The morning times., 1896-11-15
ST. JOHNS centennial
Parish Church Today. Cele-
brates the Anniversary.
EXERCISES LAST ALL DAY
1t Is One of the Oldest Parishes In
the Dtstrict-An Interesting His
tory Closely Allied With the
~ Growth Of washingtOn-Its. Many
RectOrs.

The one hundredth anniversary of 81
Johns Parish Church. corner Potomac
avenue and Q street, Georgetown, WIN pe
celebrated today with interesting anu DIP
propiiate exercises. .s
The services will begin at 7:3O a m.
with the celebration Of the holy communion
At IL O'Clock the rector, Rev. Charles L.
Buck. D. D., Will deliver the anniversary
sermon, which will embrace history ol
the church from its foundation, in l196, To
the present time. At 1880 p III, tne an
niversary exercises Will be conciuued Win
reminiscent addresses by Rev. Henry \.
Satterlee, d. D., bishop of washington, ana
by Rev. James Ii. Register, 5. 1. d.
formerly rector OF the church.
The church records prior To 1871 are
imperfect, and the rector, DR.. Buck, mas
experienced great difficulty in aocuniulatins
material for mis- sermon in reference 10 oc-
currences previous to that Time. FROM
various sources, however, he has been able
to compile a mass Of Interesting lhIoriii,t-
ton about this historic church and parish.
The original st. Johns, 1t seems, occupied
the site upon which now stands the hahd-
some edifice of modern construction. Funds
for the original building were raised by
subscription from amonga number OF pfohA-
n.nt Episcopalians who resided In George
town, and found the trip TO Christ's Church
in East Washington 50 inconveDient that a
clltlfGn IN Their own secIlltu uSSCs-
sary.
THE FIRST CHURCH.
This action was taken in 1896 and proved
emlnenIy successful, for in a short time
a commodious two-story structure 0t
brick, capable OF seating III the
neighborhood OF 400 persons, wasin course
OF erection upon a lot donated for the pur-
pose by Mr.. .Deekin. Beyond the mention
of this gift nothing Is known OF the con-
pf fhis with the church.
The first rector 60 assume charge OF the
new church was Rev. John j. Sayres, who
came to its pulpit in 1904. Delays OF
various kinds retarded the execution OF
Tie plans or the original promoters and
thirteen years elapsed before the church
was consecrated by Bishop Claggett, the
first bishop or the diocese oil Maryland,
which took place in 1903.
AT this time the old Washington parish
was divided and the portion lying west OF
Rock Creek became ST. Johns parish.
The work prospered under the ministry
Rev. Sayres and st. Johns became the rep
resentative church OF this locality and
many men of public fame worshiped with
its congregation.
Upon the ucath Of it's first rector, Dr.
Sayres his remains were inferred under
The ciiancci, and remained there until "A re-
modelling of the chancel rendered re-
moval necessary, and his ashes now lie
buried in some spot beneath the church, the
cx3ct location or which Is unknown. On
IA tablet erected To his memory in the church
auditorium, appears an epitaph composed
by Frances Scott Key, at one time a COM
munIcant at tne cnurcn, and Hic-.oDg
friend of its rector.
TRACES OF THE OLD.
Although the present structure occupies
the .to of he old. its appearance has been
greatly altered by Improvements and adj
ditions from time to time during the past
century, and lofty tower now adorns the
structure. dignity unknown to the old.
Notwithstanding varied remodelings much
of the old structure yet remains, though
unrecognizablc, In the new. Large por-
lions of the walls, and foundations are
yet intact as originally constructed so long
ago. Tie chief reuodeling took place
during the rectorate OF Rev Dr.. Lindsay,
now Of Boston, who successfully served
the church during brief period AT
this time the rectUry, adjoining tue church
OF the east, WAS erected ON additional
ground purchased by the officiary OF tie
church. and n new Sunday school room COM
pctcd as well as the construction of the
tower.
The church is nj present in a flourishing
condition, on sound financial footing,
and begins its second century with bril-
liant prospects for continued success
Mr.. john Marbury is the oldest member
Of the church now living, ha,in been
ciecteda vestryman in 1856
Rev. Charles L. Buck, the present rector,
has served the church and congregation
acc,ptably since 1892, when he came TO
st Johns from Easton, Nd. Dr. Buck
is II BaltInorean, and was educated at
Charlotte Hall, Md.
Prior 10 serving st. Johns DR.. Buck
has occupied pulpits at Spesutia, Hartford
county, Nd, and Easton.