n, one of the useful
pastors of the Negro church, a man whose reputation was coextensive
with the confines of the Washington Conference, which at that time
included Virginia and West Virginia as well as Maryland and the
District of Columbia.

The desire for a new edifice increased, and the people contributed
liberally. At the time of the suspension of the Freedmen's Bank in
1874 the church had on deposit $2,500. The effect of the failure of
the bank was most disastrous. There was a cessation of effort for a
time, but under the magnetic and masterly leadership of Rev. Mr. Brown
the people rallied, and $624 was collected in one day toward the new
building. The time had come for a forward movement. The members were
called together March 24, 1875. The question of rebuilding was
discussed thoroughly and with but ten dissenting votes the proposition
was endorsed and the trustees, thus empowered, undertook the purchase
of a lot on Twenty-ninth Street, between Dunbarton and O Streets, from
Mr. Alfred Pope, one of their number, for $25.

The work on the new edifice was begun. Meanwhile Rev. Mr. Brown was
reappointed and the cornerstone was laid, the ceremony being performed
by the Good Samaritans. Then came Rev. R. A. Read, who subsequently
became pastor at Asbury. Rev. James Dansbury followed Mr. Brown and
gave a good account of himself. In 1880 Rev. James D. S. Hall, an
eloquent preacher, who had done very creditable work in different
parts of the country and who had served successfully in the A. M. E.
Church as well as in the M. E. Conferences, was appointed. His
appointment was the signal for new life. The cornerstone was relaid,
this time under the authority of the Masons. The next morning the
building when only five feet high was discovered on fire.
Dissatisfaction crept in the flock, lawsuits followed, and there was
formed a separate A. M. E. body, with Rev. James T. Morris as its
first pastor. Mt. Zion kept on nevertheless, and the first services
were held in the new structure October 30, 1880, although the building
was without roof or plaster. The subsequent history of Mt. Zion until
the close of the nineteenth century was notable for its steady
progress.

[6] In 1869 a bill passed both houses of Congress to transfer the
authority of the separate management of the Negro schools to the white
board. The colored people became alarmed. Israel Church opened its
doors for a mass meeting and under the leadership of John F.