Evening star., 1923-10-11
SEESD. c. BECOME
! RELIGIOUS CAPITAL
Miles Shand Thinks Al
Churches Will Establish
Centers in Washington.
Special Dispa tch to The Star.

Special Dfspatch TO Inc Star.
PHILADELPHIA, October 1.-THE
prospect of Washington as a nation
al religious center was suggested by
Miles NJ. Shand. chief of the bureau
of appointments of the State Depart
ment, who visited this city.
Mr.. Shand for years has been ac-
lively identified with the religious life
: of the Capital as a Sunday school
man, as president of the city's
Christian Endeavor Union, and as a
member of the Y. NJ. c. A. board of
the city.
He summarized his prediction that,
"gauging by the present trend of
church activity and opinion. In twen-
ty-five years every denomination In
the country will be represented in
Washington by some distinctive en-
terpriSe"
This movement. of which the first
F., evidence was the downtown Metro
politan Methodist Church. built by
widespread contributions during the
administration of President Grant,
bursting activity through the example
set by the churches in the recent
building of elaborate Washington
structures by such organizations as
the National Chamber of Commerce.
THE churches have realized that they
should stand out nationally. There
is q great deal of the idea within
their bodies that they should make
headquarters OF Washington
VIII Not Centrnli1e.
Mr. Shand explained that this feel
ing does not mean that church or
ganizations will be centralized in
Washington. Few OF the denomina- i
tions possess or care 10 possess
centralized structure. Rather the
churches would contribute to the
most beautiful city in the land build
ines symbolizing their spiritual po-
sitton In the land. These would tend
to make Washington the spiritual
dition TO pass tho national bodies and
membership of the respective
churches must give their support, and
from these sources must come the
funds, for Washington itself Is not
a rich city"
Mr.. Shand pointed out the national
churches already existing on this basis
and those which are in process OF con-
struction. 1t is notable that the pres
ence OF a President within denomina-
ton in several cases brought about the
opportunity 10 elevate a Washington
church to the Importance OF FIRST
church in the denomination.
The most elaborate plans are those
of the Episcopal Church, for an so,ooo,'
900 cathedral three miles northwest oi
Washington, close to the Spanish
American victory cross. This nationa
cathedral of the Diocese Of Washington
was begun at the close of the Spanish
American war, and construction car.
ried forward as nationally raised funds
permitted. A year and a half ago the
foundation vas completed. To raise the
$4,000, 900 necessary to complete the
structure as the largest cathedral in the
land Is the task OF Bishop James E.
Freeman. who was consecrated on Sep.
tember 80, in the shadow of the victory
cross.
A week and a half ago the general
council of the Presbyterian Church
meeting in Atlantic City, appointed a
commission to investigate plans for ar
outstanding Presbyterian memorial ir
the Capital.
The divisional organization Of the
Roman Catholic Church precludes
Washington as a cathedral city, but the
National Catholic University is situated
there.