Where did Lincoln attend weekly Worship? New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.

from Washington's Lincoln Group dot-org:

January 23, 2016

 

Location: New York Ave. Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Avenue (13th and H streets, NW), Washington, DC.

10 a.m. to 12 noon

“President Lincoln and His Washington Pastor: Faith and Music as Inspirations.”

A Collaborative Presentation by the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia
and New York Avenue Presbyterian Church

Lincoln took inspiration from the Bible and the music of his era. As president, Lincoln’s friendship with his Washington pastor, Rev. Dr. Phineas Gurley, coincided with his public expressions of very high theological insight to God’s possible purposes for the Civil War. Away from public scrutiny, Lincoln took comfort in conversation with men whose expertise he admired and whose company he enjoyed. One of those was Rev. Dr. Gurley. New research into Gurley’s background reveals a biography of an unpretentious preacher with extraordinary gifts for communication and reconciliation who earned Lincoln’s confidence. Their friendship emboldened Gurley to undertake his own post war campaign for reunification in his community and in his national Presbyterian Church.
The Civil War generated a wealth of original music. Lincoln heard and sang much of the music of his time, including the military and popular tunes. With little formal education, Lincoln’s musical tastes nevertheless were broad, ranging from sentimental ballads and nonsense songs to opera. Some wag had suggested he went to church more to hear the music than Gurley’s preaching. But there should be no doubt that he was moved by it all.
John O’Brien will present on his research into the life and times of Phineas Gurley, a brilliant biblical interpreter and speaker. He chose to enlighten the country on the word of God one community and congregation at a time when others of his profession were aspiring to develop a national reputation. He became known as “a preacher’s preacher.” His insights and discretion made him the confidant of several presidents and placed him in national prominence to guide the country’s mourning after Lincoln’s assassination and then to model the slain president’s vison for reconciliation.
Elizabeth Smith Brownstein has published on her research into understanding Lincoln through the music he enjoyed. She will play a selection of pieces from the period and reveals the significance of each in Lincoln’s life and presidency. This is a unique program offering insights into rarely considered aspects of Lincoln’s temperament and leadership. Brownstein had published the first major work on Lincoln at his summer residence; Lincoln’s Other White House: the Untold Story of the Man and His Presidency (John Wiley & Sons, 2005). She has also written If This House Could Talk: Historic Homes, Extraordinary Americans (Simon & Schuster, 1999). She is a contributor to the Journal of the White House Historical Association.
Brownstein and O’Brien are members of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia. O’Brien is chair of Lincoln Studies at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and a committee chair on the Advisory Board for the DC Historical Studies Conference.
The program will be presented from 10 am until noon on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Lincoln’s church home in Washington D.C., New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Avenue (at 13th and H streets).