The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-03-09

Washington's Church,


The following extract from letter,
written before the close of the war to the
Boston Gazette, from Alexandria, by a
member of company K, 42d Massachu-
sets, tells its own story
yesterday we attended service at q
church around which cluster memories of
Washington and the Revolution-the old
Christ Church at Alexandria, Va. 1t is
plain brick ediGce, surmounted by a
dome-shaped wooden tower or steeple, and
was built by the English from imported
bricks, in the year 1852, so it is now one
hundred and twelve years old. 1t was
erected, and has always been occupied BY
the Church of England. Passing throug III
the church in the rear, we found on the
old sand and slate-stone slab the names of
menand women who lived and worship
ped with Washington. Upon entering
the church the first object to attract the
attention of the stranger is the lofty, urn.
shaped pulpit, built of chestnut, and
Trimmed with crimson. velvet. On the
wall back of the pulpit are two tablets !;
the one on the right is inscribed with the
10Th chapter of Exodus (the ten COM
mandments); the one on the left with the
Lords Prayer, the Articles of Faith, and
the Golden Rul', whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you, even so do
unto them; for this is the law and the
prophets. Beneath and in front of the
pulpit is the usual chancel. Around the
three remaining sides of the room run o
gallery supported by pillars.
The music is furnished BY the choir
sS1 an organ. The pews are built in the
usual Episcopal manner, and have all
been remodelled, except numbers fifty
nine and sixty on the left, square family
pew, the one formerly occupied by Wash
ington and his family. When ous troops
took possession of this city the congrega-
tion of this church were 81 rebellious that
the commanding General turned them
out and placed loyal rector and people
in possession, but the secessionists had
time to steal and secrete the communion
service, with the baptismal font, aud sill
yer plate with Washington's name, from
his pew. We should doubtless have had
chance to look over the church records,
but the geutlemanly rector informed US
they, too, had been confscated by the
rebs, who, after the war is over, will
doubtless bring them forward and claim
the church but don't think they will get
1t. 1t may be of interest to state that
the rebel General Lee, who now commands
in Virginia, occasionally occupied this
church, and desecrated the sanctity of the
"Washington Pew" The inside ceiling
and wall are plain white.
This building, from the connection i.
has with the Washington family, as their
place of worship, is very interesting as
well as we'll preserved relic of the past.
Seventy years have passed away since its
portals were pressed by the feet of that
man, SO beloved by every American and
so adored by both friend and foe to the
Union.
After his arduous public life was over
and be had retired to his beautiful estate
at Mount Vernon to pass his waning life
in the quiet, peaceful pursuits of agrcul.
ture and the bosom of his beloved family,
how calmly and serenely he must have
weuded his way to and from this church
What a privilege it must have seemed to
the "Father Of bis Country to be allowed
once again, after so many years of com mo.
ton, to peacefully worship the "Father Of
his race" But could his body, so long
mingled with the "sacred SOIL" reunite
with his spirit in worship here at the pres
ent time, how different and how painful
would be his medtations. His beloved
State laid waste by the ruthless march Of
armies-his own couutrymen-O what @
fall seeking to tear one another, and
the glorious Union for which he fought SC
bravely, and maintained So triumphantly,
asunder. Rest in peace, sold man. VIC
would not if we could awaken you from
your peaceful couch to view this "crue
wars desolation."