Evening star., 1902-08-30

| On Maryland avenue northeast near 14th
street, stands a cozy little chapel, the home
of the Maryland Avenue Baptist Church
1t is located in the midst of a large and
growing community and the members are
confident that 1t is destined to become one
of the largest and most influential churches
in the District. The congregation has had
no regular pastor since February of this
year, but the newly elected pastor, Rev.
]. W. T. McNiel, will begin his duties at
this charge the following month, preaching
his first sermon in the ediffce Sunday, Sep
tember 7. The chapel has been thoroughly
renovated and redecorated and is await
ing the coming of the new minister Of
the congregation.
This religious society had it's beginning
in 1885 when the executive board of the
Columbia Association of Baptist Churches
in the District realized the Importance of
establishing church of that denomina-
ton in what was then the extreme north
east section of the city. Rev. S. R. White
was appointed as a missionary to organize
a Sunday school and mission station in
the locality, and he began his labors in
that direction November l. 1888. At his
recommendation a lot was purchased and
shortly afterwards steps were taken for the
erection of a chapel the present site.
Messrs. A. NJ. Clapp and S. NJ. Yeatman
were appointed as the first trustees of the
church.
The first Sunday school session of this
society was held December g. 1888 in a
dwelling house a 14C4 Maryland avenue,
which had been secured as temporary quar-
ters One week later the Sunday school
was properly organized with nearly 100
members and the work of soliciting funds
for the payment Of the amount due on
the lot was undertaken in earnest. Dur
ing the year $1S6.75 was subscribed on the
field and In November of 1889, the various
Baptist churches of the District pledged
the amount necessary to complete the pur-
chase of the lot.
The first building committee consisted of
Messrs j. j. Darlington. A. C. Clark and
Rev. S. r. White, and the erection of the
chapel was begun August B. 1890. The edi-
nee was dedicated November 8 of that year
with appropriate ceremonies. The church
society proper was not organized until
June. 1891. when thirty-six members were
enrolled, ten of whom are still members
In good standing. The church was duly
recognized by the Columbia association as
regularly organized Baptist church June
y 1881 Rev. s. r. White was chosen as
the first pastor in August of the same year,
and his period of service lasted until De-
cember 81 1892. In February. 1893. Rev.
~ {: Naylor w2nHelected to the pastorate
ana ne served February % of this
year since WIS-nMHne the pulpit has been
supplied by various preachers The or
ganization has had a steady and encourage
ins growth and is in a prosperous condi-
ti2n; an branches of religious work re-
celVlng attention from the membership
Ihe present officers of the church and the
various church societies are as follows:
Deacons' William Lacey, r, R. Haynes
ana ana Rush w: Conklin; financial secretary,
Sharles f. Crane; treasurer. George II
Burkes; clerk, Miss Florence Callahan;
members of advisory board. Rush W. Couk-
In I'm, William liam, Lacey, r. r. Haynes J. B.
Sands' William e. Garrett, Charles F.
VI e, and q
Rev. J. W. T. McNfel, the newly elected
pastor IS not stranger to the congrega-
ton, as he spent several weeks on the field
during June and July and made many
friends He was born in FrankIin oonntX n,raiS
Va, October %, 1873 and his early life was
spent on the farm of his father, who still
resides in Franklin county He entered
Richmond College in 1893, and while there
pesldes pelng close student he was also
prominent In the athletics of the institution
He graduated in 1895 at which time he was
awarded the first medal as the best de-
batter in the college.
Mr.. Mcneil took post graduate oo,rse
IN the same institution the following wear
and the degree A. NJ. was conferred unon
him. During that year he won the first
prize as the best orator in the school ard
ne was also awarded the first medal in
the Virginia state oratortcal contest which
took place in 1899
His close application to his studies had
ehe enect OF seriously imparing his health,
glnla College, instead of entering the Chi
cago University the following autumn. as
he had intended, Mr.. McNiel accepted a
pastorate OF small church at Gordons-
Vile, Va, In order that he might recnnar-
ate his strength. He served at Gordons
vile as pastor for one year until Septeno
Der, 1900. He was regarded as very pop
uiar minister during his residence In that
place. 1t was While Mr.. McNiel was pastor
OF the Baptist Church at GordonsyiIIe that
ne married Miss Annie Stanard Goodloe
daughter of Mr.. S. H. Goodloe a prominent
cltlzen or that place. In October of 1900
they entered Chicago University together
to continue their studies 1t was sad
blow to the young husband as well as to
the many friends of Mrs. McNiel when her
death occurred in April. 1901. while she
was student in the University Of Chi
cago. Mr.. McNiel continued his studies at
that institution until June of the present
year. During the past winter he supplied
me pulpit OF the First Baptist Church Of
oouth chicago. He won numerous friends
there and the members Of his congreea-
tlon In South Chicago speak Of him and
his work in high terms Of comm endation
KEY. MI. McNiel has also been very sue
cessful In evangelfstic work in his native
state and has participated in MANY large
evangelical meetings. He Is regarded as
a forcible and convincing speaker, devoted
TO ms ga Galang, ana is possessed Of most
many friends among those with whom he
Is associated The members of the Mary
land Avenue Baptist Church feel confident
that this year just beginning will be one
of successful religious effort.
1t is expected that the churches Of Wash
ington, which have been compare tivelv IN
active for the past few months, viii re
sumo their usual efforts next week. a
great many of the local ministers Of va
rious denominations are still out of the citv
at mountain and seaside resorts. but
large number are expected to return either
next week or the week following Several
or the organizations have announced that
the usual fall and winter services will he
resumed about the middle of September
and some OF the religious societies are ar,
ranging to renew activities the first week
In September
On account Of the moderate weather Of
this season the autumn work of the local
churches, 1t is stated, will begin somewhat
earlier than in former Years and hananra