Evening star., 1932-05-21
Church FOUNDING
DATE IS MARKED.
Services Planned for 18TH
Anniversary of Christ
Episcopal Church.

Celebration of the 137th anniversary
of the founding of Christ Episcopal
Church, Washington Parish, at $40 G
street southeast, will be observed with
special exercises tomorrow.
Rev. Edward Ganler, rector, will
preach a historical sermon at IL
o'clock. There will be special music
arranged by Ellen Richards, organist
The soloists are Roy K. Easter, choir
master and baritone: Hattie M. Her
furth, contralto; Anna May Cuthbert
soprano; Robert c. Bond. tenor.
Christ Church. Washington Parish, Is
the oldest church in the City of Wash
ington proper. 1t was founded in 1875
1t was originally the parish church
of Washington Parish, which at this
time with its reduced area still retains
the name for its parish. The present
church dates from 1907.
Speaking of Christ Church an old
item from The Star says:
When the parish was organized
there was on New Jersey avenue near
D street northeast a building, origi-
nally a tobacco barn, but which had
been used since 1880 as church, per-
hapS as a mission of st. Johns Parish,
Prince Georges County, and service in
it continued to be held as the only
church outside of Georgetown until
1907. In the meantime propositions
were made from time to time looking
to the erection of one or more new
edifices, but without result AT the
vestry meeting of July IA, 1895, James
Greenleaf presented a building site, lot
IT in square 456. the square bounded
by Sixth. Seventh, E and F streets
northwest, and Samuel Blodgett gave
the vestry an order for timber to build
church. That body looked favorably
on the plan. and passed a resolution
requesting the rector to also purchase
lot Is in the same square. The project
was, however, abandoned and no
church was ever built there.
After the reorganization at meet
ing held April 19, 1906, the old New
Jersey avenue church was still recog-
nized as the parish church, and reSo-
luton was passed directing it to be
known as Christ Church. 1t seems,
however, to have been named only to
be put on the retired list. for on May
II, 1906 the vestry considered two Of
fers of lots-one by William Prout, the
site of the present church: one by
MeSsrs. Law and Carroll, about four
squares distant
Mr.. Prout's offer, being regarded as
the most advantageous, was accepted
and the others declined with thanks,
and subscriptions were directed to be
taken for the erection of two church
edifices, one east and the other west
of Tiber Greek, little stream then
flowing by the foot of Capitol Hill As
Mr. Prouts offer was conditional on
the building of church within a year,
all efforts were bent in that direction. I"
Rev. Edward Gabler. the present rec
tor. recently conducted Bicentennial
service in connection with the restora-
ton of the church interior and the
church yard. The church interior has
been completely refinished In the old
English Gothic style. the walls restored
to represent Venetian marble blocks, a
new reredos has been placed in the
chancel and cathedral lanterns In the
nave of the church.
A memorial garden has completely
transformed the church yard Thirty
five cedar trees have been planted on
each side of the property and an
American box hedge along the walks
leading up to the church and rectory
The trees and hedge were given by
members of the church in memory of
loved ones, which will be appropriately
marked to perpetuate the family name