Evening star., 1936-04-11

of the freshet-still standing, but long
since deserted-the Macgruders OF
Harmony Hall and the Kirbys with
their broad acres further down the
river. And the Addisons Of Oxon Hill.
st. Johns. like so many of the other
old churches Of this faith in Southern
Maryland, was laid out as a parish 10
1892. The first church was log one.
This was later supplanted by frame
one and this, in 1928, by the present
church.
Although the Oldest st. Johns
records were destroyed by fire, one OF
its most cherished possessions remains
to testify to its great age and the
that once clung around
its old gray, whitened walls.
WITH reverent hands, the old sexton
w brings forth from its hiding place
the great hand-beaten silver chaice
bearing the date 1923, nearly so years
after the parish was founded. How
many fair lips and bearded lips, now
mouldering in the dust of the graves
outside, have taken their Easter COM
munion from its FURNISHED rim.
With all the pride in his inherited
job, the old sexton points to the square
white box pews. that have not beer
desecrated by the demon of restora-
ton, and recites the famous family
names that have been associated with
them. A flag hangs over the pew
where Gen. Washington was won't to
worship, with his friend, Col. Lyles.
1t was often more convenient for the
general to cross the river in his boat
for Sunday service than to brave the
mud bogs of the Virginia roads.
Standing in the great double door
way, facing west under the arched
portico, he will show you how the river
that was once almost at the feet OF the
little church has receeded, leaving a
stretch of woodland between. But the
road from Col. Lyles' mansion. nearby,
to which the colonel and the general
repaired for midday dinner following
services, is still used.
And this old bell" remarks the
sexton, glancing up at the great iron
mass, framed in an open tower at the
very doorway, has called the faithful
to prayer these many years gone by"
And standing there in the soft sun
light of yesteryears, we heard its
sonorous clang echoing and re-echoing
far and wide over the clear waters
and the lea. The Rev. DR.. w. H.
Heigham is rector at st. Johns.
However, even though the records Of
those first years of st. Johns have
long since vanished. still. to the seeing
eye and the imagination. is left the
framing of those pictures of early
American worship. The river dotted
with the white sails of the faithful
hoop skirts and pantelettes, high stock
and lace ruffies, gathered on the church
lawn to exchange a word of greeting
before service, and behind the hipped
roof of the house of worship the dark
uncut forest rising like the crown Of
Aaron.
II all the secrets of the old church
burial ground could be revealed, the
mystery of the interment of John
Hanson, the first President of the
United Colonies. might be solved. He
died while visiting at the home of his
nephew at OXon Hill, nearby, and
many there are who declare that he
was buried in the st. John burial
ground, while others claim his re-
mains.
ON ROUTE out of Washington, 2C
miles southwark, stands an ole
church that has not only been for
tunate in keeping its history and tradi-
tions since 1893, but its records as well
Old st. Paul's is of particular Interest
and importance in the church worlc
of the Episcopalians, for it was there
that the Rev. Thomas John Claggett
first presided. He was the first bishop
to be ordained on American soil, anc
so bears the title, "The First American
Bishop" Until his remains were
moved to the site of the Cathedral oi
SITS. Peter and Paul (St. Albans) ir
1898, they rested in the soil Of st
Paul Parish.
The Rev. C. Ernest Smith Of st
Thomas in Washington presided ovel
the little old brick church from 1890.
1892.
However. aside from its illustriou'
history, the little church is thing O
beauty. Six gigantic oak trees stanc
sentinel to the approach to mellow
bricks, while behind and sheltering tht
gray stones beneath rise magnificent
evergreens With the ground covered
with periwinkles and crocuses it might
almost adorn an Easter card of 9
Gloria Excelsis.
That the visitor may not forget the
wealth and importance which st. Pau
and its parish, covering 120 acres
once held, an. entry in the massive
leather bound book holding the records
of the vestry meetings is pointed out
June 2. 1705. 1.-THE vestry have this
day agreed to provide for the church
a pulpit cloth and cushions of crimson
velvet, the glory in gold, with GOLD
fringe and tassels, We cloth to be
feet in width. A cloth for the reading
desk of the same velvet, a crimson
velvet carpet for ye communion table
Also a handsome marble font, the Ter
Commandments and belief and Lord.
prayer. and hanging dial.
Gone today are the crimson velvet
and gold which once shone in tht
candlelight of the great Easter serv-
ice, but the font and dial still point
the way to twentieth century worship
pers. The beautiful marble font re.
ceived its scars, along with othel
church property, when the British
landed at Benedict in 1912. and or
their way to Washington stopped ovel
at the old brick church to stable theil
horses and feed them from the bap.
tismal font.
But they were undoubtedly Hes.
sian soldiers" explained q lovely st
Paul parishioner Of English descent
"for the English revere the church
too highly for such wantonness."