Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-10
Corner Stone of the New Edifce Laid
Today.
DR.. RYDER'S HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Some Interesting Notes of Old
Washington.
THE COMMITTEES IN CHARGE

One of the most interesting passages in
the address of Rev. DR.. w. P. Ryder of
Staunton, Va, at the laying this after
noon of the corner stone of Ebenezer
Methodist Episcopal Church. corner 4th
and streets southeast, was that in which
he contrasted the privileges of the colored
people of the present day in Washington
with those had by even the church going
community of that race less than half a
century ago.
DIR. Ryder astounded many of those pres
ent when he told them that during the adj
ministration of Mayor Richard Wallach OF
this city, and for long time previous, If
the colored people desired to hold even a
church meeting longer than 8 o'clock at
night it was necessary, in order to avoid
arrest. to procure permission to do so from
the chief magistrate of Washington.
AS is already known to the readers Of
The Star, the new Ebenezer Church will
take the place of the Struc ture which was
blown down during severe storm last
September. To a large extent the details
of the program were carried out under the
direction of DIR. Hamilton S. Smith, most
worshipful grand master of the Most Wor-
shipful Grand Lodge of F. A. A. NJ. of the
District of Columbia. Previous to the hour
appointed for the ceremonies to commence
the members of the Grand Lodge met at
their headquarters, and. under the cap
ta1ncy OF DR.. Smith, and escorted by the
National Brass Band marched to the place
where the stone was put in location.
The religious exercises of the occasion
were begun with the singing of a hymn,
which was announced by Rev. /. L. Thorn
as of Asbury NJ. E. Church The invoca-
ton offered by Rev. DR.. J. A. johnson,
pastor of Metropolitan A. NJ. E. Church.
This was followed by the responsive read
ing of the 1920 Psalm. led by Rev C. G.
Key. presiding elder of the South Balti-
more district. The lesson of the day was
read by Rev. DR.. e. w. S. Peck of Mount
Zion NJ. E. Church. After music by Sc
, lected choir Rev. DIR. W. P. Ryder OF
Staunton, Va. ex-presidng elder of Wash
ington district NJ. E. Church, and who is
called by the members of EbeneZer "a son
of the church, delivered the historical ad-
dress of the event, which in part was as
| follows:
DIR. Ryder's Address.
MY connection with Ebenezer dates
back to 1855. The church was, however
organized during the forties and was the
| quito ONE of a revival held in what Is now
Trinity Church. but which was then known
as Ebenezer, subsequently becoming
changed in name to the Fourth Street
Church, and still more recently, as at pres
ent. being known as Trinity.
Among those who were converted during
| this revival were Noah Jones and his wife
} Stepney Forrest, William Wells, Daniel
| Slmms, Alfred Parry. Josiah Lee and Lu-
| cinda, his wife, and Nancy Gray. The
Joneses were residents of South Washing
| ton and they soon became convinced that 1,
| was their duty to hold more frequent ser,
| vices than possibly could be congenial tc
! some OF the members of the church with
which they were connect ted. After giving
! the subject much thought, they, with the
| others named, met weekly or oftener al
| suited them, and alternately at the home
| or each, and held class meetings and
| prayer meetings. Soon they began to at.
/ tract the attention of persons who were
like minded, and in the course Of a few
| months were able to secure a little one
| story building, twenty-five by forty feet. or
| Capitol Hill. then known as the Navy Yard
| where they worshiped for a number OF
| years. AT this time the congregation was
| very large, but from some cause which !.
| not clearly understood, the attendance 6
| Few years later began to decrease, and fr
| 1894 mad become SO small that 1t was
! tnought large audience was present wher
tnere were twenty-five persons at Sunday
| night service.
This state of affairs continued for a few
years, when suddenly interest In the ole
| church began to revive and the member
ship became so influential that in 1864 g
movement was started by the member,
which resulted in the formation of tn,
Washington conference of the Il. Church
| which Is composed exclusively Of coloref
| ministers and their congregations, ant
which now comprises about 1JO preachers
| The organization of the Washington
conference was not accomplished wfthou
much effort on the part of rhe people c
Ebenezer and its friends A petition wa.
drawn up by one of the principal member.
OF Ebenezer and sent to the general con
ference of the NJ. f. Church, which ret II
1864. and although much opposition wa,
developed in the debate uoon the subiec
the request of the petitioners was finall,
granted.
Immediately thereafter Rev. David P
| Jones was sent pastor to EbencZer
Those who have succeeded him were Reys
r. H. Robinson. Lillman jackson, c. G
Key, p G. Walker, T. A. Davis, c. w
Walker. G. T. Pinkney, w. II. Draper, A
Dennis. N. w. Clair and the incumbent
John H. Griffin.
| The Church Grows.
When Rev. Tillman Jackson took charg,
Of the church he found the building nucl
too small to accommodate the large an.
constantly growing congregation, but a
the same time utterly unable to provid
the means for the erection of another ant
more commodious structure. Accordinsl,
Mr.. Jackson visited the various brick yard
In the vicinity of Washington and from
their owners begged enough bricks to pu
| up a new house. He also secured from
| lumber dealer a large contribution of tina
!. kind OF material. and 1t is said that tn
donations received as a result of his effort
were far more In money value than tn