Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
BAPTIST CHU RICH
FIRST ORGANIZATION IN DIS
TRICT OVER 100 YEARS AGO.

No denomination of the Christian Church
has played a more prominent part In the
religious history of the District of Column
bia than the Baptist. 1t Is peoples de-
nomination, and from the earliest days its
interests have been identified with those
of the people. One hundred years had
passed on March 7. 1902. since the first
church of the Baptist denomination was
constituted in the District of Columbia.
March 7. 1902, just fifteen months after
the removal of the national capital to
Washington. six persons of this faith or
ganized themselves into a Baptist church.
They met first in hall in the old treasury
building, which occupied a part of the site
Of the present treasury. Afterward the
church services were held for time in
private houses.
The constituent persons were mostly
those who had come to this city to enter
the employ Of the government Their first
supply pastor was Rev. William Parkin-
sen, who was then chaplain to Congress
1t was by the generous aid of Baptists In
other parts OF the country that a house Of
worship was erected upon lot on the
southwest corner Of 10Th and l streets.
now occupied by a colored Baptist church.
With several churches-Catholic, Epfsco-
pal and Methodist-already established in
Rock Creek parish and Georgetown. this
was one of the first church organizations
in the District.
Had No Pastor.
There was no regular pastor for almost
five years, visiting ministers and the chap
lain of Congress furnishing the spiritual
food of the flock. In, those days there
were no separate buildings for the colored
people and part of this church was not set
aside for their accommodation.
1DsA@ tf1vn fa1f rf~1
enough to call q pastor to take regular
charge of the work. That year the SER
vices of Rev. Obadiah B. Brown were OBJ
tanned. Mr.. Brown came from Newark,
NJ j. and in order to better support him.
self accepted position in the Post Office
Department, which he held for number
Of years.
The first colony went out from the new
church in 1910. The parent had grown
and prospered and was able to spare some
of its members to establish work In an
other field. In this manner the Second
Bap list Church was started in the wids"
is located today at 9th and Virginia ave-
nue. and its pastor. Rev. E. Hez Sven,
is well known throughout this section OF
the country as a preacher and lecturer.
Another child of the First Church Is the
third of the Baptist faith In this city-the
E Street Baptist Church. since changed
to the Temple Baptist. of which Rev. DR..
j. j. Muir is pastor today. The next old
est 6dptlSt CHURCH III tHiS city ID lue
Fifth, located at 81 and e streets south
west. Rev. Weston Bruner, pastor.
Born During the War.
During the fever of the war, in 1862, the
Calvary Baptist Church was organized. and
erected a handsome structure. which was
soon after destroyed by fire. BY the gen.
erous help of Amos Kendall. member of
Andrew Jackson's cabinet and also Of the
church, a second structure was built.
The congregation still worships here, and
1t is one Of the largest and best church
buildings in the city. Under the guidance of
Rev. Samuel H Greene it has come to be
recognized as one of the foremost centers
OF religious life in the country.
The Georgetown. or West Washington,
Church next followed with a small Begin
ming in the year 1866. It has had some able
ministers. including Rev. Drs. James Nell