Evening star., 1928-10-10

around The present pastor is Rev,
Thomas w. Cooke.
st. Johns Venerable Church.
The oldest of the Episcopal churches
In Georgetown is st. Johns, at 0 street
and Potomac avenue.
Its history dates back to 1894, when
occasional services were conducted in a
nearby Presbyterian church by the Rev.
Walter D. Anderson, rector of Rock
Greek parish. The church building
was completed In 1906. Thomas JEFF
ferson headed the list of subscribers.
The first rector was the Rev. John
Sayrs, young Scotch clergyman, who
died in 1909, in his 35th year, and was
buried under the chancel. Francis
Scott Key, author of 'The Star Spangled
Banner" who was one of the vestry-
.len, contributed an original epitaph
which was carved on the tablet placed
over the minister's last resting place.
1t is notable among American epitaphs,
and is as follows:
Here once stood forth a man who, from
the world,
Though bright in its aspects to his
youthful eye,
Turned with affection ardent to his
G0d
And lived and died an humble minister
OF his benignant purposes to man.
Here now he lies-yet grieve not thou
for him,
Reader, he trusted in that love where
none
Have ever vainly trusted. Rather let
His marble speak to thee, and shouldst
thou feel
The rising of a new and solemn
thought,
wak'd by this sacred place and sad
memorial,
o listen to its impulse! IT'S divine
And 1t shall guide thee to life of JOY
A death of hope and endless bliss here
after.
The church was consecrated in 1909
and became the center of a separate
parish, with the Rev. Walter D. Addi-
son as rector. For some years it was
the fashionable church of Washington
The street before the door was filled
with ornate vehicles and liveried Serv-
ants. Among those who attended was
Dolly Madison. The British Minister
came, two liveried servants with drawn
swords riding behind his carriage.
The other churches attracted wealth
and fashion. Old st. Johns dwindled
in attendance until it could not pay
rector any more Then Mr.. Addison,
now old and blind, came back and
served without compensation. But mis-
fortune followed misfortune until, In
1881, the building was abandoned. For
a time 1t was used as the workshop OF
a sculptor. In 1888 1t was sold for
taxes-historical associations thrown in.
This final tragedy aroused the spirit of
the Episcopalians left In the parish and
a group of girls succeeded in raising
enough money to buy it back. w. W.
Corcoran purchased the property at
sale and returned the money with the
title deeds.
After sinking so near to extinction
the parish began to revive. Among its
notable rectors was the Right Rev.
Frederick b. Howden, who was Conse-
Grated Bishop of New Mexico. The
present pastor is the Rev. F. Bland
Tucker.
There are few churches in the Dis
trict more beautiful or which carry
about them so much Of the historical
atmosphere. The building is almost hid
den behind the spreading branches Of
two ancient trees from the depths of
whose foliage its gold cross reaches up
ward like an arm extended from the
sea. It Is kept open at all hours and
its interior affords an atmosphere Of
deep peace with the stray wisps Of SUM-
light stealing like penitents to the altar
through the red, gold and blue scenes
from the evangels In its windows erected
to the memory of devoted parishioners
who have died.
Christ Church.
Cacond in ooa nf the Geor0ct,1wn
churches Is Christ Church, at Thirty
first and N streets, up whose red brick
walls and steeple ivy climbs, creating
an atmosphere OF true antiquity. On
November 10, 1917, the church was
organized at meeting held at the resi-
dence of Thomas Corcoran. The first
rector was Rev, Ruel Keith. founder Of