Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-25
TRINITY M. E. CHURCH
Fine EdifiCe Which Will Be Com
pleted Early in the Fall.
MOTHER OF METHODISM IN This CITY
An Interesting Account of the
Building and the Congregation.
IN TIL f EAR LY DAY S

The breaking of ground for the new Trim
ity Methodist Episcopal Church is an event
which has been looked forward to by local
Methodists for a long time with great in
terest. The pres, Mt Trinity Church is the
parent church of all the Methodist churches
in Washington. directly and indirectly. and
therefore, its history is that of Washing
ton Methodism. The territory lying in this
city was originally within The bounds of
the great Baltimore circuit In February
l114. this circuit was divided into four
parts and called respectively Baltimore cir
cult, Baltimore town. Frederick and Kent
circuits. Thus this region became a part
of the Frederick circuit. Many great re-
vivals occurred in this circuit during those
early years, and the church took deep loot
and grew. The societies increased. new
preaching places we're opened. and it again
became necessary TO divide the work So
that at the conference held In 1TSS the
lower part of the circuit was organized
into a separate charge and called Mont
gomery circuit, Robert Green and John AL
len being appointed TO serve 1t.
The part of Montgomery circuit where
this city Is now located became a center of
special interest to the whole country for
il had been selected By George Washington
as the seat of general government and
had been coded to the United States 10y the
state of Maryland 1t is difficult to fix the
exact date of the Introduction of Matho-
dism into Washington. Bishop Simpson is
authority for the statement that Washing
ton IS included in the Georgetown charge
In 1S"l. though other significant Circum-
stances point to an earlier date. Rev. w.
NJ Ferguson, a former pastor of Trinity
Church published a little book in 1892 in
which ne woye the history of his church
and of his denomination together. DR..
Ferguson says that at the conferen. re held
in Baltimore April l. 1902, William Waters
was appointed pastor OF Georgetown and
Washington and that the place of meeting
for the Methodfsts of that day was 4 pri-
vaje dwelling. located On Greenleafs Point
In the southern part OF the city.
The Twenty BUILDINGS
Fronting on South Capitol and streets
stood The Twenty Buildings" notable in
the history OF the reighborhood. In one
of these the First Society held Divine wor-
ship. Washington city appears in the min
utes of the conference of 1905 as a sepa-
rate station. with William Waters as pas
tor once more
Among the early Methoists of this city
was John I.pscomb and his wife. Eliza
beth. who united with the society in Oc-
tobcr, lI94 This family has furnished
many eminent members of the Methodist
ministry, among them being Philip d.
LI,,pscomb. Robert NJ Lipscomb. William c.
LipScomb and Andrew a. Lpscomb, son
OF The last man. OF the other members
OF the church at GreenIeaf's Point the in
formation is very measer. no roll of men,
berShip having been preserved Mr. Car
roll who was one of the largest land own
ers IN the infant city Of Washington own
@. barn on New jersey avenue south of
ID street. and this was the place to which
the growing Methodist congregation came
when ii migrated from GreenIeafs Point
Here Divine services were maintained for
about four years
Christ Protestant Ep:scora! Church,
galGhr1fpH
also used this building. having worshiped
IN II Tor thirty years before IL came into
Inc possession OF the Methodists During
The period OF its occupancy by the E,niscn
palians many of the leading men of the
country worsbiped here, including Thomas
Jefferson, VINO was accustomed to ridInr
on horseback on Sunday from the White
House TO the church and tie his horse ONT
SIDE 10 remain Until after service
William Prout who was r. promfnent
member OF Christ Church, sold to the trus-
lees OF the infant church part of square
e., located on ith street between Soutb
Carolina avenue and G street. for s227 81
y house of worship was erected on II nm
der the supervision of the first trustees
who were as follows: Henry FoxaN, once
mayor of GsorCetcwn: John Nrashears
ElectIus Middleton Ambrose WHITE Iomss
Nanzanette John A. Chambers, Leonard
Mackal, John Elliason and Jacob Hoffman.
First Church Erected,
Tie new church. which was formally
dedicated in November, 1911, was the first
church built by the Methodists In Wash
ingion city, and the first pastor In charge
was Beverly Waugh. afterward a famous
Methodist bishop. Tho church, which was
Of brick. was very plain, both inside and
out. There were three galleries and a par
uuon four feet high up the center of the
church, by which means the sexss We're
seated separately during worship. At that
time Ii did not bear the name of Fourth
Street or the later name of Trinity, 1t hay-
Ing been called in 1919 Ebenezer.
In 1S5T-5s the First Church, which had
stood for forty-six years the sole represen-
tative OF Methodism in East Washington,
was removed and a now enc built, the ledi-