Evening star., 1898-11-12

keep the few members among US faithful
and grant unto Thy poor unworthy servant
who, in the order of providence. has been
sent to labor with them, the meek and
lowiy spirit of his Master, and souls
precious souls, for his hire Amer
Several times the membership dWindled
to a mere handful, and We're left unsunnlied
by the conference, but the pulpit was filled
by local ministers, or, in their absence,
prayer and experience meetings were held
In 1914, there having been some additions
the congregation determined to build a new
cnurch. The site at the northwest corner
or virginia avenue and 9TH street was Sc
lected, and the church. a frame structure
OF cypress erected. The little congregation
worshiped during this period (hav:ng sold
Mount olive in the Odd Fellows Hail 9Th
and G streets. The name, First M. e.
Church, was selected and the building wa 9
sufficiently completed for occupancy before
the close OF the year, and for fifty years it
was the home of the congregation.
September 80, 1896, the building was hadIv
damaged by storm, and the home whicl.
fhcir parents ieft-tEe old Ebenezer on 81
street-being for sale. the members mr.
chased it. They now feel that they are in
the old family home. This purchase would
appear as hazardous one for member
snip or less than two hundred. but owning
as they do, some paying real estate. be,
queathed by a member, the burden sits
lightly upon them.
While, as before stated, it has had its
gloomy days, there have been periods of
activity, revivalS of interest occurring 1ur-
ing the pastorates of 1874 '58 to.'GO and 'f7
to '6S. 1t has one hundred and twonty-tive
members, Sunday school of nearly three
hundred, and owns fine properly and the
present outlook is declared to be ,brieht
List of Pastors.
Mr.. Hanson, the first pastor. was followed
in turn by w. c. Pool D. E, Reese, Josiah
Warden, D. Davies. II. Meyers. w. Kesley,
pleby, j. w. Rutledge D. Collier, T. NJ.
Flint. J. J. Murray. W. T. Eva, J. c. pa-
Wis, j. w. Everest, ]. Mcclellan. Oliver Cox.
j. w. Smiley. w. S. Hammond j. r. Mich
OILS, W. T. Dunn, w. S. Reese. ]. Thomp-
son, j. w. Charlton, j. p. Wilson, ]. D.
Wilson, w; j, Floyd, ]. W. Gray c. T.
Cochel, S. B. Treadway, c. S. Arnett ]. G.
Nicholson, .. c. Bacchus and j. W. Gray
the present pastor. Besides Mr.. Sexsmfth
Rev. S. T. Ferguson entered the ministry
in 1854, serving sixteen years, Rev j. w.
Balderson in 1881, and c. B. Middleton, who
served ten years.
Though there may be no survivor of the
original members present at the celebra-
ton, there will De many of their descend
ants, some of whom as children attended
the early meetings. Lorenzo Dow was a
guest of Rev. John Ferguson. who lived on
Georgia avenue near Sd street on his last
visit visit o to Washingtqn ,,,ii,g n, during which he
large crowd present, and the little church
was filled to o%erffewing. but Mr.. Dow.
that all might see and hear set a chair In
the door, fronfS whfen he preached, Mr..
Dow went from Aereito Georgetown. where
he was taken SILK and died. The visit Of
Rev. Nicholas SAethen, in 1890. when presi
dent of the conference, is also recalled by
some.
The Central Church.
The little band which formed what is
now the Central M. P. Church, on 18th
and NJ Streets was from the Foundry
Church. Messrs. James A. Kennedy, w.
w. Billing Enoeh White, A. j. Boss T. s.
w. Boyd and Owen Summers formed the
first class and asking Christian fellowship
with the Georgetown congregation their
names were enrolled there as the Taberua-
Gle class. Mr.. w. C. Lfpscomb being the
leader. The formal action was taken April
3, 1929, but for couple of years before they
had regular meetings in their houses
These men were Joined by Willard Drake
Samuel Tucker, Benadict Milburn, Rev. L.
Ward. Mrs Steer, Mrs. Billing and others.
July 81. 1892, they determined to erect a
church. and a lot on the west side of 18th
street between G and H straets being do
hated by Gen. Van Ness, frame building.
called the Tabernacle, was erected thereon.
and it was dedicated in December follow
ing. Rev. Josiah Warden. then stationed at
Mt Olive, Navy Yard, preached also at the
Tabernacle, till the conference of ISg3
when thirty-four members were reported
Among these, besides those above named.