The Washington times., 1894-10-14
CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON
costly and Beautiful Metropolitan
Memorial Methodist Episcopal.
PRESIDENT GRANT A TRUSTEE
The Building Fund Subscribed to from All
Over the United states-The Fifth Baptist
Church and the Remarkable Pastorate Of
DR.. Kesdor-The Oldest in the District

A handsome brown-stone structure, Gothic
1 architecture, is the Metropolitan Memorial
ethodist Episcopal Church as it stands at
ae corner Of Four-and-a-half and C streets
northwest. 1t was built at a cost Of over
t200. 600. and nearly every Methodist in the
United States was asked TO contribute to the
building fund. President Grant was trustee
Of this church and Gen. John A. Logan a
member On the west side Of the pulpit, on
the wall, are memorial tablets to these two
men.
Some time this year the tWenty-ffth ami
yersary Of the dedication of the church is TO
be observed and AL the SundGy-school
scholars. members Of the church, and pastors,
no matter how old or how far away, are TO be
invited to be present. The delay in naming
the date for the anniversary is due 10 Bishop
Newman. who is in Europe. When he returns
and announces when he can be present all
arrangements will be made.
The first movement looking to the building
Of g Methodist Episcopal church at the corner
Of Four-and-a-haif and c streets was inaugu-
rated in 1853 The idea at that time was to
build church which the strangers in the city
could attend, and the intention was to have
all the pews free. Rev. Henry Slicer was ap-
pointed agent Of the church by the Maryland
conference in 1853 and began his duties. He
was able 10 secure enough money 10 purchase
lot, and the cornerstone was laid October
2S. 1854 Bishop Simpson preached the ser
mon. The walls of the church were built up
few feet above the ground and then work
was abandoned. The threatening civil war
stopped subscriptions. and then the war itself
stopped all work in that direction.
Ii was not until 1866 that a determined
effort was made TO finish the work begun
fifteen years before. Rev. Francis ;. De
Hass was appointed pastor and in tour
made through tho country raised over $780,.
600 and with this amount in hand the work was
started and the church finished, except the
tower and steeple. The cost OF the building
was about S225 900. Later in 1871 the Relso
spire Z25 feet high (named after the donor
furnishing the funds). was dedicated, with its
chime of sixteen bells and the church was
complete. Ii was dedicated February 2S
1863, Bishop Simpson preaching at the morn
ing service. The church was organized
March 2S. 1869. The historical dates are:
February p. 1863: March Is 1869: Kelso spire
dedicated, November 30 1871; and EpWorth
League organized November u. 1889.
The chimes are noted in this city. They are
IN charge OF James Il. Gibson, and are played
each Sunday. On public holidays patriotic
sirs are ruug on them. The church, too, has
one OF the finest organs In the city, the gift of
Carlos Pierce, Of Massachusetts. The audi
forum has peWs set apart for each State and
Territory in the Union and the President and
the Cabinet. The remainder Of the peWs are
rented, except in the gallery, where they are
free, The auditorium is 64xS5 feet and has
seating capacity Of ], 200. The Sunday-school
Foom Is also most pleasantly arranged, and
a.! the necessarles OF church life are found
here.
TIE PRESENT OFFICERS.
President Grant was member Of the first
board Of trustees, and the present board con-
sists Of Matthew G. Emery, chairman; Andrew
z. Duvau, secretary; Samuel Fowler,
Augustus D. Lynch, Anderson ?. Lacey, Saul
s. Henkle, George w. Gray, and Fred. Z.
Tasker. Mr.. James N. Holmes is treasurer,
and the stewards are: Washington F. Gapen,
Samuel Ford. Cornelius BurleW. Robert f.
Crowell. Edwin A. McIntire (recording),
Byram c. Tiffany. James NJ. Holmes, Frank
X. Nartng, George i. Clark district, Mel
Vile N. Mohitt, Charles C. Pursell Charles
w. shiles, and George II. LaFetra-
The local ministers connected with the
church are; Reys. Stephen Brown, elder: J.
William Nj. Ferguson, elder: J. II. McCarty,
elder; Lew H. York, elder; John Riggles
local preacher; John Thomas H. Mckee
preacher; Ruter W Springer, preacher, and
John VI. Matchett, eXhorter Among the
class leaders are several ladies. and their
classes are wul attended. The class leaders
are: Theodore ~. Tallmadge. Charles Z.
Walker, her5elr 4. Buell., Arthur J.. Miley,
1drs. J. T.. IGsker Misses Cora ID. Thomas
Louise C. Wilson. Fannie I. Taylor, Marian
1. Fowler. and Mrs. Emma AIcF. Wharton
Special attention is paid in this church to
the music, and the choir has the reputation of
being one Of the best in the city. II ls com
posed OF professionals who are well paid. It
IL made up as follows: Wilbur F. Dales, Or
RUnist; Warren W. Rich Fred A. Grant, Miss
Matte E. Gray and Mrs. May Gibson. The
Yoluntarles and solos are OF the highest order
but the congregational singing is OF such
character that all can join in the hymns.
The Rdies Of this church are workers, as
glance through the officers and committee
members OF the Ladies' Association will show:
Oficers-President Mrs. NJ Tullock: first
vice president, Mrs. Hugh Johnston; second
vice president Mrs. A. D. Lynch; third vice
president, Mrs. A. B. Duvall: fourth vice
president. Mrs. c. Burlew; fifth wee presi-
dent, Miss Emma McKelden; secretary, Mrs.
", =, Edwards; assistant secretary, Miss II.
J.. Duyall; treasurer, Mrs. Fred Z. Tasker;
eRsistant treasurer, Mrs. J. G. Tasker.
l-foctors-Mesdames NJ Il. Emery, A. B.
Buraii, w. g. Mcdowell, Samuel Emery J.
81. Holmes. J. j. Wilmarth, A. E. Miley, NJ
a. Aollt, j. B. Hammond. Miss Marian
3Sg-se, and Mesdames G. II. LaFetra and L.
T. AaFAaaa,
tafsaaage COMMUNICATIONS NJ. J.
P4r7. II, bullock, NJ. @. Emery, S. Emery, A.
y. AsAsA, A. 2. Duvall, G. w. Gray, c. Bur-
lev: ssl9 ], Q, Tasker.
s+s.s4As oommittee-Mrs. J. C. Tasker,
atis-~s j, Wilson and Marian Fowler, and
3iesaa==ga A, e Miley and S. Emery.
Ae--eaist home committee-Mesdames b.
doAAs.sa, n, J, Burr, NJ G. Emery, ]. c.
qas4efA s. Emery, S. Ford, Il. L. Duvall, and
Mics EAR4a MoKelden.
We4aaA Forolgn Missionary Society
P-~s.4eet, Ars, q. Y. LaFetra; vice presi-
ae=ss, Mesdaues J. Q, Tasker, A. P. Lacey.
20 4. Q, Emesyl treasurer, Mrs. G. w.
Sag; -seeFaihg secretary, Msr. A. q. G. Jew
n;:s aAa corresponding secretary, Mrs. J. n.
Hns--SS.
Nssnaa's Aeme Missionary society-Presl-
d-as,. al1A. NJ. q, Mcdowell, vice presidents,
M54. 4: ?; Lynch, Mr6 7, Z. Lapham. and
Ms atalsse z, Cray treasurer, Mlss Marian
=. sS,trsFrS E6anrdsaR eAnrotErv Miss T,orisa