Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-27

tosa lesser extent, the world, but
also it is a community where peo-
pie build churches, !, -
Figures collected BY the Bureau
Iof Labor Statistics reveal that
during the spast four years in
thu Washington Metropolitan
Area building permits for reli-
gieNs structures have been issued
atsthe rate of better than one a
week. And these figures do not
inelude parsonages, rectories,
coIivents and the like, which the
bureau Classics as dwellings, or
ful'ktime parochial schools which
the bureau rates as educational
buildings.
Buildings Average 100000 &
In terms of estimated cost
shown on these building permits,
the average structure erected
was in neighborhood of 500, 900.
During the first II months Of
last year SIS permits were issued
with a total estimated cost Of
$7.412.761.
Besides the revival of religious
interest, another factor lies be-
hind the church building. This
is the tremendous growth OF
population in the Washington
area, especially in new suburbs
where the pastoral scenes of very
few years ago are being rapidly
replaced by housing develop
ments and shopping centers.
It is in these areas that the
bulk Of the new church con-
struction is being undertaken.
Fund drives, ground breakings,
cornerstone layings and dedica-
tions are announced at such a
rate that few persons not di-
rectly involved are able to keep
track of what is going on.
To Avert Confusion
To prevent confusion is the
role of the Comfy Commission
of the Washington Federation of
Churches. With few exceptions.
the protestant denominations,
have worked through the COM
mission. seeking its approval be-
fore going into a new area so
that the area won't be .'over-
churched" and the churches
that enter will be able to become
strong and Self-sustaining.
The mechanics of setting up
q new church vary somewhat
from denomination to denomi-
nation, but there are many points
of similarity. A fairly typical
example Is provided by the Cliff
ton Park Baptist Church. 1918
Piney Branch road. Silver Spring
which achieved full independent
church status less than three
months ago.
Its history began with q spe-
cial Christmas collection at Cal
vary Baptist Church, Eighth and
H streets NV. in December.
1949, according to Clifton Parks
pastor, the Rev. William Millar.
In seeking for a suitable way to
use the collection, a committee
within the Calvary church came
up with the idea Of setting Up q
new church.
During a95O, a. COMMITTEES at
Calvary selected the Clifton
Park area. conducted a census
of the area with the aid of DR..
william j. Crowder, director Of
the Department of Missions and
Evangelism Of the D. c. Baptist
Convention, received approval Of
the Federation's Comfy Com
mission. and purchased a two
acre building site with an old
house on it at the present site
of the church. The Christmas
collection paid the down pay
ment on the lot.
Then Had 81 Members
First services were held in the
old house in December. 1850
and in October Of the following
year Mr.. Millar was called a:
chapel minister on the Calvary
staff. At that time the Clifton
Park. Baptist Chapel. as it was
then designated, had 81 mem
berS, .
In 1852, a joint committee o.
the chapel and the parent church
decided to build a permanent
structure at the site. Calvary
paid for the $4,000 building anc
loaned the chapel $4,000 tt
equip it. It is presently used botf
as sanctuary and education
building. but future plans cal
for constructing a permanent
sanctuary.
The new chapel cut loose from
the parent church in January
1854. when 1t received approva
to become a mission church UNI
der the D. c. Baptist Conven'
ton. At that time it had 10.
members and because Of its mis-
sion status would receive SOM
help from the convention towart
the pastors salary.
Other Examples Given
On November /, last year, thi
help stopped and Clifton ParI
Church became a church of full
status in the convention. 1t ha
386 members and some 500 per
sons enrolled in its Sunda,
school! It has repaid Calvary tn
$4,000 loan for equipment. two
thirds of the money original,
borrowed to buy the land, an,
part Of the mortgage on a par
sonage for Mr.. Millar. The con
gregation anticipates beginnin
construction of a second unit Il
its building program early Il
1858. Mr.: Millar said.
The case Of Clifton Park illus