Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-31

The architecture of Christ. Pohlck
and Falls Churches is modification
of that of Sir Christopher Wren,
adapted to the simple requirements
OF the Colonial period The exterior
is severely plain with its massive
walls. double rows Of windows. and
high peaked roof Of the Georgian
period. The interior is also plan,
but well proportional, giving dig
nifty which impresscs al who enter
within its sacred portals. the
galleries which were erected II
Christ Church in l7S5 add very much
to It's architectural effect. According
to the contract, the arches and ncdi-
ments in Christ Church are Of the
Tuscan order. the altar piece, pulpit
and canopy Of Ionic style. James
Wren. the contractor. or undertaken,
for Falls Church. was paid lbs Tor
writing the Lords Prayer. the Creed,
and the Ten Commandments, with the
Golden Rule or panels upon either
side of the pulpit. which may still be
seen in fine condition. done in black
lettering upon gilt background.
Col. Payne was permitted to put
seat in the chanccl on the upper
platform" for his wife iii consldera-
ton of her deafness. a communion
table and reading desk were installed
and pews were sold TO the highest
bidder. George WashingrOn's pew.
number FIVE, was sold to him for
ib3G los. the highest price paid for
any. After the Revolutionary War he
became an attendant here as Pohick
Church for some reason had no rec
tor after the Few. Lee Massey,S
health failed, ard he Withdrew to his
home. Bradley" on Occoquan River.
The pews in the church were at first
high backed and square, but were
cut down, and divided on account of
the size of the congregation in 1877.
Washingtons pew included. This was,
however. restored TO its original
form, but not to It's height, in 1887.
Other improvements followed in
order. In the same year that the
galleries were built. the Church yard
was enclosed. In 1907 buria!s in
the churchyard were restricted to
church members and in 1908 all in
tcrments were forbidden. and new
cemetery west Of the city was pIr-
chased By the vestry in the following
year. The organ was bought in 1910
and chimncys were built in 1877
whcr the ladies were no longer
obliged t" bring their foot stoves 20
help 20 keep themselves warm on
cold Sundays. a rcd-iettcr day in
the sacred history Of the church oc-
4 h.,
when Bishop ClaGGett. OF Maryland.
consecrated it III the name Of
Christ setting it apart from all
worldly and unhallowed uses by the
solemn service Of the church to be
known hereafter as Christ Church,
its very name reminding its congrc-
CATION and all who may Worship
within its calls of Him who is our
Savior and the Lord and Master Of
our lives. The tower which harmo-
MICS so we'll with The architecture Lf
the church was built in ISIS and the
bell vas hung in the same v"ar,
'wh0sc mglodous pcals." as Mrs.
Powell! so appropriately writes. "wcra
to ring out for fifty years until from
careless handling during the Civi!
War it was cracked and those of Us
who can remember its mclodous and
measured strains find distinct diff
ference in the tone since its rccast-
ing in 1897 The quaint and beau
tiful chandelier purchased in Eng
land for $4,000, about the same time
that the tower was built, was hung
from the centre Of the ceiling. and
with its array Of candles added to
the light of those already in sconces
on the walls. Some time after the
church was lighted by gas it was
taken down and kept in the home OF
a member Of the church until a few
years ago when the value Of its old
furnishings was again properly rec
ognized. 1t was hung in its place,
until better system of electric light
ing was introduced a year ago, when
it was removed to place under the
west gallery We think it will re-
main there for generations to come.
although deposed from its former
high estate.
The years now moved onward dur
ing the forties ard fifties of the last
century and brought in their train
dark nruttarings of Civil War be-
tween the North and the South which
burst upon the land in 1861 continu-