Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-16

| ington, and using the Echers telephone.
| later purchased by the Bell company.
| Talbot withdrew from the enterprise
after the line to washington had been
established, but Church from this hum
| BILE beginning developed a network of
| telephone companies and exchanges In
Falls Church, Vienna, Herndon, Fairfax,
| Iieesburg, Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince
william Counties, as far as the Blue
! Ridge Mountains, serving as chief stock
holder, president and general manager.
The company was absorbed by the
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co.
in 1915.
DR.. Church as young man was
trained as pharmacist and conducted
a drug store here for IL years He serv-
ed as president of the Virginia Pher-
maceutical Association and was recently
elected its honorary president.
Goes Into Real Estate.
He went into the real estate and insur-
ance business in connection with his
telephone company and has been a lead
ing realtor for years. Much of the pres
ent development of Northern Virginia
is due to his business foresight and skill.
He was one Of the charter members of
the Alexandria, Arlington & Fairfax
Realtors Association.
He assisted in organizing five or six
Virginia banks, serving as vice presi-
dent, trust off1cer and director of the
Fails church Bank, vice president and
director Of the Arlington Trust Co.,
director OF the Fairfax National Bank
and OF the Peoples Bank of Leesburg
When, railway service from Northern
Virginia to Washington was threatened
with extinction, Church took the lead in
saving the service by organizing the
Arlington, Fairfax Railway Co., financed
by local stockholders. He has been
president Of the company since its or
ganization.
He has also been one of the most
enthusiastic road builders of the State
and was member of the original Lee
Highway Association.
First C. Of C.. President.
Church served as the first president
OF the Fairfax County Chamber of
Commerce, which he helped to organize.
He was member of the Falls Church
Citizens Association. Arlington County
Citizens Association, Arlington and
Alexandria Chambers of Commerce,
charter member of the Arlington Coun-
ty Rotary Club past mayor and men,
Der OF the Town Council of Herndon,
past mayor and member of the Falls
Church Town Council, and member Of
the Falls Church Town School Board,
and trustee OF lakewood Cemetery As
ISOLATION.
Always q stanch churchman. DR..
Church throughout his life was closely
identified with the work of religious
organizations of both local and ma
tional Importance A member of
Crossman M. E. Church of Falls Church,
he served until his death as Chairman
Of the board of trustees and recording
steward and as superintendent emer-
titus Of the Sunday school.
In national church affairs, DR..
Church was a member Of the Board of
Temperance, Prohibition and Public
Morals of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, serving as treasurer and men,
Der Of the Executive and Finance Com
mittees. He has been a trustee of
American University since it's organiza-
ton, serving as vice president, chair
man Of the Real Estate Committee
and member Of the Financial, Execu-
tive and Building Committees. He has
been for years member of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Virginia State
Sunday School Association, past presi-
dent of the Fairfax County Sunday
School Association and one Of the lead
erS who established the weekday relig-
ious education movement in the public
SCHOOLS OF Arlington ana Fa1rfaX C0un-
ties. He was an alternate member OF
the Virginia and International Confer
ences Of Religious Education. He was
life member of both the Virginia State
Y. M. c.. A. and st. Petersburg, Fla,
Y. M. c. A.
On Parks Committee.
He was appointed by former Gov.
Harry Byrd as member Of the Virginia
State Committee on Parks and Plans,
designated as the Regional Committee
At one time he served as an active di-
rector Of % different corporations.
In spite Of his many responsibilities,
Church found time for fraternal afilia-
tons in both Virginia and Florida,
where he made his Winter home CT late
years. He was member and past
master of Kemper Lodge. No.64. A. F. e.
A. M, of Falls Church and past district
deputy grand master, Virginia District
No. !; member of Mount Vernon Royal
Arch Chapter, No. Al, Alexandria; mem
Der Of Old Dominion Commandery, No.
II, Knights Templar, Alexandria;
Thirty-seccnd Degree Scottish Rite,
Acacia Chapter, o. e. S., No. 81, Falls
Church; past patron and past grand
81 Ds--n. UnAA~-