Evening star., 1944-08-19
BY CASPAR NAMES.

A few minutes after January /,
1909, had been rung into the world,
a small group, aided by the light of
an automobile lamp, held a conse-
Grafton service in an unfinished
building on Sixteenth street and
Columbia road NV. for the I'M
manuel Baptist Church of Washing
ton, now the National Baptist Me-
mortal Church.
The service marked an important
milestone between the first concept
of organizing Baptist church in
the Mount Pleasant section. Sew
eraf years preceding the service
Capt. Fred Beall, Confederate vet
eran and local attorney, first en-
visioned such church. He inter-
ested a fellow-member of the Tenn
pie Baptist Church, Charles Wer-
ner, still active at "a in the pres
ent organization, in the idea.
Spearheaded by these pioneers, the
movement held its first meeting in
Percy Fosters music store at 1927
F street NV. on December Is, 1905.
On February %, 1906, the new
church. named the Emmanuel Bap-
tist Church of Washington, was
formed by So persons at meet
ing at the Stratford Hotel. On
March 25, 1906, first services were
held. On December %, 1906, the
first pastor, the Rev George E.
Whitehouse of Moncton, New
Brunswick, took up his duties. In
stallation was held in Calvary
Methodist Church on January %.
1907, and the next day the lot at
Sixteenth street and Columbia road
NV. was bought.
The second pastor, the Rev. Her.
man S. Pinkham of Somerville,
Mass, served from 1910 to 1913.
Present Pastor Came in 1914.
The Rev. Dr. Cove G. johnson,
pastor today, came to the church
in 1914 He played a leading part
in bringing to fruition the vision
Of a National Baptist Memorial
Church in Washington. The North
ern and Southern Baptist Conven-
tions in 1917 gave consideration to
the proposal and two years later
they appropriated funds for the con-
struction of worthy edifice. Two
years later President Warren G..
Harding broke ground for the struc-
ture and a year later, on April o,
1922, the then Secretary of State,
Charles E. Hughes, laid the corner
stone. The building was occupied
in October, 1926.
Early in the history of the church
Jewish friend of the congregation.
Emil Berliner, suggested the church
buy the vacant lot on Fifteenth
street and Columbia road NV. to
provide for future expansion needs.
Anxious to purchase the space, the
members nevertheless felt it was
financially unable to do so. Mr..
Berliner then bought the lot after
advising the church he would keep
it until the organization could buy
the property. Paying the taxes for
many years, Mr.. Berliner sold the
property to the National Baptist
Memorial Church for $1,000 less
than he had originally paid for it.
The new Sunday school building,
occupied on June Is, 194l, now
stands on this lot.
When DR.. johnson first came to
Washington he made his parish
calls on a bicycle. He was later
given a car by the church.
Prominent Men Members.
The church has had many prom
lnent Washington men in its mem
oerShlp. Mr.. Werner, first trustee
OF the church, has been active
throughout the years in building a
hrm financial foundation for the
institution. Percy S. Foster. na-
tlonally known song leader. was one
OF the church organizers. E. H. De
Groot, Jr., president of the Board of
directors of the Central Union Mis-
Sion as we'll as chairman of the