Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-10
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.
GOrsuch Congregation to Devote u
Week to Celebration.

Week to Celebration.
The anniversary of Gorsuch NJ. E. Church
will be celebrated during the coming week,
! beginning tomorrow, Sunday, at IL am. A
| history of the church will be read Monday
| by w. R. Hunt: Tuesday, a reception to
| former pastors will be held: Wednesday,
| anniversary prayer meeting; Thursday an
niversary love feast; Friday, reception to
| the Sunday school.
| About half century ago George w. Gar
ret with small band of workers from Ry-
land M. E. Church organized a Sunday
| school in the old frame schoo, house where
| now stands the Greenleaf building. Prior
to this, George Hall had been appointed
| class leader by the pastor of Ryland, and
| class met regularly in the neishborhood of
AZ and l. streets southwest.
In this manner sprang in being South
| Wash.ngton's second NJ. E. Church, which
was christened "Gorsuch' in honor of the
mother church. Ry.and. Mr.. Carrot was
| made Sunday school superintendent which
| office he held until 1851, with the eXcep-
| ton of one year The next year VIM. r.
Hunt was elected to the office which he
has continued to hold down through all
these years until now, the eve of new
century.
| In 1856 the young church severed all con-
nection with Ryland and became an indie
pendent charge, with Rev. ]. H. Ry.and as
| It's first pastor. On the corner of AZ and L
streets, where lot had been purchased
some time before. a chapel was erected.
Rev. Ryland's place was taken at the end
of two years by Rev. Henry Sipes, who
was during the next year appointed chap
lain in the army. Rev. j. H. M. Lemon be-
ing placed in charge. During Mr.. Sipes
! first year there were 116 converts.
Next came Rev. J. w. Cornelius. who re-
| manned but a short while. 1t was about
this time that the civil war was at its
height.
Between 1866 and 1868. during the minis
try of Revs. Jas. H. Davis and VIM. H.
Laney. the interior of the church under
went repairs. about 5000 being expended
In 1876 a parsonage was built at the rear
of the church on l. street.
During the ministry of Rev. VIM. H
Richardson the church was remodeled and
was dedicated In November. 1896.
The church. 1t is said, has had hard
struggle for existence. At one time when
George " Leech was called to the charge
by the official board The congregation has
he'd Its own, and Is prospecting under the
ministry of Rev. Thomas E. Copes, who was
appointed March, 1899.
The Epworth League. organized In 1893.
has membership of about sixty. The
Junior League, which was at one time the
largest in the Baltimore conference, but
which. during the past few years. has lost
ground, has started out afresh this fall, and
is now in a fiourishing condition. The fact
that the Ladies' Mite Society has recently
cleared over $16O at an oyster supper speaks
for the condition of that society. At pres
ent the Sunday school has a membership of
23S Great preparations are now on foot
for the celebration of the semi-centenial
anniversary.
Some of the pastors of Gorsuch whose
names have not been mentioned are Revs.
VIM c. Mullen, E. D. Owen. DID,, VIM. H.
Chapman, J. C. Starr. VIM M. Osborn. NJ.
D., G. w. Hobbs and ]. Dewey Moore.