Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-31
SERVICES OPEN NEW
CHURCH IN CAPITAL
"Church of the Pilgrims" Is
Southern Presbyterians'
Gift to Washington.

'' Many years of unremitting toll
and fighting against what seemed at
times insurmountable obstacles will be
crowned with successful achievement
on this Easter day, when services are
held for the first time at II o'clock this
morning in the new Church of the Pill
grimS, at Twenty-Second and streets
northwest.
While the members of his congrega-
ton see iii the services to be held to-
day personal triumph for their pastor,
Rev. Andrew r. Bird the congregation
and thousands of members of the Pres
byterian Church in the United States
(the Southern Presbyterian church,
have contributed generously of their
time and money to make possible the
event. For the church has been built
by the denomination for the American
Capital. Funds for its erection were con-
tributed by individuals and congrega-
tons throughout the South. But the
lions share of the work of raising the
necessary funds fell to Mr. Bird, and it
was through his pursuance of an ideal
and largely through his own personal ef-
forts that the building opening today
emerged from a dream into an actu-
atty.
Praises Loyalty of Congregation.
Mr.. Bird, however, praises the loyalty
Of his congregation through the years
when the effort was being made to guar
antee the building of the church. The
sacrifices and sympathy of the men,
berS of the congregation, he says laid
the foundation for the progress which
marked the project from the time of its
inception. The elders of the church are
DR.. Henry c. Macatee, Charles w. War
den, Henry c. Briscoe, Andrew j. Kim
nell, Samuel H. Boyd and James K.
Mebane. The deacons are DR.. Joseph
H. White, w. Hall Trigg, William A.
Jameson, Charles P. Light, Paul Clark
Lewis Detterer, Walter Lawrence, Ernest
A. Golden and Eldridge Myers. Frank
Strunk is president OF the mems asso-
citation and Mrs. Fielder Furlow is pres
ldent OF the Woman's auxiliary.
New Church Is Imposing.
Standing near the intersection of
Twenty-Second and P streets, on land
that overlookS the winding ravine OF
the future Rock Creek-Potomac park
way the new building occupied today
is described as one of the most beauti-
full, as well as one Of the most adequate
ly equipped churches in this city of
beautiful churches The architecture
is modification of the Gothic, and the
construction is of Alabama limestone,
smooth-faced stone specially adapt
able to fine cut work. A single tower
rises gracefully from above the entrance
to the main auditorium. Sunday school
rooms, class rooms, recreation rooms,
an assembly hall, banquet room and
kitchen are provided for in units adj
joining the main auditorium. In the
rear and adjoining the auditorium is
the manSe.
The architect is B. C. Fqournoy of
the firm of Flournoy & Flournoy Of
Washington and Baltimore.
OverIooks Rock Greek.
The cost of the building and site is
approximately 100000. The lot occu-
Died fronts 1872 feet along Twenty-second
street and 200 feet along P street This
land has not been handicapped but in
future years a roadway will probably be
cut through the southern portion OF the
lot to wind down to the drive which
some day VIII run along the border of
Rock Creek, connecting Rock Creek
Park and Potomac Park
In 1910 the Church of the Pilgrims
occupied small building on 25-foot
lot that is part of the present site. Mr..
Bird had conceived the idea of build
ing in Washington church which,
through its architecture and the origin
OF funds for its construction, would
stand as a gift of the Southern
Presbyterian Church to Washington.
Mr.. Bird travelled through the South
from Baltimore to San Antonio, calling
the attention of the members Of the
Southern Presbyterian Church to the
strategic position of Washington and
the Importance of strengthening the
Christian forces of that CITY," This
church, he says, given to Washington
IN response to such an appeal indicates
The genuine interest of the Nation in the
morale Of her Capital City. 1t suggests
how truly the people of the country de-
sire Christian influences for their
Capital"
Difficulties With the Annex.
In 1918 an addition to the tiny church
then standing was needed. It was Mr..
Bird himself who, working with the
help of Boy Scouts, who borrowed picks
and shovelS from contractors, dug the
foundations for this addition. It
was war time and building restrictions
prohibited the erection of a frame
structure. But Mr.. Bird obtained per-
mission to build, with the understand
ing that the boards would be covered
with pebble dash. He and the
members of his congregation finally got
the framework up, but they couldn't
make the pebble dash stick. Plasterers
were not to be had.
Told that he would have to tear down
the frame building if he couldn't put
the pebble dash on, Mr.. Bird asked for
two days to think it over" On the
second day he read that plasterers were
on a strike. Going to an address where
the strikers were gathered, Mr.. Bird
asked them to take the job. They de-
clined until he had started to leave,
when one of the men stopped him and
asked If he would be willing to do the
work of their helpers.
Pastor Hauled the Material.
I'D be glad to do It," said Mr.. Bird.
And four days later the striking plas-
terers had finished the Job, and they
wouldn't charge penny Mr.. Bird
had sold" them the idea of his church
in Washington.
Ground was broken for the new
church on June Is, 1897, and last Oc-
tober Is the corner stone was laid and
an address made by Rev. DR.. Harris
kirk, moderator OF the Southern AS
sembly.
The man who laid the cornerstone
was not a dignitary Of the Presbyterian
Church, but Rev. John B. Frazier of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South.
whose cooperation enabled Mr.. Bird to
carry out his plans.
When Mr.. Bird had first preached
his idea of the church here and the
work it might do he still held back,
not certain that he was the man to do
it. Raising money for such church
as he planned was in itself work
promising years of effort.
Aid From the Outside.
John B. Frazier, then chief chaplain
of the United States Navy, a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, called on Mr. Bird Unexpectedly
and spoke appreciatively Of the work