Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-13

The eighty-fifth anniversary of the
Church of the Epiphany, G street be-
tween Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets, will be observed tomorrow with
special exercises.
The church was opened July IA. 1874,
with a congregation that taxed the ca
pacity Of the new edifice.
The site of land on which Epiphany
now stands was that offered to the
organizing committee in the Fall of
1912 by Miss Louisa Harrison, but there
we're objections to II, being too far
were overruled and the plot of ground
accepted.
Very little is known of the first rec
tor, Dr. John w French, although he
is recalled as having been a fine
pastor, and indications are that his
mind ran along the lines Of things
military. This would seem TO be sub
Stimulated in his resignation from
Epiphany in 1856 to become chaplain
at the Military Academy at West Point.
The second rector was DR.. Charles
Hall, who was called from the South IN
1856 and preached what was termed
trial sermon the Sunday after Christ
mas, 1856. 1t was during DR.. Halls
rectorship that Jefferson Davis, who
was later to become president of the
Southern Confederacy, applied to the
church for a pew, which was given him.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr..
Davis left Washington for Richmond.
His wife requested that his name plate
be nailed on the pew they had occupied.
When completed it was sent to the
church and placed on the pew. snorty
after the keys to the church were stolen
and the name plate removed from the
pew. The keys we're later returned, but
the plate has never been located.
Civil War Incident Recalled.
Recorded in the historical collections
of Epiphany is an incident OF now
Secretary of War Stanton came &c Wor-
ship at Epiphany. One day during the
early part Of the war friend INFORMED
DR.. Hall that, although he could not
give him his reasons for believing it,
he was confident that he possessed enc
mics who had informed the Govern
ment that he was Southern SSympa-
thizer. Springing to his feet ne ex-
claimed: Excuse me for few minutes.
I must 60 to the War Department I'm.
mediately.' This he did, sending Woro
to Mr.. Stanton that he wanted 10 see
him for exactly two minutes. Opon
being admitted he said: MIR. stanton
I am Southern man. am SCUM
ern sympathizer, and should De oruSe
are being killed. am a Chrlstlan anu
loval to the Government which keeps
a roof over my head. When / cannon
be loyal I will ask you to put me IN
Fort LAFAYETTE. Is that satisfactory,
Mr.. Stanton's answer was: Dr. nan,
have YOU any pews to rent In your
church? If you have. you may courI
on me as a parishioner as long as !
live In Washington" DR.. Hail was ong
of the oficiating clergy at the funeral
of Abraham Lincoln.
Rated as Pastor Of Ability.
DR.. Halls successor was DR.. Thomas
A. Starkey, formerly Metnooist
preacher of exceptional ability. HIS
rectorship at Epiphany was very nrle1;
having come to washington IN 1859 ano
leaving in the Spring of 1872 because OF
i'll health. Later, on restoration 10
health, he was elected Bishop OF NE"
Jersey. .,,,, ~
Watkins, who entered upon ms ouIies
Epiphany but a few years, but during
his administration extensive repairs ana
alterations were completed,
Next in the line of rectors was DR..
william Paret, who took charge In Oc-
tober, 1875. He commenced publishing
the Epiphany Parish Guide, wnicn
chronicIed events of interest In the
parish. He resigned to become Bishop
of Maryland in 1885.
Dr.. Samuel H. Giesy entered upon ms
duties as rector in the Spring OF 1888.
In 1888, however, he took Ill with penu-
monia and died.
DR.. McKim's Long Service.
DIR. Randolph Harrison McKim, who
had served during the Civil War on the
Southern side, was called to the rector
ship, preaching for the first time the
last Sunday of the year 1888. During
his, the longest rectorsl1ip in the life OF
the parish many important and far
reaching changes we're made. The
choir was removed from the south gal
lery to the cI1ancel, beautified and en-
larged for that purpose.
During theAatter days Of his rector
ship unsuccessful efforts were put forth