Evening star., 1905-08-27
MERGING OF CHURCHES
Informal Proposal Discussed
by Two Congregations.
BASIS OF THE UNION
FIRST AND ASsEMBLY's CoNsID-
ERING THE DETAILS.
Revival of Movement Inaugurated
Several Months Ago-Matter in
Undetermined State.
BASIS OF THE UNION

The agitation now going on regarding the
union of the congregations of First and
Assembly's Presbyterian churches Of this
city Is said to be the revival of move
ment which was first talked of several
months ago, according to Mr.. James F.
Tufts, president of the board of trustees of
First Church, who was seen by Star re-
porter last evening. AT the time when 1t
first came up considerable discussion arose
and the two pastors asked certain prom
inent members of each church to meet for
discussion of the proposition. They nave
not final powers in the negotiations but
they have power to formulate a PROPOSE
ton for their consideration The matter
has never formally come before either con-
gregation, and it therefore is in an unde-
termined state, according to Mr.. Tufts.
AS president of the trustees Mr.. Tufts
says the First Church is very prosperous.
The debt, which amounted to $4,000 six
years ago, has been reduced to S13 200,
upon which AZ per cent interest is being
paid, and a sinking fund is being created
for further reduction of the obligation.
During the past year the membership has
been greatly increased, about seventy COM
ing from the Eastern Presbyterian Church
alone.
With this prosperity abiding with 1t the
COZ gregation of First Church would not
consent to union with Assembly's Church,
except they maintain the name and site OF
First Presbyter an Church, Mr.. Tufts added.
An agitation arose some time ago regard
ing the removal of the church to the resi-
dertial section, but there was big ma
jcrity opposed to it. and the matter was
dropped.
The historic connections of the present
First Church, the corner stone OF which was
Jaid April 10, 1927, in which have worshiped
SO many prominent men and in which the
only Presbyterian anti-slavery congrega-
ton in Washington during the civil war
had its church home make the church, In
the estimation of its membership, a fixture
in its present location on Az street.
Proposition Advanced.
The general proposition talked over by
the committees from the two churches, ac-
cording to Mr.. Tufts. is that the present
site of the Assembly's Church be sold and
the proceeds be used to pay off the in
debtedness of the First Church and to i'm
prove it. for the use of the united congre-
ga tions. But there is some doubt about
this, it Is alleged, as 1t has been discovered
that the site of the Assemblys Church was
given for church purposes only and clear
title cannot be given to the land, if it were
to be sold for other purposes. This is still
the subject of investigation by the two COM
mittees.
1t is believed that the present ediice of
the First Presbyterian Church is large
enough to accommodate the combined con-
gregations of First and Assemblys, while
it is out of the question to consider the
use or the ASSemDlyS CnurCn
both congregations.
To carry the union through, according to
Mr.. Tufts, it will be necessary for one
church to make proposition to the other,
and to have this proposition ratified by both
congrega tons. The joint committee from
both churches could submit the proposition.
The details of the union would be largely
worked out after the general lines Of union,
embodied in the proposition, were decided
upon. No proposition has been formulated
and no meetings of the congregation OF
either church have been called yet to
bring the matter to a climax.
DIR. MacLeod's Views.
Rev. Donald C. Macleod, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church. talked to Star
reporter last night about the proposed con-
solicitation of the congregation of his church
and that of the Assembly's Presbyterian
Church, as heretofore mentioned in The
Star He said the action of the committees
representing the two congregations is as
yet of the most informal character. Def
mite and final action can only be taken at
congregational meetings of the two
churches Such action may be taken, how
ever, the recommendation of the COM
mittees.
Or. Macleod added that the proposed
amalgamation of the congregations had
been talked of for a long time, and he be-
iieved 1t would finally be consummated, but
in any event the congregation of Assem-
blys Church must come to the First
Church. One reason adanced for this Is
that the auditorium of the Assembys
Church Is not large enough to accommo-
date one-half Of the present attendance at
DR.. MacLeods church. There are other
reasons, the minister said. which would log
ically bring the Assemblys congregation
to the Az street church. In any event no
definite action can be taken until the two
committees report to their respective con-
gregations, and he could not say when this
would be done.
DIR. Macleod also pronounced as absurd
the published statement that he expected
to resign from the pastorate of the First
Presby terian Church.
Il have never contemplated such step
for a moment" was his emphatic conclu-
sion.