The Washington times., 1894-11-26
CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON
The E Street Baptist and It's History
for Over Half a Century.
WILL ERECT A NEW STRUCTURE
The Congregation Is an Active One and Is
Pushing Right Ahead-A Lot Purchased
at the Corner of and Tenth Streets
Northwest-other General Church News,

The E Street Baptist Church, the mother of
Calvary, Fifth and the Metropolitan, is en-
terlng on its flfty-third year, but is growing
younger and more active as the years go by.
1t seems only a short time to some Of the
older members since their religious home was
in the center of wealthy resident popula-
tion. Now the church is down town. is sur
rounded by business houses and the congre-
cation thinks ii is time to move. The site for
their new house OF worship hasibeen selected,
the lot has been bought and the plans for the
new church adopted. The church itself
would have been erected by this time had it
not been for the financial depression, which
was felt here as well as elsewhere. The con-
gregation owns property which is valued at
S60, 900 and just as soon as it can be sold for
anything near these figures work on the new
structure will be begun. II would not be sur
prising if the start was made before the prop
erty is sold for the Baptists of E street are
made Of the stuff which docs not hesitate al a
tribe like $1,000, and of stuff which always
succeeds in its undertakings.
July 2S, 1S43, the cornerstone of the pres
ent building was laid, The ceremonies were
impressive and large crowd was present
The sermon was preached by Rev. T. Lansing
Burrows, of Philadelphia, ana among those
present were the mayor Of the city and min
listers from other denominations. The occa-
sion was also honored by the presence of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, who par
ticipated officially in the ceremonies. At that
time there was twenty-e.ght churches of all
denominations in the city; the population of
the United States was II 900. 600 and of the
city OF Washington $4,000. At that time
within half a mile of the church could be
seen fields OF growing wheat. corn, and other
farm products. SO the church has seen the
city and the country make the marvellous
progress which is the wonder and admiration
of the world. The lot was 81 by 100 feet and
cost S2,5oO; now its value is nearly $4,000.
EARTHLY STRUGGLES.
But the g, 500 was a large sum for the con-
gregation to raise in those days, and added
to this was the estimated cost of the building
$4,000. The intention was to close in the
first story when finished. and worship there
In until the upper portion was completed,
and the plan was carried out. In July, 1916,
the church was completed and the dedlcatory
exercises were held in the morning, after
noon and night. Rev. George B. Ide, of
Philadelphia, pastor of the First Baptist
Church, officiated on this OCCASION In 1853
and 1860 the interior of the audience-room
was remodeled and the two projecting towers
added. Other changes were made so as TO
afford easier access and give a better appear
ance to the structure. The changes cost sew
eral thousand dollars. Several years later
mainly through the liberality OF lIr Z. Rich
ards other important changes were made.
and the interior became the pleasant church
home it is to-day
Previous to the occupancy of the church the
congregation worshipped where best it could
The first temporary pastor was Kendall
Brooks, jr-, tutor in Columbia College, now
Columbian University. The Rev. Jacob
Knapp, a famous evangelist from the State of
New York, acted as a supply for the church
two months, and during his pastorate IA
members were added to the church rolls
During this period the services were held in
the City Hall, in the Masonic Temple, at the
corner of Four-and-a-half street and Louisi-
ana avenue, and also in the assembly or ball
room on louisiana avenue between Four-and-
a-half and Sixth streets. During this time
Rev George w. Adams came to the city from
Baltimore, and labored zeaIousy with the
pastor. Many persons were converted, and
many of them were baptized in the Potomac
River during seasons OF the year when the
Ice had to be cut to perform the CEREMONY
The first pastor of the church was Rev.
George w. Samson, a young man of remark
able energy and force of character, who took
at once prominent position as a pastor in
the city. His congregation embraced all
classes. Cabinet officers and Senators from the
Jackson administration down to the time of
Buchanan listened to him, and among these
was Jefferson Davis. Among those who were
constant attendants were Secretaries Marcy
and Howell Cobb, Gen. Sam Houston, Sena-
tor Harris, of New York, and Dr. Binney
once a professor of Columbia College and
afterward missionary to Burmah. During
his pastorate he visited the Holy Land and on
his return continued to serve the church for a
number Of years. He was afterward elected
president Of Columbia College and filed this
position for ten years. Among the pastors
who succeeded DR.. Samson were Drs. Cush-
man, kennard, Gray, Appleton, Jutten
Parker, Mason, and Faunce.
THE CHURCH TO-DAY.
The present pastor is Rev. ]. J. Muir, late
of the North Church, Philadelphia He has
been with the church over five years. and is
much beloved and respected by his congrega-
ton. He is very popular among all classes of
people. and his services are largely attended
He was born and educated in Ireland, of
Scotnh-lrish parentage, and came to this
country in 1867 He was ordained in 1869.
and was made pastor of the First Baptist
Church at Oxford, New Jersey. He has filed
pastorates i'll New York city and Philadelphia.
He is carrying on the work OF the church in a
most successful and satisfactory way. He is
a busy man, but always finds time to listen to
the troubles Of the members Of his congrega-
ton, or, in fact. of any one who comes to him.
and seldom are any turned away. 1t is his
great desire just now to see the beautiful site
the church has purchased at the corner OF
Tenth ana \ streets covered by handsome
structure. He Is doing all he can to hurry
matters along. The lot cost $50, ,00O and the
congregation has already paid $4,000 OF the
$4,000 subscribed, and will probably pay
$4,000 more in a few weeks.
The officers of the church at present are:
Trustees. NJ. Clapp, president; D. c. Gray
son, William T. Eaton. 0. G. Fox. Charles H.
Lane, and Dr. R. H. Gunnell. The annual
meeting is to be held early in December, and
at that time there may be some changes. The
trustees look after the financial interests of
the church and the present magnificent show
ing made is largely due to their efforts. The
deacons are William Fletcher. George H.
Stowell. R. W. Fenwick. Benjamin A. Farless,
F. A. Roderick, John S. Garrison. and D. G.