Evening star., 1933-10-15


''' ''''' '''' 90 ~ ~ .:ss
A MANUSCRIPT account of the early meet-
ings of the church by an unknown author
and kindly loaned me by my helpful fr1ends
Thomas Spence Of the Cathedral Of Saints
Peter and Paul, gives some interesting informa-
tion about the church and Apollo Hall. 10
follows:
apollo Hall was situated on the south side
of Pennsylvania avenue, or rather street. and
q portion Of the building IS still standing II
was about four doors west of Thirteenth street.
During the week it was used for various enter
tainments sometimes for auctions, minstrel
shows, ETC., and on Sundays it was arranged
for church services It accommodated about
300 or 400 people A reading desk was at the
north end of the hall, and near it was
movable screen, behind which the minister
put on his robes for service, and at the other
end was a small gallery used by the choir.
Il do not remember that there was any
musical instrument, but Prof Club led the
choir for some time, pitching the tune by q
tuning fork. There were benches arranged
along the sides, and chairs in the middle Of tha
room. DR.. French commenced to hold serve
ice there about the Winter Of 1841-42. The
services were well attended, as there were but
three other Episcopal churches in the city at
that time-Christ Church, Navy Yard; old
Trinity on Fifth street and st. Johns Church.
Among the congregation of the mission at
Apollo Hall were the following named faniliess
James, Ames, Gilliss Goldsborough. Edwards
Morrison, Bergman Brown, Mcintyre F1t1-
gerald. Dorsey. Davis, Club, Keller, Mayna-
dier, Kraft Fillebrown, Burroughs, Todhunter,
Lenthal, Rodman, Dow, Dickens, Washingtons
Stellwagen, Paris and others whose names
cannot recall"
1t is recorded that William James also was
wont to start the singing, with the aid Of q
tuning fork"
The church records disclose the fact that at
the first meeting of the vestry after its election
held at the home Of Mrs. E. James (who BY
the way, was widow, residing around the
corner on the east side of Fourteenth street
between E and F.. On August 10, 1912, James
L. Edwards, Richard Burgess and Gilbert Rod
man were appointed a committee to secure
site. Apparently they were limited to cons
tract for lot costing not more than 20 cents
foot, for at the next meeting they reported
their inability to secure desirable lot for this
amount when the amount was increased to
Is cents. ,
Nv August %, at q meeting of the vestry.
~ resolution was adopted directing the
committee to wait upon Gen. Van Ness for the
purpose Of having him donate a let for the
church. and, although the General is known to
have been liberal in donating lots for church
purposes, yet upon this occasion he declined
to do Sc
No rapid progress seems to have been made
in this respect when it was reported at the
meeting on October "a that Miss Louisa Har-
riSon had offered to donate to the vestry as q
site for the church, ground on G street, being
the present location Of the church edifce, and
specified as being lots and in square 252.
Indeed, women are not the only ones who can
change their minds, fol, although this generous
offer was Immediately accepted yet we soon
find the composed entirely of men, OF
course-wavering in their conclusions, and it
was suggested that inquiry be made to ascertain
if the lot at the corner of Twelfth and streets
could be purchased. But apparently this could
not be done, and the site given by Miss Har.
rison was used.
Bids were taken for erecting the church and
several builders submitted prices based UPON
the plans submitted by John w. Harkness who
was competitor also Harkness was the lowest
bidder, but even then-before the contract was
awarded him-he was sounded out as to how
much of the price set would be donated by HIM
to the church. Evidently his reply was salts
factory for he proved to be both the architect
and builder of the church as it originally stood,
August 8, 1843 the day set for the laying Of
the corner stone, the vestry met at Apollo Hall
for the purpose of marching to the site, but
the weather proving too disagreeable, the exer-
cises were postponed to Thursday, August 10.
On this day it also rained, and a further posts
ponement was ordered to Saturday August IL.
Washington must have been having one Of its
occasional protracted rains, for the formality
of laying the corner stone was again put of.
Monday, the 14th being designated, and this
time the exercises were held, although an eye
witness tells us that it even rained upon this
occasion. 1T was warm, rainy afternoon" !"
the attendant says, "a good many people were
present and umbrellas were in demand as q
shower came up"
The original building, we are told, was very
plain, the front being of brick, with granite
trimmings and little turns at each side of the
front, large window opening from the choir.
and no Transcripts and tower, as at present.