The Washington times., 1902-01-12
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cey Cotton. the Rev. E Y Higbee, and
the Rev. John owen.
At that time, Francis S. Key was senior
warden Of the parish. and represented 1,
in the diocesan convention. He was au-
thorized to request the Bishop-elect OF
Maryland the Rev. Dr. Goor. to make
Washington his home, and Trinity, his
I church IN case OF his acceptance. This
wCuld have anticipated history by q con-
siderable period, but DR.. Goor declined
the c1er.
In lS4o. the Rev. H. stringfellow be-
came rector Of the church. During his
I rectorship of seven years a number OF
| changes were made in the building on
/ Fifth Street. These. however, rather
! served to call attention TO the need for
| still greater Improvements than TO salts
| fy the people
Plans for New Church Fail.
When the Rev. c. NJ. Butler became
rector, in 1S47. he desired to have the
| church commensurate with the dignity OF
the city. and his plan was TO interest
| churchmen abroad in the undertaking.
This seemed particularly appropriate in
view of the number OF visitors and the
| floating population always characteristic
of the seat OF government.
4 circular letter was accordingly sent
out commencing the idea in an able man
ner. The response was unfavoTa ole. Thus
: the congregation put aside temporarily
: their plan CT having a new church
Ii is interesting to see how long ago
were first suggested the ideas oil having
+ Washington see city. There was plan
for church at the Capital OF the nation
, which would be witness to the devotion ol
! churehmen all over this land.
! Money Raised for New Edificc.
Trinity Church is not alone in having
/ accomplished what followed reXt. Hav-
| ing failed to secure large contributions
/ from outside aid the congregation set
| about with great enthusiasm to see whai
a united home effort could do. By 1s4.
| they had raised $4,000, and decided that
| The church should occupy the same site as
! the old one. At the last moment, how
ever, the philanthropisr Mr.. ". ". Cor
,orar offered to loan the money neces-
sary TO acquire a new location. and III
! lot on which the church now stands was
| secured.
! By this time the plans were already
I drawn. which were more appropriate io-
a church in a mid-square position. AL
/
! corner lot. the plans seem not to nave
been altered except as an occasional PROB
! lem suggested itself in the course OF con
4 struction That accounts for the archi-
toctu-al appearance as it substantially /:
today. The old church building was solo
! 20 the trustees OF the First Congregation
! ii Church.
| The years that followed we're in ever!
vav successful. DR.. Butler so much en-
! deared himself to everyone that, after
| ,,e had resigned as rector in 1885,. ne
again accepted the position in 1853. The
| interval witnessed the rectorship OF th'
| Rev. George D. C'mmins. later the Bishop
/ Of Kentucky, and known especially fer HI:
connection with the Reformed Episeopa
Church.
The First Assistant Rector.
In July, 1859, the parish had for th'
first time an assistant rector, the Rev
Joseph Ernest. The church was then il
a vigorous condition. and had under it
care a mission chapel.
At the time of the civil war not onl
was the church unable to .'Ipport a mis-
sion. but it's resources were severel
taxed in providing for its own services
The Rev. Dr.. Butler resigned and tn