Evening star., 1920-02-29


In April, 1876 my little sister, Elizabeth
Fuller Conley, was taken III with pneumonia,
and the Rev James II. Avirett Of Grace
Church, Silver Spring parish, was called in to
baptize her (there being no rector just then
at Beltsville). On April Sd she passed away
My grandparents. Thomas Young and Helen
NJ. Conley, were devoted to the little
grandchld and SO grieved over her death that
they thought q church In the ncighborhood
Ito her memory would be a blessing. 1t was
the Rev. Mr.. Avirett who was instrumental
In carrying out the movemcnt--though from
the time of my sisters death until the church
was ready for occupancy Mr.. Avirett held
services in the parlor Of our home, Green
Ridge" the music for the services being rem
dered BY my grandmother on an old piano, AZ
sisted by the young people in the neghhor-
hood. 1t was over a year that services We're
conducted at my grandfather's house; also a
Sunday school. both largely attended.
My grandfather was 4 large cont ributor to
the building Of the church MIR. NARROW gave
the ground. Mr.. Keller and the McCeney 90
families assisting substantially. In the church
is an altar to the memory of Rev. James Bt
Avirett, who made the little church possible.
We were in Silver Spring parish until they
gave US up because the rector thought 1t too
great a distance to drive. When my grand
father died, In 1887, the bishop said we should
call the rector at st. Johns and soon after
that we were again put In Zion parish-St.
Johns Church My grandfather was the first
person laid to rest In the little cemetery:
my grandmother, then my mother. just two
years ago. My little sister was removed
from the little vault In which she was placed
at Green Ridge at some later time.
My father Is cighty-two years old and 10
one Of the very few living members who at
tended services at Old Paint Chapel, and l
am sure he would be most pleased TO have you
call and talk with him when yon are IN the
neighborho0d again Your article Is fine,
but Just felt I must tell you OF the part
my grandfather took In having the old and
abandoned Paint Chapel removed from Chapel
woods and .ebui!t at Fairlsnd. and also why
1t came to be called st. Marks Memorial
Chapel. As before stated, my father, Charles
W. Conley. and my brother. Col. Edgar Thorn.
as Conley (named for an uncle who was killed
In action at Strasburg Va, in 1902, and his
family live at the old home. Green Ridge"
Just over the hill from the little church.
MARY CONLEY BROWN
.(Mrs. W. 7. Brown.
X
st. Marks chapel stands near the
south end of Fairland, and the RAM
bier. following a road from Beltsville
leading past the farms Of D. c. Cook
and g. ]. Cochran, the old French
farm, the house and cemetery of Flag
bottom. tho homo Of the Herbertson
family and the farm of A. Fl. Brown,
hit the Columbia pike at Walter Dor
seys place, near the north end Of
Fairland and two miles from the
church. 1t was a long walk and
cold day. Near Fairland he came
upon a persimmon tree, richly fruited.
There no sat down to rest while he
made his dinner on persimmons. 1t
was rough diet. but the Rambler
thanked the good, old tree for It's hos
pitality. Near the chapel he stopped
at an old house embowcred In trees.
There he met p. F. Brian and his wife.
who was Miss Eliza Tyler. daughter OF
John Tyler and Isabella Edwards Of
Washington.
Mrs. Brian told the Rambler tha. her
~"seOe WOO - SCS0Oa uIOu bhuctCA0t uhu
that he laid on some of the smooth
and beautiful interior walls Of the
old Arlington Hotel. the pension Of
hce. Library Of Congress, State De-
partmsnt. patent offlce. the Washing
ton Loan and Trust building and 9TH
er notable edinces of the National
Capital. When the Rambler set up
his camera before the chapel and later
wrote down all the epitaphs in the
little cemetery he was accompanied
by two boys Of dne manner and splsn-
did intelligence. They were Edgar
Thomas and Reginald Conley. sons of
Col. Conley and Grandsons Of Charles
w. Conley. The Rambler asked them
where they lived, and they told him,
pointing out tho big white house of
Green Ridge. The sun had only
few degrees to fall and 1t was long
way to Beltsville by the shortest road
and . long ride from Beltsville to
homo and supper. From an early
breakfast, with long trolley rides and
q heavy walk, to q late supper. with
nothing in between but persiMmons.
ought to be counted a days work--at
least in these times of short days and
frequent holidays