Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09
OBSERVES
15|DTH BIRTHDAY
Anniversary Celebration Nov.
80 Planned by Georgetown
Presbyterian Church.

The georgetown Presbyterian
Church, believed to be the third Oldest
church In Washington, viii celebrate It's
l50th anniversary on November 80.
The anniversary Of the church, which
Is to take place during the week fol-
lowing Thanksgiving will commence
Sunday morning, November 80, with
sermon by the Rev. ]. Ross Stevenson,
DID,, LID, president Of Princeton
Theological Seminary and former
moderator of the General Assembly Of
the Presbyterian Church, u. s.. A.
Sunday evening at 8 O'Clock the Rev.
]. Albert Mccartney, DID,, pastor of
the Church of the Covenant, will con-
duct the services.
On Wednesday, December 8, at 3
pm, DR.. william Knowles Cooper will
deliver a historical address. This will
be followed by reception in Cissell
Chapel
Preparatory service in the church
will be conducted by the Rev. Joseph
r. Sizoo, DID, pastor of the New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church, on
Friday evening at 8 O'Clock. Rev.
James r. Marshall, DID, will be In
charge Of the. Sunday morning COM
munion service on December Z.
First Bridge Street Church.
The church was founded in 1880 by
DR.. Stephen Bloomer Balch. 1t was
known originally as the First Bridge
Street Church and then as the West
Street Church.
Many names prominent in American
history have figured in the development
of the church. Thomas Jefferson,
when President of the United States,
and Albert Gallatin, then Secretary OF
the Treasury, contributed to the
building fund raised during Jefferson's
term. Andrew Jackson had a pew in
the church while he was Senator from
Tennessee.
During the early stages Of Washing
tons growth 1t was the leading church
in the city, and for number Of years
was the only church in Georgetown. .
While the Rock Greek Episcopal
Church Is the Oldest congregation In
Washington, and a Lutheran Church
was in existence in Georgetown when
DR. Balch founded the First Presby-
terrain Church, the Georgetown Presby-
terrain Church has played q most promi-
nent part throughout the longest period
Of years in the growth Of the religious
side Of the city.
In 1905 st. Johns Episcopal Church
was built, and DR.. Balch not only en-
couraged it, but contributed, with other
| Presbyterians, to its building fund.
| In 1928 the Methodist Protestant con-
| gregation was formed in Georgetown
and 1t was actually organized in the
Presbyterian Church and used that
church as a place of worship until it
could erect It's own structure. The same
thing was true of the parent Methodist
Church. which was organized in 1906
A IRE which destroyed DR.. Balch's
home In 1881 consumed all the records
of the church and little is known of
the handful Of Presbyterians who eStab-
lished 1t. There were but seven mem
bers and for years but one ruling elder,
James Orme, formerly the pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Upper Marl-
boro, Md.
Dr. Balch first came to Georgetown
as missionary and one Of his first acts
was to establish q classical academy for
boys. He taught his school for many
years in addition to ministering to his
congregation, and during that period he
did much to shape the culture Of
Georgetown.
A graduate of Princeton himself and
q student Of the famous DR.. John
Witherspoon, DR.. Balch conducted his
church in Georgetown for So years. He
built two and perhaps three places Of
worship. ~
The first permanent location was
purchased at Bridge and Washington
streets (now Thirtieth and M and q
small frame church was erected thereon.
In 1921 this was torn down and brick
| structure built
In 1879 the church was again moved,
this time to its present site at Thirty
| flrst and p streets AS much of the
material of the old church as could be
| preserved was used in the building of
the new one. The chapel adjoining the
church was the gift of r. S. T. Cissel of
Georgetown.
The present pastor of the church Is
the Rev. Frank s. Niles, who assumed
! his duties on April Is, 1880.
| He is native of Nebraska, a gradu-
ate Of Princeton and was from 1918 to
| 1929 missionary to China. His father.
grandfather and great-grandfather were
| Presbyterian ministers.