The Washington herald., 1909-07-18
CHURCHES OF PRESIDENTS
Some Interesting History of the Washington Houses
of Worship Attended by Chief Magistrates

seen ar this church, and after Lincoln-s s
death President Andrew johnson occa-
sionally attended there.
Situated directly opposite the Execu-
tive Mansion. acrcss Lafayette square is
ST Johns Episcopal Church. erected IN
1916, during Madlson's administration.
President Madison attended this church
rntn lslI. when he retired TO his estate in
Virginia After his death in 1886 Mrs
Madison returned to Washington and was
baptized in st. Johns
One page Of the church record in 1870
contains an entry showing the connec-
ton Of President MOnroes family with
St. Johns. This is a record OF the mar
riage Of samuel L. Governor and Maria
r. Monroe. youngest daughter of the
President. at the White House.
Took n Front Pew.
While John Quincy Adams was Presi-
dent. he occupied one OF the four large
pews which had been taken by Henry
Clay. Later he moved to a pew directly
in front of the pulpit. where his vener-
able and well-dressed figure made him
distinguished object It is asserted
that when the sermon began he appear
ed to doze. He required his granddaugh-
ter. a girl OF fifteen. who always accom-
panied him. TO give him. on Monday
morning. summary Of the previous
afternoons discourse.
president Jackson was a familiar figure
IN the congregation or ST. Johns after
tne Peggy O'Neal episode in the New
York Avenue Church.
Van Buren occupied one Of St. Johns
pews while he was Vice President and
during mis- Presidency. President VIII
IAN Henry Harrison. IN the single month
ne was President, occupied d pew in St
Johns.
Vice President Tyler becoming PresI-
dent. worshiped at this church. Presi-
dent Taylor. who only survived his in
! augural sixteen months. was a member
OF St Johns congregation. and his
funeral sermon was delivered there. Vice
President Fillmore who succeeded Tay-
Tor. was q regular attendant al the
church. President Buchanan also wor-
SHIPPED az 81. Johns. President Arthur
was seldom absent from morning serv-
/ ices at this church, and a handsome
/ stained glass window there he erected 70
| the memory Of his wife Mrs. Taft occu-
/ pies pew in St. Johns
/ President Hayes attended the Foundry
I Methodist Church when Il OCCUPIED its
original site at Fourteenth and G streets
| northwest
President Garfield attended a small
church. now the site Of the splendid
/ house OF worship known as the Vermont
I Avenue Christian Church, in which de-
nomination he had been a preacher. The
I present pastor, Rev. Dr. T. D. Power.
was in charge at the time of Garfield's s
/ administration. On the north side Of the
/ frame church was vacant lot The as
Sassin Guiteau, in his confession, told
\ how he had gone into this lot with the
/ intention OF shooting President Garfield
as he sat In his place in the church Gui-
teau was deferred by the consideration
that there were several persons who
would be in direct line Of bullet.
Pew Is Preserved.
Garhelds pew Is preserved in the new
church It is small and old-fashloned.
and bears a plate with the dates Of his
birth and death engraved thereon. A
large picture Of President Garfield hangs
| in the study OF the new church. also
a smaller one of the interior Of the old
church, showing the position Of the Pres
ident's family pew.
/ When Benjamin Harrison went to the
/ White House the completion OF the
/ Church Of the Covenant was rushed that
] Il might be ready for the President
| President Harrison was Unfaillng in his