illsdale,
the Bethlehem Baptist Church by Henry Scott, its first pastor. It was
an outgrowth from the Macedonia Baptist Church organized nine years
before by Sandy Alexander, of the First West Washington Church. The
first officers were William Singleton, Carle Matthews, James Flood,
Richard Harrison, Mack McKenzie, Cornelius W. Davis, David Simpson,
Armstead Taylor, and Leonard Peyton.[39] The second minister, William
H. Phillips, served with considerable success for six years when he
was called to the Shiloh Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where he
died.[40]

A new church was soon to evolve as a result of another stir among the
Baptists. The succession of the pastorates of Dr. Anthony Binga, Sr.,
and Jesse Bolden to that of Dr. D. W. Anderson did not satisfy an
important element of the 19th Street Baptist Church, which for fifteen
years had given that church moral and financial support. Steps to
organize a new church were therefore taken. In the preliminary stages
of the separation there was much opposition. Nevertheless, they
organized May 7, 1877, at the residence of William H. A. Wormley, 1126
16th Street, Northwest, and were recognized by a council of Baptist
churches which met at the residence of L. C. Bailey, 1022 Nineteenth
Street, June 5, 1877.[41] With twenty-two members this determined body
went pluckily to work. In the first place, they were fortunate in
securing for their pastor a man who for thirteen years voluntarily
served the flock without salary. For twenty-five years, 1877 to 1902,
they worshipped in their church on 18th Street, which was erected
within six months of organization for the sum of $19,000. The church
grew from 22 to 200. It is a fair estimate that $50,000 was received
from all sources during this period. In 1902 they sold this church to
the John Wesley A. M. E. Zion for $19,500 cash. After vacating their
building and meeting in Odd Fellows Hall they erected their present
building at 11th and V Streets, which they have paid for in full. The
successor to Mr. Wm. Waring was Dr. W. A. Creditt.[42] Then came Dr.
J. M. Waldron, who in 1892 was succeeded by Rev. Mr. D. F. Rivers, who
still abides as a potent factor in the life of the Washington people.

After the Civil War Negroes became attracted to denominations in which
they had never sought membership because of their close attachment to
the Methodists and Baptists. From just such a divergence from the old
order resulted the organization