The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-18

ords are complete from 1895, without a
single break, all of the births. marriages
and deaths in the parish having been
faithfully recorded.
While the church is the oldest of the
Catholic denomination in the District, i,
is one of the oldest of any denomination
in this section. Georgetown was founded
in l151, according to history. and the first
church subsequently established. some
years later, was of the Lutheran denomi-
nation. A Presbyterian church, located on
High, now Thirty-second Street, was
formed in 1852, and a few years later
Trinity Church was founded. The land
was then portion of Maryland, and Cath
olics for, many miles around attended di-
vine service in the first building erected.
The old building is standing at the pres
ent day and is to the east of the present
edifice. The property takes in about half
Of the block bounded by Thirty-fifth,
Thirty-sixth. N. and Streets. the church
lots occupying the western portion of the
square and having the entire front on
Thirty-siyth Street. The old building is
now used as Sunday school room, while
the upper floors are devoted to the use of
the parochial school, containing three or
four large rooms.
The first pastor of the church was Rev.
]. Francis Neale, S. ]. He was born in
1916. He was also a professor in George
town College.
The Original Deed.
The deed transferring the cid church
property was recorded at Rockville. Nd.
April 20, 1887. The land was owned by
John Threlkeld, but in consideration of
the sum of shilings the title was trans
ferred to the Right Rev. John Carroll. the
deed specifying the erection of Catholic
chapel.
The first entry on the existing records
bears the date of April G. 1895. recording
the marriage of Nancy, slave of William
Diggess, to Benjamin, a slave of Mr..
Stoddert Additional lots surrounding the
church were purchased in 1886 and 1910
from Mr.. Threlkeld, and some of the
ground used as graveyard, in which a
number of interments were made. The
burying ground has long since been closed,
though just to the rear of the old church,
now used by the Sunday school, there is
one tombstone visible.
Rev. c. de Theux, Belgian, was the
second pastor. and he was succeeded by
Rev. Stephen Dubulsson, who at one time
had been treasurer to Napoleon. Rev.
James F. Lucas, who founded St.iPeter's
Church. in this city, was the next pastor.
Rev. Phil A. Sacchi succeeded him. Father
Sacchi was exiled from Russia onJaccount
OF his religious belief. Then came Revs.
James Curley. P. P. Kroes, and Peter
0'Flannagan. in the order named, Father
O'Flannagan having served eleven years
continuously. o.
The old church proving entirely made
quate. the present large edifce was erect
ed. the cornerstone being laid in 1919.
The dedicatory exercises were held June
Is. 1851. During the civil war the Gov
eminent occupied the building. using it as
a hospital, for which usa the sum of $500
was given, according to the church rec
ords, while an additional $3.50 was allowed
for damages done the property.
Rev. Joseph Ashwanden was the first
pastor of the new church, and since his
time the following officiated as pastors:
Rev. Anthony Ciampi. Rev. Thomas Mui-
ledy, Rev. Joseph Ashwanden, and Rev.
Hippolyte Gasche. 1t was during Father
Gasche's pastorate that the present par
sonage was erected, the priests prior to
this time residing at Georgetown Univer-
sity.
Rev. Charles H. Stonestreet succeeded
Father Gasche, followed by Rev. John B.
De Wolf. Rev. John ]. Murphy, Rev. Faith
er Ciampi. Rev. RobsEt Brady. Rev. Faith
er Murphy. Rev. Stephen Kelly. and Rev.
William j. Seaman. Rev. J. F. X. Null
vaney is the present pastor.