Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-27

Foxhalls foundry, and detachment start
ed TO destroy the property. a furious
storm came up and caused the troops to re-
turn, and Mr.. fOXhall, regarding this as
prOvidential interposition for the preserVa-
ton Of his property, vowed to perpetuate il
by the erection of a memorial. The result
was the construction and establishment of
Foundry NJ. E. Church by Mr.. Foxhall
soon after the close of the war. Thus were
the facilities for Methodist worship estab-
lished in opposite ends of the city, a long
stretch Intervening, and to many of the
members, especially to the older ones. the
Sabbath days journey was a long one.
Services in Masonic Hall.
When in the twenties, the city hall had
been erected on the south portion of Judi
ciary Square north of which the Jail had
been built some years before, and the Ma
sons had completed their hail, at the south
west corner of ~ and D streets, this por-
ton of the city was regarded as the CEN
trail section. North and east of the square
there was much waste ground, but in other
directions there were some improvements,
Louisiana avenue and c. d, T. and ~
streets having been to some extent built up.
Several of the religious denominations look
! ed upon the neighborhood as a suitable one
in which to plant churches. The Foundry
congregation having some downtown mem
beTS, and Ebenezer some uptown adherentS,
and the neighborhOod of the city nall giving
every Indication of growing. the project OF
| holding Methodist services there, which
! had been discussed by the Foundry people,
was carried into effect. Accommodations
We're found in the Masonic Hail. and early
IN lS2S regular preaching services We're
held. That efficient and popular Methodist
minister, Rev William Ryland, whose name
is perpetuated in the church at 10th ard d
streets southwest. Otficiated for the little
band. Mr. Ryland having large acquaint-
ance with the public men of the day and
\ "A mai nt Con Isnl
I drew many TO the church. He was five
/ terms chaplain of the Senate and one in
the House, and being appointed by Presi-
/ dent jackson a chapiain in the navy ne
/ served at the Washington navy ward till
| his death in 1913 During his term in that
i Office he was active in the churches of the
| District The little band increased in num-
! berS rapidly, and in few months the
! worshipers felt confident of their ability to
! form and maintain a church in that sec
| ton OF the city. Larger quarters being
/ netGed they cast about for d site and the
| present location appeared the most inviting
There was some little settlement on the
! square north, as also west and south of this
/ site out the square opposite was un-
f l,npro we, me e oRen stream traversing
, and the rear of the city hall and the Jail
did not add to the attractiveness of the
| location. This site was part of the hold
lngs of Gen John p. Van Ness. who, from
1880 to 1881, was the mayor OF the CITY and
! December "a ISIS he executed a deed
| therefor to George CrandaH Enoch Tucker
and others as trustees. This was lot 10.
| square iSS-622 feet on F street and 10 feet
on 9TH street, and Gen. Van Ness stipulated
| that it should be used for religious pur-
poses.
Came Christmas Gift
This coming as a Christmas gift, was an
incentive to the movement, and. having the
site in hand, preparations were made for
| the erection of a church home BY May
| following QS29) Wesley Chapel was on the
site and it was dedicated by Bishop Nc.
Kendree.
1t was plain brick structure, about so BY