Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-28
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF NET
ROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
Statement by Mr.. F. Mclean and Adj
dresses by Drs. williams
and Muir.

The twenty-third anniversary of Metropol-
itan Baptist Church, 9th and A streets
northeast, Rev. DIR. Williams, pastor, was
celebrated last evening in the presence OF a
very large audience. Mr. F. Mclean, clerk
of the church since its beginning, read a
history of the organization. Addresses were
made by Rev. Drs. Williams and Muir and
Mr.. w. s. Shalenberger, assistant post
master general
Mr.. Mclean said in part: This is a Sun
day school church foundation and turret
In 1871 a Sunday school was started at the
corner of 18th and A streets southeast under
the auspices of 'clean-water-loving Bap-
lists The frame building Graded success
sively three churches, Metropolitan Presby
terrain. Metropolitan Baptist and Epworth
Methodist. From that Sunday school sprang
an organization called the Metropolitan
Baptist Association, which purchased a lot
on the corner of 9th and A streets north
east for $1,000 on which it built chapel,
costing s2.2o6. not counting material and
labor solicited.
AT the close of the annual meeting of
that association, December 20, 1877, those
present considered the propriety of organ
izing a Baptist church on Capitol Hill, and
adjourned to January ,, 1873, in the mean
time inviting the pastors of the city Bap
fist churches. Calvary the only
church represented. Preliminary measures
were taken, however and the evening of
January % a conference of delegates of the
Baptist churches was held in the chapel,
with DE-. Z. II. Gray moderator.
"Wednesday evening, February 81, 1878,
just twenty-three years ago tonight came
the browning triumph. The Metropolitan
Baptist Church was organized with thirty
one constituent members The association
soon transferred its property to the church,
with a debt of only 81 700. and ceased to
exist. After while the church bought the
west adjoining lot for $1,000. Incredible as
it may SEEM the entire site only cost the
church $1,000.
The approximate estimate of funds raised
by the association and church during these
years is $500. The total membership was
III. and present membership 1865 We have
had six pastors. Three are living and three
have gone to their reward.
REV. Stephen H. Mirck, the first pastor,
commenced his work with the association
February IS. 1877, and continued after the
organization of the church until his resig
nation, December Is, 1873.
"Dr. Joseph w. Parker began his pastor
ate March 1. 1879. Owing to poor health
DR.. Parker resigned at the age of seventy
seven, and farewell reception was given
him by the church November -, 1882. He
called the grand old man eloquent
REV. William NJ. Ingersoll commenced his
October %, 1854. His home is in Cleveland,
Ohio.
REV. William H. Young, Ph.D., began his
labors March l. 1885. DIR. Young was
scholarly and fluent speaker. His resigna-
ton was rendered August 4, 1890, but was
not accepted until November /, 1890, when
commendatory resolutions of himself and
Mrs. Young We're adopted. He is now pas
tor Of a prosperous church in Athens Ga.
REV. Green Clay Smith. known more
widely as Gen. Smith, entered the field jan
uary 1, 1891. and remained until his death,
June %, 1895. He is buried at Arlington.
I'm the middle of January, 1896. DR.. Gran
vile S. Williams commenced the sixth pas
tOrate of the church, and has remained I'M
til the present"
of the church at the close of the exercises.