Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-10
RELIC OF L'ENFANT
GaveI From Tree That Grew
Above His Grave.
DESIGN FOR MONUMENT
Exhibited at Meeting Of Columbia
Historical Society.
THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
Story Of It's Founding Nearly a
Hundred Years. Ago Told by
Mrs. Scudder.
THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH

Mai. L'Enfant and the history Of the
Unitarian Church in Washington were
subjects discussed at the first fall meet
ing Of the Columbia Historical Society
last evening at the Shoreham Hotel. A
large proportion of the membership was
present Following the addresses gem
eral discussion was in order.
DIR. Morgan. a lineal descendant OF
David Dudley Digges, who owned the
farm where the body of Mai. LEnfant
was buried. and whence it was recent
ly removed to Arlington cemetery. pre-
scented the association with a gavel
made from the root of cedar tree
which stood at the head of the grave.
At the time of the removal of LEN
fants body the tree had to be care
fully taken from the ground also be-
cavated.
The gavel is highly polished, and on
II are inscribed the name of L. Enfant and
the date of his birth and death. IL
was accepted on behalf of the society
by Justice Job Barnard with appro-
pirate remarks.
Design for Monument.
Following the presentation of the
gavel, Glenn Brown, member OF the
American Institute of Architects, ana
one of the members of the commission
of three recently provided by an act or
Congress to select a suitable monument
for the LEnfant grave at Arlington, ex-
hibited design OF the monument. IL
shows a marble slab resting on TOUR
pedestals, with a chiseled reproductlOn
Of L'Enfant's plans of the city or wash
ington on the upper surface On tne
sides of the slab are inscriptions giving
the dates of l. Enfants birth and ueatn
and a synopsis Of his services 10 rne
National Capital and to America. Inc
memorial, it is estimated. will cost
about $1,000, the amount appropriated
by Congress. The other members OF
the commission, I'm addition 10 MI:
the American Institute Of Architects,
and Commissioner Mcfarland
DIR Morgan presented to the society TWO
scrap books containing records OF en0Ils
fant removed to the National cemetery,
in which the society took prominent
part A. 1,,tor;an
Church in Washington was read oy MIS- .t.
Jennie w. Scudder. She told OF the
growth of the religious movement In TINS
locality in the early part of the past CEN
fury. which ended in the foundlhg OF tne
First Unitarian Church in $50 ana uhe
subsequent erection of the church oullo-
ing at 9Th and d streets. Among the hrst
communicates of the church were Jonn
Quincy Adams and John e Cainouh, potn
members of President Monroes caoinet
at that time. The first pastor OF lhe
church was Rev. Robert Little. a dis
tinguished religious teacher Of his day.
A Wartime Hospital.
During the civil war the church at 9th
and d streets was donated by the con-
gregation to the government for use as
a hospital. and at different times serv-
ices were held in the Capitol with the per-
mission of the executive officers of the
government. In 1877 the old church was
deserted and the present Unitarian
church under the name OF All Souls
Church was erected at 14th and l. streets.
Mrs. Scudder in mentioning those asso-
ciated with the church referred 10 the
names of Willard Fillmore and William
Elliott. President Fillmore was an active
member Of the congregation during his
residence in Washington and Mr.. Elliott,
some of whose descendants are still COM
municants of the church here. took an &C
tive part I'm its organization. Many men
prominent In the nations affairs during
their lifetime were either members OF
the church or closely associated with 1t.
Rev. Dr. L. @. b. Pierce, chaplain or
the Senate and present pastor of All
Souls Church. was present and listened
attentively to the sketch. President Taft
is a member of DR.. Pierces congregation.
Copy Of First Hymn Book.
After Mrs. Scudder concluded her sketch
a copy OF one Of the first hymn books
used in the Unitarian Church here. SER
mon by Rev. Robert Little delivered dur
ing the year 1921 and two engravings OF
the old church were exhibited.
Those who took part I'm the discussions
were Glenn Brown, Judge Bundy, MIR.
Weller, Mrs. Ballinger and others.
II was announced that paper on 1.-The
Potomac Company" by Mrs. Cora Brown
Foster, and one entitled "Reminiscences"
by Simon Wolf. would be read at the
December and January meetings respect
fvoly