The Washington times., 1902-01-12
of the church had to be raised three or
four feet.
The Presidents Pew.

lOuf rect.
The Presidents Pew.
In this old church worshipped many
prominent citizens of the nation, as wsll
as of the National Capital. The old church
had pew marked with a large plate, the
Presidents Pew" Although there were
no Presidents who attended the church
regularly, until the new structure was
built, many of them were frequent at
tendants. Jackson. Polk, Buchanan, and
Lincoln often were seen at the old church.
II is related that Bishop Sampson was
holding missionary service, and that
President Lincoln was on the platform at
the time. Some one in the congregation
suggested that they make the President
an honorary member of the missionary
societ-.
To be an honorary member cost hun
d-ed dollars. The suggestion took imme-
diate hold of the members of the church.
and s20 was at once subscribed. The
amount had hardly been donated before
Lincoln spoke out in his drawling uaa-
ner: Take rue down; / will pay it all"
And he did.
Lincoln, after the service, asked David
\. Gardner. who was familiarly called
'Fa;lsr' on account of his CID age, Why
are people going out OF church like wat.r
ing his own question, Lincoln said: Be
cause they all want TO get out at once
The ne" structure was dedicated in
1se6. IT is related that at the ceremonies
of the dedication Resident Johnson Yves
il attendance. When the contribution Log
was nassed around it is related that he
placei in il a roll OF bills OF high denoIni-
nation.
At the same time grandson of Henry
W. Foxall Mr.. William Mckinney. gave
! as his contribution deed to the lot of
ground TO the north of the old church By
the giving Of this parcel of land by
grandson of the original dono", the entire
I land occupied hv the church and parson-
age was given by the Foxall family
The present church is a large two-story
structure, With a gallery in the main aud
itoriCm TIE pulpit in the present struc-
ture was lGade by Lemuel Williams. a
very ardent church Wor,lsr In the pulpit
there arc number Of pieces of wood of
historic value.
President Mckinley an Attendant.
President Mckinley attended the Foun-
dry Church when he was in Washington
as a Congressman. During President
Hayes term of Office. Foundry Church was
the Presidents church. Mr.. Hayes was
regular in attendance, besides being quite
active in the church affairs. Many of the
Presidents since Lincoln have attended
there at intervals, and quite a large
number of Senators and Representatives
have been regular members.
Just across the canal from the Francis
Scott Key mansion can still be seen the
home of Henry w. Foxall, a quaint old
building worn with age. The old foundry
walls are still standing short walk from
the Aqueduct Bridge. The children of
canalboat employees attend Sunday school
in the Office of the foundry. which has
been converted into a chapel. Many in
teresting stories could he told about the
old building and its owner.
The Present Pastor.
The Rev. DR.. Luther B. Wilson is the
present pastor of the church, and was ap-
pointed to the charge in April, 1900. He
has made very marked success of the
church, and is one of the most popular
preachers in Washington. Dr. Wilson was
born in Baltimore. Nd, and received his
education at Dickinson College, Carlisle.
Pa.
After graduating in 1875 he entered the
Maryland University of Medicine and was
graduated in 1877. He practiced medi-
cine as a physician for one year. when
he was ordained a minister of the gospel
in the Methodist Episcopal Church by
the Baltimore conference.
Assistant pastor OF the Methodist
church in Hancock. Va, was his
first charge. Frsm there he went to the
Woodbery Church which is now in
cluded in baltimore His next charges
were Summerfield. Jackson Square, and
Strawbridge churches, all of Baltimore,
and where he met with much success.
Called 10 Washington.
In 1891 he received his first assignment
at Washington, at the Wesley Chapel
His next was to that of presiding elder
of the District of Columbia, which ap-
pointment he received in 1894. He served
in this capacity until he received his
present pasterate in 1909.
DR.. Wilson, besides being a most earn
est church worker. is connected with
temperance work. He is president of the
American Anti-Saloon League, having
been elected to that position few