Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-23
Sc. Patrick's Church Property Taxes.
wEAT FATHRR WALTER SAYS.

What fA1bBh WALT SANS.
Rev. Father Walter, ,Of st. Patrick's church. writes
as follows in explanation OF the dispute about the
taxes levied On the property belonging to the
church on street, between 9Th and 10Th streets:
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Original lots S. and 4. in square 376, on street.
from the United states government in 1877 by Rev.
Anthony Caifrey, who decided the same to John
Carroll, archbishop OF Baltimore, sin trust for the
use OF the Roman Catholic congregation worship
ping in st. PatrichS church, and for no other USE
or intent puruoSe whatever" This deed OF trust
is dated september 10, 1904 The property has been
held under this trust deed, and has been exempt
from taxation until placed on the taXliSt OF 1876
1t has always been held as exempt, AMI l was SO
disposition could be made OF the property under the
deed trust so as be available the use OF the
Church ; In financial S Al point Of view The church
that year the courts gave the archbishop OF Balti
more fee-simpe title, so that lie could dispos OF
the property and carry out the trust for the ben
eft OF st. Patricks congregation. As soon as this
was accomplished the pastor OF the congregation
paid the taxes Tor 1881 and 1882. even before any
revenue had been derived from the lots that are
now leased. These lots are now and have been pay
ing the annual taxes sl1ce 1882. The dispute is
about the taxes from 1876 to 1881. Under the law
of 1870 the property is exempt. and that law has
never been repealed The property was In same
condition during the years 1876 10 1881 as II was
from 1870 to 1876. or late years have noticed that
other churches have had property exempt, and /
am told OF one case in Georgetown where the rents
OF house are paid to the church and the house
empt from taxation. One question would like 10
ask, Why has not the Protestant orphan asylum
been obliged to pay taxes on outside property
st. NlncentS Catholic asylum has been paving the
taxes for years Why this distinction?
Pastor OF ST. Patrck's Church.
THE COMMISSIONERS DENY
that there has been any discrimination made
against any church property, and say they have
been acting entirely in accordance with the law.
1t has been held by Father Walter for years past
that these lots should be exempt from taxation
1885, papers were fled by him before % the c Co1ms @
sioners claiming exemption. These were re-
ferred to the attorney for the District
that there Is any church building on
the property claimed to be exempt, that there Is
one on the sdnare nor M 90 know what so the tact Is
church buildings-Webb's Digest, p g. The act OF
Congress OF June Il, 1870 exempted all I" churches
property appurtenant thereto and used in connec-
tioh herewith" Clearly, think, to exempt any
property under this act # must be appurtenant to
il for purposes 81 worship. This Is the con- con-
structon given to 1t by the act OF June 2lst 1ssa
the grounds S d % actually Occupied By the church o
buildings. which Is the present law.
single instance in Geor0etown Where the rents Of
house are paid to the church and the house ex-
empt from taxation, and he presumeS Father Wal
In the examination OF the books Of the collectors
ONCE 1t Is ascertatned that the property on which
the Protestant asylum STANDS on square 239, cor
ner 18th and Streets Is assessed every year. Some
OF the taxes have been and are now from time to
time being paid It would appear that IL Is no
fault OF the District authorities that the taxes
not paid, but to the inability OF the owners.
It Is learned that the ST. AIMS asylum property
1 exempt, also st Josepns ma male e. orphan asylum.
tenant thereto The schools OF the Georgetown
college property are all exempt-sixty- acres OF
ground on which the college stands, and many
other pieces OF property owned by Catholic charit-
able societies.