Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
CHURCH GYMNASIUM
WAUGH BROTHERHOOD PRO-
POSES UNIQUE ANNEX.

The Brotherhood Of the Waugh NJ. r.
Church Sd and A streets northeast
has taken up the project of establishing
an institution like the Y. NJ. c. A. on Cap
itol Hill. At a cost Of about 5000 it is
proposed to erect a two-story building ad-
joining the church edifice and to equip /,
with gymnasium apparatus, reading
rooms and other features found in Y
M. c. A. building. For some time the
members Of this brotherhood have felt the
need for Y. M. c. A. in the eastern Sec
ton of the city and they have now de-
cided to carry out the plan themselves as
an annex to the church.
Although the project has been under
consideration for some time, it was not
publicly announced until Wednesday
night. At that time it received the ap-
prevail Of Rev ]. w. r. Sumwalt, the pre-
siding elder of the local NJ E. conference
| of the officers of the Waugh Church and
of the members of the brotherhood. II
carried out the institution will be unique
among local churches.
A large audience gathered in the church
the evening named for the regular meet
| ing of the brotherhood The club had an
nounced that a project of interest to all
church members as we'll as to all living In
the vicinity would be launched, but had
kept the nature Of 1t a secret. Mr.. Charles
E. Weller of the Associated Charities was
the first speaker, pointing out how best to
| extend the power and influence of the
church. He gave a brief sketch of the
social Christian work in various cities and
finally led up to the brotherhood's project
He announced that he had been In
formed that the Mems Club proposed to
build an addition to the church building,
to contain all the modern features Of q
church house, including a gymnasium.
The mention Of this latter feature was
applauded and Mr.. Weller said that no
city church should be without a gymna-
SUM.
Presiding Elder J. W. R. Sumwalt, who
spoke next, stated that, although he might
be criticised, what he would have to say
ing, but of ten years hard study and ex-
perience. Church members or others in
vited to the church, he said, should find
there real home. A church should be
open twenty-four hours day, or at least
every day and every night. He said that
once he had taken a vacation Of ten days
expecting to spend 1t in Washington, but
after wandering around two nights and
not finding single church open, he grew
tired of gazing into saloons and theaters
where he could not enter and went home.
L. Waugh church should carry out the
brotherhood's plan and become known as
the Church Of the Open Door," he de-
clared, it would soon be thronged with
people. he expressed opposition 10 the
idea that churches should abandon the
use of the piano or refrain from the use
of bowling alleys or billiard tables merely
because such things are used in saloons.
Besides the addresses the program In
cluded song by Miss Sallie Nicholson.
two humorous Rotations from Miss Alice
Maydwell, and refreshments.
Several weeks ago a committee from
Waugh Brotherhood appeared before the
official board of the church and asked Its
cooperation in providing this brotherhood
house, and after full discussion Of the
matter the plan was Endorsed by a unan-
imous vote.