The Washington herald., 1908-03-01

The Metropolitan Baptist Church, Sixth
and A streets northeast. celebrated its
thirtieth anniversary last week.
The first service was observed on Thurs
day evening last. The church was organ
tied just thirty years prior TO that date.
The exercises were In the nature OF a
prayer meeting. the general topic for
discussion being THE blessings of the
year"
Several constituent members were pres
ent and told Of the early work of the
church. Others connected with the church
for a shorter period spoke of the good
received while members Of this particular
church.
On Friday evening the chapel was again
filled by resident members. gathered to
honor the constituent members. Only five
remain Of the thirty-one original members.
Chapel Is Decorated.
The chapel was decorated with festoons
and potted plants. The surviving constitu-
ent members, Bentley p Murray. Mrs.
Sarah p. Clark. Mrs Camille Lowell. Mrs.
Marion J. Mclean. and Mrs A. p. Taylor.
were present. as were also some who
were members at the time Of organization.
but who had withdrawn 10 unite with
other churches In the city.
The exercises Of the evening were
largely of a social and literary character.
Selections were contributed by the Capi-
tol Hill Octet composed Of Or. W.
Bruce Hoofnagle. Gait Bowen, Gilbert A.
Clark, ROLAND f. Fleharty, and Misses
Laura v French. Emma Guschewsky.
Mabel Roberts. and Katie Dodge Read
ings were given by William Moore Col
lins.
The pastor read a letter from a former
pastor. DIR. William II. Young. referring
20 his york in the church some years age.
The pastor made appropriate remarks in
honor Of the constituent members.
Oldest Male Member Talks.
The principal address was delivered bv
Bentley p. Murray the only masculine
surviving constituent member. In the
course OF his remarks. largely reminls-
cent, he called particular attention to
changes in East Washington since the or
ganization OF the church.
Thirty years ago that portion OF the city
was overrun by boys and young men
given TO disturbing the work of the
church. who would at times play ball and
other things Immediately in the rear OF
the church building
Much of the eastern portion Of the city
at that time was open country, where
now stand rows Of fine and substantial
residences. He said that, in the language
OF the Master. they had literally to go
ont in the byvays and the hedges and
compel the people TO come in that the
Lords house might be filled.
He said the Metropolitan Church had
been known N days past and was still
known as "the home church." because all
who attended It appeared like one large
family.
Refreshments were served at the con-
eiusion Of the programme, and general
social time enjoyed.
Anniversary Sermon To-day.
To-day the anniversary exercises will
be continued in the main church audi
forum at II o'clock. The pastor will de-
liver the anniversary sermon. the theme
being The church brotherhood" At
7:3O O'Clock this evening. Rev. James Ben
Jamin Clayton viii deliver an address on
Basic Baptist beliefs"
In May, 1872, a Sunday school was or
ganized on Capitol Hill and began wor-
Shipping in a frame building at Seventh
and y streets northeast From that school
sprang the Metropolitan Baptist Associa-
ton, which purchased a lot at Sixth and
streets, upon which a chapel was built
at a cost of about $500. This amount did
not include the labor and material which
had been contributed freely TO aid the
enterprise
The Sunday school fiourished On Feb
ruary =. lSlS. church organization was
formed, and the Metropolitan Baptist
Church came into being with member
ship OF thirty-one. The association soon
thereafter transferred title 70 its prop
erty 10 the church and ceased to exist
As the church grew in numbers the ad-
joining lot on the west was purchased
upon which the present church edjfce
was erected. dedicated on April s. 1855.
a conservative estimate Of the total
amount contributed by the church for
all objects since its organization is Sf25. 600.
total membership during the thirty years
10e; present membership, 575.
New Building Projected.
has been hampered in its work for lack
OF proper facilities. The Sunday school is
held in building wholly detached from
the church building proper. and totally
inadequate for the needs OF the school
The main auditorium is also freouentlv
taxed 10 its utmost capacity to accommo-
date the worshipers.
About three years ago a building COM
mittee was appointed. Since that time
funds have been gathered looking to The
erection of modern church edifjce on
the site now occupied by the two build
ings owned by the church.
The Baptists of the District of Columbia
are keenly alive to the strategic position
occupied by the Metropolitan Church Al
its annual meeting, held in Calvary Ban
list church, last November. the financial
support Of the churches composing the
columbia Baptist Association was pledged
10 aid the Metropolitan Church IN the
erection Of a new building
II is the intention of the building com
mittee to erect a building at a cost of
about $4,000 on the corner owned by the
congregation. the valuation Of which is
about Sl5,000.
Men Who Have Been Pastors.
During the thirty years Of the church's
existence there have been seven pastors
who ministered TO the needs Of the con-
gregation- The first was Rev. Stephen
H Myrick, who began his work shortly
before the organization was effected. He
was followed by DR.. Joseph ". Parker.
who was soon compelled to give UP the
ministry on account of poor health at the
advanced age Of seventy-seven years.
Rev. William H. fngersoil was the next
pastor. He was followed by Rev. William