Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24
AN EARLY ENGLISH CHURCH.
improvements Made 1T st. James'-The
Sisters of st. Margaret.

ON Sth street northeast near Massachusetts, ave-
nue., Is gradually growing up picturesque struct-
uTe of the old English type like the churches pic
tured ON Christmas cards. This Is st. James
Episcopal church, where one who has tendency
TO the Early English either In architecture or In
matters OF religious service cam be satisfied 1t is
the temple OF the very high churchmen or ritual
lists OF washington, who Will speak OF their rector
as father" have lights on the altar, cross them
Selves confess themselves to their rector, and in
other outward ceremonies approach very near the
rites Of the Roman Catholic church ANY we'll
posted par1shoner Of st. James would resent an
1nsinuatiOn that they initiate Roman Catholics,
for he would argue, that their church. the English
church. Is ancient, If not more ancient, than the
church OF Rome; that the comparatively recent
r1tualtst1c movement is simply restoration OF
what existed before the Pur1tanS frowned 1t down.
The HtualiStS OF Washington some years ago,
under Father Hobbie got along so far as TO erect
church and chapel at the corner OF Virginia avenue
and I'D street. The church. however, did not pros
per nancfally its debts were assumed by st. Johns
parish and ultimately the property paSSedtntO the
possession OF that parish, and the structure has
been used as a mission for colored people under
the direction OF 81. Johns church. The movement
then started In East washington has been more
successful from material point OF view. Though
the church Is located so far east, it has communi
cants In every part OF the city. The parish has
Just enlarged the church structure by making an
addition, which became necessary owing to the
increase In the attendance. The addition provides
a recessed chance 20 feet by 25 feet, separated
from the nave by LOFTY rood screen OF oak, OF APP
propriate design The walls OF the chancel are OF
select pressed brick, laid In red mortar and oiled
TO deep tint, and pierced by two side windows OF
cathedral glass. The roof shows all the framing
and ceiling In the natural wood. Opening on from
the south side is recessed organ chamber, while
from the north Is commodiouS saeristy for the
use OF the clergy, communicating with one OF the
finest choir rooms IN the diocese. These rooms
have walls OF pressed brick, with open roofs
showing the framing and windows OF cathedral
glass. st. James church was started f1ve years
Az ants I'm fral
rented house In the northeastern part OF the city.
A few months later a small store was rented and
nttsd up for church purposes The first stone for
the present building was laid on All Saints day, In
1883, and the nave was occupied the first Sunday
In Lent, 1854. During the same year a bay, used
were added In the fall OF 1855, the extension
and addition Just completed were commenced.
The parish owns two large lots. one on each side OF
parish buildings In the future The original struc-
tore and all the additions made have been con-
ssTucted In conformity with one general plan,
which proposes a church structure proper a guild
room, rectory, and buildings for other parish pur-
poses THIS series OF buildings when completed,
wtn stand on three sides Of the ground owned by
the parish leaving space or court In the center.
THE SISTERS OF ST. MARGARET.
Provision Will be made for house for the Sisters
Of DC. Margaret. Two sisters of this order have,
asseased IN THE STAR been Installed temporarily
In q rented house ON Sth street opposite the
church. These two sisters have been sent here for
the purpose OF rounding new house OF the order.
The sisters wear habits Ike nuns, but OF gray ma
tsr1al The ssterhoOd Is OF English origin, having
been founded In 1854 at East Grlnsted, in Sussex,
by Rev j. u. Neale- The duty which the sisters
took upon themselves was that OF nursing the
poor, whom they visited for the purpose, In their
own homes, sharing their poverty and discomfort.
Since then the sisterhOOd, besides caring for the
SICK, have taken up teaching, and engaged in
various works IN the parishes where they have
been located. Houses have been established in
Boston and Lowell and in Canada. Those entering
the s1Sterhood have TO serve noviciate before
finally devoting themselves 10 God for life as a
Sister Of Mercy. II an applicant for admission Is
under twenty-five years OF age, the order requires
her 70 bring the written consent or her parents be-
fore ohe viii be admitted