Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01

people residing in Mount Pleasant. who
found it impossible, because of the distance
and lack of transportation facilities to at
tend churches to which they belonged IN
the city Services were held at first in
some of the homes and later in the public
school room. A Sunday school was also
formed at this time. With view to the
future and as a nucleus for church. a
Christian association was formed which
brought into organized shape all the relig
ious activities Of the community Such
after the erection of building was agi-
tated, but as the association was not strong
enough to support a church it was decided
to form stock company and build a town
hall. which was soon accomplished.
In 1856, with the aid of the Congrega tional
Home Missionary Society, Rev. Charles H.
Small was engaged as permanent minister
and on November =, 1886, the Mount Pleas
ant Congregational Church was formed
with nineteen members. In 1891 the hall
property was acquired by the church by
gift and purchase and was slightly remod-
eled and fitted with pews and pulpit.
Mr.. Fishburn Takes Charge.
In 1894. after eight years of most sue
cessful service during which time the mem
bership had multiplied nearly sevenfold.
numbering then 12S, Rev Mr. Small ac-
cepted a call to the the pastor of the First
Congregational Church of Hudson Ohio
and Kew. M. Ross Fishburn at that time
assistant pastor of the First Congregation
al Church. was chosen as his successor
MIR. F1shburn was installed on the Dist
day of November, 1894 and is therefore
just completing the tenth year of his pas
torate.
During this time, which has been coinci-
dent with the period of remarkable growth
IN the population of the community in
which the church is located, there have
been. including the members to be received
this week, SO additions to the membership
of the church, and the membership num-
berS at present
has passed during the ten years without
additions to the church rolls.
Rev. MIR. Fishburn is thirty-seven years
of age, native of Ontario. where his
father settled near Toronto as pastor of a
Lutheran Church. In 1873 the parents re-
turned to Pennsylvania, their native state
ana there the son received his early train
ing. Mr.. Fishburn was graduate from the
preparatory school of Thiel College in 1888
four years later from Pennsylvania College
Gettysburg. and in 1891 from Yale Divinity
School. - Pennsylvania College gave him
the degree of bachelor of arts in 1887 and
master of arts in 1880. while he received
the degree of bachelor of divinity from
Yale University in 1891.
Mr.. Fishburn was ordained at Roxbury
Conn, in September 1881. where he served
the Congregational Church year. From
Roxbury he came to this city in 1852 to
accept the assistant pastorate of the First
Congregational Church.
In 1888 Mr. Fishburn married Miss Emma
n. Hummel of Harrisburg, Pa Mr.. and
fhrS- iSHDufH nave TWO cnllQren-Margaret
seven and one-half years of age, and Hum
mel. three and one-half. Mr.. Fishburn's
father, who preached the sermon upon the
occasion of the dedication of the front half
of the church building in 1888, died four
years ago. The aged mother resides with
a daughter in Lebanon, Pa. Mr. Fish
burns two brothers are also clergymen
Growth of the Church.
Over two years ago ii became obviously
necessary to take steps toward the COM
pletion of the church on the lines of the
original plans, by the construction of an
auditorium to .he rear of the existing struc-
ture. The acquisition of some additional
ground made possible the construction of
a hrSt-hoor auditorium of good proportions,
capable of seating $50 people.
The church is located on Columbia road,
Just west of 14th street. The building,
which has frontage of seventy feet and
extends to the full depth of the lot covers
practically all the ground when the pro-
jections are taken into account. The gem
eral style of the building is Romanesoue
and the material employed In the front is
fine grade of press brick and Hummels-
town brown stone. AT the northwest COR
ner of the building there is a square tower
of brick, which will eventually be carried
to a height of 105 feet.
The church officers are: Deacons-B. p
Davis. George Roadway, E. S. Peck. David
s. CARL, w. j. Bowman, NJ W. Baldwin,
Norton NJ. Little. M. T. Moomaw.
Deaconesses-Mrs N. E. Young Mrs. F.
l.. Campbell.
Clerk-Dr. A. NJ harrington; treasurer,
w. ID. Quinter.
| Standing committee-The pastor, the dea-
cons, the deaconesses.
The officers of the Congregational Society
are: President, Albert l.. Sturtevant: secre-
tary. Paul e. Sleman; treasurer, A. M. Nc
| Lachlen: financial secretary, w. j. Bow
| man; trustees, F. l.. Campbell, G. H: Zell-
ers, N. E. Young, E. b. Stocking, T. C.
| Dublin. John Mitchell jr.
| Building commttee-Dayid s. CARL. chair
man; John Mitchell, jr. g. II. Theodore
| Lang John b. Sleman. jr., NJ. Ross Fish
burn.
| ChoIr-Mr. s. Frederick Smith, organist
and choirmaster; Miss Beatrice s. Goodwin.
soprano; DIR. Charles L. Bliss, tenor Miss
| Mary E. Pond. contralto; DR.. VIM. r. Bu-
chanan. tenor; Mr.. Wa. Graham. bass.
/ Organizations in the church = Sunday
school. James b. West superintendent; La
dies Aid Society, Mrs. N. e. Young. presi-
| dent; Woman's missionary Society, Mrs..