Evening star., 1897-05-28
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH.
Parish Feels the Necessity Of Curtail-
Ing Expenses.

Parish Feels the Necessity of Curtail-
Ing Expenses.
Rumors have been rife for some time
that St Andrews Protestant Episcopal
Church, located at the corner Of 14th and
Corcoran streets, and Of which the Rev.
Josiah B. Perry is rector, Is in financial
straits, and from recent developments 1t
appears that there Is some truth in the
rumor. Both of the wardens of the church.
Colonel Hugh Waddell and DR.. Wood. are
out of town, but from one of the vestry-
men 1t was learned this week that the
church feels called upon to dispense with
the services of the assistant minister, Rev.
Frank NJ Gibson. Phi. D., and it is rumored
that the choir will also have to go. As to
DIR. Gibson, the vestry have sent him a
letter stating that they will be obliged to
dispense with his services after the first OF
November next and notifying him to look
for another place, though they intimate
that they will make an effort to retain him
If he does not find another charge by then.
BY many of DIR. Gibson's friends this ac-
tion of the vestry of St. Andrews does not
meet with favor, but in Justice to the
church 1t must be stated that there Is
hardly any other course open to 1t, con-
sidering the financial burden resting on II.
DIR. Gibson was for several years assistant
minister at ST. PauPs Church, Rev. Alfred
Harding. rector having come from the
Episcopal Church at Elkridge, Nd, but re-
ceiving a call last September from st. An
drew's Church, he accepted 1t, though the
congregation Of st. Paul were very 10th
| to part with him. The result Is that Or.
Gibson will be without a station by NO
vember and without a suitable vacancy
existing at present in the diocese Of Wash
ington or in his old diocese Of Maryland.
The situation is delicate one for both sides.
| but efforts are being and will be made to
remedy whatever injustice may have been
| done the doctor. Rev. Gibson Is the son
| of the late Rev. Alexander e. Gibson. at
| one time pastor of Waugh M. E. Church.
| and Is a learned man. having received q
| fine collegiate education, and after that
| took a law course and practiced for sew
| eral years.
ST. Andrews unlike most OF the local
| Episcopal churches, has a quartet choir
! ard no vested choir. The church contracts
| with Mr.. Herndon Morsell to furnish the
/ music, the contract for the year expiring
| In September. and this is the foundation
1 fer the groundless rumor, as one OF the
| vestrymen puts II, that the choir is also to
meet the fate of the assistant minister
| St Andrews Church is one of the finest
| houses Of worship in the city, having been
/ erected at a cost of $4,000 several years
ago; but the church did not have great
| amount of money on hand at the time
though 1t did have and still has a growing
| and influential congregation. and as a re-
suit several financial difficulties were en-.
coUntered during the progress Of building
| There Is now resting on the church trift
| over $4,000. and this debt, combined with
| the current expenses, has made q heavy
load to bear. 1t was expected that thu
| Easter Offering would straighten out q
large part Of the accounts for this year
but 1t is stated that 1t fell short Of expec
tations. and consequently this. It Is thought
preciritated matters and has led to tn,
letter being sent to DIR. Gibson.