Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-31
PLEDGES AID TO UNION OFFER To BUY CHURCH
Building Trades Alliance Sup Coloed Congregation Willing to
ports JoIrneymen Plumbers Take the Nortfminster.
IN DISPUTE WITH MASTERS ABOUT $4,000 OFFERED
Belief Expressed That There Will Neighborhood
Be No Strike. %
HISTORY THE DISPUTATIoN WHAT MR. WILLIAMSON SAYS
Public
Long Standing New
ABOUT $4,000 OFFERED
Residents of the Neighborhood In
clined to Protest.
WHAT MIR. WILLIAMSON SAYS
Chairman Of the Building Committee
Makes a Statement-Need for
New Structure.

The recent offer of sum approximatinl
$4,000 for the property of the Northmin-
ster Presbyterian Church, N street between
9th and 10th streets, by a local real estate
agent. who. it is understood. was repre-
senting colored congregation Of this city
has caused the residents Of the neighbor.
hood to protest 1t is stated that should q
sale be attempted by the membership OF
the Northminster Church to other than a
white congregation the residents in question
will endeavor to prevent the consummation
Of the sale.
A number Of the members Of the Temple
Baptist Church, at 10th and N streets
about half a block from the NorthminsteI
Church, have, 1t is stated, agreed to enter
an emphatic protest against the sale OF
the neighboring church edifice to coiored
congregation.
Statement by Mr.. Williamson.
When Rev. George P. Wilson, pastor OF
Northminster Church, was seen last even
ing by Star reporter relative to the pro-
posed sale he referred the caller to Mr.. L.
Cabell Williamson, chairman of the build
ing committee of the church.
Mr. Williamson explained that an offer
had been made by local real estate agent
for the church property for sum amount
ing to trifie less than $4,000. According
to the information that Mr. Williamson
had at hand the offer was made on behalf
of colored congregation of this city.
The alleged protests of many of the people
residing in the neighborhood were called te
the attention of Mr.. Williamson, and he
stated that he does not believe that the
| members of the congregation, should the
matter be placed before them, would rat1fy
any contract selling the present church
edifice to colored congregation.
AS far as he is concerned. Mr. William
son added, the people Of the neighborhood
should be treated as the people or the
Northminster Church would want others to
treat them, and he does not think the
congregation would be living up to the rule
of DO unto others as you would have
them do unto YOU"
Matter Of Repairing Building.
In answer to an inquiry, Mr.. Williamson
stated that the matter had been discussed
about one month ago, when it was de-
cided to repair the Northminster Church
building. Several questions were consid-
cred at the time, and more than one mem
Der of the congregation was of the opinion
that the church leaders should cast their
eyes about the city in the hope of finding
a corner location that would be more suit
able to the needs of the congregation as
now constituted. A short time after that
determination became known, Mr.. William
son explained, the Offer was received from
the real estate agent in question as repre-
senting colored congregation.
The Northminster Church is consolida-
ton of the North and Assemblys Presbyte-
rian churches, which were united last year.
1t was believed for time the Assembly 8
would unite with the congregation of the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, In
furtherance of the hope of Mr.. Justice
Harlan and other leading Presbyterains Of
the capital city to found here great Pres
byterian church that would be fitting rep
resentative of the people OF the states fol-
lowers of the faith laid down by John Cal
win. After the plan of uniting the churches
mentioned was dropped the Assembly
Church was sold for $4,000, and shortly
thereafter the congregation united with
the North Church under the name of the
Northminster Church.
The old North Church had for Its pastor
Rev. Charles B. Ramsdell, who died sud
denly while the negotiations for the consol-
idation were in progress. 1t is stated that
the Northminster Church is much in need
of repairs and that the members of the
board Of trustees believe that by selling the
present property and using the $4,000 re-
ceived for the Assemblys Church a superior
church building in a more desirable locality
could be provided.