Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-14
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The celebration aof the twenty-fifth an
niversary OF the pastorate OF Rev. DR.. w.
u. Parson of the Church Of the Reforms
ton OF the Lutheran denomination, Penn
sylvania avenue and I'd street southeast,
which will take place tomorrow and Mon
day. will be accepted as fitting occasion
on which to recall to memory the interest
ing history and remarkable growth Of this
Capitol Hill congregation. AS heretofore
stated IN The Star, Dr. Parson will hold
special memorial service tomorrow MORN
Ing, and all the church organizations VIII
take part ID q Sunday evening service
Monday evening the congregation will give
reception to the pastor. The occasion IL
founder OF the church and has held no other
charge.
The church was formally organized in
1Sa0. The present pastor began his work
with twenty-three persons In frame
chapel on LIST street. From this small be-
ginning the organization grew to be one OF
the most hourtshing congregations In con-
nection with the Marylandssynod ana to
In East Washington.
The present structure was erected in
1881. It was decorated by Lambs Of New
York. The Ladies' Aid Society purchased
the site on which 1t stands. and have paid
large portion of the cost.
Much attention has always been paid to
music. In both Sunday school and congre-
cation, the matter of general singing hav-
ing been made very prominent. The su-
perintendent OF the Sunday school has al
ways aimed, 1t is said, to have compe-
tent leader, an orchestra and the best song
books obtafnable. AS consequences, the
children have had considerable amount
OF musical training furnished them free.
The present organist and director of mu-
sic is Mrs. VIM. Hamilton Bayly. The
church choir consists OF Mrs: Duncan
contralto; Mr.. George Scharf tenor. and
Mr.. VIM. A. Domer. bass
The church has between 300 and 400
members; From the beginning 1t has been
supported by voluntary offerings, no pew
rents having been collected. the envelope
system only being used. This method has
been entirely successful.
Rev, DR.. Parson, the pastor OF the
church. as stated, has never had any other
congregation. While yet student at the
Theological Seminary he became convinced
that there was good field on this part OF
he came to this city and organized the
church with but handful Of members.
There is now congregation which de-
mands nearly all his time and labors. Dur
work here he has found time to engage in
many philanthropic movements. He was
one Of the organizers OF the original
Associated Charities work. He was Tor
-
the District Commissioners. chairman OF
the board of visitors for the Washington
Asylum. Some years since, In company
with Mr.. F. L. Moore OF Georgetown ne
made a special study of the best methods
of dealing with the unfortunate classes.
visiting model institutions In other parts OF
the country and embodying his conclusions
in report to the Commissioners. At pres
emit he IL dean of the corps OF chaptains
at st. Elizabeth.
Dr.. Parsons passionate was interrupted
by his absence of seven years in Japan,
where he was engaged In educational work
at the University of Tokyo. On completing
his contract with the japanese government
he returned to take charge OF the same
congregation-he had given up seven YEAR,
previously. In addition to his other labors
DR.. Parson has been engaged In sduca-
tional work In this city, and has also de-
voted much fine N lecturfng.
The officers OF the church and organiza-
lions Connected with it are as follows:
Trustees-P. v. DeGraw, John c. Hesse,
Isaac c. Slater
Council-Conrad Hesse. F. n. Parsons.
Sutherland, ]. A. D. Turner, c. r. Unger,
A. K. Wagner 20
Sunday school-Isaac C. Slater, superin-
tendent; c. r. Bnger. assistant superin-
throp Dumont. assistant librarian; A. Il.
Wagner, secretary; Enrich Simons. as
sistant secretary ]. Paul Smith, treas
urer; Henry Hesse, pianist; Henry Stop
and Ethel Dumont, primary school.
Ladies' AID Society-Mrs G.. B. Van
Nest. president; Mrs. F. A Piper, secre-
tary; Mrs. p. v. De Graw. treasurer.
land. president: Mrs. F. H. Parsons. vice
president; Miss Jennie Dodge, treasurer
and secretary.
Young Peoples socisty-c R. Unger.
president; Eric Parsons, secretary: Annie
Eckstein, treasurer.
Music committee-Isaac c. Slater, A. X
Wagner, J. A. D. Turner.
Flower committee-Miss Jennie Dodge.
Ruth Dumont
The National Lutheran Home for the
Aged. located at Langdon, d. c., was es-
tablished through the liberality Of Mrs.
Sarah Utermehle one of the members Of
this church. The home is now widely
known and supported by the church body
at large 1t has a valuable property of
twenty-seven acres. DIR. Parson Is presi-
dent OF the governing board
The institution is to observe Founders
day next Wednesday, when 1t is ex-
pected many persons from this city and
Baltimore will be present.
The Gurley Mems Club held it's closing
social of the season Tuesday evening. Mr.
H. 6. MetcaH, chairman of the social COM
mittee, secured the services OF the following
to entertain the large audience present
Piano and two violin solos by Miss Corsa
and Messrs. Finkel and Upham tenor
solo by Mr. Early. violin and piano solo by
MISS Corsa and Mr.. Theophie, piano solo
by Mr.. John Merwyn, mandolin solo by
Mr.. Morrill,. banjo and piano solo by Messrs
Buckly and Gleason, violin, banjo and lila
phone solo by Messrs. Gleason Robins and
Buckley and recitation by Mr.. w. s. Burns.
The twelfth annual convention of the
Methodist Protestant Christian Endeayor
Union, which is to be held in the North
Carolina Avenue Church, Sth and streets
southeast, May II, Is and 49, is expected
to be one of the most important In the
history OF the organization The officers Of
the union are working to secure Loco dele
gates. They viii come principally from
the states of Maryland. Virginia, West viz
ginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa. Kansas
Nebraska. Kentucky. Washington, OREGON
Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey. New
York. Connecticut. North Carolina. South
Carolina, Georgia and the District Of Coz
lumbia. DIR. A. B. Slime. 713 East CAPITOL
street is chairman OF the entertainment
COMMITTEES.
This convention met at the same church
last year. when the attendance was the
largest In the history of the union The
present convention promises to eclipse that
In point of attendance and interest
Besides the denominational Christian En-
deayor convention. soon to be held in the
North CareliiS4 Avenue Methodist Protestant
Church. heoigeheral conference of this
church body Will convene there this month.