Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-03-16
THE CHURCHES OF POHIOK.

TIE CHURCHES OF POHICK.
The church 10 which the first Presi-
dent of the nation ordinarily wor'
shipped before the Revolutionary war
| is known, perhaps, TO but few persons.
For several years prior to the close OF
the last century there we're two
J churches by the name of "Pohick," in
the parish OF Truro, Fairfax county.
Each was named from Pohick run, o
small stream which rises q short dis
tauce back in the country and emptles
into be Potomac river. One OF these
churches as situated on the south side
OF the run. near Gunston Hall, the seat
of the mansion OF the Mason family, and
the other on the north SIDE. They were
some two miles apart, and the run was
about equally distant from each. They
were known, respectively, as the Old
Pohick Church and the New Pohick
Clutch, although the latter was some
times called the Mount Vernon Church.
o. the old church little or nothing is
known prior to about 1772. L. was a
wooden building. and on account OF its
dilspidated condition 1t was abandoned
ss q place OF worship at about
the year mentioned. Washington had
been an attendant of this church
for a long time, and vestryman
of the parish since 1853. Look.
lug through the old church recorcs the
following Uame are also found 10 con-
junction with that of the Father OF
his County," George Mason, Daniel
| McCarty, Alexander Henderson, Ihos.
Elzsy, Thomas Wthers Golfer, Peter
WsggeDer, Thomas Tone, Martin
Cockburn, William Triplett, William
Payne. jr. Jonn Barry, John Gunnell
and Thomas TripIstt. The form OF
worship observed in the church was 10
oo5formity with the doctrines OF the
Church Of England.
Toe rector of the church was Rev.
Lee Massey, who took charge Of the
congregation 10 1865. He was the
fiend aud companion OF W. shington
rom early youth. By the persuasion
OF the latter. Mason, Fairfax and others
ne studied divinity, was ordained 10
London, aud became the rector OF the
church.
Alb ,ut the year 1859 meeting Of the
parishoners was held, at whicn 1t
was decided to erect new
church I'd fee. When the question
Of locality came to be considered
an animated discus ion arose. Mr..
Mason and several others advocated
the old site. They said 1t was the plac.
where their fathers had worsbipped,
and that the graves OF many OF their
friends and kindred were around 1t.
Washington and those who agreed with
him advocated more central and con.
venient location. Tie question was
left unsettled, and another meeting was
"a led for iis decision. Meanwhile
Washington surveyed the neighborhood
and marked the houses and distances
on well-drawn map, and when the
day OF meeting arrived be upset oil the
arguments of his opponents by present
ing this map. and thus carried his point,
with scarcely any opposition. The site
chosen for the new church was in o
handsome grove of sturdy oaks, inter-
spersed with q few pines, The grove
the road leading from Accotink to Fair
fax Court House, and In close proxim.
ity to the postroad leading from Alex.
andria to Frederick sburg. Ga this site
what Is now known as "Old Pohick
Church where Washington worship
ped" was erected in 1772, and Is there
fore 129 years old. 1t is seven miles
from the Mount Vernon mansion.
four miles from Accotink, and
three miles from the Potomac
river.
Washington, with bis own hand,
drew the ground plans and front eleva-
of the new edihce, the plans of the
aisles, the disposition of the pews, the
altar and cbaDcel, aud the location OF
the pulpit. From these plans the
architect supervised the. erection and
completion of the building, which is sc
by 45l feet. The edifice is handsome
sps cimen Of the church architecture Of
that period. 1t is built OF brick which
we're bought from England; has
windows above and below, giving 1t
the appearance of two story building.
The upper tier of windows we're intend.
ed to light the gallery should one ever
be added to the seating capacity OF the
edi6ce. TIE roof is gsmbrel or curb
chapel. The end of the building fronts
the road, and isquite elsborately finish
ed. 1t has two doors, or main entrances.
The pulpit, very small one, YVES
perched upon tall pedestal at one side
of the church, and in shape resembled
an inverted cone. A sounding board
was placed over it, to prevent the
preachers voice from ascending.
The pews were finished With high
straight backs and doors the names
OF the principal owners being
printed on the doors 10 gilt letters.
The interior was warmed by fire
built in large open stone fireplace sit
uated on the left hand side of the pull
nit. This old fireplace was superseded
10 sfter years by large cast iron box
stove.
The new church was simply the sue
cessor of the old one, and on its COM
pletion the congregation, with Mr..
Massey as rector, moved into Ii and
commenced public services. To this
church Washington regularly repaired
for social worship. never permitting
eDythiDg but sickness to prevent his
nubliC observance af the Sahhath Mr.