Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-16

dent clergy: Rev. P. p Phillips of st.
Paurs Episcopal Church, Rev. DR.. Frank
]. Brooke of the Second Presbyterian
Church, Rev J. p Stump of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, Rev. William ].
Morton of Christ Episcopal Church, Rev. J.
III. S. Ewell of the Methodist Protestant
Church and Rev. J. A. LETTERS Of Trinity
Methodist Episcopal Church. Addresses
will also be delivered by Mayor Simpson
and Col. X. kemper. A social banquet in
the lecture room. which will be prepared by
the ladies of the church, will mark the
finale. The music, now in course of prep
afat1on, under the direction Of Mr.. William
II. Starnell. at the head of the Baptist
Church choir, it is confidently asserted will
be the finest of the sort ever heard in Alex
andria Practically all the musical talent
end. There will be the choirs Of Christ
Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. St Pauls Church, the Baptist
Church and the Alexandra Male Quartet.
History Of the Church.
Throughout its long. history the First
Baptist Church has been closely identified
with the social, moral and religious life OF
Alexandria, Its records contain the names
Of many of the mostlprominent families of
the city. Based on the records the follow
ing historical sketch Is given out by au-
thority of the church: April 22. 1903,
twelve persons, five males and seven
sion from the Baptist Church at Backlick,
met in the court house, then located on the
north side OF the Market square, and eff
fected an organization which they called
andria.'
with hearts full OF zeal they. wrought
With commendable energy, and, though
poor in this worlds goods, succeeded be-
fore the close Of the year 1903, in building
church house on the lot occupied by the
present edifce. The first preacher of which
there Is any record is Elder John Morgan
Elder John Morgan gave the church sat-
isfactory evidence that he was licensed to
preach as Baptist minister in Great Brit
ain and 1t was unanimously agreed that he
shall preach and have transient communion
with US while he continues in the town of
alexandria. January 5. 1905. a pastoral
call was extended to Elder William Wood
to attend them once a month or oftener for
period of six months. He was pastor I'M
til August 8 Of the same year, when he
was succeeded by Elders Moore Grinstead
Toler Cooper and Smith, respectively, De-
cember "a. 1914. Brother John Paradise was
ordained the poster of the church, which
position he filled until May 4, 1915 when
he was succeeded by Elder Spencer H
Cone, who served the church until Nav /
1923, when he was succeeded by Elder John
Bryce, who remained pastor until Septem-
Der 1, 1924. Then the following ministers
served in the order named Elder Samuel
Cornelius, from 1924 to 1887; Elder Edward
Kingsford, from 1S41 to 1916: Elder O. w.
Briggs, from 1S4S to 1853; Samuel Shute, D.
D., from 1865 to 1850; C. c. Biting, D. D.
from 1859 to 1896; Rev E. j. Willis, from
1867 to 1869; C. H. Ryland, D. D., from
1859 to 1874; Rev. w. S. Penick, from 1874
to 1881; o. F. Flippo. D. D.. from 1881 to
1885; Rev. 1. M. Mercer, from 1886 to 1891 ::
Rev. ]. H. Butler, from 1891 to 1900 George
Langford Hunt, D. D., LID. assumed the
pastoral charge May 1, 1900, and is still in
Office.
''In 1910 the colored brethren were grant
ed permission to organize separate church
and build house of worship for them
selves"
Building Destroyed by Fire.
The church building was DESTROYED by
fire in October, 1899. The congregation,
aided by the contribution of members and
friends, soon replaced the burned structure
with a better building. Meanwhile it
worshiped in the Second Presbyterian
Church and in the lecture room of St.
PauPs Church, which had been rendered to
it. The meeting house proving too small
for the growing congregation, 1t was found
necessary in 1858 to provide a larger struc-
ture. AS result the present church edifice
was constructed. During the civil war 1t
was occupied by federal troops, while the
congregation had to worship in hall. The
church building was improved and mod
ernized in 1892
DR.. Hunt, the present pastor, Is of Scotch
descent. He graduated from the high
school at Woburn, Mass, the valedictoriar
of the class Of 1857 He entered Waterville
College, Maine, and graduated in the class
of 1862. In the senior year the first prize
was awarded to him for the best written
and best delivered GRAFTON in a competition
between twelve students selected from the
members of the highesc standing in the
class. He, entered Newton Theological
Institution in 1862 GaIid twas ordained in
Barre, Mass, IN 1858. He was pastor in
Athol and Northampton, Mass, serving
three years in each place, and in 1869 ac-
copied a call from. thei Union Baptist
Church in Mystic River, sConn., which po-
sition he filled successfully for eleven
years During his passionate this church
grew to be the largest, In membership in
the state He served as statistical secre-
tary of the board Of theziConnecticut state
convention for ten years. and took a deep
interest in the feeble churches, assisting
them by his counsels and labors. The old
Stonington Union Association elected him
moderator for seven consecutive years. He
received the degree Nf'master of arts from
his alma mater In 1886, and was made doc
tor. of divinity by Lake Forest College in
1875.
Present Pastor Complmented.
The Baptist Encyclopedias" a diction-
airy containing numerous biographical
sketches of distinguished American and
foreign Baptists. has this paragraph In a
sketch of DR.. Hunt: HE excels In parlia-
nentary knowledge and in courteous bear
ing as presiding of1cer. He is an able
theologian. scholarly, evangelical in his
preaching, and always ready to help the
unfortunate. AS a preacher he stands high
and has f1attertng reputation as q lee
.turer."
The following are the officers OF the
church: Deacons, Messrs. ]. r. NJ Curtin,
J. W. Emmert, William p. Henshaw, Adam
Martin. Louis C. Nails. D. w. schoneld
and w. H. Yeatman: clerk. James r.