Arizona republican., 1902-11-20
The Presidents Church


 ihe cornerstone for a small and unas-
 suming house of worship that was
 destined to have a history entirely
 unique among the, churches of Amer | iCa. The spot chosen was close by
 what was then a mere muddy wagon
 road a few hundred feet north oi the | home of the nations chief executive.
 The church was St. Johns, says the Washington Times. There has been little change in the structure itself since it was erected. It has been slightly enlarged by extending it a few feet further west. But the general ap- | pearance of the place is just the same as when Andrew Jackson occupied a pew there in the days when he was merely General Jackson"
 It has been said that the history of St. Johns is unique among the churches of the country. In America there is no official union of church and state. But at St. Johns individual in- stances of the union of religion and statecrait have been presented time and again-in fact, .almost continually in the persons of the chief magistrates. The cornerstone was laid February 16. 1916. The spot chosen was that on which the church stands today at Six teerth and H streets on Lafayette square just opposite the White House. The building may be described in the words of an old history of the District published in 1880. by Jonathan Elliott: Tt was built of brick, covered with rough stuccO, in the form of a Grecian cross; but being soon found too small for it's congregation, in 1920 it was en- larged by lengthening its western arm to the form of a Latin cross, when an advanced portico ot six columns and lofty steeple were added. The in- side is formed of q nave and transepts, arched with galleries supported by small Doric columns. Four massive piers, at the intersection of the tran septs, support foundation. from which a hemispherical dome rises in the cen ter; the whole is finished in style of simplicity which gives a remarkably imposing air to SO small a building. Tn 1921 the steeple was erected and a bell of nearly a thousand weight placed in it." This description answers very well for the present time, for only minor changes have been made in the exterior. It seems impossible to en- large it. as the vestry parted with the adjoining land many years ago, and it looks as though it could not be re- gained, according to a member of the parish, who is well versed in the affairs thereof.
 The title "The Presidents Church was derived in the following manner: Tn 1916, before the church was con- secrated or any pews sold. a commit tee from the vestry was instructed to make the offer of pew to President
 
 occupied pew No. 2S even more ire quently than his pew in Christ church. Since his time the custom of reserving a pew has been continued and num- Der of the presidents have regularly worshipped there. In illustration of this may be seen inscriptions on two modest looking windows in the north gallery, which might easily be over looked by most visitors. One reads Erected by the vestry in memory of James Madison. fourth president; James Monroe. fifth president, and Martin Van BUren, eighth president, who worshipped in this church while in office" The other window is very sim liar: Erected by the vestry in mem ory of William Henry Harrison, ninth president; John Tyler. tenth president, and Zachary Taylor, twelfth president. who worshipped in this church while in office"
 In addition to the presidents whose names are commemorated in these two windows, there were, among others who occasionally attended. John Quincy Adams, General Jackson. Fill more. Pierce. Buchanan, Johnson and Arthur.
 President Arthur presented a window in memory of his wife, and in the sill immediately below it is a brass tablet which the vestry placed there as a memorial to the president himself.
 Besides the windows already named there are several more which repre- sent some interesting history. One in the south gallery, the gift of Hamilton Fish, is in memory of Lieutenant Gen eral Winfield Scott. a member of the vestry for many years.
 St. Johns parish, being, in all prob ability, the wealthiest in the city, is naturally able to render the diocese and the church very great assistance, sev- eral undertakings of an institutional character are under it's supervision. Chief among these is St. Mary's chapel for colored people. which is on Twenty third street. between G and II streets,
  oscar l.. Mitchell. This chapel has a cOmmunicant list of more than 250. thorough organization of guilds and societies, a kindergarten, and an in- dustrial school. There is an orphanage connected with the church.
 An extract from the "reminiscences of a clergyman, now in his S7th year, is of interest as throwing a striking ray of light on the history of St. Johns
 The last time I ever saw Mir Sew ard was at holy communion at St Johns church, where, with Chase ard Blaine, and Wells, and Dennison, and (sometimes) Stanton, he worshipped. and where, also. l have seen the forms of General Scott with Meade and Hun ter and Halleck and Meigs and Ar thur and Barnard and Totten, and oth- CTS eminent. kneeling in prayer to the God of battle. General Mcclellan. At torney General Bates, and General Casey, and others eminent, were com municants in the church where SO many of the presidents worshipped. Before the war General Lee also ire qucntly vorshiDped at St. Johns