The Washington times., 1894-12-24
The CHURCHES OF.
The CAPITAL CITY
Second Baptist Congregation and
Methods Of Its Pastor.
TRIES TO REACH THE PEOPLE
He Advertises in the Amusement Col
nmnS of the Papers.

of People Singing a Feature-A New
Building of Which the Members Are
Justly Proud-Every Inch of Space Util-
lied Longest Pastorate in Its History. "'
The pastor of the Second Baptist Church.
corner of Fourth street and Virginia avenue
southeast, has peculiar name. Perhaps this
is good thing, for it may attract attention.
His name is Edmond Hez Sven. and he is :
good man rs well as a good preacher. He is
not crank, as many might suppose, but is
just plain, simple American citizen. born
and raised out in Indiana. His father was 4
physician in that State and was able to give
his soma good education, which was rounded
off with course mt the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary at Louisville.
Mr.. Sven is popular with his congregation,
and is the only pastor in the eighty odd years
OF the history OF the church who has re-
manned in the charge over four years. He
has been with this people over ten years now
and is more loved by them than ever. Mr..
SVEN has some peculiar ideas (peculiar to
some people), but to business man
OF the highest interest. He tries 10
attract people to his church 10 hear
him preach and TO listen TO the singing.
He wants his church notice, for instance,
printed in the amusement column OF the
daily papers, on Sunday even. He is after
the people and wants to draw them to the
church. He succeeds. Nearly every evening
his pretty little church is crowded, and his
congregation is scattered all over the city.
Members come from the extreme northwest
from Georgetown. from Anacostia, from the
northeast, and one OF his deacons is farmer
over in Maryland. Mr.. Swem's line OF action
has brought him under heavy ecclesiastical
fire during tie last ten years Even the daily
papers have had q whack at him. one editori-
ally telling him ito take a rest But the
youngsminister has gone along fighting il out
on his own line. and intends TO keep it up as
long as life lasts.
THEIR NEW CHURCH.
Next TO their pastor the Baptists OF the
southeast are proud OF their church. 1t is
not an imposing ediice from the outside, in
fact ii is rather disappointing building. 1t
looks small aud a stranger would pass it with
not second thought. But once inside you
can well understand why the congregation is
proud Of their church home. Every inch of
ground has been Builr over and every inch of
space is utilized. There is not more COM
Portable and better arranged church in the
city. In additionit was built for $25,000, and
that was the figure decided upon before
building commenced. The friends of the con-
gregation claim that they got more for their
money and better results than ever known
before in this city, They also add that the
work could not be duplicated for the same
amount of money. All this is largely due to
the efforts Of Mr.. William A. Henderson. the
president of the board OF trustees. He was
4 10
knowledge to bear on this building with the
gratifying result just stated. Then they
found an architect who would work within
the amount agreed on. This church is for
tunate in more than its pastor.
The site of the church has been owned by
the congregation for seventy years or So On
the lot is a parsonage-the only parsonage in
the city owned by a Baptist congregation.
In describing the location of the church they
use to say il was at the corner of Virginia
avenue and Fourth street; now they saw
Fourth street aud Virginia avenue. II you
approach the church by each OF the routes
you will readily understand The auditorium
is reached by two large entrances, and there
are two or three other exits in case of panic
The main room is furnished in olive relieved
by gold and little cream. Ii has beautiful
metal ceiling, and the seats are arranged in
amphitheater form. The platform was built
after the pastors own iiea and it gives him
motto of the ehurch-"Be We doers of the
Word" The baptistery was also built after
suggestions OF the pastor, ana heavy plate
glass extends above the platform for twelve
inches and surrounds the baptismaI place.
In this way each member of the congregation
can see that the candidate IS buried with
Christ in baptism Above the baptistery aud
back of it is inscribed Jesus was baptized"
In front of the pastors chair are three electric
buttons hidden under the carpet. by means OF
which he can call the organist, head usher,
or janitor.
UP IN THE GALLERY.
The gallery surrounding the auditorium is
finished in the same style At each entrance
there is large platform rallied of, which,
at any time. would give refuge from sud-
den rush or jam The gallery. as we'll as the
auditorium. is lighted by beautifully stained
glass windows, and there are plenty of them.
The congregation believes in sunlight The
auditorium can seat GOO people and the gal
lery 500. But these are not large enough
and the Sunday-school room has to be opened
up This holds another 800 people. 1t is on
the north side of the auditorium and is di-
vided from it by glass partition, which is
raised when necessary, and the necessity eX-
lists at every night meeting. The Sunday
school room has galleries, too. which are
used for Bible classes and at the Thursday
HlSul lneelluBS. lH0 space now utilized IOr
lecture-room galleries was originally in
tended for ornamentation, but Mr.. Sven in
sisted on rooms being made. Adjoining the
Sunday school room on the east side is the
infant class room, separated from the main
room by glass partitions. A door from this
room opens directly on to the parsonage and
gives MIR. Sven the opportunity of reaching
his study without seeing any one.
This study is a little gem. Here the pastor
meets his deacons, and prepares for the serv-
ices. Speaking tubes lead to the organ loft,
to the head usher. and to the ianitor. Mr.
Sven never enters hisf pulpit until he knows
from these assistants that everything is in
order. He steps from his study to the plat
form. The basement Of. the church is given
over to the heating apparatus and dressing
rooms for tho candidates for baptism. The
church is heated by steam and a fiye-pound
pressure is all thet is ever used. The inten-
tion was to build the church two stories high,
but Mr.. Sven objected so vigorously that the
one-story plan was agreed upon. 1t sIrpasses
the original intention and the building is as
near perfect as can be. The Baptist Associa-
tion met in the church some weeks ago and
1000 persons were given lunch during each
session. There was no crowding no discom-
fort of any kind. Mr.. Clapp. of the Rich
mond Herald, one of the church organs said
1t was the hest association meeting held in
the city for years.
OVER SIXTY WIDOWS
The congregation is not a wealthy one, but
it is giving body. Over sixty widows be-
long to this church and many of their chill
Hran To ,nolyn no af