Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-24
The Church Where Washington
Worshiped.


One of the most interesting relics of the past
in Virginia is Pohick Church, in the county of
Fairfax, which belongs to the last century and
is intimately associated with the name of Wash
ington. The site for the building was selected
by him, and the lively concern he took in the
affairs of tie church was manifested not only
in an accurate and handsome map of the par
ish drawn with his own hand from a careful
survey, bot in his constant attendance upon
its service, riding thither in all seasons, six or
seven miles from Mount Vernon, whenever
Pohick Church was opened for worship.
The ancient eliiice had fallen into diapida-
ton even before the war Of the rebellion, and
the late Bishop Meade, describing visit he
paid to it in 1859 fer the purpose Of perform
ingseryice, speaks oft as being entered through
its wide open doors by every beast of the field
and fowl of the air" The roof, too, was de-
caying and let in the rain, and the old sanctn-
airy Of the Washingtons, and Lewises, and Fair
faxes presented iorlorn aspect indeed. When
the war came on and Fairfax county for a con-
siderable time was made the Flanders of the
Virginia campaigns, Pohick Church afforded
shelter for the soldiers of the Union and was
necessarily left by them in very ruinous
plight. At the time of Bishop Moale's visit
the hand Of decay had spared the chancel, COM
munion table and tablets Of law, and it is be-
lieyed that these are now not beyond the pos
sbility Of restoration but unless the work Of
repair is begun without delay. the ruin will
very soon be complete. Such, In truth, is the
desolaton that marks many of the architectu-
raj remains of the colonial period in Virginia
witness the Wondering tower at Jamestown
that it may be said the very ruins are going to
pieces; and with regard even to structures that
refer like Pohick Church to the period Of the
revolution, no ycstge remains to tell where
many Of them stood
In the lovely county of Devon, in England,
not FIR from the waters Of the Channel, is the
village Of Ouery ST. Mary, celebrated in Thack-
eray's Pendcnnis as "CLatteris,' and the
most. graceful object on which the eye Of the
traveller rests in this village is the parish church,
recently beautifully restored. Like PoLick the
Church Of ST. Mary Ouery is linked with the
memories Of great men, for there the poet Col
eridgc was chr:5iened, and there bis kindred lie
buried. Like Pohck also this church under
went injury from civil war, for in the great con-
test between Charles Stuart aud the Parlia-
ment the forces Of the latter, under the Earl
Of Essex, stabbed their horses beneath its en-
powered roof But the feeling Of reverence
for the old house of worship survived sangui-
nary struggle, in which the animosity Of Eng
lishman towards Englshman was embittered
by religious prcjulices, and the building was
again used for the service Of the Church Of
England, until in our own time, through the
contributions Of citizens, it has been transform
cd into one of the sweetest and most reverent
structures in which, throughout England
prayer aud praise are now lifted upon high
In ike manner there is desire on the part
Of Christian men and women in the United
States to restore Pohick Church and rcfurnish
the altar at which Washington knclt Not a
large sum is needle FOR this pious work-only
three thousand doIlars-and an active effort is
on foot to ceectit. Already one-half has been
contributed in this city and its neishborhood.
The whole amount when made up will be
placed in the hands Of Bishop Johns, Of Viz
ginia.-Ner York Ercaiag Post.