The Washington herald., 1908-05-24

The Church OF st. Francis de Sales. al
Langdon. d, c.. viii be solemnly dedi-
Gated next Sunday. May 81, at O'Clock
in the afternoon. and thus viii be re-
established what is practically the oldest
parish in the District Of Columbia.
This church occupies the site of the
historic Queens Chapel" where wor-
SHIPPED some Of the most distinguished
families of the colonial days OF Mary
land. and whose descendants are now
among the prominent residents Of Wash
ington, Baltimore and other Southern
cities. The rebuilding of the church on
the site Of the old Queens Chapel is OF
special interest to Catholics all over the
country. as the chapel dates back 70 the
time when public practice of the Catholic
faith was forbidden.
The first structure was erected in the
days OF the penal laws, and its history Is
crowded with the errors and exaggera-
tons OF that period. 1t is probable that
this building was in the form Of an ad-
dition to the Queen mansion then located
where the Lutheran Home now stands.
about 200 yards southwest OF the present
church. In those days gentlemen were
permitted to have chapels attached 70
their residences.
History Based on Tradition.
Tradition has been the chief source Of
Information as 70 the history Of the old
Queens Chapel. 1t was at first attended
by the Jesuits from Bohemia and ST.
Marys. These missionaries. jealous and
~ f.t
no records because Of the danger of in
turing their own people, hence nothing
concerning their work and travels was
put down in writing. Even the names of
those who, at the risk of fines and i'm
prisonment and even death, minlstered to
their Catholic brethren have been lost
Among the courageous priests OF that
period were Father John Lewis, Father
James Broadnau. and Father James
Ashby.
The site OF the chapel formed part OF
the grant of land known as "Braddock
Hills, issued I'm the year 1855 Braddock
Hills was later divided into the sections
called Barbados. Seamens Delight. and
the Enclosure. The latter was the name
Of the Queen holdings. acquired by Rich
ard Queen in the year l721 1t was also
called Queensborough. after its owner
In the year l122. Mr.. Richard Queen erect
ed the mansion already spoken OF. TO
which was attached a building intended
for divine worship. Later on Mr Queen
erected a building about two hundred
yards northeast Of his home, which had
the appearance Of n dwelling. but which
in reality was intended for religious wor-
ship.
Noted Names in Congregation.
Here the Catholics Of this section prac-
ticed their religion for many years.
Among the attendants other than the
Queens. were the Carroll Plant. Dobbins.
Fenwick. Diggs, and other families. The
oolored race. mostly slaves. were largely
in evidence This building was DESTROYED
by fire during the Revolutionary period.
and was rebuilt by Mr.. Queen in the
regular ecclesiastical style Of architec-
ture, about the year 1850.
The first documentary mention of the
Queen Chapel is found in the will OF the
second Richard Queen, executed in 1888
and admitted TO probate al Marlboro
Prince George County. Md. in 1874
Among the records at the Jesuit House
Of Studies. Woodstock. Md. has been
found letter from Bishop Carroll TO
Father John Grossi. provincial OF the
Jesuits, dated 1896. stating that the
fathers from Trinity Church, George
town. and from Georgetown College, shall
continue 20 attend the mission chapel ST
Mary's. known as Queens Chapel
From this time on the chapel is fire.
quently mentioned in the Jesuit annals.
among those who ministered 10 the needs
OF It's parishioners were Fathers Plunkett
and GOring. of Georgetown and Father
A Caffray and Father William Mat
thews, Of ST. Patricks Washington.
Burned by the British.
In 1914 the chapel was again DESTROYED
by fire, the British soldiers putting the
torch to the building. II was rebuilt soon
after. In 1852 the house OF Charles I
Queen, then head of the family. was
burned. and the chapel sheltered his
household until a new dwelling was
erected. Part OF this was reserved for
church purposes. During the week 4
school was conducted in the chapel. and
many Of the residents OF that section
started on the road TO knowledge within
its walls. OF the tombstones 10 be found
in the graveyard, the oldest bears the
name Of Anna Carroll. who died in the
year 1905. She was the daughter Of Rob-
eTt Brent. nTst mayor OF Washington
and a sster-in-law OF Charles Carroll OF
Carrollton, the signer Of the Declaration
OF Independence.
Little is known of the history of the
chapel from 1885 10 1853. but in that year.
according 10 the testimony OF persons
who are still living, It was thoroughly
renovated and rcmodeled. Father Pallu-
bar. of the Jesuit Order, was then in
charge Of the church The choir was
composed of Miss Cecilia p. Fenwick.
Miss ROsalie Fenwick, Miss A Hickey,
Miss Emily Brooks, Miss Mary Fenwick.
and Miss Elisa Fenwick Messrs Edward
and Felix Queen and John Mattingly.
The following were the altar boys Ig-
natius and Charles Fenwick Henry
Brooks. Richard and Albert Burr. John
+. and Edmond p. Hickey
Again Destroyed by Fire.
in 1852 the Garibaldi Guards, of New
York. under Col Du Estasey. while en-
camped on the neighboring property of
Col Hickey. set fire to the chapel.
Ncighbors and servants fiocked to the
place and attempted to extinguish the
flames, but were driven of by the SOL
diers, who threatened to shoot any one
who came near. Everything combusti-
BILE In sight was heaped upon the fire
by the incendiaries. After this. its
third destruction, the site of the chapel
remained vacant, the foundation stones
being still in place. however when
the present structure was begun In No
vember, 1906
This edihce which will be dedicated
next Sunday. was partly erected when
Father Mark. the present pastor took
charge Rev DR.. Edward A. Pace. of
the Catholic University will preach the
dedlcatory sermon. Right Rev. Bishop
Z A.L-a......u ID 49,.