Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-26

priest at st. Peters Church, on Capitol
Hill, is regarded as being the one man more
responsible than anyone else for the found
ing of ST. Teresa's Church. It was to his
hands that there was committed the task
of raising funds for the erection of Cath
Olic church south OF the Eastern branch,
and. assisted by a .number OF scattered
dents of the section and whose devotion to
the faith had been testified for many years
by attendance at the various churches of
the city. he undertook the project. Sub
scriptfons were called for and in short time
the sum of $4,000 was collected. which form
ed the nucleus of the fund with which the
church was constructed.
Mr.. Isaac Beers, a well-known Catholic
of the community, was the contractor.
Father Ryan purchased the several lots of
what has since proved to be choice loca-
tion from Mr.. John kiflman, resident of
Anacostfa at that time, now deceased
Father Ryan was made the first pastor Of
st. Teresa's Church. Subsequently he acted
as pastor Of the Immaculate Conception
Church, this city, dying while serving in
that capacity. His name is indelibly asso-
ciated with st. Teresa's. and his memory
as builder and pastor is reyered today by
the older members of the congregation who
were associated with him in the work of
those times.
Father Ryan served st. reresa's parish
until 1888. Rev. Thomas B. Hughes was
sent from st. Peters Church to the pas
torate of st. Teresas Church in 1888, and
served until 1895. 1t was during Father
Hughes period OF service that the erection
of parochial residence was begun A
closer union was formed at that time. too,
between the chapel church of ST. Ignatius,
near Oxon Hill, Prince Georges county,
Nd. and the church in Anacostia, result
ing in the mission being served from Ana
costa, and which has had the effect of
strengthening into a more compact and
harmonious church organization the mis-
sion OF st ignat a, Father Hughes was
who came from st. Peters Church and re-
manned in charge as pastor until 1901 when
his death occurred. 1t was. under Father
Suiilvans direction that many improve
ments were made to the church, an addi-
ton being added and two additional affairs
being constructed, resulting practfcaJlv In
complete remodeling of the interior of
me ouiiding. new services were provided
fer and the entire life of the church was in
vigorated. Father Sullivan is stiII held in
memory as an energetic pastor
The Present Pastor.
Rev Charles M. Bart. the prasen+ mas
tor, who was appointed to the pastorshin
OF ST. Teresa's following the death of
Father Sullivan, came to the charge from
an assistant at st. Matthews Church. He
had previously served eight years at st,
AIMS In Baltimore, and was at 81 Mot
thew's for seven years.
he found ST Teresas under burden of
debt on account of the recent imnrnva.
ments undertaken, but met the resnonsi-
biiity with characteristic energy and tact.
Means have been found by him to restore
the :. church to a sound financial condition.
while spiritually the field has been well
looked after Missions have been provided
Tor the people and every means taken to
spread the faith. Father Bart is held an
high regard by the members of St Teresa's
as well as by the people of the comm,,nity
at large.
The new altar of the church is the rift os
the late Mrs. Genefa WahIer. a member
Of the parish. whose death took place sud-
denly just before the completion Of the
altar. 1t is of white marble. in the archi-
teeturai style OF the church. Byzantine.
The stone came from Vermont and was Sc
lected for It's beauty of ve,ninc. being
slightly clouded to relieve the glare ana
monotony OF pure white stone. The ex-
treme dimensions are IA feet by feet s
inches. The altar table is eight feet long
composed of one stone, as is the antipen-
dunn which surmounts. This latter counts