Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-28
CHURCH PROGRAM
MARKS CENTENARY
Chevy Chase, D. c., Metho-
dist Begins Series of Events
With Services Today.

Services at the Wesley Methodist
Episcopal Church of Chevy Chase, D.
c.. will be held this week to commence
-Sts the passage Of a century Of his
tory and achievement since the dedi-
cation of the first Wesley Chapel in
Washington, 100 years ago next FRIDAY.
Bishop j. II. Hamilton will preach
the anniversary sermon at the IL
o'clock service this morning in the i'm
posing stone ediflce on Connecticut ave-
nue. between Jocelyn and Jenifer streets,
which grew from the historic old chapel
at Fifth and F streets.
In the evening musical program will
be given by members of the congre-
CATION. and on Friday evening, the
exact anniversary date Of the dedica-
ton of the first little chapel, a recep-
ton will be given at which the pastor,
Rev. Fred C. Reynolds will give a
brief outline of the history of the
church and some of its achievements
during its century of existence as an
influential factor in local Methodism
Next Sunday May S, DR.. J. Phelps
Hand will deliver sermon at the IL
O'Clock service, while in the evening a
sacred drama is to be presented in the
parish house by the young people OF the
congregation.
Methodism was we'll established in
Washington by the end of the first
quarter Of the last century and the
adherents residing in the vicinity of
the City Hall were beginning to con-
slider the formation of new congrega-
ton in the neighborhood that would be
more convenient than the churches al
ready established.
First Congregation.
According to Methodist custom,
classes began to meet regularly in the
homes of the members, and from this
simple nucleus the organization of the
Wesley Chapel was to evolve. The first
congregation came into being some time
during 1928, meeting at Masonic Hall,
Four and One-Half street and Louisiana
avenue, under the supervision OF
Foundry Church. Rev William Ryland,
pastor of Foundry, served the new con-
gregation as well.
The rapidly growing congregation
necessitated a permanent location, and
d lot at the corner of Fifth and F
streets was given by Gen. John p. Van
Ness. On this lot was erected a small
brick structure, which was called Wes-
ley Chapel 1t was formally dedicated
May 8, 1929, with Bishop McKendree
preaching the sermon.
Prior to 1888 Wesley Chapel remained
under the supervision of Foundry
Church. but in that year by joint action
Of the two congregations it became an
Independent organization.
BY 1850 a new church building be-
came imperative, and on December u,
1856, the new home was dedicated on
the site of the old This eoiffcc. which
had the distinction of being the first
church in THE city In which the audi
forum was OF, the. theater. form and
arrangement, still stands on the site
at Fifth and r streets Sermons were
preached at the dedication exercises
by Bishop Beverly Waugh and Bishop
James.
Removal TO Chevy Chase.
Under the Influence of Or. w. A.
Haggerty, pastor from 1918 TO 1921, it
was agreed to leave the old home-site
near the courthouse and locate in the
new and rapidly growing section of
Chevy Chase. The present site on
Connecticut avenue eventually was pur-
chased under the pastorate of DR.. J. C.
Nicholson, and the old chapel was sold
In February, 1924, to the Seventh Day
Adventists.
The final services were held in the
old chapel Sunday, February r. 1922,
when Bishop Mcdowell preached in
the morning and Bishop Hamilton in
the evening.
The corner stone of the first unit was
laid December Is, 1924, by the Grand
Lodge Of Masons of the District, the
program for the service having been
arranged by the present pastor. 1t is
planned to complete the church at
total cost in excess of $500, 900.
Z. Coming TO Wesley in June 1925, from
. Baltimore charge. Rev. Mr.. Reynolds
has done much to strengthen the men,
bership and influence Of the church.