The Washington herald., 1906-12-03

ara Medue, rector OF BODlCk CnulCu.
With the exception of the walls. COM
structed Of old English brick 1S3 years
ago. there remains but few Of the origi-
nal parts Of the church building. During
the war Of 1872 the building was Invaded
by troops, and the fixtures were carried
away In 1862 soldiers camped in the
edifice and literally pulled il 20 pieces.
For years afterward it was used as
stable
Takes Six Years 10 Rebuild.
Six years ago a movement was started
by the Daughters of the American Revo-
luton to raise a fund for rebuilding the
interior of the old place. Money was sub
scribed. everything excepting the original
walls reconstructed. and the inside re-
htted with pews and furniture copied as
nearly as possible from the designs Of
colonial days After years OF work the
task was accomplished, and yesterday q
large assemblage paid their respects TO
those who have left names that viii live
forever.
The old-fashioned square pews like
those the Washingtons, the Masons. the
Fairfaxes, and other prominent families
rented more than century ago, have
been rebuilt. occupying their original Po-
sitiOns. The chancel has been restored.
and the balustrade around IT, as in the
old days. In the east end OF the church
and directly over the chancel colonial
window. the only one in the building,
has been provided to carry out the ef-
feet.
A great-great-niece of George Washing
distinguished ancestor had purchased
shortly after the completion of the Po-
hick Church in 1913. She is Mrs Eleanor
Washington Howard, OF the Mount Yer
non Chapter of the D. A R., who origi-
mated the plan of restoration.
Beside her and in another OF Washing
tons pews sat a delegation from the or
ganization that accomplished the work.
Patriotism alone did not conceive the idea
Of preserving the old church. as many Of
their ancestors and relatives had attend
ed services there during the Revolution
airy war
Many Great Families Represented.
Miss Gertrude Moore occupied a pew
that she had installed in memory of her
grandfather. Bishop Moore of Virginia.
With her sat other members Of the fam
ily
Occupying the pew of William Triplett
were Mrs. George Triplett and several
other descendants and their friends. Paul
Kester, the playwright. who had pro-
vided one section OF pews. was among
those present and took an active part IN
the ceremonies
Just behind one of George Washing
tons old pews were descendants of
George William Fairfax. who had re
stored the seats. Descendants Of the Ag-
news family were present and sat where
their forefathers did other pews have
been restored by Mrs. ". z. Clark. Mrs.
CoTbin Thompson, Miss Adelaine Alexan-
der Miss Elizabeth NJ. Shape, and 9th
ers. most Of whom either attended or
were represented by relatives.
While descendants of Virginia's aris-
tocracy bowed their heads. Mr. Meade
pronounced the solemn and impressive
ritual of the Episcopal Church. DR..
Wallis stood within the old chancel by
the side of a reproduction of the ancient
communion table of a hundred years ago.
In the rear of the building was the orig
inal font Of the original church that had
been taken away a few years after its
opening and was restored several years
ago, after almost a century.
History of the Parish.
Dr. Wallis outlined the history of the
parish, which was founded in 1872. Rev.
Charles Green and Rev. Lee Massey, one
OF WashingtOn's companions. were the
rectors at the time Washington and Col.
George Mason attended regular meetings
and We're instrumental in its building.
He recalled incidents of those who had
occupied the first pews. Bishop Meade, /
who was the grandfather Of the present /
rector, visited the church in 1897.
The Daughters of the Revolution and
other patriotic societies and descendants
of the old pew-holders, and their friends, /
we~e ccmplimented for their work.
The old church is on an eminence north |
of POhick Creek. surrounded by ancient /
oaks interspersed with chestnut and pine /
trees, and stands as a monument to the /
Father Of his country and his associates /
Mount Vernon, George Washington's old /
home, is six miles away. The land be- /
tween IS covered by a dense forest
The original Pohick Church was es- /
tabished in 1872, two miles south Of the /
present site It was a frame building /
and after many years collapsed. Wash /
ington drew the plans for the new build /
ing and obtained the site now occupied I
For twenty years he was one of the 4
vestrymen. Years later Washington be- 1
gan attending Christ Church, at Alexan- /
dria, and the attendance at Pohick fell /
away from that time until eventually the 4
church was deserted.
Falls Into Disuse.
From time to time services were held 1
there by the different denominations,
whenever the opportunity presented itself. |
one of those who oficiated at PohIck /
after regular services had ceased was the /
eccentric Mason L. Weems. the earliest .
biographer of George Washington.
About thirty years ago, after the walls f.
had been bare since the civil war. the
building was partly restored, and in 1881 4
Dr.. Wallis became the regular rector.
He remained fourteen years. when ne nc
cepted his present position at the semi
nary. He was succeeded by Rev. II. P.
who remained two years Rev.
kloman is now living in Portland, Ne.
In 1887 Rev. Meade took charge as pastor
With the restoration Of tho old church
another attraction is adde0 to the list of