Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10

Rev. e. w. 8. Peck, Pastor.
to 1912, when 125 worshiped with the white
people in the old church, the site of which
is at present marked by the Corcoran pub
lie school building. on Montgomery or 2Sth
street. In 1916 the increase of the colored
membership justified measures being taken
to secure place of worship Of their own.
good many of the white members of the
church favored the idea. A lot was pur
chased of Mr.. Foxall on Mill street, just
above West, now p street, brick stl =
ture was erected thereon, and the church
was organized into a distinct body in Oc-
tober of 1S1G.
No Regular Pastor.
Though the colored people had church
Of their own, they were unable to maintain
a separate minister. The pastors of the
Montgomery Street Church had charge of
the spiritual welfare of the new church,
and maintained control until 1872, when
the Baltimore conference sent Rev. Mr..
Hansburgh to take charge of the church.
which was known as the meeting house of
the colored members of the George own
station. No official records were kept of
the church from its organization UP to
1870, when Rev. Robert S. Vinton assumed
acharge. 1t was in 1874, upon the suggas-
ton of Rev. Mr.. Roszel, then IN charge,
that. on account of it's situation, Mt. Zion
would be an appropriate name for the
u.
year the membership was $40, with two
local preachers seveh ,exhorters, two stew
ards and fourteen leaders. Rev. William
Taylor, afterward Bishop Taylor, was
pastor in 1916.
Costly improvements.
In 1855 it was decided to improve the
church, and the next year the house was
remodeled. placing the congregation heavily
in debt. Rev. John W. Hoover was ap-
o ha in ha
an Indebtedness of $1,10J on the church.
AS the creditors were pressing hard for
their money, and threatened to sell the
place, the congregation became extremely
discouraged. A sinking fund association
was organized among the female members
Of the church, paying ten cents a month
per member. The association was called
the Church Aid Society, and it not only
and presented a handsome silver set for
communion.
COlored Minister Chosen.
In 1864 the members decided TO have a
colored minister, and the first session of
the Washington annual conference was
held in Sharp Street NJ. E. Church, BaIti-
more. Md, October q, 1864, Bishop Levi
Scott presiding. AT the close of this ses-
SIGN Rev. John Fl. Brice was appointed to
Mt Zion. and was her first pastor of color
Rev. Mr.. Brice took charge November l.
1854, and his passionate lasted for Il year
and half, the membership numbering 81
with thirty-three probationers. At the
third session of the Washington annual
conference, held In Baltimore March /,
1866, Rev. N NJ. Carroll was appointed
by Bishop Scott as pastor Of Mt Zion
During this year was organized the first
trustee board. Which composed of
Isaac Davenport, Richard Brown Thomas
Doris, Alfred Pope, VIM. Wheeler. Hen
son Rhodes, John Clinton, Frank Herbert
and Frank Tyler. In the sam. year 1S1
people were converted and joined the
church, some of whom are The leadine
members at this time.
Missionary Work,
The first missionary prayer meeting was
held Ju1-e 6, 1866. and missionary society
organized in the Sabbath school. The Poor
Relief Society was organized November is.
1858, with Hannah Pope, president; Moses
r. Thompson, secretary: Lucy Bowles
treasurer. At the close of this year there
were 561 members, 100 probationers thr-
teen classes. five stewards, seven trustees
four local preachers and one exhorter.
During the years 1871 u, when Rev. G. T.
Plnkney was pastor, the church was in
such dilapidated condition that the re-
building of 1t was considered. The sum Of
$1,000 was raised and deposited in the
F>reedman's Savings Bank for that purpose.
Rev. George Lewis was the next pastor
and large sum of money was realized for
the rebuilding Of the church, 5000 being
raised through an excursion to Glymont
Rev. Benjamin Brown was appointed pas
tor March l, 1874, with membership of
$50, and $500 in the Freedman's Bank
In the same year the bank failed, and the
church received only 1886. The members
became discouraged and were about to give
up the idea Of building new church. But
finding that the bank was a complete fail
ure. extra efforts were made to raise mon
ey, and 1924 was accumulated in one day.
The New Church.
The annual conference was held Febru-
airy "a, 1875, at Alexandria, Va. and at
this time the opinion of the majority of the
cfficiary was that new site should be Sc
lected and church erected. At a meet
ing held March II, 1875. the church re-
solved to secure another site and erect a
from Alfred Pope at a cost of 81, 81, located
on 29th street between pumbarton avenue
and Beall, now o street. which is the site
| of the present building. The building COM
| mittee was appointed November 30. 1915.
| consisting of john Gray, Barton Fisher
! Henry Bowles, Mason Lcwery, James Fer,
| guson, Daniel Brown and Peter Vessels.
Work on the foundation of the new church
| was begun. In the same year an organ
| was purchased for the Sabbath school. and
| as it was the first organ placed in the
| church there was some opposition on the
Fart Of the older members.
Laying the Corner Stone.
Rev. BENJAMIN Brown was appointed to
| take charge of the church In 1875 The
! corner stone was laid in July, 1876, by the
Grand Council of Good Samaritans and the
/ NJ z