Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14
pal Churches Have Important Place in Capitals History

dings to take place here was that of
Maria H. Monroe. youngest daughter
Of the President, to Mr.. Gouveneur.
Rather amusing is the entry beside
this notable one, which reads: James,
slave Of William Writ, to Martha,
slave of Mrs. Elzey, by the rector at
his home"
Many still living will recall the bril-
liant wedding here of Lord Curzon
and Mary Letter. who was the first
American to become vicereine Of In
dia. Also within our memory occurred
the wedding here of the Hon. Lillian
Pauncefote. daughter of the then
British Ambassador. Sir Julian Paunce-
fote. to Hon. Robert Bromley. Mary
Endicott, daughter of the Secretary
of War. William c. Endicott, married
Joseph Chamberlain. English statesman,
in ST. Johns Church.
This was the first church in this city
to have bell and belfry. and it was
the first bell, so it is said, used in
Washington to summon people to wor-
ship.
The first rector of st. Johns was
Rev. William H. Wilmer, who came
from Christ Church, Alexandria, Va,
with an annual salary of 81, 500. to be
Rev. Mr.. Hawley.
The stained-glass windows in ST.
Johns are beautiful works of art. One
Of these was erected in 1885 by the
vestry of the church to the memory Of
James Madison. James Monroe and
Martin Van Buren,, representing the
alteration of the Magi. Another is
sacred to the memory of Presidents
William Henry Harrison, John Tyler
and Zachary Taylor Others are to
great naval and military heroes.
Georgetown parish was organized In
| 1909 with st. Johns Church, 3240 o
street northwest, a. the parish church.
| The first movement toward establishing
| this church was made as early as 1896
| by the Rev. Mr.. Addison. assisted by
| that sterling divine, the Rev. DR.. Balch
| of the Presbyterian faith. DR.. Addison
upon hearing that there were some
/ Episcopal families in Georgetown, paid
| them a visit and was invited by DR..
Balch to hold Episcopal services in his
| church, and in this way he was en-
couraged to organize his congregation.
which, through his efforts. soon raised
| 81 500. A lot was soon donated by Col
| William Deakins, a large landholder,
and with the amount OF money COL
| lected the church was soon erected up
| to the first range of the windows, IN
which condition it remained in that I'M
| finished condition for six or seven
| years.
In pursuance to a notice published in
the Washington Federalist in 1903. a
| number of citizens met at Senlmes
| tavern, where arrangements were made
| for completing the structure. Again
| subscriptions were called for and SUI
| fcient amount collected to put the
| church in order for worship, President
| jefferson being one of the subscribers.
| In 1904 the trustees advertised for a
rector and the Rev. MIR. Sayres OF Port
| Tobacco parish was soon atterward
elected to the Office, which he held until
| his death in 1909. The epitaph for his
! tomb was written by Francis Scott Key.
| who at that time was a member OF the
| congregation.
/ In 1911 an attempt was made TO Sc
/ cure funds to enlarge the church, but
| a sufficient amount of money was not
| obtained for this purpose, and the I'M
| provement was not made. The church
| began to decline about 1918, and on
| the resignation of Mr.. Addison from
! the rectorship. he having become al
/ most blind, the church was attended
! By only IL families Addison was sue
1 ceeded by Rev. Stephen S. Tying, who
remained but a short while. as Mr.. Ad-
dison's sight improved sufficiently for
his return in 1923. However. he was
not able to keep the church going. and
in 1881 the church was abandoned and
soon became the workshop of sculptor.
and because of the welcome 1t afforded
birds, it soon became known as the
Swallows Barn.
OF subsequent events. The Star Of
nearly 40 years ago says:
In 1883, the church having been
! sold for taxes. $50. the amount paid for
| it at the time. was raised. and the
! dilapidated edifice repurchaSed and fit
| ted up for public worship. Rev. DR..
| Marbury's services were obtained as its
| rector, he holding the Office until l84l,
when he was succeeded by Rev. c.
| NJ. Butler. Since that time the church
has had a steady onward growth and
today stands as one of the most promi-
nent Episcopal churches in the city.
The late Gov. Cooke and his brother,
Jay Cooke of Philadelphia. both con-
tributed largely toward the improve
ment. and the handsome organ, which
is the especial pride of the congrega-
ton. was present from the governor,
while Grace Church. branch, at the
corner of Thirty-second and South
streets. costing over S25,000, was built
entirely by him. St Johns. with the
exception of Christ Church on the Navy
Yard. is the oldest church in the Dis
trict."