The Washington herald., 1910-02-15
ST. MATTHEW'S GOES
Old Church at Fifteenth and
H Being Demolished.
MAKES ROOM FOR SKYSCRAPER
Was Established in 1S42 and Has
Been n Familiar Landmark Since
that Time-WashlngtOn Heights
Property Sold for Investment-NeN
Site for Episcopal Home.

Old St. Matthews Church, which has
been familiar landmark on the north
east corner Of Fifteenth and II streets
since 1856. will soon be but a memory.
The hands OF the contractor were laid
upon the old structure yesterday, and
the work Of demolishing the three build
ings which occupy the lot was begun.
Upon the church proper nothing was
one except to remove some Of the wood
.gork OF the interior, but considerable
progress was made upon the two smaller
buildings. one at the rear and the other
on the east side of the church.
After demolishing the old church, the
Southern Building Corporation win erect
upon the site the Southern Building,
which will be a large Office structure,
plans for which were prepared by Charles
H Burnham. OF Chicago. the plans Of a
local architect with a large tower In
the center having been abandoned.
Established in 1912.
Old ST. Matthews Church was estab-
Iished in 1s1 and 1912, and the building
was consecrated May Is, 1872. The first
HdNAti VI AAlC laA AoAt NeLS NV @pA4Aa 4
Donelan, who was chiefly instrumental
in organizing the parish and erecting the
church. which at the time was regarded
as one of the finest Catholic churches in
Washington. Succeeding pastors were
Rev John B. Byrne. Rev. James B. Done
Ian, Rev Charles White. Rev. Francis
2 vie, Rev P. L Chapelle, and Rev.
Tlomas L. Lee.
In 1886 an addition to the church was
erected. and the structure was dedicated
in September Of that year by solemn high
mass. Rev. E. Lyman. of Baltimore, be
ing the celebrant, and Mrs. c. Young. OF
Baltimore, the soloist
The old church was given up as a regu-
lar place OF worship about fifteen years
ago, the new St Matthews having been
erected near Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut avenues. The building has stood
empty and deserted for a decade, and
was sold last year to the Southern Com
merciaI Congress, to be used as its head
quarters in this city.
Since that time the Southern Building
Corporation has been formed, chiefly OF
local men. who will construct the build
ing, the Southern Commercial Congress
having freed itself entirely from the en-
terprise
Washington Heights House Sold.
Willige. Gibbs & Daniel have sold, foi
Andrew c. shannon. premises 1881
street northwest. The property is one Of
the three new residences on the north
side of Z street formerly Vernon ave
nue. northwest, just east of the Chiness
Legation.
The house occupies a position facing
south, commanding a panoramic view o.
the city. 1t is constructed Of buff Roman
brick, with Indiana limestone trimmings
and its exterior is enhanced by cOlonia
porches and cornices sUrmounted by REQ
mansard tiled roofs The house has ter
rooms, two tiled baths, and is heated by
hot water.
The lot is approximately twenty fee
front by a depth averaging 115 feet.
The interior is furnished with combina-
tiOn gas and electric fixtures, handmade
mantels, and French bevel plate mirrors
It is understood that approximately $3.50
was paid for the property. which was pur,
chased as an investment.
The three houses in question were con
structed by the Capital Building Cor
poration, and are typical of high-clas.
residential architecture IN the northwest
ern section of the city.
New Site for Episcopal Home.
A new home for children. TO be main
tained by the Protestant Episcopa
| churches Of the Diocese Of Washington
will be erected soon in Anacostia
A fiye-acre tract OF ground has beer
purchased as the site. and plans are be
/ ing prepared for the buildings. The in
stitution will be an extension of tht
Bell Home for Children. in Anacostia
which has been supported by the Epis
copal parishes OF the diocese for severa
years.
The proposed enlargement OF the HON,
! is the result Of the interest shown in tn,
movement by a wealthy New York WON
an. who, In memory Of her mother, ha!
placed at the disposal of the manager.
Of the home the sum of, approximate
/ ly, $4,000 with which 10 commence tht
construction Of the new buildings. A
the same time she enabled those who ar,
| managing the home to secure the new
site through an outlay of $500
The new site, located on AnacostIa
Heights, was the home of Prof. Clar,
Messer, the Washington artist tn,
ground overlOoks the Eastern Branch