Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-21
which had been served by the chapel OF
the Holy Cross.
New Parish Formed.

New Parish Formed.
At meeting held June II. attended by
eighteen persons, the new parish was
formed, the name of Calvary parish being
adopted. The vestry was chosen at this
meeting and Rev. J. J. Aspinwall was
called to be the church's first rector. By
January a. 1892, brick chapel, costing
$4,000. had been built and on that date
the first services were held in it.
Plans for the present church edifice
We're first discussed at meeting Of
parishioners November %, 1892 and a
building committee was appointed April
4, 1893, on which appear the names of
Col. George A. Woodward, U. s. A, and
Melville Church, one of the first vestry-
men. In June, 1888. Theophilus P. Chand-
the plans for the new church,, and on
st. Michael and All Angels day, Septem-
Der ~ following, the plans were SUBJ
mitted to the rector and vestry.
Ground Broken in 1898.
Four days later a contract for the
church was made, the cost to be $50, 600,
exclusive of glass, seats, heating and
lighting. December of the same year
it was decided to name the parish and
the new church ST. Thomas. Ground was
broken for the new edifice October 10,
1893, the rector, Rev. DR.. Aspinwall, turn
ing the first spadeful of earth, and the
corner stone of the structure was laid
June ., 1894. Bishop William Paret,
Bishop of Maryland, officiating. The
first services were held in the building
June 90. 1899
Rector Aspinwall resigned in June, 1902,
after eleven years of earnest work for
the new church and parish. During that
period the number Of parishioners in
creased from $50 to 30; funds amounting
to more than $19O,OOO had been raised
with which to purchase land and build
the church, and a number of beautiful
and costly gifts had been made to the
church. among them the beautiful
reredOS, the pulpit, the brass lectern and
other gifts fitting to the beauty of the
completed structure.
Rev. Aspinwall's Career.
Rev. John Abel Aspinwall. the first rec
tor of st. Thomas, is a native of New
York city. He completed course in
theology at Kenyon College, Gambler,
Ohio; was ordained deacon by Bishop Be
dell in 1864 and priest by Bishop Potter
in 1865. His first charge was Christ
Church, Bay Ridge, n. j., where he re-
manned from 1854 to 1885. In the latter
year he resigned and came to Washington
to reside. Here he became active in the
formation of the new parish near Dupont
Circle. and, as stated, was chosen rector
of the newly organized church and par
ish in 1891. In June. 1912, the degree Of
doctor of divinity was conferred upon
Rev. Aspinwall by the Virginia Theologi-
cal Seminary.
The second and present rector of st.
Thomas. Rev. DR.. c. Ernest Smith, came
to the church from the church and parish
Of ST. Michael and All Angels in 1902.
During his incumbency the church has
continued to grow in numbers and strength
until it is now recognized as one of the
most important in the diocese of Wash
ington.
Since Rev. DR.. Smith began work for
the church the debt of $4,000 has been
cleared off, and the dedication Of the new
and magnificent edifice. wholly free from
debt or incumbrance of any kind, is the
elimination of his Jealous and well di-
rected effort.