Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-05
EP|SCOPAL|ANR RIFT
D|SRUPTS CHAPELS
Main Bodies of 2 Branches
of St. Adams to Hold
Joint Service.

Events eliminating in the resigna-
ton February l of Rev. John l..
Saunders as vicar of st. David's and
st. Patrick's chapels. in St Adams
parish, have disrupted Episcopal
church circles in that part of the Dis
trlct lying west of Wisconsin avenue,
and the main body of the two congre-
cations has arranged to hold indie
pendent joint services in factory
building opposite the Reservoir
School tomorrow morning.
Friction which has developed be
tween the rector of the parish. Rev.
DR.. Charles T. Warner. and Mr..
Saunders resulted in joint meeting
of the auxiliary vestries of st. David's
and st. Patrick,s being held January
z. at which Or. Warner suggested
that the parish vestry be petitioned
to ask for Mr.. Saunders resignation.
A motion to that effect was defeated
to 4. one not voting. The auxiliary
veStrieS have no control over calling
or Diminishing a vicar. it is explained.
"A joint committee representing the
two chapels was then named to in
vestigate the accusations against the
vicar, and at the next meeting of the
two vestrieS they submitted a re-
port. saying that the charges made
against the vicar were without
foundation"
Petition Circulated.
In the meantime the members of
the congregations had circulated n
petition. which was presented to
Bishop Alfred Harding OF the diocese
or washington. asking that efforts
to have = Mr.. Saunders removed be
dropped The bishop. however. has
taken the position that the matter
rests with the vestry. and has taken
no official action in the matter
Following a meeting of st. Adams
vestry January II. the following
notification was sent to Mir. Saunders:
IF Mr.. Saunders will voluntarily
resign on or before February /. 1921,
then this vestry will vote him salary
to April ]. 1921: this action is taken
without reference to any charges that
may have been made against Mr..
Saunders, all such charges being ig-
nored; this action is taken solely be-
cause this vestry is convinced that
Mr.. Saunders cannot longer continue
in harmony with the rector of the
parish.
Copy of resolution adopted by the
vestry of st. Adams parish at
meeting held Friday. January IA,
1921. EDGAR T. TURNER,
Acting Registrar"
Urged to Resign.
Members of the 'fnsurgent'' con-
gregations urged Mr.. Saunders not to
resign. especially as he had taken no
vacation during his two years IN
Washington, and they felt he was en-
titled to two months absence with
pay.
Mr.. Saunders accordingly called on
Bishop Harding. who suggested that
he, the vicar. should resign. Accord
ingly, Mr. Saunders, on February l,
sent his resignation to st. Adams
vestry.
There the matter rests at present.
No one has been named by the vestry
to succeed Mr.. Saunders. Announce
ment has been made, however. that
Rev. w. /. Winter. former Army
chaplain and now unattached. will
preach at the meeting tomorrow. DR..
Warner usually breaches in one of
the chapels each Sunday.
'The chief criticism that has been
made against Mr.. Saunders is lack of
tact and judgment" said Bishop Hard
ing today. mo question has ever
been raised as to his good character
and his earnestness. But il he can
not get along tremendously with the
rector of the parish he should be
transferred to some other field.
while regret very much such dis
sension as this. yet I feel that the
matter of dealing with vicar rests
properly with the vestry. and I have
referred to them everything that has
come to me in the case
Fight Has Extended.
The fight has extended beyond the
church Organization in the Conduit
road section, and the Conduit Road
Citizens Association at its last meet
ing, January q, took cognizance Of
the fact that unofficial reports" had
been received that Mr.. Saunders might
be removed. Resolutions expressing
admiration for his many sterling
qualities" and voicing the hope that
he might remain in his present charge
were unanimously Adopted by the as
ISOLATION. -.
Sunday school SERVICES will be held
at 10 am. tomorrow atsthe residence
Of J. j. Tapp. 5031 Conduit road. for
st. David's Chapel. Sunday school for
St. Patrick,s Chapel will be held at
pm at the home Of C. O. Longstreet,
1882 Conduit road.