Robert Semple Rowe

From Baltimore Sun 11/29/1912:

He Was Oldest Member of Methodist Protestant Conference BUILT ALLNUTT MEMORIAL Secured Fire Engine Bell When Edifice Was Completed - Served As Pastor of Many Churches In point of years the oldest minister to the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church and one of the best known clergymen of the denomination in Baltimore, Rev Robert S Rowe, who was superannuated in 1905, died at his home, 1820 North Washington Street, at 8:40 o'clock yesterday morning. Among the many accomplishments which marked Mr Rowe's long career in Baltimore and Maryland, the two things of which he was most proud, were the building of Allnutt Memorial Church, at Lombard and Chester streets, and the acquiring of an old fire bell for the church. The bell is still in use. Allnutt Church was built while

Rev Mr Rowe was pastor of Washington Street Methodist Protestant Church., the congregation of which had originally worshipped in a fire - engine house. The fire bell had then been used to summon the little congregation to services. When the engine house was finally abandoned by the city during Mayor Latrobe's administration, Rev Mr Rowe asked for the bell for the new church, and its installation was marked by an elaborate celebration at which Mayor Latrobe and other prominent men spoke.

Born in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1832, Mr Rowe received his early education there and during the Civil War preached to soldiers passing through the city. He came to Baltimore and joined the Methodist Protestant Conference in 1865. His first charge was at Chestertown, Kent County. Later he preached at Pocomoke City, New Market, Kennedyville, Oxford, Union Bridge, Crisfield, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

In this city he served as pastor of South Baltimore Church and the old Lexington Street Church, in addition to Washington Street and Allnutt Churches. He was also for a short time pastor of a Washington (D.C.) church, during which time he assisted in the building of the North Carolina Avenue Church.

Mr Rowe suffered a stroke of paralysis last week and was unconscious until the time of his death. He is survived by his widow, Mrs Lavinia G Rowe, who celebrated her seventy - fifth birthday Wednesday; one daughter, Mrs E H Shelley, of Brooklyn, NY and one son, George G Rowe, of Washington, DC, both of who were at his bedside at the time of his death.

The funeral will take place Sunday from Mount Royal Avenue Methodist Protestant Church. Burial will be in Loudon Park Cemetery.