Evening star., 1944-07-02

about l9O8. The site is now occupied
by the western end of the National
Gallery Of Art.e
From the time President Garfield
came to Washington in 1863. until the
time Of his death he was not only a
familiar figure in the Capital, but in
addition to his congressional duties was
also an active participant in the city's
farternal and religious affairs, and in
other ways endeared himself to the
people Of the District. From 1870 until
he was inaugurated President, he re-
sided at 1927 street NV. which is at
the northeast corner OF Thirteenth and
streets, and though considerably re-
modelled and added to, still stands as
his old home.
In his fraternal life, President Gar
fields Masonic history In Washington
began in 1865. when he was knighted
by Columbia Commandery No. 2, whose
members later escorted his body from
Washington to Cleveland. In 1869 he
became charter member Of Pentalpha
Lodge. No. %, F. A. A. NJ, and in 1871
and 1872 received the Scottish Rite de-
grees from the fourth to the fourteenth,
in Mithras Lodge of Perfection, then
meeting in the Masonic Temple, at the
northwest corner Of Ninth and r streets
NV. He also was a member of Co.
lumbia Chapter, r. A. M.
An Ardent Churchman
When the writer was quite young and
attending the Sunday school OF the
Luther Place Memorial Church. his
route led past the church of the Dis
ciples OF Christ. or the vermant Avenue
Christian church, and frequently he saw
the President and his family as they
drove up to this modest little frame
building. Mr.. Garfield was always ac-
companied by his mother and Mrs. Gar
field, and his venerable mother was
always paid the most affectionate re-.
spect and attention. Garfield was his
mothers youngest born and best be-
loved. When she learned of the cruel
attempt on his life. she wept and cried,
why do they want to kill my baby?"
This church building had an in
teresting career. 1t Is said one to
have been the meeting house of the
Mount Vernon NJ E. Church, when
1t was at the northwest corner of
Ninth and M streets northwest, and
upon being bought in 1868 by the
Disciples of Christ was moved to the
lot on Vermont avenue, where Isaac
Everett preached the dedicatory sermon
on June 20, 1862
Rev. o. Aid Bartholomew seems to
have been the first regular pastor of the
church after it was moved to Vermont
avenue, but due to the lack of finances
he was forced to resign his pastorate
before the expiration of the four years
he had agreed to serve.
Rev. Frederick D. Power, one of the
outstanding clergymen of his time in
this city, came to the church in 1875,
and was responsible for the erection of
the Vermont Avenue Christian Church,
as memorial to the lamented Garfield,
and which was dedicated in 1884. He
was at one time chaplain of the United
States Senate.
DR.. Power was succeeded by DR.. Earle
Wiley In 1910, who served until
his death in 1886, as pastor and pastor
emeritus. He was a pulpit orator of
note. and was largely responsible for
the erection of the National City Chris
tian Church on Thomas Circle.
To James T. Barclay, M. D., is given
the credit for starting the Christian
Church in this city, the first meeting
being held at his residence near the
Navy Yard in 1S43, and the accommoda-
tions of private homes seem to have
sufficed for some years, since during
1848-50, the congregation met at the
home of Robert G. Campbell, clerk in
the Patent Office, on the south side of
Massachusetts avenue between Fourth
and Fifth streets NV.
In 1851 the meeting place was in the
old Medical College on F street, south
side, east of Twelfth street. From 1863
to 1866 the members met in the City
Hall, now the Court House, and other
temporary meeting places included the
Corcoran Library, Shiloh Meeting House,
Old Trinity Church and Metzerott's
AAoA, CAiCAA OII 1cIulSylVdIla avenue De.
tween Ninth and Tenth streets.
Until November, 1869, baptismal sery-
ices were held at the Old Sycamore. a
popular bathing beach, just above the
Long Bridge, at about Fourteenth S.W.
A few months ago the writer had the
pleasure of attending meeting in the
annext to the present Christian Church
on Thomas Circle, where are displayed
number of interesting relics connected
with the history of the church and the
life OF Garfield, and was afforded an
opportunity of sitting in the pew occu-
pied by that President up to the Sunday
before his assassination, and was shown
pledge signed by him on Septembmer
IL, 1866, for 500 toward "the purchase
OF lot and the erection of house Of
worship" and many other mementoes
OF the church and its congregation.
The present pastor Of the National
City Christian Church is the Rev. ].
Warren Hastings. t sy ~