South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-02
PelO IN ~Church of Presidents
Brings $4,000 at Auction;
Many are Ready to Pay Bio

WASHINGTON. April o. Hank
iag back TO the early days OF the re-
public and reha bilitating. as ID must a
long procession OF national WORTHLESS Of
the last century, the centenary, next
year. OF the founding Of ST. john
Protestant Episcopal church at Wash
inStOns generally KNOWN as old IT.
Johns or The Chucn OF the Presi-
dents, has q peculiarly romantic ap
peal even to the most prosaic imagIn-
alton.
a certain distinction has always OBJ
tanned at st. Johns. which never has
been large enough TO accommodate
those who would worship under its
roof.
ct the last sale. a few years ago.
one OF the pews brought $500 at
auction. There IS a waiting list.
diascouragingly numerous" TO those
who are willing TO pay big prices for
a pew in the church, which in its
present position has been enlarged to
the limits OF its ground space. To de-
sert the old structure, which despite
several alterations maintains much OF
its original character, IS a thought inn
possible to consider.
Founding Delayed.
When the quaint building, which
stands directly facing the main door
of the white house and but few min
uteS' walk from IL, was built, the sec
ond war for independence" had just
been concluded. and in token Of the
activity OF the invading British, the
presidents house." as the home of
the chief executive was then called,
stood a smoke begrimed, unsightly
wreck. Indeed. the founding OF st.
Johns was delayed several years be-
cause the committee charged with the
project had enlisted as volunteers in
a military company formed TO re-
tef he 81 Oft 81 he lF-ff
ssh forces. Notable names in this
group were Lund Washington, John
p. Van Ness, John Tayloe, Thomas
Munroe. Peter Hagner. Joshua Daw-
son, Thomas II. Gilliss, James David
son and william w. Seaton.
according to early accounts, st.
Johns was placed on IAN eminence
above the presidents house" The
"eminence." the site of an old family
burying ground, long since levelled,
has blOssOmed forth into one of the
most beautiful parks in the city. the
wide spreading trees looking much
more than a century old. Across this
stretch OF ground. called TO their de-
votiOns by the sOnOrOus old bell in
the boxlike tower, have jOurneyed in
their day Priests James Madison,
James Monroe, Martin Van Buren,,
William Henry Harrison, John Tyler,
Zachary Taylor. Willard Fillmore and
chester a. ArInuT.
John Quincy Adams, despite the
pr0testatOns OF fealty to the indie
pendent Congregational church con-
tanned in his autobiography, was
regular attendant at St Johns during
his regime at the white house. Such
a gathering OF notables does a, service
az St. Johns bring together that IL is
an honored custom among the trip
psrs'' To take UP a stand before the
door to watch the ingress and egress
of celebrities. Mrs. Theodore ROOse-
Welt and her family and Mrs. William
Howard and her sons and daughters
occupied the pew set apart, rent free,
since the establishment of the church
for the white house family.
Beautiful Windows Built.
MIR. Roosevelt, who usually accom-
panied his family TO the door of St
Johns and proceeded later to the
Dutch Reformed church. and Mr.. Taft,
who worshipped at the Unitarian
church, were also frequent attendants
at St Johns. COmmemOrating a dis
tinguished company. the wonderful
stained glass windows erected within
the past two decades. give added in
terest TO the edifice. In 1885, In mem
ory Of James Madison, James Monroe
and Martin Van Buren,, who wOr-
shipped in this church." the vestry
erected a window representing the
Alteration of the Magi
The Flight into Egypt" thanking
this, is sacred TO the memory of
Priests William Henry Harrison, John
Tyler and Zachary Taylor. Lieut.. Gen.
Winfield Scott, u S. A, is commence
rated by a window erected by Hamil-
ton Fish OF New York, himself a wOr-
shipper at st. Johns during his SER
vice in the cabinet
William Henry Seward. first a SEN
atOr from New York, and later secre-
tary OF state in Prest incoln's cabi-
net, is CommemOrated by window.
Memorial windows of great beauty
and distinction have also been dedi-
Gated TO Surgeon Gen. Charles H.