Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-20
FOR NATIONAL CHURCH
Movement Begun by Southern
Methodist Congregation.
EDIFlCE TO COST 100000
Project Endorsed and Supported by the
General Conference.
SITE WEST OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Frontage of so Feet on Massachusetts,
Avenue and 157 Feet
=; on K Street.
EDlFICE TO COST $1,000
SITE WEST OF PUBLIC LIBRARY

In the purchase of 1900 square feet OF
ground in the triangle bounded by Massa-
Chusetts avenue, 9th and X streets. facing
Mount Vernon place. the first step was
taken yesterday afternoon by the Washing
ton district of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South and the Mount Vernon Place
Church of this city toward carrying out
the purpose of the general conference of
the denomination to erect what may be
termed a national church in this city. A
year ago last May the general conference
In session in Birmingham Ala, considered
at length the idea, and at last voted by
large majority to give the Mount Vernon
Church n national character and to defray
the expenses. The edifice is to cost 100000
and Is to be 81 striking architectural de-
sign.
The site was purchased from several
owners the aggregate cost being SCI, 200,
or about S4.7O square foot. 1t lies just
west of the Public Library. and has 'front.'
age of $50 feet on Massachusetts avenue
and lJT feet on X street. The wide park
ing on three sides will add greatly to the
attractiveness of the church, which Will
he centrally located and easily accessible
by several car lines.
Special Committees Work.
The church was represented in the trans
action by a special committee consisting of
Rev. F.. V. Register. presiding elder of the
Washington district; Rev. w. F. Locke.
pastor of the church; A. b. Pugh, w. w.
MILAN. w. l.. Chambers. d. l.. Coon,
Loverick Pierce, ]. Everett Baird. John NJ.
FOllin and Clarendon Smith. The real
estate firm of Wescott & Wilcox repre-
scented the owners, who were the trustees
of Westminster College, Catherine E.
Brumbaugh. f. f. and Charles Murray.
Eliza Gardner, Elizabeth D. Mawbry and
Lucia j. Clark
The new church building will have every
modern convenience for church and Sunday
school work. The main auditorium and
Sunday school room will be under the
same roof, but will be entirely separate
from each other. There will be class
rooms. reading rooms, library, parlors.
offices, etc.
The plan of the general conference pro-
vided for the erection of the national
church on condition that $4,000 should be
contributed by the local congregation. The
church at large was then to raise $500 900.
To carry out the purpose of the resolutions
the conference appointed a general COM
Tnittee to work in conjunction with local
committee of the Washington church. This
general committee is composed of Bishop
w. A. Gambler of Atlanta, Ga; Bishop E.
L. Hoss of Monteagle. Tenn, and Rev. W.
F. McMurry. DID. of Louisville, KY.
Shortly after the adjournment Of the
conference in birmingham the quarterly
conference of the Mount Vernon Church
by formal resolution, accepted the propo-
sition made by the general conference
and appointed the committee named to
represent the church in all matters con-
nected with the enterprise. A Joint meet
Ing of the two committees was held here
last March. when the site was decided
upon and options taken upon the property
Inc intervening time. until yesterday has
been consumed by the local committee in
acquiring title to the ground.
History of the Church.
Mount Vernon Church probably has had
more stirring experience in the national
capital than any other denomination. Be-
fore the war 1t was located on Sth street on
the Site OF the present synagogue of the
Washington Hebrew congregation When
tne war began the Southern Methodist
ChurGh was watched with jealous eye to
see that no sympathetic southern senti-
ments were uttered either from pulpit or
pew. 1t was called the rebel church"
and as matter of fact, most of its mem
Ders were of southern birth and sympathy
The membership fell off rapidly at this ne
ROD. some being too timid to stand the
storm and stress which was the lot of those
who continued to worship there Some of
the members who were considered too ont
spoken were arrested and put In the Old
Capitol prison.
The church was finally confscated and
used during the war as a hospital for
wounded soldiers. 1t was made ft for hos
pital purposes by laying mattresses on
DOaiuS HdiIeu over the tops OF the pewS.
In this improvised hospital the church altar
was not disturbed. the Bible being left in
us accustomed place on the pulpit Mr.
10 r; compton. the popular commission
merchant tells an amusing story about the
way he rescued the sacred volume from the
hands OF the enemy. He was a small boy
at The time. member of the Sunday school.
with all boys enthusiast SIN for the cause
In which he was born. With boyish re-
sourcefulness he crawled under the pews
an the way down to the pulpit and returned
- fn ,.i,~-~
ern Methodist Bible In triumph
Worships in Rented Property.
The deposed congregation immediately
rented house on p street between 18th
and 18th. 1t is still standing Just east of
the Riggs market. and is now used as a
restaurant. Here faithful few met and
worshiped for almost two years. They were
allowed to hold their services unmolested
though old members say that the never
ending watch which was kept over them
was not conducive to that camness of
spirit which Sabbath service usually
brings. In 1863 they bought a lot on the
north side OF NJ street between 9th and
10th, where small frame structure was