The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-01

In recent conversation regarding the
tendency OF so many prominent down
town churches In the large American
cities 20 move from their old localities
into the newer and more elegant resi-
Dental sections. there was general APP
prevail, until a dissenter voiced his views,
which were practically these; He thinks
such removals not always wise as they
are made not because hosts of people
sorely in need of the gracious ministry
OF the church do not throng the down.
town streets, but rather owing to the
fact that the wealthy and influential
members have moved and the church
must go with them. This would seem to
indicate that the advantages Of church
service belong to the community best able
or most willing to pay for them, all Of
which may be a good reason for moving
club, but is hardly sufficient grounds
for moving a church II the church IS
for the benefit OF the respectable people
who pay for it. it is proper that It should
follow them. But II it Is a center Of
Christian helpfulness and activity where
Gods business is TO be done, His wander
Ing children reached, and His truth
taught to those who need It most. the
well-to-do should come down town 70 It,,
as they do to their business and amuse-
ments, and thus do much toward making
the people feel that the church belongs to
them also and Is not an institution for
any class.
Among the downtown churches Of
Washington IS Epiphany, hourishing and
picturesque. and a refreshing sight 1t Is
TO see the old church. set in it's little glass
plot, with its thickly-ivied walls right
down amid the hustle and din of bus
mess life. Epiphany parish was organ
lied in 1912. and in 1874 small church
was erected, which has been added 10
from time TO time. until the present large
edihce is the outcome. Rev. DR.. Ran
dolph Hi McKim has been the rector
and progressive director for nineteen
years. In 1880 the church was completely
transformed by the elaborate changes and
decorations made. The Giesy and Fisher
memorial windows were put IN, and a
new roof and vestibule constructed, as
well as a baptistry. with onyx wainscot,
and mural paintings; q great chancel-
one Of the largest in the land-aceommo-
dating the whole house Of bishops at the
general convention IN 1895, and the pulpit
and magnificent chancel window, besides
many other improvements In 1897 the
old tower, which had been rendered I'M
safe by a great wiRdstOTm, was pulled
down and rebuilt, and on Trinity Sunday.
1892. the carved stone reTedos. with its
alto-reliee OF THE Last Supper" after
Partridge's original design, was unveiled.
II IS OF rare beauty, and one of the most
exquisite pieces OF workmanship con-
tanned in any Washington church. The
fine taste elsewhere shown In the devel-
opment Of the present impressive inte-
rior IS largely due TO DIT. McKim's care
full oversight. During the past summer
the parish hall has been remodeled and
enlarged 70 give more room 10 the Sun
day school, library, and various societies
of the church.
As a means Of keeping Epiphany
Church where it stands in the years 20
come, DR.. McKim saw the need of an
fund. This was started IN
lS9S. when $1,000 was raised. It has
grown to over $500. and the rector in
sistently claims that It ought soon 10
reach Sl0oo00. The number Of commu-
nicants is 1,227. and recent inquiry
showed that only forty-nine of these
live within the parish limits. In his
foreword 70 an attractive year book he
issued. Dr. McKim says: -
As downtown church Epiphany has
a peculiar responsibility and also must
face peculiar difficulties It ministers to
a large floating population, especially to
strangers. Il is the Convention Church.
the church where all our large church
organizations are wont TO assemble
as the General Convention, the Brother
hood Of ST. Andrew, the Sunday School
Institute. the Missionary Councils and
Conventions, and where the Churchman'S
League Lectures are generally given. and
where the Lenten Service under the aus
pices OF the brotherhood. are held 1t is
par excellence the church OF the people
at the National Capital" Out of Epiph-
any's seven rectors two have been made
bishops, Rev. DR.. Thomas Alfred Star
hC9. WIZ SetNeu lIOlH 1908 10 1917, ana
William Paret from 1876 to 1855. The
present rector is the president Of the
house Of clerical and lay deputies of the
general convention.
Soon after DIT. McKim came TO the
church he saw their need of a chapel in
the Southwest, for Epiphany parish ex-
tends southwark to the river between
Eleventh and Fifteenth streets, and in
1892 Epiphany Chapel. at the corner of
Twelfth and c streets southwest. was
erected. and does much effective work In
that locality. It numbers SIS communi-
cants, a mems club, and many societies.
Rev. @. Freeland Peter. who has been
It's able and devoted vicar for the past
ten months, last Sunday preached his final !
sermon, to the great regret of hts congre- |
cation. Upon his return from his vaca- |
ion the 1St Of October he goes to Epiph- |
my to assist DR.. McKim. Rev. Mr. |
dcGhee will fill the pulpit at the chapel |
-or the next two weeks.
Hiss Marie Hartford. Mrs. NJ NJ. Nor