The Washington times., 1902-04-27

REV. RICHARD P. WILLIAMS
| Dimittis." Kirkpatrick: hymn 4S9 (249 In
S. S. HymnaD. Gilbert: offertory anthem
Whose Dwelleth." Martin; recessiona
hymn Sic ti99 in S. S. HymnaD. Sullivan
S p. m.-Full choral service, Rev. Will
liam Howard Falkner, preacher. Process
! sional. hymn 4S3. Smart: Psalter. nine
teenth selection, Psalm 1i7. Crotch:
''Magn!ficat," Barnby: "Nunc Dimittis,
Kirkpatrick: hymn 4S2. Darwall: ofrertory
anthem Whose Dwelleth." Martin: re-
cessional, hymn iS7, Lwoff.
The present vestry of Trinity Protestant
Episcopal Church is constituted as fol-
lows; Mr.. Theodore o. Ebaugh, senior
warden; Mr. James E. Bell, DIR. John W.
Bulkley, Mr.. George E. Davis, Mr.. Henry
English. MIR. John W. Lyell junior war
den; Mr.. Clement W. Howard. Mr.. Will
liam NJ. Steuart. Mr.. Corbin Thompson.
Mr.. Elkanah n. Waters; Mr.. Z. y. Wa
ters, registrar; Mr.. Alpheus Middleton.
treasurer: Mr.. Watson F. Clark. assistant
treasurer; Mr. William A. kirkpatrick.
organist and choirmaster; Yolley Quisen-
bury, sexton.
History of the Church.
The beginning OF the organization Of
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church was
in a unique respect under the protection of
the law. On December s. 1926, a number
of Episcopalians who realized the need Of
another church gathered in the City Hall
and considered the question.
Mr.. Jonathan Elliot, the author OF a
History of Washington put the motion
which expressed the unanimous wish OF
the gathering. and by the tirce Of the sec
ond meeting. on April 80. 1927, 500 had
been secured.
The president of the common council
granted the use Of the council chamber
for temporary use as a place Of meeting
by the new congregation. A vestry was
elected, and the Rev. Henry Van Dyke
Johns accepted the call to be the first
rector. Thus, for essential purposes the
parish was an established fact. But its
representative TO the diocesan convention
OF Maryland. Mr.. Richard S. Cox, report
ed that the ecclesiastical authorities de-
sired further assurance as to the rcgu-
larity of all the proceedings. Accordingly
a new election was held. and the vestry
as then recognized consisted Of William
Hewitt, Richard s. Cox, Roger c. Weight
man. Edward Ingle G. c. Grammer, John
A. Smith, Dr. John b. Blake, and William
Prout. Charles II. Wiltberger and Will
liam S. Drummond were elected wardens.
First Church Building.
The site of the first church building is
now occupied by a handsome Office build
ing on Fifth Street. midway between ID
and ( Streets. Thither the congregation
moved from the City Hall on April u,
1929. The church was consecrated by the
~. ba
Claiming Moore. May II, 1929.
After Mr.. Johns resignation as rector
in 1882. the immediate successors were
the Rev. Chauncey Cotton, the Rev. Z. Y.
Higbee. and the Rev. John Owen.
Al that time Francis s. Key was senior
warden of the parish and represented II
in the diocesan convention. He was au-
thorized to request the Bishop elect OF
MARYLAND, the Rev. b. |. Dorr. TO make
Washington his home and Trinity his
church in case Of his acceptance. This
would have anticipated history by con-
siderable period. AS 1t turned out, how
ever. Mr. Dorr declined the office. The
Rev. II. Stringfellow then became rector
in 1870.
During his rectorship of seven years
number of changes were made in the
building on Fifth Street. These, however,
rather served TO call attention TO the need
for still greater improvements than TO sat
isfy the people. Moreover, the Rev. e.
NJ. Butler, who became rector in 1S41, de-
sired to have an Episcopal church com
mensurate with the dignity of the city,
and his plan was to interest churchmen
abroad in the undertaking. This seemed
particularly appropriate in view OF the
number of visitors and the floating popu-
Iation always characteristic Of seat of
government.
A circular letter was accordingly sent
out. commencing the idea in an able man.
ner. But the response was uniayorabie'
Thus the congregation put aside tempo
rarily their plan OF having new church
IL is interesting to see how long ago were
first suggested the ideas that are only
now beginning to be embodied in practical
shape. The suggestion TO have Washing
ton a see city has already been referred
TO. So there was the plan for church
al the Capital of the Nation, which would
witness TO the devotion of churchmen all
over this fair land. 1t, too is more than
an idea now and a national Cathedral viii
enlist the energies OF men and women as
parish church could not.
Mr.. Corcoran's Generosity.
Trinity Church is not alone in having
accomplished what followed next. Having
failed TO secure large contributions and
outside aid. the congregation set about
with great enthusiasm TO see what a
united home effort could do. BY ls4s
they had raised $4,000. and decided that
the new church should occupy the same
site as the old one. At the last moment.
the generous philanthropist. W. W. Cor
coran, offered tofoan the money neces-
sary to acquire n new location. and the
lot on which the church now stands was
secured.
BY this time the plans were already
drawn and were appropriate for a church
In a mid-square position. Although the
work was finally begun on corner lot.
he plans seem not to have been altered