The Washington bee., 1897-12-11

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
PASToRATE OF REV. DR.. w. B1sH-
oP JOHNSON AT SECOND BAPTIST
CHURCH.-A FULL HISTORY OF THE
CHURCH.-THE WORK OF AN ENTER
PRISING PASTOR AND WORKING
CONGREGATIONAL PRESENT IN
DEBTEDNESS OF THE CHURCH.
In IS4S, company of believers were
dismissed by the 1st Baptist Church !
corner of 10TH and | streets n. W., tor
1 the purpose of organizing the Second |
Baptist Church. The new organlza-
| ton began its existance on X street
| between 9TH and Sth streets n. W., with !
Licentiate H H. Butler, as its spiritu-
al leader. He remained only year
and In IS4o, Rev. Jeremiah Asher,
regular ordained mininter became Its
| first pastor The church had found q
home on Capitol Hill, and Rev. Asher
| continued his labors with II for two
years. In 1850, Rev. Gustavus Brown,
/ ex-pastor or 10Th Street Baptist Church
assumed the pastoral care and sue
ceeded in greatly improving the con-
dition OF the young organization. 1t
was found necessary to again change
their place of worship, so tney removed
to b street, s. W., between 9th and 7th
streets, in broom factory, where they
| remained only a short time.
Not having purchased site, it was
necessary for them to move from place
to place until an increase in member
ship should warrant them in making
the attempt to purchase ground and
erect an edifice to God. Accordingly,
after Rev Brown severed his pastoral
relations they worshipped corner 9th
and d streets n. w, over Ryan'S groc
cry, during which time they recalled
Licentiate H. H. Butler in So, and,
calling council of all the churches,
ordained him to the work Of the Cos
pei ministry. He remained with the
church until his death occurred. He
was greatly loved by his members and
honored by the community at large.
From Ninth and d streets the church
sought a permanent home on Third
street between H and | streets north
west, its present site. In 1856 Rev.
Sandy Alexander, now pastor of First
Baptist Church, West Washington, was
called TO the pastoral care. Under his
labors, the church took new lease Of
life; many additions were made to its
membership, and, under his superin-
lGHuGuCS, q ldlSS DllCh GQlllCG Was
erected and dedicated to the service of
!. God. Rev. Alexander remained with
: these people for FIVE years, and only
severed his pastoral relations when his
health began to fail and protracted
spell of sickness seemed to threaten
his life.
He did grand work and in 1861 Rev.
Caleb Woodgard took charge and con-
tinued his labors, until between 1868 and
1864. Under the pastoral care of this
man OF God, the congregation increased
and many acceSSionS were made to the
membership. In 1865 the building hav-
ing been pulled down for the purpose
of erecting a new one, and things being
at standstill, Rev. Alexander, was
recalled, and built up strong congre-
: CATION and completed the house of
worship, he served his pastoral rela-
: tionS in 1868.
The church then called Rev. Chan
: cery Leonard, who remained in charge
over year, he was succeeded by Rev.
John Gaines, who accomplished great
: good his pastorate extending two
5 years. The next regular pastor was
: Rev. Madison GaskinS, who remained
/ with the church for several years, dur
t ing which time it enjoyed seasons OF
: prosperity and adversely, the pastor
t was greatly hampered in his work by
s internal dissensien and strife; divis.
ion occurring which greatly diminished
r the membership and resulted in law
e suit over the property, which was final
: ly settled in favor of those who re
e manned with the church. During these
n hours of confusion the edifce was
). burned and the congregation found it
: self without building.
But phRnix-like, they arose from
/. their ashes and erected new building
h which was dedicated in 1879. AS a re
r berS left and formed new organiza
l. tions, viz, Mt. Jezreel Baptist Churo
and Central Baptist Church, the las
named having disbanded. Two othe
churches Sprang into existence from
Second Baptist Church, Mt. Olive anc
Rehoboth Baptist Churches.
Rev. GaSkinS accomplished Splen
did work under the circumstances, ant
retired IN 1854 greatly beloved by al
loyal Christian members of the church
In December, 1853, Rev. w. BishoI
i Johnson, ID. D., then professor of math
ematiCs and political science at Way
= land Seminary, was called as pastor
! He found not hundred members,
y lawsuit, and split church. There wa
hardly a congregation and everythin!
;, seemed dark and discouraging. Th
- financial condition was at very low
:. mark and the influence of the churcI
i In the community and denomination
- was hardly worth naming. But DR.
Johnson set to work with the zeal, en-
ergy and push characteristic to the man
until to day he has one of the larges
and most intelligent congregations il
the District of Columbia. The mem
Of bership has increased to 1850 and tn
n; influence of the church is felt through
- out the denomination in the Unitet
e. States.
al The report for the year December
s. GO, to December, 'e7) showed the fol
lowing: Received from all sources
$3.50; number of members received
126; total membership, 1891; presen
indebtedness, $IS,5oo. On Sunda
49, morning, Dec. s, Rev. DIR, IohnsO