The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-30
MEMORIAL CHURCH TO BE
RESTORED In NEAR FUTURE

suggested 10 DR.. Butler the propriety Of
adjoining the plat In front OF the church
with statue OF Luther. DIR. Butler
expressing his approval of the plan. Mr..
Scnerin set about collecting the funds
with such avidity hat within a year
the statue was dedf Gated.
Though the chap'sl of the church was
filled with guests, when word was given
that the church was on fire. there was
nothing like a pa 1ic. but on the other
hand the company was slow 10 depart,
so great was It's affection for the struc-
ture All were very grateful for the
prompt and energetic work OF the FIRE
department. and, when the worst was
over. insisted that the fire ladies
should come in and partake OF the feast
which had been prepared Tor other par
poses. an invitation which they were
not slow IA accepting, with the result
that there gathered about the well
laden tables picturesque group of fire
men IN OIi-skIns. boots. and SOU westers,
dripping and smoke begrimed. who did
that nothing was, eft to tell the tale.
Dedicated in 1874.
Dedicated in 1874. Luther Place Me-
mortal Church Yves built as a tribute to
Divine grace in ringing to an end the
slaughter of the civil war, and in re-
uniting the two sections of the country.
The three towers on the church were
completed IN 1859 by George Ryneal, IT,.
parents The statue OF Martin Luther
IN front Of the church at the corner of
Fourteenth Street and Vermont Ave
nue., was planned in 1888, when the 400th
anniversary OF the birth OF Martin
Luther was celebrated II was unveiled
in 1884.
Not only was the church edtfice q me-
mortal, bat the windows and pews were
memorials TO great leaders IN religious
thought and IN the Lutheran church
Luther. Calvin, and Wesley. founders OF
fna.l
which have played so important a part IN
American history. WSre inscribed on the
three windows In the main tower. On
other windows were inscribed the names
OF prominent American Lutherans
Grant, Lee. Howard, Sumner. and 9TH
ers were memorialized In the pews.
Butler a Founder.
The congregation was organized in
1873, with forty-eight persons, who fol-
lowed the Rev. John G.. Butler from st. /
Paurs Church He was worthy leader |
then, and is sim one OF the most active |
ministers in Washington.
The Rev. Mr.. Butler was born in Cum
berland. Nd, and has been engaged In
ministerial work i'm Washington more
than fifty years. His first charge was
St Paul's, at Eleventh and II Streets
Their Place Memorial
At no time has the membership OF Luz |
Their Memorial exceeded 100 Its contri- ]
buttons are purely voluntary subscTiD- /
tons, and its pews are free; but Il has /
been one Of the most active missionary /
and philanthropic churches In the city \
Among its offshoots are Zion Church |
the Rev. Alfred Homrighaus pastor. at =
Sixth and Streets northwest; Church I
OF the RedeeuIer, labortng among the 4
negroes. the Rev. l. E Wiseman. pas
tor. and the kehsr Memorial, Ninth 4
Street and MayI.nd Avenue north I
east. the Few. =. r. Butler, son OF the l
Rev. John G. Butler. pastor. Despite /
its numerous enterprises, the church ]
has accumulated property worth $500
600 and is free from debt.
The principal charitable enterprise Of /
the church has been the Lutheran Eve /
Ear, and Throat Inf1rmary. which Is 1
operated in the annex TO Luther Memo /
rial DR.. w. X. Butler Is In charge of 4
the infirmary, and its services are dis 4
pensed free 10 all eomsRs If a sum l
cfent building fund can be obtained, the |
iuflrmary viii expand into a hospital