Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-02-22
GEN. wAsHINGToN's CHURCH.

There are many churchesin this young
s,gntry that claim the distinction OF age,
int one of the oldest is Pohick church,
which was planned and located by George
Washington long before he became 1.-THE
Either of his country" situated not many
niles outside the limits of the district IN
Fairfax county, Va. Some OF the draw
,gs which Washington made for it are
:, III extant. The first Pohick church
,sas wooden building, and stood near
.'ohick run, about three miles from the
,esidence of George Mason (who drafted
he famous bill of rights for the State OF
NTryinia), and some nine miles from
..loant Vernon, the Washington home
:. ,ad. After it was destroyed by hire the
v.stry proposed to rebuild it on the old
re. It called a meeting, and, after a
...otracted and somewhat stormy debate,
Jason urging that the old site was en-
= Jared to the people by its religious asso-
cations and the burial of their dead, aud
Washington claiming that it was pot cen
al to the population-the meeting adj
.urned with considerable chad blood
]. both sides. When they next conyen-
MIR. Mason reiterated his arguments
With, if possible, more vehemence than
!, ore. When he had finished, Wash
,gton arose, and without comment placed
on the table a map he had made, show
~ the distance from the principal resi-
Ances 70 the present site OF the church'
Ill opposition was etfectually shenced,
:. I'd the immortal George, as usual had
j - way. 1t stands on an emlnence, on
rtion of the old Mount Vernon estate,
nut seven miles from the manor-house,
ID as many from the residence OF Mr..
Jason. Both Washington and Mason
ere yestrymen at Pohick long before
ne revolution, and ''for many years,
Tvs Bishop Meade, "Washington was
,nstant worshiper within its walls, never
lowing company, or any other cause, to
.en him from the house of God" For
,rty wears Rev. William johnson repair
j. the church, raising money for that pur-
,se, and was its rector Tor about two
.ars. Previous to that time the doors
ID windows had been swinging idly on
cir hinges for half a century, while
inns and wanderers found shelter with
IFS walls. and bats and owls held UNI
Sputed sway. About the year 1873, L.
Whitman. of New York, raise danoth-
funl, repaired it once more, donated
organ, and had it represented by Blsh-
:, Johns;and for several years thereafter
rvices were held every alternate Sun
": But it cost something to keep 1t up.
lere are people enough to fill the church
,jthin the sound of its bells, but the ma
,sity of them have little means, and
lze little interest in religious matters.
/, movement is now on foot to establish
,.cmanent fund to keep the church IN re-
tir for all time to come. Contributions
re solicitated from all patriotic Chris
l,us to the end that the sanctuary built
George Washington be not allowed to
irish from off the face of the earth, and
at spark of holy fire. be kept alive Up
:, its altar. Contributions may be sent
, Colonel Hollingsworth, Super intend
1t of Mount Vernon, and will be ac-
lowledged through the New York
urchman. Considerable sums have
esdy been received for this worthy
,.,rnose, chiefly from New York and
,ewEngland.- Washington Correspond
nj fbe Cincinnati Commercial.