Evening star., 1944-10-07
Churches in Washington
Churches IN Washington
Destruction Of Foundry Here in 1872
Launched Historical Methodist Church
Nv CASPAR NAMES.

Destruction of a foundry on the
outskirts OF Washington was one
objective as British soldiers moved
into the city in 1912. Owned by
Henry Foxall. the foundry had been
making cannon for the United States
Army AS the flames from burning
Washington lighted the skies, Mr..
Foxall vowed he would build a
church on the site OF the foundry If
it were not destroyed. An electrical
storm came up as the British
marched toward the place and they
returned to the District without ac-
complishing their mission.
Mr.. Foxall soon built the chapel
at Fourteenth and G streets NV.
1t was dedicated in 1915. The name,
one source declaring 1t was sug-
gested by Bishop Francis Asbury,
was accepted by Mr.. Foxall mot in
compliment to myself. 1t shall be
called so (Foundry) in honor Of the
Foundry in London, Wesley's first
church."
Foundrys first minister was the
Rev. Thomas Burch who served from
1917 to 1918. Prior to his appoint
ment, ministers from Georgetown
Methodist Church filled in. During
the pastorate of DR.. John Lanahan,
l848-50, the church was remodeled
and enlarged. The building was
razed in 1864 to make way for a new
structure. Services during this con-
struction period were held at the
Church of the Epiphany on q street
NV, In Willard Hall on F street
NV, and in private homes. The
unfinished building was used for
worship near the close OF the win
ter of 1864-65," and the completed
edifice was dedicated in November,
1866.
Moves to New Location,
Plans for the church to move to
It's present site, 1900 Sixteenth
street NV, were made in June.
1902, and carried to completion with
occupation of the new home on
February %, 1904. Bishop Edwin
Holt Hughes then president of
DePauw University, delivered the
nrst sermon and the Rev DR.. r. M.
Moore, pastor, conducted the serv-
ices.
Many Presidents of the United
States worshipped at the original
Foundry Church, starting with
President James Madison. President
Llcoln became member of the
missionary society at a meeting in
which one member subscribed $40
to the 500 fee for his honorary
membership. Mr.. Lincoln rose, and
stretching out his long arm toward
the Bishop. said: This is the first
time in my life I have ever been
put upon the block. Let me pay nv
money, and take me down" He
paid his 500 and became a member
The Lincoln window in the church
today commentaries the occasion.
Among those active in the old
church were William j. Sibley. who
erected the original Sibley Hos
pital; Representative Hiram Price
OF Iowa. president of the Anti
saloon League at the time of his
death IN 1901. and James E. Pugh,
who began his work as general secre-
tary OF the Washington YMCA
while a member of Foundry.
Windows Depict Four Freedoms.
The pulpit of the present church
was given as national memorial
by friends and admirers of Bishop
William Frazier Mcdowell. There
Is statuette of him in the central
panel OF the pulpit. The lectern was
given In honor of Bishop Hughes
as a symbol of Methodist unifica-
tlon. The adjoining Irving O. Ball
Memorial Chapel has windows de-
plctlng the four freedoms. It was
dedicated in 1943.
President Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Churchill attended services
Christmas Day, 1s41, at Foundry. A
plate on the pew in which they sat