The Washington herald., 1907-11-03
SUNDAY MORNING CHAT

At the meeting OF the Synod OF the
Potomac, Of the Reformed Church, re-
Gently held in Grace Church, there were
many expressions Of qualification over
the prosperity OF that congregation, as
well as the bright outlook for the stu
further growth and helpfulness Of the
denomination in Washington. Indeed II
is thought by leading members Of the
Reformed Church that the time has al
most arrived for establishing third
church here.
The church attended by President
Roosevelt. Grace Reformed Church, oc-
cupies a conspicuous place among Wash
ington houses Of worship 1t was organ
lied October !, 1S7l in the chapel OF the
Young Mems Christian Association. then
located at Ninth aad D streets. by Rev Dr.
f. X. Levan. superintendent of missions.
and Rev. DR.. g. L, StaIey. and Rev. Or.
J. T. Rosslter. committee OF Maryland
classes, under the name of St Stephen s
Mission, This name was shortly changed
to Grace Reformed Mission. There were
only sixteen original members. But. 20
said one of that number recently. IN re-
calling those early days, I'VE had en-
thusiasm enough for a host"
The first pastor was Rev. George B.
Russell, who served the little band dur
ing the years lS7S-79. at which time they
met In Kindergarten Hall, at Eighth and
K streets. He was followed by Dr. G. +.
Sontag, whose pastorate continued until
1889 the place Of worship changing twice
during these yeaTs-first to st. George g
Hall, 5l0 Eleventh street. and later TO the
permanent home, in Fifteenth street. be-
tween Rhode Island avenue and p
street. a lot having been purchased in
this beautiful locality. on which a modest
little chapel was built in 1SS2 In 1889
Rev. DIT. A. Thomas G. Apple succeeded
DR.. Sontag as pastor, and during his ten
years ministry the chapel was twice i'm
proved, and a parsonage was erected.
Rev. John ". Schick. the present pas
tor, was installed February /. 1900, and
under his able and devout ministry there
has been a steady advance along all lines
Of church activity. The need of a more
commodious church edifce to meet the
requirements Of a growing congregation
was talked Of from time to time, but
the election Of Mr. Roosevelt TO the
Presidency. and the fact that he has al
ways attended Grace Reformed Church
when in the city, made the need of larger
quarters an absolute necessity Accord
ingly measures were taken. and the
necessary money was soon IN sight The
corner stone of the new church was laid
July /, 1902 by President Roosevelt, and
the dedication of the completed artistic
stone structure took place June Z, 1903,
at which time DR.. f. r. Eschbach, Of
Frederick, Md, preached the sermon, and
the President made an address.
DR.. Schick was born in Richmond Va.
He was a member Of the one catecheticaI
class which Rev. Emanuel Boehringer
was allowed TO instruct and confirm be-
fore the war interfered with his work Of
organizing a Reformed Church in the
capital of Virginia. DR.. Schick entered
upon his preparation for collegiate and
theological studies at Westmoreland Col
lege. Mount Pleasant, Pa. This institu-
ton closing its doors, he entered Mer-
cersburg College. whence he was gradu-
ated in 1873 He continued his studies in
the theological department Of this insti-
tuition. taking a three years pOst-gradu-
ate course, under DR.. Z. Z. Higbee and
Dr. Jacob Kerschner. In 1876 he was
licensed 10 preach by the Allegheny
classis, Pittsburg Synod, and was or
Gained the same year by the Mercersburg
classis. DR. Schick was pastor Of the
First Reformed Church, of Tifin. Ohio.
Immediately before accepting the call to
Grace Church.
The Missionary Conference of the WASH
ington district Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church met at Foundry Church last week
under the direction of DR.. John ". r.
Sumwalt, presiding elder. and Rev. Homer
c Stuntz, field secretary OF the board
of foreign missions. The opening address,
on The purpose and possibilities of this
rally" was delivered by DR.. Sumwalt,
and the missionary sermon was preached
by Dr. Charles E. Guthrie, pastor of
Hamline Church. DR.. Stuntz. who is one
Of the most eloquent and gifted clergy
men Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
delivered several notable addresses during
the sessions Of the conference. He gave
a remarkably clear and vigorous pre-
sentation of what has been done in prac-
teal, helpful work by the men and wom-
en- who have gone into the various mis-