Evening star., 1924-06-28
NEARING
BOTH ANNIVERSARY
First Occupancy to Be OBJ
served Coincident With
Coming of New Rector.

Coincident with the coming Of Rev
the Church of the Epiphany, in suc-
cession to Bishop James E. Freeman
next week, the parish will, on July 6,
observe the eightieth anniversary OF
the first occupancy of the church for
divine service.
The history Of Epiphany Church has
been very interesting one. In 1S4l
a small group of people conceived
the idea of forming a new parish in
tho city. They were encouraged in
this idea by Rev. John w. French, who
was then chaplain of Congress and also
city missionary. Several prayer meet
ings were held at the home of one
OF the interested group. the house
then being located on 14th street near
G. On January s, 1912. the name,
Church Of the Epiphany, was chosen
by an assemblage of thirty persons,
and shortly after it was decided TO
commence action through a mission
church, and room was hired, called
Apollo Hall, on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue near 18th street
Decision to Build.
Apollo Hall was used during the
week for various purposes, and on
Sundays arranged for church serv-
ices. This building was used but a
short time, the decision soon being
reached to build house Of worship
The site on which Epiphany now
stands was donated on October "a
1912. by Miss Louisa Harrison. but
p was not accepted for several months
afterward, as some of the church
: trustees thought the site was too fal
uptown" They desired the church
located at 18th and E streets The
; majority ruled. and the site donated
by Miss Harrison was accepted. Def
mite plans then were taken for the
erection OF a church.
Tho plan for the proposed edihce
, was perfectly plain, without transepts
, or chanceL- The facade was orna'
!; mented by two small granite towers
on each side and large window
opening into what then was the choir
: gallery. AS time went on, the con
gregation, getting fresh inspiratior
from succeeding rectofs, graoualis
enlarged the church.
Some of the largest and most i'm
portant changes occurred during the
rectorship of Rev. DR.. Randolph II
, McKim. In the second year of his
ministry at Epiphany 0sSo, the
church was further enlarged ano
} 1911, under the direction of this ven
eraole rector, large and complete
parish house was put into service, the
building including a large auditorium
a gymnasium. and numerous other
rooms for church offices, meetings, etc
Later improvements.
The next important change in the
architecture of Epiphany occurreo
during the brief rectorship of DR.
James L. Freeman, successor to DE-
McKim. The improvements consisted
of a new tower. of the block style
and the installation of complete set
of chimes. The chimes were given by
two parishioners in memory OF Dr
McKim; the other improvements were
made w the members of the congre-
cation, also as an expression or thelr
love and esteem for the one who had
served the parish for more tnan
thirtv-tvo wears The church was
resurfaced and many interior changes
made for the enlargement and oeau :
tification of the edifice. the total cost
being about $4,000.
There have been eight rectors since
the first formation of the parish. Inc
first rector received the mun1ncent
sum of $500 per annum, and the yes
nv in ls44. authorized the expendi-
ture of SIS per annum for the ser'-
ices of sexton.
The first person to be baptized IN
Eniphany is still an honored and
-much- beloved member of the parish
AS the first service in Epiphany was
on Sunday, July Z, 1S44, 1t seems
fitting that new rector OF the
church in 1924. eighty years later
ahould begin his ministry.