Evening star., 1934-06-02
OPENING SERVICE
BY DR.. OLIVER HART
New Rector of st. Johns
Church Takes Charge
Tomorrow.

DR.. Oliver J. Hart, new rector Of st.
Johns Episcopal Church, Lafayette
Square, has arrived in Washington
from Chattanooga, Tenn, and will
preach his first sermon at the IL
o'clock service tomorrow. Prior to that
service he will celebrate at the holy
communion at 8 am, assisted by his
new curate, Rev. James Madison, who
was ordained by Bishop Freeman at
the Cathedral on Trinity Sunday.
AT GAS am. there will be a brief
service, with address in the church
for the Sunday school, followed by
class instruction in the parish house.
DR.. Hart was one of the leading
ministers in the South before coming
to the Capital. He was born and raised
in South Carolina, and received his
higher education at Hobart College
and at General and Union Theological
Seminaries in New York, later being
honored with his doctors degree by
the University of Chattanooga. He
was ordained deacon in 1916 and
priest year later. He left the active
parochial ministry in the early part of
1918 to join the armed forces of
America, and later saw service III
France as chaplain with the lst Divi-
sion. He returned to his native
land and State in 1919 and became
assistant minister at St. Michaels
Church. Charleston, S. c. Dr. Hart
left st. Michael's to become rector OF
Christ Church, Macon, Ga. and dur
ing his administration there he wrote
a history of the famous church he
was then serving. He was State chap
lain of the American Legion, Depart
ment of Georgia, in 1924, and was
rector of ST. Paul's Church, Chat
tanooga, from 1926 up to and through
last Sunday when he preached his last
sermon as rector.
st. Johns Church, sometimes called
THE Presidents Church." while not
the oldest Episcopal Church in the
city, has a history which is diStln-
guished and unique Probably no other
church in the United States has had
throughout its history such a dis
tinguished roster of communicates as
st. Johns. Situated in the heart of
official Washington for more than a
century, it has been the place of wor-
ship of Presidents, cabinet officers,
distinguished soldiers and diplomats
and leaders in professional and pri-
vate life of the city.
The title The Presidents Church.
was derived in this way In 1916. be-
fore the church was conSecrated or
any pewS sold committee from the
vestry was instructed to make the Of
fer of pew to President Madison.
He accepted and thereafter occupied
Pew No. %. even more frequently
than his pew in Christ Church. near
the Navy Yard. The custom of pre-
serving per for the President has
been continued and a number have
regularly worshiped there. Many
changes have been made in the physi-
cal structure of St. Johns since its
opening services, and numerous valu-
able memorials have been installed.
One of the churchs most notable con-
tributions to the welfare of children
is its orphanage at Twentieth and F
streets.
The Bishop of Washington, in whose
official diocesan family DR.. Hart now
becomes a member, in expressing
pleasure at his acceptance Of the call
recently said: II beg to express my
unqualified approval of the call that
has been extended to DR.. Hart. I
have known him personally and by
reputation for many years and am
confident the choice that has been
made will commend itself to all the
people of this old and venerable
parish" Continuing. Bishop Free
man. in referring to his work IN
Chattanooga, said: He has not only
built up a strong parish but by his
broad sympathies and generous CO.
operation he has won the confidence
and respect of the entire community.
AS an administrator. as pastor and
as a preacher, he has earned the cor
dial admiration of the Church gen.
erallv in the Southland. He was as
sociated with me in the Bishops CRU
SADIE in New York City and with great
efficiency. and in all the concerns OF
our church he has won the deep re-
spect and esteem of his brethren. 1t
is with personal satisfaction that l
commend DR.. Hart and l pray that
his ministry in this very important
parish may be responded to by the
unfailing support of all its people