Evening star., 1947-02-23

~~N~~~~~NSt
surely none was more prom
inent than the Rev. Stephen
Bloomer Balch, who was not only
q pioneer preacher in Georgetown,
but was one of its earliest educators
as well. No man did more for the
advancement of religion, for the
enlightenment of the people, or for
the uplift of the citizens generally
than did he during the many years
he filled the pulpit in the old city
to the west of Rock Creek.
1t would not be fair to some OF
the other religious denominations,
long established in this part Of the
District, to say that DR.. Balch was
the first clergyman to serve his
Master here, nor would 1t be correct
to say that there was no religion
or house of worship in this place
prior to his coming here. But it
can be said with perfect fairness
to all others that no Georgetown
pastor of his day or since was more
highly esteemed, venerated or be-
loved than was this wonderful man
who labored untiringly for nearly
81 years in the vineyard of the
Lord.
When Dr. Balch came to George
town there seems to have been no
regularly established preacher in
that community. That other de-
nominations had preceded him to
this place there can be no doubt.
But he came and stayed and built
up an everlasting reputation and
congregation that started at first
with less than a dozen members.
Built His First Church
At 30th and NJ Streets NV.
He erected his first church in 1882,
at the corner of Thirtieth and M
streets. After 10 years had elapsed
the old structure would not seat all
who desired to attend divine wor-
ship, so it became necessary to
enlarge the building by extending
the north front in 1898. With char
acteristic enterprise, he not only did
this, but also erected steeple, and
placed bell in it.
Indeed, it is recorded that soon
after the removal of the seat of
Government to Washington City,
considerable accessions were made
to the congregation and 1t was
necessary to enlarge still further the
church edifice, which was done
under the immediate supervision of
DR.. Balch. All Protestant denom-
nations worshiped here, receiving
the word of God from the mouth of
DR.. Batch and communing together
at the same altar. Such was the
liberality that prevailed in those
days. In 1921, the building being
insufficient to accommodate all who
desired to attend, it was determined
to pull down the old building and
erect a much larger edif1ce. This
remained standing until the spring
of 1873, when it was demolished and
the material used in constructing
new church on P, near Thirty first
street"
The seeds Of religion sown by DR..
Balch, which proved so fruitful in
Georgetown, did not come without
effort and hardships upon his part.
Indeed, many man less resolute
would have quailed under the bur-
den. In 1899 he was even made
homeless by the grading of street
through the hill on which his dwell
ing stood.
Retained Sense Of Humor
Through Many Adversities
This home, Mamre, which he built
in 1888, stood on a round green hill
near the river, on the east side of
Duck lane, now Thirty-third street,
south of what was then known as
Scotch row, where the canal crosses
that street. 1t was surrounded by
few cottages, we are told, and close
by was a running brook that made
its way to the river. Perhaps there
are very few people in Georgetown
today who ever heard of Duck lane
or Scotch row, and many other
places which were familiar to the
early inhabitants.
Mamre was destroyed by fire when
Mrs. Balch, whose duty it was to
see that the logs in the fireplace
were safely banked, before she re-
tired, failed to take this precaution.
Later asked the extent of his
loss, DR.. Balch curtly replied: Il
lost everything but the parrot!" He
was referring to his wife (his third