The facts of the building itself: 
Cornerstone laid - October 30, 1884 
First service - March 1885 
Dedication — January 17, 1886

Services by Bishop Wilson (Baltimore, Revs. S. S. Lambeth, W.F.Tillett, 
J. W. Bledsoe and Dr. T. McN. Simpson (the latter two Lynn St. Church pastors) 

Through the double doors and a small vestibule one enters the building of Romanesque Revival influence into the sanctuary, with the altar and choir loft a focus of attention. The auditorium has an encompassing feeling of warmth, reverence and unity with the walnut wainscoting and furniture, the celery green walls with classic Greek design and green carpet. The stained glass windows, priceless in this day of dwindling artists so inclined, rich in color and symbolism, have always been much aired and an memorials to individual members of Mount Vernon or its predecessor, Lynn St. Church. So, too, are the large Alpha and Omega monograms, symbolic of the eternity of Christ: “I am Alpha and Onega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord.” 
Revelations 1:8. 

Touring the sanctuary from right to left the visitor sees: 

First window on right pomegranate flower In Deuteronomy Palestine is described as “A land of wheat and barley, and vines, and fig trees and pomegranates”. (In memory to Frank Talbott, 1870-1929, dedicated by the church.) 

Center window - Christ the Evangelist, with (above) a crown speared with palm leaves. (In memory to Elijah Benton withers and Lema Price Withers, charter members, by their family.) 

Third window - purple anemone, a prolific flower in Palestine whose blossoms of many colors dot the fields of Sharon. The scarlet anemone, people think, is the “lily of the field” in Matthew. 

First window on left - iris, representing the trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and is widely used. (In memory to Ars. Jenny L. Penn by her husband.) 

Center window - Jesus the Shepherd. (In memory to Mrs. Annie B. Penn by her husband). 

Third window - narcissus, thought by many to be the “Rose of Sharon”, growing abundantly on Plains of Sharon, Camel and Jericho. (In memory of Jennie E. Pope Orchard by her husband, both charter members.) 

Rear windows - grapes (1.) and ivy (r.) both referred to in Bible and widely used in symbolism. The ivy shape is another trinity symbol and the grapes a symbol of the blood of life. 

Austin organ in choir loft is a very fine instrument of three consoles, dedicated April 26, 1942 to the memory of Newton Hill Hazelwood by his wife. Carillon bells were the gift of Mrs. Gertrude Withers Kingan, descendant of charter members. 

Other memorials include the air conditioning, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Schoolfield, Jr. by their daughters and the baptismal font, in memory of James Hartwell Myers by his parents. 

The lovely wall hangings were made by the youth just this fall, showing a continuing interest in symbolism. The fish was used to identify early Christians; the Cross surrounded by people has ecumenical appeal. 

Brief History: 

In 1884 the Lynn St. Methodist Church (1872 - 1884), with business encroaching and population moving west in town, disposed of the Church property with the purpose of investing the proceeds in a new church “in the western part of our city, in or near the forks of Main St.” This site was chosen by a group which included Major d. T. Sutherlin (a member of Main St. Church ) at a time- when the only other building in the vicinity was the “Methodist College” (Stratford). The congregation worshipped in the College chapel until the building was completed. The first pastor, Dr. John E. Edwards, arrived December 22, 1884. 

The architect was A. L. Carson, Baltimore, lid., a member of Mt. Vernon Place 
Church, Baltimore. (This and the patriotic veneration of the home of Washington 
decided the nane.) The builder was I. B. Fitzgerald at a cost of $33,000 with a 
pars2nagc. contracted for two years later on South Main for $3,500!

The charter members numbered 100 from, chiefly, the Lynn St. Church with a group from Main St. and one Baptist! Family names and descendants from that group still active on the church roll today of almost 1,000 members include Brimmer, Edwards, Fuller, Kamlin, Jordan, Ley, Penn, Schoolfild, Swain and Talbott. 

Th. last extensive building program of the present educational building was dedicated in a series of services beginning March 1, 1959 at which Bishop Paul Garber spoke with Dr. Orman Bryant, the pastor. The John B. Winn Chapel to the rear of the sanctuary was dedicated at that time to the beloved former pastor and to James Wilmer Ray, a long tine devoted member, by Mrs. Ray and Mrs. N. H. Hazelwood. 

Mount Vernon, under 33 pastors and associates, has undergone many periods of growth spiritually and physically. Today more than ever it is endeavoring to be on instrument of service to the immediate community and the world through the individual lives of its members and through support of such projects as Hope Harbor, FISH and the Friendship Room for families at Memorial Hospital. In addition it helps support the mission work of James and Ila Gravely in Brazil and Robert and Mary Beth Connerly in Mexico and other world service projects. 

Lydia C. Harvey