Evening star., 1923-06-09
.54TH ANNIVERSARY
TO Be CELEBRATED
Mount Vernon Place M. E.
Church South Holds Special
Service Tomorrow.
DR.. CHAPPELL TO PREACH
Congregation Organized in 1850,
But Was Given It's Present
Name in 1869.
DR.. CHAPPELL TO PREACH

ihe hftE-fourth anniversary of the
Mount Vernon Place Methodist Epfscn-
pal church South Will he celebrated
tomorrow with special services. bvtf,
AT II am. and S:1J pm Or Clovis G.
Chappcl, pastor Of the church for
the past five years. will preach at
both services and special music will
be given under direction OF Il. Dean.
Shure. director Of music Of the
church
The church was organized in 1850
being the first Of the Southern Meth
odist denomination in the city Ill
was located on Sth street hetwoe,.
II and I streets. twelve wears Ia,e,
frame building was built on T.
street between 14th and 18th. but th..
iolloWinG year the congregation
moved to building on NJ stree
near 9th street This building uas
occupied during the trying days o.
the civil war, when conditions Wrrs
none too comfortable for the. men.
bers OF the southern denomination
Church Named In 1869.
In 1869 the church first received I:s
name of tho Mount Vernon PIaC..
! IhurCh when. under the leadership q
street and Mount Vernon place, now
occupied by q bank
This building was used unit!
through the rapid growth Of the
; churcl and the need for larger quar-
ters the present building was cor
structed in 1917 and 1918 The pro,
ect was beyond the ability of III,
local congregation from a financial
point Of view and. upon appeal
TO the general conference of tho
church. the plan to build it as a ma
tional church was launched T-nder
direction of Bishop Gambler and Or
George Sexton. the work was carried
on.
Missions Established.
| From time to time during the growth
J OF church and the expansion az IN.
| city missions have been estahIisbn,
! by the Mount Vernon place Churrb
which have grown to be Independent
! churches in themselves. Numbered
among these are the Epworth. Gal
| vary, st. Paul, Marvin and church a
| Del Ray.
The local membership has grown
| constantly despite this drain upon il
J until the past five years more than
! Zoo new members have been ac-
! cepted into the church
! The building now occupied was
erected at a cost Of 100000 As illus
! trating the growth of the church. II
may be stated the income from the
collections and envelopes Of the mem
| bers has risen in six or seven wears
! from $1,000 to $4,000 annually.
! The present pastor. Rev Dr. Clovis
! q. Chappell, has been largely respons-
lble for the growth of the church. H..
| is ably assisted by Rev. NJ. Leo Rip
| pey, junior pastor.
Music Special Feature.
An unusual feature in the conduct
| of the church affairs is the deparf
ment of music, under direction OF Mr.
! Shure. Unlike the greater number OF
church music directors. Mr. Shures
! activities are not'limited to the work
! of the main choir. He directs the
chorus of sevenIy-five, the male quar-
| tet, the male chorus which sings at
! prayer meetings. the junior choir
which sings at the junior church, the
| Epworth League Choir, and once
month arrangeS a concert in the
| church. In addition, he gives an organ
recital before the evening services
and through the week teaches voice
culture, and gives lessons on piano
| and organ. Mrs. Frank A. Frost is the
i regular church organist, playing at
| the services, while Mr.. Shure directs