Evening star., 1901-10-16
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
THE CORNER STONE OF LUTHERAN
CHURCH OPENED.
Articles Found in the Box, Including
History of the Organization
General News.

The corner stone of the Evangelical Luz
theran Church, at 32d and Q streets, Rev.
Stanley Bilheimer, pastor, was yesterday
uncovered, and the tin box opened, the
work of cutting the box out having been
done by Charles A. Spates. 1t was found
that the stone was laid September 2, 1867,
by the Grand Lodge of Masons of the Dis
trict. the historic Washington gavel be-
ing used. The box contained a history of
the church, written in German; copy of
Luther's catechism and of the Augsburg
confession, and copies of the Daily Morn
ing Chronicle, the National Intelligencer
and the National Republican, respectively.
all of that date and also a copy of the
Columbia, a German weekly of August 81.
1851 Three pieces of currency, known as
"ShinplaSters, of the denomination of five,
ten and twenty-five cents, were found; also
the seal of the grand lodge, and coins of
Germany, Austria. Holland and the United
states, representing a face value of about
Sl.i5. The oldest coin was a half-penny,
American money, bearing date of 1903 The
bulk of the others were coined in the year
1861. All of the articles We're returned to
the box today by Rev. Mr.. Billheimer. who.
in addition, put in list of the officers
of the church, together with a sketch of
what has been done by the congregation,
making connected history of the church
Ihe Shurch hIstOFy.
The history of the church found in the
box shows that the congregation organ
lied in 1869 and worshiped in a block house
built near the site of the present church.
The bell which formerly hung in the belfry
of the block house is now on a church in
Aurora w. Va. According to the history,
which has been translated, the church was
the first religious organization In the Dis
trict. ante-dating all other churches by
many years. Rev. Samuel D. Fincke was
the first pastor whose name can De OBJ
tanned. Rev John Shuman was also
pastor, his aged widow still residing in the
District. He was succeeded by Rev Geo
n. NoXdorf who served for nearly d quar-
ter of century. and being succeeded by
the present pastor.
Formally Recognized.
A council of the Baptist ministers. rep
resenting the congregations of that faith
in the District, assembled at the Columbia
Baptist Church, corner of 31st and M
streets. Monday evening. for the purpose
of considering the advsability of admit
ting that church into fellowship. After
discussion it was unanimously agreed that
the Columbia Church was regular in every
detail and it was most formally received.
Immediately after this action the dele
gates, w. d. Hall, T. w. Binstead, P. w.
Musson and ]. w. Coon, representing Co
lumbia Church, received the congratula-
tions of the members of the council
Injured in Collision.
Frank Dewatt, aged twenty-eight, the
driver of a bakers wagon, was taken to the
Georgetown University Hospital yesterday
afternoon suffering from severe injuries
about the head and shoulders. About 40
0 clock in the afternoon, while coming
down 2Sth street, he attempted to cross the
car tracks on NJ street, and his wagon was
struck by car 212 of the Capital Traction
line, John Pendleton, motorman, and Eu-
gene Payne, conductor. The wagon was
demolished and the driver thrown out,
striking the asphalt roadway on his hcad.
Personal Mention.
Messrs. William Weaver and John NJ
Allen left yesterday afternoon for visit
to the Hagerstown fair. This afternoon
Mr.. LOFTS B. duF'ief will leave the party
representing the interests of the Washing
ton Poultry, Pigeon and Belgian Hare As
sociation at the fair.
j. e. Berry, one of the oldest members
of Whiting Lodge, died yesterday at his
home in Washington. His funeral will be
under Masonic auspices.