Evening star., 1902-03-08
OLD FOUNDRY CHURCH
Business Building Soon to
Take It's Place.
HISTORY OF EDIFICE
NAMED IN HONOR OF WEsLEY's
CHAPEL IN LONDON.
Henry Foxhall's Donation to Denom-
ination in Washington Nearly
Ninety Years Ago.

In few more days the edifce known as
Foundry Church. the corner Of 18th
| and G streets, which has for so many years
| served as a house of worship for a large
| congregation, will be but a pile Of bricks
| and mortar and the old associations that
| naturally cluster about a church home
where the members have been long accus-
| toned to come for moral strength In the
| formation of character will be held only In
memory with nothing more to recall the
| old scenes and events.
The growing commercial interests Of the
| city had almost compelled the abandon
| ment Of the site, and, though at one time
Foundry Church was far removed from the
| turmoil Of business strife. yet 1t Is in the
very heart OF its greatest activity.
Tomorrow will be the last day the con-
gregation will occupy the structure. The
last preaching service will be conducted to-
morrow evening by the venerable Bishop
Edward G. Andrews. who Is eminently
fitted to preach the farewell sermon. He
became well acquainted with the Foundry
people during his residence In this city,
having been stationed here as a bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church before the
coming of Bishop Hurst.
The work of tearing down the church
building will probably begin next week. as
| arrangements therefor have been made
and the contract let. The congregation
has not yet decided where to build the
church, nor have arrangements been made
for a temporary place Of worship. 1t Is
understood that some members OF the
board Of trustees favor worshiping with
st. Pauis Church, while others propose
the securing Of a hall for the purpose
1t has been stated by a prominent mem
Der that the trustees have $20OOOO on hand
and ultimately the congregation will build
| a church in Washington that will be
l - ~ %I4A
perpetuate the memory OF Henry w. Fox
| hall. who built the first church.
History Of tho Church.
Foundry Church has an interesting his
! tory. and not the least interesting feature
is the story Of its origin. The founder was
Henry w. Foxhall. who was born in Eng
land in 176O. and emigrated to America in
| 1894 During the early period of his life
| he worked In a foundry In England, along
| with Francis Asbury, who was among
| the first Of the Methodist bishops in this
| worked was the same used by John Wes-
| ley chapel in his ministry and Is now
the site OF depot for an underground
railway. Henry Foxhall was converted at
came a Methodist, and arriving in
Georgetown in 1901 he affiliated with the
Methodist Church in that place.
Mr. Foxhail came to Georgetown at the
i
ated a foundry, where he was engaged In
manufacturing cannon for the government.
This was then the only foundry south Of
philadelphia. and 1t Is said the battle Of
Lake Erie was postponed until Mr.. Fox
hall could build and transport guns to the
scene Of the engagement.
In 1914 when the British struck terror
to the inhabitants Of Washington by de-
stroying the Capitol and Presidents house
and other public buildings, it was planned
by the British commander to destroy the
Foxhall foundry and the afternoon OF Au-
gust 26 was set as the time for doing the
afternoon as the soldiers were preparing
to start on their mission a severe cyclone
came up and they desisted from their pur-
pose. The next day the plans were
changed.
Mr.. Foxhall recognized this storm as the
| interposit4on OF Providence, and, being a
devout man and given to deeds Of philan-
thropy. he, out Of gratitude. decided to
build church He donated the land at the
corner Of 14th and g streets, and at his
own expense erected church house on the
shipers that the new structure be called
Foxhail Church, but the donor was unwill-
ing to be thus honored, and in commemo-
ration Of John Wesleys old Foundry Chapel
In London 1t became known as Foundry
Church
The structure was q plain brick building
on the exterior. but inside 1t wa8 fitted in
tho best possible - style Of those days The
for Q Sunday school room, and the main
audience room was fitted with q high pull
pit and gallery on three sides.
The First Pastor.
Rev. Thomas Birch was the first pastor
Of this httle church. He served for three
years-until 1919. Long continuous pas
torates were not permitted by the NJ e.
Church dicipline. and Foundry has neces-
sarily had many pastors Among the min
listers serving during the years preceding
1s48 were: Revs John Emery, afterward a
bishop; William Ryland, Samuel Davis,
John Baer, William Hamilton, John Davis,
Stephen g. Rozell. with Revs. French L.
Evans. T. ]. Dorsey and Samuel Kepler as
| assistants at different times; James NJ.
Thomas B. Sergeant. Charles B. Tipett.
Henry Shcer, Thomas C.. Thornton, John
Robb Henry Tarring and N. j. B. Morgan.
In 184S Rev. DR.. John Lanahan became
pastor and during his term the old chapel
was enlarged and remodeied. DR.. Lanahan
he being succeeded a few years later by
Rev. DR.. Jesse T. Peck. who is now a
bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church
The pulpit was filed from 1853 to 1886 by
Revs. Elisha p. Phelps, Samuel Register.
B. H. Nadal, William B. Edwards William
Hurst J. r. Emnger. James B. Stitt ana
w. M. D. Ryan.
The congregation having increased and
outgrown the small church, additional
ground was secured In the spring of 1858,
and the present structure erected. It was
dedicated the same year. and 1t Is said that
at the ceremonies President Johnson was
present. When the contribution box was