Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-16
REOPENING OF A CHURCH
An Interesting Service at the 15th-Street
Presbyterian Tomorrow.
1t Marks a New Epoch In the History
of the InstitutiOn-Its
Steady Growth.

The reopening service Of the Fife euth
Street Presbyterian Church tomorrow, after
its enlargement and other extensive i'm
provements that have been made to it.
records the fourth progressive step in this
direction during the nearly sixty years
history of its existence 1t not only marks
new era in the history of one of the cid
est Presbyterian churches in the city. but
also the wonderful growth of the locality
once swampy outlying district and now
a valuable and fashionable section. This
church directly faces Mcpherson Square,
one of the most charming and beautiful
outlooks in the city.
The church was established some time IN
the thirties or early forties by Rev. John
+. Cook, Daniel Carroll and Charles Bruce,
then prominent colored men in Washington,
assisted by Rev. John c. Smith of the
Fourth Presbyterian Church, Rev. DR..
Caruthers and others interested in Chris
tian work among colored citizens. For
many years services were held in small
frame building situated on the northeast
corner of 18th and H streets. Here also
was a private school for colored children,
taught by Rev. Mr.. Cook, and some of the
best educated coiored citizens were among
his pupils. About 1911 the present site On
18th street was purchased from the late
Mr.. w. w. Corcoran for about $500, and
upon IT was erected a neat frame church
building, and in these new quarters the
membership rapidly Increased. Among its
ministers during these early days We're
Rev. French Evans. Rev. Septinlus Tustin.
Rev. DR.. Wilson, Rev. Joseph e. Nourse
of Georgetown. and under their pastorates
ii became a thriving church and probably
the largest in membership of any colored
Presbyterian church in the country.
A New Ediice.
About 1850 or 60 the little old frame
building was torn down and in it's stead
was erected substantial brick one, with
seating capacity of about 310-then regard
ed large church. Some Of the a5lest
colored ministers of the country were from
time to time called as pastors of this
church. About ls5j Rev. Octavius Cato
was pastor. Afterward the Rev. Benjt-
min f. Tanner, now a bishop in the Meth
odISt ChurC h; the Rev. Henry Highland
Garnett, who was some years dltef"ard
appointed minister to Liberia, where he
died, and then the Rev. J.. Sully Martin
pastors of this church.
In 1871 the church was again remodeled
and enlarged. and has So remained until It's
recent Improvement during the last few
months. The present pastor is Rev. DR..
Francs j. Grinlle, graduate or Prince
ton College, and d man thoroughly lmDued
with Christian work. Under his charge the
has so Increased as to require
cured by the addition of practically a ew
4Ox2J, in the rear of the present
Did one. and a thorough renovation OF the
Did building, so that the whole appears as
IN entirely new church on the interior.
Tomorrow has been set for the reopeiiinS
services, and special preparations have been
made for this purpose, which VIII include
a sermon by the pastor, Rev. Francis J.
and remarks by the Rev. DIR. Jas.
Graf ghead and Rev. William Warning at the
service. In the afternoon at $50
o'clock, President Patton OF Princeton Col
ege is expected to preach. Rev. DR.. Byron
of the First Presbyteria
Church, and Rev. Eugene Johnson of the
Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church
VIII also take part in the services. The
sermon at night viii be by the Rev. DR..
Samuel b. Wallace of Israel C.. NJ. f..
Church. Revs. DIR. John Chester and VIM.
3. Tunnel, professor of Kings theological
department. of Howard University, will be
present.
Music will be furnished by the church
md temperance choirs, under the manage
nent of Prof. Sanlucls OF the United States
Marine Band, and Madam Lena MIller-Mc-
Kinney, assisted by the Chris ian Endeavor
Choir.