The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-04-10
HISTORICAL PLACES
AT ALEXANDRIA, VA.

David Hoover. a well know resi-
dent of Hagerstown, Wayne county,
recently visited Alexandria, and has
written the following upon his visit:
On the banks of the Potomac river
In Virginia, is the old town of Alexan-
dria, one of the most historical towns
in the state 1t was in this town, sit
uated as it is, only seven miles from
Mt Vernon, the old home OF Washing
ton. that the father of his country
attended church, as did also Richard
Henry Lea, known in history as Light
Horse Harry" In fact Alexandria has
three places of great historical inter
est: the old church, the old Masonic
hall and the Marshall hotel
The old church, known as Christ
Church" is built of brick, and the rec
ords of the church show that 1t was in
existence as far back as 1873. II
blocks from the main street of the old
town. The entrance to the church is
porch at the left side facing the
building from the street The floor of
this shed is paved with brick. Ser
vices are held each Sunday and the
Ladies Aid Society Of the congrega-
ton have charge of the building
| through the week, and at the entrance
to the churchyard, is a gate, where
the small admission of ten cents is
charged. Although the admission is
small We are told that the receipts
amount to a large sum of money each
year. Some of the ladies are present
at all times to explain the different
things of interest in the room.
The first is the pew that Washing
ton occupied; on the left side of the
room, and across the aisle is the pew
occupied by Lea. Washington's pew is
as it was when he occupied it, and
consisted of two seats facing each 9TH
err and a door leading into it. Opposite
! the door is seat extended along the
wall which would accommodate about
! three persons, the seats being so ar
ranged that the people in one pew all
faced each other, but the ones on the
| other seat had their backs to the
preacher. A pew held twelve or four
teen people. The cushions are all worn
to occupy the pew Of Washington for
a short time 1t Is no wonder that 1t
shows much wear. Lees pew is as il
was when the two distinguished men
worshiped there, but the remainder OF
the pews have been changed 80 that
they consist of one seat facing the
preacher The pulpit represents wine
glass and is made of marble and en-
tered by winding stairway. There is
a gallery extending on three sides OF
the building which will accommodate
several people. In a room near the en-
trance Of the church are kept the
church records, some dating back as
far as 1745. In one of the receipts a
brother is credited with pew rent FOL
one year by the payment of twelve
gallons of distilled liquors to tbs
treasury of the church. Another re
ceipt shows that Washington received
credit for one years pew rent by the
payment of $50 lbs. of tobacco to the
; church, that Martha Washington pait
the pew rent in 177S with 80 yard:
| homespun linen and 80 lbs. stockin,
, yarn. No doubt this church was pros
, porous and enjoyed the distinction o
having these distinguished men wor
, ship with them, but almost ever,
church organization, as we'll as politi
cal parties, have their jars, and 81
} with the church of Alexandria. At tn,
, battle of Monmouth, General Lea ant
, Washington exchanged hot shots a
each other in the form of words, ant
Lea, with an oath, declared that h
would never again worship in tn
} same church with Washington, and &C
cording to the history of the churcl
he made his word good. He sent hi
pew rent each year during the remain
der of his life, but the pew stood va
r cant for just that many years.
t These southern women that hav
charge entertain in the true old soutl
: ern hospitality and are not backwar
l in relating the troubles of the churcl
: especially those of $50 years age
? They tell us they have no trouble rail-
| ing church funds as the receipts q
:. the entrance gate are very satisfa,
tory.
}. A few squares from the church !
the old Masonic hall, at which plac
Washington attended lodge. 1t is ope