The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-24

Special preparations have been made by
the congregation of the Trinity German
Observation-Disclosures Church Fourth and
+ Streets northwest 10 celebrate its If
tieth anniversary, which takes place next
Sunday, July .. y number Of prominent
members OF the denomination viii be pres
ent. The Rev P. Brand, Of Pittsburg,
is 10 deliver the sermon at the morning
service. in German. while the Rev. ".
DaIlmauu. of New York city, is to preach
at the evening service in English
The pastor Of the church, the Rev. H
Schroeder following resolution of the
congregation, has compiled a history Of
the church and published the same in Ger
man. The little pamphlet is very inter
eStInE from more than ore viewpoint,
showing the condition of early German
Professionalism in this city. and the many
universities and difficulties If had to over
come to finally establish itself upon
strong and healthy foundation. The Rev.
Mr. Schroeder says in part:
In the year 1915 the German Eyangeli-
cal Congregation of this city, which was
founded in the year 1893, extended a call
to the pastor, Adolf Fl. I'll Biewcnd. The
congregation was at that time the only
German congregation in this city The
Rev Mr.. BieweEd had a short time before
this arrived from Germany with the Rev
Mr. Wyneken, who went to Germany
from Fort Wayne, Ind, to see if he could
not move the Lutherans in Germany TO
take an interest in the Germans who were
scattered through all parts of the West
and who spiritually were entirely neglect
ed.
1T may have been Biewend's intention
to go West with Wyneken but while ne
was in New York he received two letters
in which two congregations were on the
lookout for preachers. one of the letters
was from Richmond, Va. the other from
Washington Biewend decided to accept
the call 10 Washington After he had de-
livered his first sermon, the congregation,
on July go 1913. submitted to him the fol-
lowing resolution Resolved that We &C
cept the Rev. Pastor Biewcnd for one
year for $500. and, resolved that this saIa-
ry be paid from August !, 1913, until then
1874, quarterly, by the treasurer of the
church. For this consideration the Rev.
Pastor Biewend shall be bound to teach
the children in the Christian faith. and TO
take considerable interest in the Sunday
school
Pastor -Biswend iabored in this city
with great fidelity and conscientiCusness
ton was not Lutheran hut was com
posed OF people who did not OF would not
know Of any difference IN the teachings
and the confession Of the faith. The con
greSation not only consisted of Luther
ans, but Reformists also belonged TO it,
and even Catholics. NAM Of the most
prominent members belonged to secret so
cietles and were also members Of q
church society, thinking It good manners
and fashionable. Pastor Biewend was in
hopes Of bringing his flock upon the right
path by constant teaching and patient eX-
plantations: but the congregation would
not and his work was not crowned with
success.
In the month Of September, 1916. Pas
tor Biewend submitted . letter to his con
gregation in which he asked the members
to commit themselves Internationally and
IrrevocabIy to the Lutheran faith and the
Augsburg Confession. The large major
ity Of the congregation objected 10 the ac-
ceptance OF the terms imposed by Pastor
Biewend, who, therefore, handed IN his
resignation IN October, 1911 Pastor Bic
wen5 remained in Washington, where he
taught ancient and modern languages,
and soon thereafter became professor Of
natural history and ancient languages at
the Columbian College But he
sacrificed his good position and good in
come to serve the Lord IN the church.
In 1919 he accepted a. call as professor
at the preachers seminary at Fort
Wayne. Ind, and the year following ne
was elected professor Of philosophy at
the CoRCordia College and Seminary at
St. Louis, No, where he remained until
the year ISIS, when he died. His work
and labors in Washington have not been
for uaUght. His persevering character
brought fruit IN many hearts. and was
the seed from which later on sTraug the
Trinity German Observation-Disclosures
Church
The church then extended call to
Pastor FinckeI. Of Cumberland Nd, who
accepted the invitation. A few members
of the congregation VINO had learned the
faithful stand Pastor Biewend had taken
in matters concerning the faith, were
compelled to protest against the false doc
trine and perverted administration Of sac
raments Of this man. Their protest, how
ever, was Of no avail George Wilmer,
F7r. Stutz- and Karl Hummer, on De
cember 9. 1880, wrote TO Pastor BieWend,
E.ho was then professor at s.. Louis, No.
and asked him to assist them TO a new
pasJOr-an earnest. faithful, Lutheran
preacher Pastor BieWeud replied that he
had consulted with Pastor Wyueken, then
pTaeses Of the Synod Of Missouri Ohio,
and other States. as well as with Prof
Waltaer. who declared that they could not
do anything in the matter, as they did not
know Of a suitable person to I'll the Of
hce- They were advised that Pastor kevI,
OF Baltimore, and Pastor $oTdmanH. who
lived in the neighDorhood Of Baltimore
would MI the pulpit OF their church from
time 10 time. Pastor Fyuekeu in his let
ter protested against the ungGdly and il
legal manner in which the congregation
was conducting its services. Pastor KeyI
promised 10 come 10 Washington and I'll
the holy duties providing the cougrega-
ton would dis0wn Pastor FinckeI as d
false teacher
"On August 10, 1851, while Pastor Vyne-
ken was On his way 10 Germany Pastor
keyl preached in one Of the halls Of the
city Hall This eighth Sunday after
Trinity IS the real birthday Of the con
gTegation-
After several sermons By Pastor KevI
and Pastor NOrdmauH, the cOngr+ga: ion
on November 2, 1871. with tWentg-fOuT
votes, resolved 81 to extend q permanent
call 10 Pastor AOTdmauu. On ADIU !
70 his new offce. About seventy people
from Baltimore We're present and the
trombone and song chorus OF the Church
Of St Paul. Baltimore. contributed TO
make the occasion memorable.
Notwithstanding the TidiCule and en-
nifty Of the world the congregation pros
pered and bought q site for a church at
the corner Of Fourth and L Streets
northwest. A church however. could
not be built at once. George Wilmer. =
member Of the church, then built a large
double house the lower part OF which
was used for divine services, while in the
rear part he built a room for the school
This property Wilmer let to the cougre-
CATION for the small annual rental of
500