Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-16
WILL RENEW EFFORTS
Bishop Satterlee Planning to
Lift Cathedral Debt.
GREAT PROGRESS MADE
$4,000 STILL REMAINS TO BE
PAID ON LAND.
Trustees Will Aid in Work Of Raising
Funds This Winter-Magni-
tude of Project.
GREAT PROGRESS MADE

When Bishop Henry Y Sasterlee. bishop
| Of Washington, returns to this city about
| the 1st of November, he and the trustees of
the National Protestant Episcopal Cathe-
l dral will renew their efforts to lift the debt
from the Cathedral Close in order that ev-
| cry effort may be directed toward the plans
| for the future structure. The cathedral
has long been the great care of Bishop
| Satterlee, who is known both in this coun-
try and in England where he was this
summer. for hts untiring efforts in its be-
half. He has seen the plan develop from
a mere suggestion to a definite stage of
| accomplishment and 1t is ever first in his
mind.
The idea OF Protestant Episcopal Ca
| thedral at Washington, the capital of the
nation, dates back to the earlier part of
the nineteenth century. and the hallowed
| traditions connected with the present ca
thedral site In coming centuries. will doubt
less be as beautiful those connected with
many Qf the European cathedrals and prob
ably far more authentic.
Most Washingtonians know where the Ca
| thedral Close is located, on Massachusetts
| avenue extended. near Wisconsin avenue,
a magnificent site, with the whole city
at its feet, and the Potomac river in the
| distance. The property consists of forty
acres, surrounded on all sides by streets.
| One line Of cars, the Tenleytown line,
passes in front of the Close, and the
Chevy Chase line Is but short distance
| away.
A part of this beautiful site was pur-
chased in 1898. and the rest has been added
| from time to time, the whole costing $751;
| 427, and Of this amount there now re-
mains unpaid but S5S000. The selection of
! ,l, CT
very advantageous one. When Bishop Sat
| terlee was elected the first bishop Of
| Washington, the site which had been Sc
lected was not very desrably located. The
| bishop and board of trustees after mature
consideration gave up the land and begun
| to raise funds for the purchase of the
property now owned, and their efforts have
| been crowned with great success, for in
| 1898 the cathedral did not have a dollar.
Property Worth 1891 900.
At this time the land and buildings
thereon, together with the endowments,
amount to ss91,Ooo. and the only indebted
ness is. as above stated.-S5S, 900.
Recently Bishop Satterlee has sent forth a
| letter to the church people of the country
| regarding the founders certificates. When
| the property was first purchased this GER
| tificate plan was suggested in order that
| persons who were not able to, contribute
| large amounts, and yet desired to have a
| sum from 81 UP. Every contribution Of a
dollar gives five square feet Of land. The
names of these contributors will be in
| scribed in the Book of Remembrance +"
which book will be kept in the 'Hilda
Stone" which is from Whitby Abbey Eng
land. and this stone is now to be seen in
| the little sanctuary.
| This record has already become one of
| great interest. Names are there of many
who have labored in the service of religion
and country. or attained distinction in the
learned professions, in literature. in the
army and the navy and In other walks of
| life. Frequently in the list comes the touch
ing note that the name Is one Of departed
| friend or relative. whom the donor has de-
sired to have associated for all coming time
| with the Cathedral of Washington. Still
| more often appear the names of the chill
dren of family. sent in by those who real
| lie what this record may mean to their off,
| spring by and by.
| Offerings Large and Small.
If few Of these donors of the cathedral
land have contributed their thousands the
| offerings of the vast majority have been in
| small amounts ranging from one to five dol
| lars. The Book of Remembrance" records
all these gifts without note or comment or
| respect of persons, only emphasizing these
two noteworthy facts: First. that every
| dollar thus given has donated and conse-
! Grated five square feet of land "as God 5
| heritage;" and, secondly, that all. whether
| old or young, who have given this beautiful
| Cathedral Park, whereon the great struc-
| ture Will stand, with it's cloisters, Its
| "Quads' and it's collegiate group of build
| fngs for educational. missionary and other
| benef1ceEt work. will thereby become and
| be recognized by posterity as the founders
| of the Cathedral Of WASHINGTON
| The members of the Protestant Episcopal
Church of Washington have always been
interested in the cathedral project and
| have manifested this by their munifcent
gifts, but. 1T is urged. the idea should not
| only interest them, but all church people of
| the country, for 1t is not to be cathedral
| alone, but will stand as a witness of the
| whole denomination in the United States.
The question has often been asked: When
| will the cathedral itself be erected? Not
| until the debt on the land Is paid. While
there Is no building. still great deal of
church work is being accomplished. AL
| ready many missions have been started in
| different parts Of the city, under the direct
| supervision of the bishop of the diocese.
| Then in summer the open-air services are
| held around the peace cross; these services
attract thousands of people each year, so
| that already congregation Is assured,
though there is no building to worship in.
Location Good.
Another question which is frequently ask
| ed is: Why is the cathedral to be built so
far out of the city2 1t would seem at this
time that the present location is too far
| away from the center of the city, but when
one takes into consideration that 1t will
| probably be fifty years. may be more, be-
fore this immense structure with its auxtl-
larry institutions is fully completed they
| will realize that the city will then be all
| around. the grounds for 1t Is now steadily
| growing in that direction.
| The Choir School for Boys, money for
| which was given by Mrs. Harriet Lane
Johnston. Is now in course Of erection, and
| will, 1t Is hoped. be completed and ready for
occupancy in September, 1906. Here boys
will be trained to sing and educated In other
| ways also. BY this muntficent gift of a
/ former Washingtonian the cathedral will
have both school for boys and girls. Later
| on other institutions will be established.
making this cathedral foundation one OF
the greatest II not the greatest undertake
ing of the Episcopal Church in this coun-
try, and one to which all the adherents Of