DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - NEWSPAPERS - Washington Post April 4, 1910
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Washington Post April 4, 1910 Page 3,  Rev. Dr. W. Taliaferro Thompson Retires

PASTOR WILL RETIRE

Dr. Thompson, of Eckington Presbyterian, Resigns.

CARES OF CHARGE TOO HEAVY

Clergyman Announces That He Is Growing Old and Feels He No Longer Can 
Perform Duties Required by Large Congregation — Withdrawal Causes Regret 
Among Members of His Flock.

 Just before the close of services in the Eckington Presbyterian Church 
yesterday morning, the pastor, the Rev. Dr. W. Taliaferro Thompson, tendered 
his resignation to the congregation. The announcement that he was about to 
sever his connection with his flock came as a great surprise to the 
congregation and threw his hearers into a state of suppressed excitement. At 
the conclusion of the reading of the letter of resignation many women in the 
congregation wept audibly and most of the men were visibly affected.
 Dr. Thompson's resignation, while a great surprise to the members of the 
church, was not unanticipated by the church officials. It was known to the 
officials that the pastor had strongly considered leaving his charge because 
of his advanced age, and that the responsibility of the large church was too
heavy for him. He stated in his letter of resignation that purely personal 
reasons actuated him. He declared the management of the church had been of 
the best, and that no internal trouble was evident, and asked the 
congregation to accept his withdrawal at an early date.

Built Up Church.

Previous to his acceptance of the Eckington charge, Dr. Thompson held an 
important charge at Charleston, S. C. When he came to Eckington he found the 
church not in a flourishing condition. The congregation was worshiping in a 
small building, and the membership was not large. He at once set to work to 
build up the congregation and procure an appropriate home for it, and in the 
eight years of his pastorate here his efforts have been rewarded with 
success. The congregation has grown, and a new building at Florida avenue 
and North Capitol street testifies to the success of his labors.
 Speaking of his resignation, Dr. Thompson last night said:
 "The step that I have just taken has been taken with the greatest 
reluctance and sadness on my part. My reasons are purely personal, and by 
that I mean that I am growing old.  I am nearly 70 years of age, and the 
cares of the pastorate rest too heavily upon me. Something like a year ago I 
tendered my resignation, but the board of elders asked me to stay for a 
while longer, and I consented. This time, however, I feel it is time for me 
to retire, and the congregation will act on my resignation next Thursday 
evening."

Blow to Congregation.

F. J. Vandanen, chairman of the board of deacons, made the following 
statement regarding the resignation:
 "We all have held Dr. Thompson in the deepest veneration. His resignation 
comes as a great blow to the congregation and to the officials of the 
church. We know that all the advantages we enjoy today, in regard to 
congregation and church property, are due almost solely to his efforts. At 
the time he offered his resignation, about a year ago, the matter was not 
made known to the congregation, but by pleading with him we induced him to 
remain with us longer. While his resignation was a great surprise and shock 
to the congregation, the officials of the church have for some time 
anticipated such a move."
 J. C. Tappan, another member of the board of deacons, characterized Dr.
Thompson's resignation as a calamity to the church.