Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-10-25
w YASHINGTON is rapidly be-
~ coming the capital OF
wv spiritual as we'll as politi
cal America.


Within the past three
weeks three great Christian denomina
tons have announced their intentions
of establishing In the near future ma
tional churches here-edifices which
will be symbolic of the dignity, beauty
and power OF the religions they repre-
sent.
The unmistakable trend has been
under way for the past 80 years. The
National Capital has seen from year
to year its architectural wealth. its
educational opportunities and its
spiritual atmosphere enriched in turn
by Ep!scopalian. Catholic, Methodist
and other faiths. Six churches we'll
worthy Of a place in the settings of
noted cathedral cities of Europe and
two great universities devoted to sec
tartan education are the standing evil
dences Of this trend.
But with the recent announcements
of the Christian, Congregationalist and
Cniversalist denominations that they
would erect national shrineS in the
city. and the plans under way in the
Presbyterian denomination which may
result both in a national church and
a seminary here. Washington comes
into its real spiritual heritage.
Millions Must Be Spent
The ecclesiastic projects will involve
in the next few years the expenditure
of millions
The churches for the most part have
taken CogniZance of the fact that the
eyes of the religious world are upon
them in Washington and that the
local congregations, composed la ely
of devout people, of limited means,
are unable to undertake projects of
sufficient magnitude and dignity to
truly represent their denominations
without outside aid.
They also have recognized that
Washington has a large floating pop
ulatton of church members, includ- |
ing many of the most prominent men
and women in the various denomina- |
tons, who use the local churches for
purposes of worship while here, but |
do not remain in the city long enough |
to meet their adequate share of the !
burdens inevitable to large estab- |
ishments.
Few of these churches, however, |
are national in the sense of being |
national administrative headquarters |
The term is applied to them. rather, |
because they are built with funds |
raised by national campaigns.
The Disciples of Christ, or Chris
tan Church, voted to establish :,
national church here at their annual |
convention in Oklahoma City two |
weeks ago.
One at Thomas Circle.
The site selected for this building |
is the northwest corner of Thomas |
Circle. one of the most prominent |
locations in the city, and the esti- |
mated cost is 81, 900, 900. The project |
was proposed by Rev. Earle Whitley, |
pastor of the Vermont Avenue Chris |
tian Church, now the most centrally |
located church Of that denomination. |
The funds are to be raised by ma
tional subscription.
Impetus was given the raising of !
the $1.250.000 fund for the erection |
OF new downtown First Congrega-
tional Church at Tenth and G !
streets here yesterday by the Ma
tional Council of Congregational |
Churches through $500 delegates in
session at the Washington Audi |
forum for a period of nine days.
The council adopted a resolution |
pledging it's cooperation in the rails
ing of the fund by shrowing its pull |
pits open to Rev. DIR. Jason Noble |
Pierce, pastor of the First Church. |
and acknowledging its responsibility
for the success of the worthy under. !
taking.
1t was pointed out in the resolu-
ton that the First Congregational
Church here is to be in the nature
Of a national church, and all Con-
to make their leading church in the
Capital City rank with those Of other
denominations in Washington.
Plans of Universalists.
First steps probably will be taken !
this Winter for the construction of |
100000 national Universalist
Church at Sixteenth and S streets |
directly opposite to Scottish Rite |
Temple.
The national organization of the
Universalist Church, in convention
at Syracuse. N. Y. this week, gave
it's final approval to this project,
which has been under consideration
for several years. The present
Washington church. of which Rev.
c. E. Rice is pastor. has been sold.
The farewell service was held in the
old building. at Thirteenth and L
street, two weeks ago.
The national organization now
owns a row of 10 dwelling houses
at Sixteenth and S streets and prob
ably will acquire the eleventh in
few days. 1t Is hoped. Rev. Mr.. Rice
said, to have these structures de-
molished during the Winter so that
the site will be ready for actual con-
struction work in the Spring.
Officially, the new structure will
be known as the National Memorial
Universalist Church.
Architectural plans still are very
indefinite. Extensive blueprints had
been made for the proposed struc
ture last year when it was intended
to locate 1t on a lot owned by the
church on New Hampshire avenue
extending from T to Swami streets
Opposition developed to this loca-
ton. Many members felt that Six
teenth street was the logical ave-
nue. of churches in the National Cap
ftal. pointing out the long line of
imposing ecclesiastical structures
erected along that thoroughfare
during the past few years. The
New Hampshire avenue location, it
was felt, was just off the line Of
church development.
AS a result the building lot will
be sold. The new church will be
national in the sense that it will
be constructed by donations from
the entire Universalist body through.
out the United States rather than
by the local congregation of the
Church of Our Father II will not
but Is designed rather as a worthy
place of worship for all Universalfsts
coming to Washington.
Presbyterian Project.
The Presbyterian project, which still
is in the formative stage, calls either
for a merger OF some of the existing
churches OF that denomination In the
Capital or the construction Of an en-
tirely new church, which will be a
national center. A local committee
the Church Of the Covenant now is
ofYavtno the nroh1oro 10