Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31

The celebration of the one hundredth an
niversary of the New York Avenue Prespy-
terrain Church. which will be held ourihs
the week beginning November 10, VIII NC
an event of much historic interest IL Is eN-
pected to bring to Washington large gain
ering of people from different parts OF the
country who are interested in research per-
tanning to the early history of the govern
ment. Probably no other Washington church
has had so many Presidents among It's wor-
shippers as the New York Avenue Church,
and its records also show the names or
Vice Presidents, cabinet officers and other
distinguished men. The plans of the com
mittee on arrangements, which Will De
made public soon, include addresses py
men conspicuous in national affairs, histo-
rians of national reputation and ministers
who hold high positions in the organization
of the Presbyterian Church OF the United
States. 1t is expected that DR.. Wallace
Radcliffe, the pastor, will preach sermon
on the history of the church, Sunday, NO
vember 10, the first day of the weeks cele-
bration. 1t Is also expected that DR.. Pat
ten, ex-president of Princeton University,
will deliver an address one evening during
the week, and If all of the present plans are
carried out and satisfactory arrangements
can be made President Roosevelt Will speak
at the church one evening.
There will also be an exhibit Of the early
records of the churches. manuscripts, pup
LEGATIONS and other objects Identified with
the congregations of long ago.
The executive committee in charge OF the
arrangements for the celebration consists
of: The pastor. Rev. Wallace Radcliffe
chairman: Walter c. Clephane, secretary;
John B. Larner, chairman of the finance
committee; Mrs. J. o. Adams, chairman of
the committee on historical research; s. w.
Curriden, chairman of the committee on
printing; H. b. Nesbitt, chairman Of the
press committee; J. H. Wurdeman, chair
a.
Jor General j. c. Breckenridge, chairman of
the reception committed; G. s. Bradley
chairman of the ushers committee, and J.
ID. McCheSney, chairman of the committee
on social functions. The members of the
finance committee are: John B. Larner, AL
bert Halstead, Brice ]. Moses, Joseph E.
Willard, Charles A. Baker, Charles 8.
Bradley, Walter c. Clephane. 8. w. Curri-
den, Charles H. Davidge, James A. Freer,
Edward Graves, Charles W. Richardson.
Charles B. Pearson, George w. White and
Charles G. Stott.
The New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church dates its origin from the organiza
ton of the Street Presbyterian Church,
in 1903. The pastor of that church was
the Rev. Mr.. Lowrie, a clerk in the treas
ury. In 1920 the Second Presbyterian
met in the corridor of the old Navy De-
partment building. which was offered free
OF charge for that purpose Saturday aft
ernoon. after the clerks had left the build
the worshipers, and they were removed
early Monday morning. Later the F Street
Church and the Second Church were con-
Solidated into the New York Avenue Pres
byterian Church.
The records of the three churches show
that they have had worshipers a long
list of statesmen, and that they were aided
by some of the most distinguished men in
this countrys history. John Quincy Ad-
ans was identified with the Second Pres
byterian Church. and once rescued it from
Bankruptcy. The congregation had started
to build new church on the site now oc-
cupied by the New York Avenue Presby-
terrain Church, which had been purchased
from Nicholas Biddle, president of the IA
nous Bank of the United States The
walls were constructed and part of the roof
put on when the money gave out. The
contractors demanded payment, and after
endeavoring unsuccessfully to raise funds
elsewhere. the finance committee went to
Mr.. Adams. then Secretary of State under
President James Monroe. and he immedi-
ately responded to its appeal for aid
About twenty-five years afterward, and
just before Mr.. Adams death. the congre-
cation paid him back and presented him
with pew. which he occupied up to the
time of his death.
President Andrew jackson attended the
Second Church and figured conspicuously
In one of the quarrels of the congregation.
1t was over Mrs. Eaton, Peggy O'Neil,"
who had a stanch friend in "Old Hickory"
The pastor. the Rev. Mr.. Campbell,
young man who afterward attained con-
siderable reputation as pulpit orator and
who had church in Albany, refused to
recognize Mrs. Eaton. and on that account
Mr. jackson left the church and never
went back. Among the other Presidents
who attended the two older churches and
the New York Avenue Church were: James
X: Polk, Franklin Pierce. James Buchanan,
Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
The pew occupied by Mr. Lincoln has
never been removed from the New York
Avenue Church. although the other pews
have been replaced at intervals since he
worshiped there. 1t is we'll to the front of
the church. 1t is small, of dark oak. and
its oldfashioned appearance is in striking
contrast with The modern appointments of
the stately interior. The church Is kept
open during certain hours of the morning.
and many strangers in Washington go
there to inspect the Lincoln pew. 1t will
be made a feature of the celebration.
Among the distinguished men who wor-
ship at the New York Avenue Church are
Associate Justice John NJ. Harlan of the
Supreme Court, who is an elder and teaches
a class in the Sabbath school; Secretary
Wilson of the Agricultural Department.
Senator German of Maryland. Senators
Burrows and Alger of Michigan. and other
members of Congress and government Of
ficials. The pastor of the New York Az
enue Church is Rev. Wallace Radcliffe. who
is well known throughout the country as
one of the foremost orators of the Presby
terrain Church. Under his pastorate the
er than ever before In its history.
The evening service at the Western Pres
byterian Church Sunday, October %. was
addressed by DR.. d. B. Cooper, representing
the national reform bureau. His subject
was christian Patriotism" In the morn
ing the pastor. Rev. G. A. Wilson, prea
on temperance.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Wes-
ley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church
corner of 9Th and F streets northwest, is
being celebrated this week by special serv-
ices every evening. and twice on the first
and the following Sundays. Last Sunday
morning Bishop Alpheus Wilson of the
Methodist Episcopal Church preached to a
large audience. The evening was given to 4
Sunday school meeting. Mr.. Millen presid-
ed, and addresses were made by Judge
Chambers and General Shallenberger.
A service lin honor of our founders-Dum-
barton. Foundry and Trinity Churches"
held Monday evening Rev. F. H. Ha-
venner, pastor of the Dumbarton NJ. E.
Church. presided. Addresses were made
by Rev. r. M. Moore and Rev DIR. ]. c.
Nicholson. The choir of Trinity Church
furnished appropriate music.
A service lin honor of those we have been
instrumental in founding-Waugh, Metro
politan. Grace. North Capitol. Ryland and
H.. L@l1 COLL