The times., 1899-07-09

fng, one OF the oldest church structures in
this city, is to be torn down in the very
near future, and on its site Will be erect
ed several small brick stores. Proposals
for removing the old religious land
mark have been advertised for and the
contract will be awarded in few days
The Fourth Presbyterian Church, which
has stood at the corner of Ninth and Grant
Place, for nearly sixty years, has most
interesting history. Rev. Joseph T. Kelly
its present pastor, speaking on the SUBJ
ject, said to Times reporter:
Seventy years ago-it will be seventy
one years on the 27th of next November
the Fourth Presbyterian Church was or
ganized. And It came about this way:
The Rev. Daniel Baker. D. D., the
noted reyivalist and preacher. had for
some years been the pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church. His deep pisty and
fervor had built up the church in num-
bers and in spiritual life. But when in
1925, by reason OF his removal TO Savan-
nah, successor was to be elected the
friends of Rev. Joshua y. Danforth, who
desired him in the place of Baker, because
he was man OF like spirit, withdrew
from the Second Church, whose choice had
fallen upon another man. 1t was another
case of strife between Paul and Barnabas
over Christian worker; but, all unknown
10 them, God was using it as a means of
increasing the number and the efficiency
Of the workers in this Capital City.
THE matter, however, TO which / would
specially call attention is the spirit which
animated the organization of the church
Out Of the hearty warm, living, revival
preaching of DR.. Baker the people came
together for the formation of this church.
and II was natural that the living fire
brought from that altar should glow and
kindle a new flame. AS a matter of fact
an earnest spiritual life characterized the
early as the later years of the church. un-
der the earnest and evangelistic preach
ing of Drs. Danforth, Noble. and Smith,
aided often by evangelists from other cit
ies. There were frequent and widely-ex-
tended reyivals of religion, which brought
many out upon the Lords side and deep
ened the piety and religious experience Of
others. In this work the people also were
not slow to take part, for they ably and
devotedly seconded the efforts of their
pastors.
The first move for the organization of
the church was made by the insertion of
a notice in the National Intelligencer,
29th of October, 1928, calling meeting
ri the house OF Jacob Gideon, on Seventh
Street for the formation OF a congregation
for the Rev J. n. Danforth. According to
the records of the board Of trustees, thir-
ty-three persons were present at that
meeting of whom twenty were communi-
cants of the Second Presbyterian Church,
who united in petition to the elders of
that church asking for certificates of dis
mission. A committee was also appointed
TO wait on the Rev. Mr.. Danforth TO in
form him of their desire to raise con-
gregation for him. This committee con-
sisted of David NJ. Wilson. Jacob Gideon,
and Anthony Preston. The only cne OF
the little company uniting in this initial
meeting who is now alive is Mrs. Mary
Preston. not at that time communicate
but entering the church on the confess
sion of faith four years later. Another
meeting was held in Mr.. Gideon's house
November 4. when ii was formally deter
mined TO organize the Central Presbyterian
Church: that was the name first select
ed.
Its Formal Organization.
Both OF these meetings were, of course,
informal in the sense that they were not
conducted in accordance with Presbyterian
law, but on November "a, 1928. find this
record. which is the first record in the vol
une of the minutes OF the session, book
containing the records for fifty years, and
furnished, ! doubt not, by Jacob Gideon:
Washington City, Monday. Nov 24 ls2s.
meeting OF that portion Of the Second Pres
byterian Church Of Washington, whose relation
10 that church has recently been dissolved by
certificates granted by its session, was held at
the house 81 Jacob Gideon. jF. Opened with
prayer by Rev. J. \. Danforth. On motion
Resolved That this meeting do now form
itself. By voluntary association. into 4 particu-
lar church, for the worship Of God and enjoy
nlent OF his Word and ordinances.
Resolved, That whereas according TO the 4th
Section Of the ID chapter Of the Constitution of
he Hrfsshs ffrGh N he nit cd STATE
the Submission 10 due form Of government is
Necessary 10 constitute a particular church, We
Will proceed 10 the election Of a ruling
elder.
Mr. David NJ Wilson was therenpon
chosen to that Office.
"On the same day the records OF the
trustees read:
Meeting Of the members Of the Central Pres
byterian Church, held al the house Of Jacob
Gideon, ir. On motion Of Mr.. Barnhill-
Resolved. That this meeting proceed to nomi-
nate trustees.
Messrz A. J. Stansbury. J. Gideon, IT.: An.
thony Preston and Jonathan Phillips were nom
mated, and the question being put, they were
unanimously elected
ITO show the character and enterprise of
the men to whom the church had desig-
mated its temporal affairs. it is sufficient
TO say that two days thereafter the board
had organized with Mr.. Stansbury as the
first president, and Mr.. Jacob Gideon IT,
as the first treasurer, and determined to
issue proposals for the erection OF a church
building; and that within three days after
wards. or on November %. proposals hav-
ing been received from three builders, the
work was awarded to Mr.. Jacob Swimley,
for the erection of frame building, one
story high IS feet to the caves, 40x50 feet
in dimensions, etc, the builder being bound
TO complete the building by January Is.
1929. AS not infrequently happens. how
ever, this latter engagement was not car
ried out for the new building was not oc-
cupied until March /, 1929, when il was
dedicated amid great rejoicing and in the
presence OF an audience that filled the
house. The new church was received into
the Preshytery OF the District of Column
bia at a meeting held in Georgetown, 9th
of January, 1929. the name OF the church
being changed at IT'S own request to the
Fourth Presbyterian. and permission being
given to employ Rev. J. y. Danforth as
stated supply till the next stated meeting
OF the Presbytery.
The Original Members.
Twenty y-three persons united in this
organization. and it may be of interest to
record their names: David II. Wilson,
Biddy Wilson. Mary Gideon, Margaret
Robinson, Simeon Bassett, Eleanor
Dougherty. Julia Ann Crowley. Elizabeth
Ann Waller, Stephen Phillips, James
Towies, Mary Robinson, Barbara Hoover,
Sarah Bromley, Elizabeth Adams. Char
lotte Russell. Mary Dove. Ann Finley,
catharine Coons. Rosanna d. Coons. Aba
gail Barihili, Elizabeth Dennison, Cath
arine Wilson, Patrick Crowley.
Three OF these original members /
L..