The Washington times., 1901-10-06

Totals 1926 4,2o5 si9.227 s4s4,o0O
The churches of other denominations
together have a total membership of
$3.50, and their church property is val
ued at s701, 800.
The Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
is the original society among the Bap-
tist Churches, and all the others have
sprung from it. This church began it's
existence in 1889, with the insignificant
membership of four. The elifice which
these four pioneers occupied was not
built by them, but thirty-seven years
before, in 1902, during President Jeffer-
sons Administration. the First Baptist
Church (white) had dedicated the
southwest corner of Nineteenth and
Streets to holy uses and erected there
on a neat but modest brick church.
This church was sold in 1899. and was
bought by the congregation now known
as the Nineteenth Street Baptist
Church. At that time it was the only
quently began to draw new recruits
from all corners to Washington. Since
the civil war its numbers have grown
to such immense proportions that it has
not only very large membership of
seventeen hundred. but has nurtured as
its offspring ffty-two other Baptist
churches. These churches are mostly
prosperous, and the fifty-three aggre-
gate a membership of fully twenty
thousand, with property valued at $780,,
900. 1t can be seen. therefore. that the
Nineteenth Sire Baptist Church, with
its offspring, can count fully 10000 per-
sons directly or indirectly Influenced in
the noble work the church has done in
its long history. When we come to con-
slider that the negro population of the
District of Columbia Is less than so, 900
we are astonished by The fact that the
little seed sown in 1889 by four pious
Christians has grown until it has yield
ed the grand harvest Of one-fourth of
the colored population.
The edifice which was bought in 1899
has been twice enlarged and beautilled.
The members and congregation of this
pioneer body have always shown de-
sire to have their church as fine as
other buildings, believing as they do, if
men will worship satan in beautiful
houses, surely Christians ought to af-
ford commodious house in which to
honor Christ. Sundsy after Sunday,
ard year after year, the members have
Shared Of their means. al working har-
monioUsly together, and the amount of
money they have collected seems very
creditable. This money. though given
at a sacrifice has not impoverished
them, for the church roll shows a large
number of these devoted and faithful
members owning neat and comfortable
homes, many in business, others hold
ing lucrative and responsible positions.
The result Of their continued sacrifice
is a large, commodious church, which
is not surpassed for its beauty of in
terror among the colored churches
Aside from the beautiful location of the
church and its handsome architecture,
there IS the important item of its large
property value, which amounts to $780,
600. AS above stated, it was purchased
for $500 in 1899, and the difference. $I9,-
200, shows what improvement has been
made, together with the increased value
OF property In the neighbOrhood in
which it is situated
Ten years ago this church, being free
from debt. decided to enlarge and re-
new the existing edirce in order to re-
lieve TIE overcrowded condition OF the
services. For this purpose it was
necessary to purchase lot IN the rear
at a cost of $4,000 ziving them addi-
tional space of 1850 square feet. Col.
Robert J. Fleming was secured as the
architect, and the plans which he sub
mitted were adopted. He personally su-
perintended the construction and made
the church present Of over $500 of the
bill when paid. Tn entire brick work,
wood work. frescoins etc. being com
pleted on January 20. 1891. the keys
were formally turned over to the trus-
tees and the church as it now stands
was rededicated February / Of that
year. the services continuing through
the week to February inclusive. The
church now measures 100 feet in length,