Evening star., 1928-10-10

and Self-Sacrlf1ce. BuC Gney gave lISel
of the God of their fathers.
The Revolutionary War failed tc
break the tradition, and, after brlel
lapse incident to the hardsh1ps anc
poverty which attended this heroic
struggle. the churches continued as val
iantly as ever. They were force
which can hardly be overeStimated ir
the life of the young Republic. Most OF
the early Presidents were members OF
the EpiScopalian communion. and the
influence of the church doubtless con-
tributed much to the high purpose and
unSelfish idealism with which they con-
Quoted the Government and without
which it hardly could have survived.
Has Glorious History.
The Episcopal Church in Washington
has had a glorious history during the
past century and a half. 1t has been a
rock of strength in those heart-rending
days when the Nation was torn by war
when brother fought brother in the very
outskirts of the Capital City and the
souls of men turned to faith as the only
comfort in time of trouble. But the
service has been equally important in
uuieter times when the temptation has
been to look to the earth instead OF the
sky for suStenance.
The establishment now consists Of a
cathedral, 30 parish churches and IA
Chapels These vary greatly among
themselves, although the majority OF
them preserve the English Gothic archi-
tectural style which seems most popular
among Episcopal churches. They range
from such houses of worship as the
Church of the Epiphany, which keeps
alive the altar flame in the heart of the
busy downtown section, to such quiet
neighborhood centerS as the Church of
the TRANSPORTATION at l4th and Gala
tin streets, which is center of home
and neighborhood activities and hes
about it an atmosphere Of fragrant
dCmesticity. Still other churches, like
ST. Paul'S, Rock Greek parish, are most
notable for their historical associations
and others, like Grace Church, George
town. keep aloft the torch of tn, faith
In rspidly changing neighbor.'ods.
Take Broad View of Duties.
All of these churches take a broad
view of their duties to society and carry
on many activities among the poor and
troubled which are not strictly enjoined.
They promote clean and healthy social
life among the young people and strive
to anchor the thoughts and affections to
the precepts of the Scriptures Ill an age
when faith is assailed on many sides.
They are islands of peace in the rapid
whirling current of the times down
which the present generation is being
tossed.
The mere physical beauty of these
80 churches is a valuable addition
to the city. But they contribute far
more than that There is about ;hem-
with their SteepleS and crosses pointed
starward-an unmistakable aura Of the
spiritual.
st. Paul's Church, Rock Greek Parish,
Is one of the historic sllrineS of the
District of Columbia and is the only
colonial church in the city limits It's
churchyard has many notable monu-
ments, including the famous st. Gau-
dens statue over the grave of Mrs.
Henry Adams. The church originally
was chapel of PiSeataway (now King
George Parish The first services
were held on May IL. l712, by the
Rev. John Frasier At a meeting of
the inhabitants September l8. 1719, to
select a place for a chapel. Col. John
Bradford donated 100 acres of land.
by act of the Colonial Assembly ia
f726 Piscataway Parish was divided and
Prince Georges Parish was created, tn
l,.Sclude all of Maryland northwest of
tie Eastern Branch of the Potomac.
The first vestry was elected December
3. 1726. The first rector, Rev. George
Murdock, was appointed by the lord
proprietor December 20, 1926 He re-
manned with the parish until his death
In 1861. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Alexander williamson who was
licensed as curate by Gov. Sharpe Feb
ruary %, 1851, and became rector the
next year. The original frame church
was replaced by the brick building in
IT'S. Three of the walls still remain
intact.
Authorized by Old Act.
The church was authorized by an act
of the Colonial Assembly in It'll, which
empowered the justices of Prince
Georges and Frederick Counties ito
levy on the taxable persons of Prince
Georges Parish in said counties the
sum Of $4,000 pounds of tobacco for
building new parish house at or near
the place where the old one now
stands" At this time there we're four
chapels in the parish, one being near
Rockville
Rev. Mr. Williamson resigned at the
outbreak of the Revolutionary War and
was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas
Read, who was rector until 1913. Dur
ing his incumbency the Rockville
chapel became more important than
the parish church and his activities
were mostly devoted to this branch
with the result that the communicates
In the District of Columbia complained
to Bishop Claggett in 1906. The
plShop, however, had no further juris-
olctlon, because the District Of Column
bla had finally been separated from
MARYLAND he oh,
mentioned State and not diocese. -
Rev. Mr.. Read then abandoned the
parish church altogether.
Wood Is Part Salary Payment.
From that time on the church hao
no regular services until 1881. wien n,
Rev. Christian Wiltberger was elected
rector at a salary of $3.50 a year to-
2ether with eight cords of oak wood
standing" the use of the glebe and the
privilege of conducting a school His
successors have been: Benjamin M
Miller, l836-l839: John Stewart 1899.
1910; William A. Harris. l840-l849,
Henry w. Wood, 1849-185l: DaviC
Kerr, 1651-1852; DR.. James A. Buck
1S52-1897: Charles E. Buck. l898-l9I8;
Joseph Fletcher, 1919-1926. The pres.
ent rector, Rev. DR.. Franklin j. Bo.
hanan, began his service September l
1926
The most recently built of the Wash.
ington churches is st. Columbas ir
Tenleytown, which was dedicated
last year. This splendid new church
ministers to a rapidly growing parish
and its lighted tower serves as a beacor
in that part of the city st. COLUMBIA.
parish has all the enthusiasm of youth
and its influence is felt in almost al
the activities of the Tenleytown neigh
borhood.
st. Columbus was started as a mis-
sion of St. Adams so years ago wher
the population in that section was yer.
sparse AS late as 1915 1t was entirel,
dependent on ST. Adams parish an'