Church
now stands. on the corner OF G and Four
teenth streets northwest.
In 1876 Foundry Chapel was dedicated.
1t WAS so named to perpetuate the memory Of
Foxhalls cannon manufactory and in honor
as well Of that older foundry IN London,
where John Wesley inaugurated Methodism.
1t was a small structure, but of sufficient Ca
pacity for the needs Of the congregation as it
then existed.
The building fronted on Fourteenth street.
The interior construction accorded with the
plans then in vogue for such edidces-a gal
lery on each OF the two sides recess pulpit far
above the heads of the people, and pews Of
rough. addressed material. with a partition
extending through the center that divided
the church into two sections. in order that
the sexes might be separated during the GER
vices.
The members and friends OF the church
afterward had built dwelling for the pastor.
which, like the house of worship, was modest
and unpretentious, and occupied the site of
the present parsonage, No. 1885 g street
northwest, adjoining the church.
FAMOUS COMMUNICATES.
In the humble Foundry Chapel, so long the
meeting place of the spiritually-minded, some
of the most eminent preachers and distin-
guished bishops of the II. E. Church from
time to tins officiated at the sacred desk
Some of the earlier Presidents of the republic
were accustomed 10 occupy the old style, un-
cushioned pews. Presidents Jackson, Van
BureD. Polk, Pierce, and Buchanan, each in
his official term, were often among the wor-
shippers. some prior to and others, of course,
after the church building was first remodeled.
Later. Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, re-
spectIyely, were occasionally among the wor-
shippers, and during their residence in the
city, President and Mrs. X. B. Hayes, were
enrolled among the active members. Presi-
dent Hayes paid his subscription by check at
the close Of each OF the four years OF his So
journ here. One OF the finest portraits ever
made Of Mrs. Hayes is among the church
treasures.
An interesting incident is related in connec-
ton with MIR. Lincoln's presence at a mission
airy meeting held in the church one Sabbath
Upon entering the President found
the auditorium densely packed, and march
ing up the aisle he seated himself upon the
pulpit steps. Bishop Simpson preached one
Of his characteristically eloquent sermons,
making powerful appeal for liberal contri-
buttons. and a pretty large sum was asked of
.he congregation. When subscriptions were
being announced, Mr.. Lincoln was named for
| contribution OF 800. Probably having
grown weary OF the delay, considering his
perch on the high steps of the
pulpit, the President humorously exclaimed:
Take me down; take me down! II you
will take me down I'll settle the whole billp'
President johnson was once present when |
IN urgent appeal was made for funds, and |
many OF the older members recall that when |
he collectors reached his pew Mr.. Johnson |
implied his pocket of all the money IL con- |
large roll of bills-and without |
.lance at it deposited the whole amount in |
he basket. |
In 1916, under the pastorate of DIR. John |
.anahan, Foundry Chapel" was recon- |
tructed. The ediflce was enlarged. a new |
ront was built, and the interior greatly mod |
rnized. New pews were introduced and |
scture room provided. While DIR. (afterward |
'ishop) Jesse I. Peck was pastor the parson-
&c was also improved, and the rude dwelling |
coupled blythe sexton was replaced by two
tory brick.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The old chapel was torn down in 1866 to
i've way to a new building, and later that
ew building was remodeled, at an expense of
pwards Of SSO.0OO, making Foundry Church,
S it now stands, cost. about 800, 900, the
rincipal part of the work having been done
t ''war prices" To make the extension and |
improvements required it became necessary
} purchase additional ground, and lot
djoining-25Il00 feet-was accordingly
ought of William A. Mckenna, a descendant
+ Henry Foxhall, and now a resident of
georgetown.
The money on hand being required for other
urposes, the church officials assumed the
ebt incurred by the purchase, but on the
forming the ediice was dedicated Mr.. Nc
emma surprised them by dropping a deed for
into the contribution basket.
The present church building is obviously
asst Improvement upon its primitive prede-
essor. and the increase in the numbers of its
congregation of worshipers has kept pace
18th its progress The building is handsome
, architectural design, and is enlarged to a
eating capacity of ], 200. 1t is provided with
t the time it was valued at little over
1000. The pews are well arranged and
omfortable.
From number quite small, in Foxhalfs
me, but of whom there is no official list pre-
rived, rbe congregation has increased to
10 communicates. The church is supported
y the voluntary offerings Of the people, and
meet the current expenses the sum OF
|, 500 is annually required-an amount al
lost as large, perhaps, as Henry Foxhall in
A.