Evening star., 1932-02-28

the teacher of the infant class. Prof Theodore
l. King played the organ in the early days, and
the choir largely made up of the Stickncy
family among whom was Frank H., who sang
here with the lady who later became his wife.
Upon this old building was erected in 1899,
according to Sessford, lofty steeple with q
fine toned bell. An account of the opening or
the Thirteenth street edifce in the National
Intelligencer tells Thirteenth Street Bap-
tist Church, Rev. DR.. Thomas C. Teasdale.
pastor This church edifice, Notwithstanding
the unusual storm. was dedicated to the worship
of Almighty God in the presence Of an inter-
ested audience which numbered several OF our
most distinguished residents, among whom were
President Pierce and sundry members of The
National Legislature. This neat, and
we may well say beautiful house of public
worship has been erected under the super
vision and indefatigable labors of Rev. DR..
Teasdale 1t is an ornament to the city and
splendid addition, in architectural completeness,
to the church edifices of Washington. 1t is
built of brick in a most substantial manner,
and is 100 feet in length by Sc feet in width.
The basement with its spacious lecture room
and other apartments presents a pattern Of
utility. The seats in the main body of the
house are all handsomely cushioned and the
floors thoroughly carpeted. The flne-toned
organ Is from the house Of Appleton and Com
pany of Boston. The steeple which rises SO
gracefully above the roof designed by
Thomas U. Walter, esq., architect and is $50
feet high The bell which sends forth such
solemn church going peals was donated by
two citizens of North Carolina and weighs 2.163
pounds. Everything connected with the final
finish OF the building appears in good taste.
Stormy as the Sabbath was, our Chief
Magistrate set the generous and noble example
of placing his name on the card that was
circulated for $50, and after church was over
filled his carriage with ladies and went home
himself through drifting snowstorm on foot"
IN February, 1862, this church suffered a seri-
GUS loss when, during a severe storm, the
steeple fell, carrying with 1t the heavy bell
which served as public fire alarm in addition
to notifying the good church people to attend
divine service. The roof upon this occasion was
severely crushed in, and before it could be again
used the Army took it over :s temporary
hospital.
1t is always interesting to note some Of the
old Washington families who were active in
work OF an uplifting character many years ago
OF the committee Of this church who were
thus engaged just before the war the writer
found the following names: Committee on
pews-J G. Todd, D. Q. Force, J. C. Lewis,
D. ]. Rhees. Henry Olive. On f1nance-Isaac
Clarke, William v. H. Brown, F. H. Stickpey
John c. Shafer Charles S. Hill. On house
William J. Rhees, D. w. Heath, D. w. Knowles
John w. Clarke, A. J. Thompson. On music
r. H. Stickney, William ]. Rhees Robert Nc
Murray. On benevolence-J c. Lewis Evan
Hughes, Joseph Reynolds, T. B. Grimm and
Charles r. Knowles.
The corner stone of the present building at
Sixteenth and o streets was laid in 1885, and
the church was dedicated January II, $780,
under the pastorate of Rev. Charles A.
Stakely, D. D.
The list of patrons who have served the
iS Pa, d
Rev. DIR. Stephen P. Hill 185O-186O; Rev DR.
George w. Samson, 1S60-1S63 Rev. DR.. A. G.
Gillette 1851 1862 Rev. Dr. j. H. Cuthbert
1869-1887; Rev. DR.. Charles A. Stakely, 1887
1900; Rev. DR.. Edward B. Pollard acting pastor
1S00-1902; Rev. Charles F. winbigler, 1902
1909; Rev. w w. McMaster, 1909-1918; Rev.
DR.. Henry Allen Tupper. 1918-1923, and Rev,
Samuel Judson Porter, the present pastor
Elder Rice, who established the first Sunday
school here, later went to Edgefeld County.
S. c., where he died, and where in a small
cemetery today is his tomb.
DR.. George w. Samson. among the most
eminent OF the early clergy of the city, served
the First Baptist Church without salary during
MS time of off1ce. He performed the wedding
ceremony at the marriage of the writer's
parents in 1856, when pastor of the Street
Church. At one time he was president of
Columbian University. His son married a Miss
foikinnorn, and grandson is Henry w. SAM
son Of this city
Rev. z. w. Pollard, who served from 1900 To
1902. married the daughter of Prof Otis T.
mason, and died some years ago. His brother
John Garland Pollard is the present Governor
OF Virginia, and the celebration now in progress.
and which will continue until March 20. was
begun by the distinguished Governor last
sunday the topic being, Virginia and Religious
Liberty"