Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-10-27
CHURCH CENTENNIAL
History in Brief of the Second
Presbyterian Church of Alexandria
rs Compiled by Elder George Wise.

| The following brief history OF the
! Second Presbyterian church OF
Alexandria. compiled by Mr.. George
! Wise and read before the Synod of
/ Virginia during its sessions when
the centennial exercises were held,
! will be of interest to many:
In compiling all the facts in con-
nect;on with the organization Of n"
above church. ii will be necessary 10
20 back some years, and show the
iconnecting links. As early as 1880,
the Rev. Mr.. Keith of New Jersey,
IN connection with other brethren,
by direction of the Synod of New
York and Philadelphia. came to
Alexandria and forme themselves
into Presbytery under the appel
iaton of the Presbytery of Baltimore.
Rev. Mr. Keith continued pastor
of this church and members of the
Presbytery until 1888, when he re-
moved to Charleston. S. {. The pas
toraI relation was dissolved by the
said Presbytery and it continued
the care Of the church during the va
cancy of the pulpit and afforded
supplies.
The Rev. James Muir. IN the year
lTS9, received and accepted cali
through the Baltimore Presbytery To
the First church. The General Assem-
bly, was constituted in 1890. in 1871
the prcShytericS were directed to send
tn the Assembly. list O. all the
cf urches in their care. In 1892, in
consequence pi' the returns made
by the Presbytery of Baltimore, the
following resolution was passed by
the General Assembly, THAT the
river Potomac he the boundary hne
between the Synods of Philadelphia
and Virginia, except the congrega-
ton of Alexandria. which shall be
lcng to the Synod of Philadelphia.
b. this showing. the congregation Of
Alexandria was member Of the
Synod Of Philadelphia.
In the month Of March 1917. the
following notice was published IN
phc newspapers Of the town. The
members. pew holders and other per-
sons. who feel themselves interest
ed in the Spiritual welfare OF tne
Presbyterian church Of Alexandria,
are earnestly requested to meet At
their place of worship on Saturday
next. the Sth instant. at 10 clock
in the forenoon. The hell will ring,
and it is hoped and expected the at
tendance will be generous. as mat
ters of the utmost Importance to the
church will be laid before the con.
pleration. Ry order Of the session.
Signed. Thomas Fowe!E, Clerk.
The meeting was held in accordf
anc. with the above notice. with y
large number Of members and pew
ncldcrs present. Mr.. Andrew JamI-
SON was called to the char ana NE
Thos. Vowel. was chosen clerk. Oil
he 18th Of March the congregation
met at the church to carry into el-
feet the calling of Rcv.< Daniel: Baker
as Il co-pastor with Rev. 'Dr. Jas :.
AIIir.A ballot was taken for CO.
nastor, and on counting the votes
Rev. Daniel Baker had received :"
and Mr.. l.. Il. Harrison ia. MesSrS.
Samuel Mark. and Thos. EoweIi act
oil as tellery. Now. it seems. from
data gathered from the proceeding
napers. the data Of which was got
fen from records Of the hr>t chureh'
that the disagreement on the SUD
iect of co-pastor was the Stfa"
that broke the camefS BACK, anu
caused the withdrawal Of a part OF
the congregation. land strange 20
saw. the majority, t. organize
new church.
Passing over some historic de-
fills at meeting held on July the
7th. it was unanimously decided u
nIare themselves under the contro'
Of the Synod of Va. 1t was also de-
cided to call the Rev. Wells an
drews, who at that time was supply
inr the pulpit, and the session was
instructed TO prepare the call anu
nreSent the same for action at the
next meeting Of the congregation.
Thus was formed the Second chwcA'
At meeting held, of the sessloh
and committee, Sept. 18th, the 1oi'
lowing application TO the Presbytery
of Winchester was UNANIMOUSLY
agreed upon: "Go the moderatorS