Evening star., 1942-01-18
Vashington's Three Virginia Churches
BY John Clagett Proctor.

BY John Clagett Proctor.
OF course, we know that the war
must be the main thing upon Mr..
Churchill's mind, as it is upon the mind
of most every one. and yet. one might
wonder just how much this great Eng
Gshman will recall, when this war Is
over, of his interesting trip to Mount
Vernon and the service he attended
with President Roosevelt at Christ
Church, Alexandria, Va, on New Year
Day, 1912.
Naturally, his visit to Christ Church
must have been. an inspiring one, for
this was one of the churches where
Washington was vestryman and at
tended in the latter part of his life,
particularly when he visited Alexandria
Indeed the first Presidents attachment
sfor the old church was so sincere, and
his love for Alexandria so genuine, that
she included the city as part OF the
District Of Columbia as it was originally
laid out. OF course, in age, Christ
sChurch cannot compare with West
minister Abbey, nor Of ever SO many
European edifices and churches. But
Christ Church, Alexandria, does date
back to Revolutionary days. and for
this and for other reasons, it is dear to
the hearts Of the people OF Virginia,
and greatly beloved of the entire Ameri-
can Nation.
The plans for this old Episcopal
Church were drawn by James Wren, in
l767, and James Parsons agreed to build
1t for $780, However, by 1772 Parsons
decided to throw up the contract, and
the work was completed by Col. John
Carlyle for an additional sum OF f22O,
and the building was pronounced fin
ished early in 1773.
To the generosity of John Alexander
of Stafford is due the site upon which
the church stands, which originally con-
tanned / acre. But since this Virginian
was the largest land owner in this VI
cinity, maybe this was not such gen.
erous gift after all.
Church Given Great Care.
The original plans of Pohick Church
and Falls Church are substantially the
same, but since Christ Church was built
1t has been considerably dressed up.
For instance, galleries were erected in it
In 1785, and the tower which was built
In 1911 harmonizes perfectly with the
subdued red brick in Flemish bond OF
which the church walls are built. In
the early days more care and attention
was given to this structure than to some
Of the other Virginia churches, and for
this reason it is in very good condition
today.
On the interior of the church, relic
Of a century and q quarter. is the
wrought brass and crystal chandelier
brought from England, and there are
many other interesting objects to be seen
there.
Though Christ Church was completed
about 1773, yet it was not consecrated
until sometime subsequent to 1913, when
this service was performed by the Right
Rev. Thomas John Claggett, Bishop OF
Maryland, whose remains repose in the
grounds of the Washington Cathedral,
in this city.
Some of the early ministers to offlciate
at Christ Church were the Rev. Town.
send Dade, who accepted the office even
before the church was completed, his
salary being set at 1890 pounds OF
tobacco, with $50 pounds added for de-
ficiency of a glebe. Then came Rev.
David Griffith, who, in addition to being
o clergyman, was also a medical doctor,
and he served in both capacities in the
American Revolution and suffered the
hardships of Valley Forge and came to
Alexandra in 1780 and off1ciated as
pastor of Christ Church from this date
to the time of his. death in 1889.
This celebrated divine was born in the
State Of New York and educated partly
there and partly in England. At first
he prepared himself for the medical pro-
fession and, having taken his degree in
London, spent several years in the prac-
tice of the healing art in the interior Of
his native State. His mind, however,
turning to the ministry of the everlasting
Gospel, he again crossed the ocean. was
ordained in London, AID. ITO, by Bishop
Terrick, returned to America and, after
q brief service as missionary in
Gloucester County, N. j., was installed
as rector Of Shelbourne parish, Loudoun
County, Va, in It'll. Here he continued
till the year 1776, when he went forth to
share the hardships and dangers of the
camp and battlefield as chaplain OF the
I'd Virginia Regiment.
In speaking Of this noted preacher,
George Washington Parke Gusts tells
this story about the battle Of Monmouth
and the supposed or apparent treachery
of Gen. Charles Lee:
, "It was Saturday night, the 9th OF
June, 1778, when the American Army,
after a toilsome march in tropical heat,