Stephen Bloomer Balch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stephen Bloomer Balch |
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 Portrait by Charles Willson Peale, engraving by John Sartain |
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| Born | April 5, 1747 in Maryland |
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| Died | September 7, 1833 (aged 86) in Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | College of New Jersey |
| Ordained | 1779 |
| Offices held |
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| Spouse |
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| Parents | James Balch and Ann Goodwin |
Stephen Bloomer Balch (born April 5, 1747 – died September 7, 1833) was a Presbyterian minister and teacher. He lived and worked in Georgetown, which is now part of Washington, D.C.. In 1780, Balch started the Georgetown Presbyterian Church. It was the second church to be built in Georgetown. He also led a school there called the Columbian Academy.
Stephen Balch's Early Life
Stephen Balch was born on April 5, 1747. He was born on his father's land in what is now Harford County, Maryland. He went to the College of New Jersey, which is now called Princeton University. He studied with famous people like Aaron Burr and William Bradford. Stephen earned his college degree in 1774.
After college, he became the principal of the Lower Marlborough Academy. This school was in Calvert County, Maryland. Stephen Balch also helped during the American Revolutionary War.
Starting the Georgetown Presbyterian Church
In 1779, Stephen Balch became a minister in the Presbyterian church. He then moved to Georgetown. For a short time, he preached at the Georgetown Lutheran Church.
In 1780, he began holding church services in a small house. This house was also used as a school during the week. It was located near Bridge Street, which is now called M Street. Around this time, Balch also became the headmaster of the Columbian Academy in Georgetown. Even George Washington sent his nephews to this school.
A special building for the church was finished in 1782. It was located on Bridge Street at Washington Street (now 30th Street). The church building grew bigger in 1793 and again in 1801. But it was still not large enough for everyone. A new church building was built in 1821. Later, in the 1870s, the church moved to P Street. Many important people from Washington and Georgetown went to this church. Stephen Balch gave a sermon to a very large crowd after George Washington passed away.
Stephen Balch's Family Life
In 1781, Stephen Balch married Elizabeth Beall. She was the daughter of George Beall. In 1783, Balch had a home built on Duck Lane, which is now 33rd Street.
He also owned an island in the Potomac River. He had a 10-acre farm outside of Washington. In his later years, he lived at 3302 N Street.
Stephen and Elizabeth Balch had eleven children. Some of their children included Harriet Balch, Alfred Balch, and the Reverend Thomas Bloomer Balch.
Elizabeth, his first wife, died in 1827. A year later, when he was 82, he married Elizabeth King. Sadly, she passed away only eighteen days after their wedding. In 1830, he married again to a widow named Mrs. Jane Parrott.
Stephen Balch remained the pastor of Georgetown Presbyterian Church until he died in 1833. He was first buried inside the church building. Later, his remains were moved to the Presbyterian Burying Ground in 1873. They were moved one more time in 1874 to Oak Hill Cemetery.
