Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18

Old Christ Church.
TEE EARLY HISTORY OF THE OLDEST CHURCH IN
THE CTY-How TIE CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY
WAS ESTABLISHED.
A great deal has been said of the newest, but
nothing has been said OF the Oldest, OF the many
churches In this city. The oldest church building
now standing In this city is Christ P. E. church,
which Is situated on @ street, between 9th and It'll
streets, Navy Yard,l and OF which Rev. Chas. d.
Andrews is now pastor. This church, which was
built in 1907 stands In the center OF large square
Lot, which is enclosed with high iron railing, and
has rather ancient appearance. Although built
when that section OF the city bore decided re-
semblance to forest it would compare, In SIZE
and point of architecture, even before receiving
the recent additions and improvements with many
modern churches.
MonERN CHANGES
Since Mr.. Andrews connection with the parish
about nine years-an addition has been added to
the rear Of the church. and q brick mission has
been buiE on the church lot the east side OF the
church. The old galleries have been taken out,
the large old organ replaced by one of modern
pattern, and the walls have been frescoed and
gilded, completely Transforming the ancient
church into one OF modern design. The member
ship OF the church has increased rapidly under the
rectOrShip OF Mr.. Andrews, and Is at present In
the neighborhood OF 400.
THE WASHINGTON PARISH.
In 1874 the legislature OF Maryland established
the "Washington Parish, including this city and
Georgetown, and in consequence OF this on the
18th of May, 1875, the Protestant Episcopal nhab-
ftants OF Washington and Georgetown called a
meeting, and elected their first vestry, consisting
S{ Mm Deakn Jno Tsmplemn Chns
Jos. Clark and Gustavus Scott. All being present
except DR.. Charles WOrthington, they took an
oath 20 the governmentGas directed by law
declaring that they would justly and truly exc
cute the Office arc truStOf vestrymen of Washing
ton Parish; and after severaly declaring their be-
duties, and appointed Henry Edwards the first
register OF the parish. At another meeting, on
9ne same Day the vestry ana elected
Wardens for one year, and appointed Rev. George
Ralph as their
FIRST RECTOR.
In the following July Jas. Greenleaf, ESQ.,, pre-
sented lot, on New Jersey avenue, near the East
ern branch. to the vestry, and Samuel Blodgett
gave the permission to cut the timber for the frame
OF the church from his plantation.
The history of the church from this time up to
1906 Is not known, as no records were kept. MIR.
VIM Prout, on the 18th OF May, 1906 gave the yes
the erection OF church, provided that it was
erected inside OF one year. On May 4th 1907, Rev.
Andrew I. Mccormick was elected to succeed Mr..
Ralph, the first rector, and new veStry was also
elected.
COMPLETION OF THE PRESENT ED1F1CE.
The church in which services are now held,
Which was to be built on the lot presented by Mr..
Prout, was finished in August, 1907, and the 9th
OF that month the first devotional services were
held in it. The church was called "Christ" church
Instead OF "Chrsts" church, the name of the old
church on New Jersey avenue, and was dedicated
by Bishop Thomas j. Clagett, october 2, 1909.
The site used by the parish for q burial ground
square 1,Os6-belng low and wet square Ills was
purchased by the vestry in 1908 for $500, and
cemetery called the 'Washington Parish Burial
Ground" was established, which afterwards be-
came known as
THE CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY.
According to rule made the previous year, no
In the Christian religion, was allowed to be buried
in this cemetery. reservation Of one hundred
burial sites was assigned for the tnterment of
members OF Congress- and in 1916, three hundred
moro were added, and the rule that congressman
alone could be buried In this reservation was
changed SO as to grant the same privilege to the
heads OF the departments OF the general govern
ment and their families, and the families OF men,
beers OF Congress. From this the cemetery took
the name OF Congressional cemete ry.
PRESIDENT MoNRoEs PEW.
The President of the United States, James Mon
roe, accepted the use OF pew No. for himself and
family from the vestry in 1877 and directed Com
modore Tngley to express his thanks to the vestry
for their polite attention.
On May 4th, 1924, Congress appropriated 81, 600,
with which the vestry was to construct brick
wall around the cemetery, which they did.
for 16 years resigned July i1th 1923, and was sue
ceeded by Rev. Ethan Allen.
THE FIRST ORGANISE
OF the parish, Edward j. Lewis, was engaged In
1922, at salary Of $50 year. In January 1925
81, 157 was expended In repairing ana enlargng the
church, and in the same year a house and stable
for the pastor, Mr.. Allen, were erected, at cost Of
81 500 About ten years later pulpit costing $780,
was built, and in 1S4s new front was put in the
church.