Evening star., 1942-01-25
Epiphany
Bv John Clagett Proctor.


Church of the Epiphany. In G street
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets, now right in the middle OF Wash
inston's downtown business center,
where thousands of people pass 1t daily.
It is not quite as old as the congrega-
ton itself, which recently celebrated its
Tooth anniversary, but 1t is nearly so.
having been under construction in 1S43
and completed the following year.
Some people do not believe in keeping
records, but, fortunately others do. And
John Sessford was one of those public
servants, who not only believed in keep
ing records, but in passing them on to
future generations. afiording them &C
curate information about their early
Washington.
For nearly 40 years this very thoughtful
citizen gave to the press his annals,
and the National 1ntelligencer published
them. Though it remained for VIII
helmus Bogart Bryan, some years ago.
to bring them together and publish them
In the records Of the Columbia His
torical Society.
Mr.. Sessford passed away on February
%, 1862, three years after his last
chronicles were published, and OF him
the Intelligencer said: "Of pure, moral,
blameless life, intelligent and useful ns
a citizen, he was respected by everybody
In the city"
Thus it was In Sessford's annals, for
the year 1843, that the writer found
the date of the building Of Epiphany
Church. which says: 80 There has
been erected a new Episcopal church on
G street between Thirteenth and Four
teenth streets" and the following year:
The new Episcopal church on G street
is finished"
However, the congregation had formal
ly organized the year before the corner
stone of the church was laid, August IA.
1843, as the minutes of the church vestry
tell us: "A meeting of persons desirous
Of forming another Protestant Episcopal
church in the city Of Washington was
held in st. Johns Church on Wednes-
day afternoon, the 30th of March. The
Rev. John w. French was called to the
chair and Gilbert Rodman appointed
secretary.
"a committee appointed at previous
meeting, composed of Messrs. Colds
borough, Edwards and William James, to
prepare a plan for the proper organi2a-
ton of the church, with suitable rules
and articles of association, was called
upon for its report. A report was ac-
cordingly produced and read by William
Goldsborough, chairman of the COM
mittee During the reading of the report,
the Rev. Mr.. French vacated the chair
and called on the Rev. Mr.. Hawley to
preside, who, on taking the chair, stated
that he wished it to be understood that
the object of the meeting met with his
most hearty appreciation and good
wishes"
Trustees Named.
On motion of Thomas H. Gillis, who
we find was then serving the Govern
ment as chief clerk of the fourth audi
tors Office, the meeting proceeded to the
election of five trustees, and the follow
ing were selected: Mr.. Gillis. chief
clerk, fourth auditors office; William M
Morrison, bookseller; w. B. Bergman,
clerk, Treasury: Charles H. James,
apothecary and druggist at the northeast
corner of Fourteenth and E streets, and
James Morss John w. French was
elected the first pastor. His salary was
pledged at $500 a year.
But the real beginning of the church,
It seems, was a mission enterprise in
l841, under the charge of the Rev.
French, the first meeting being probably
held on January 6, 1842, at the residence
of Mrs. Sarah Easton, widow, whose
Nineteenth and I streets. Here those
attending agreed to associate themselves
as q new congregation and adopted the
name of Epiphany Church.
At first the meetings were held In
Apollo Hall, then on the south side Of
E street between Thirteenth and Thir-
teenth- -and-a-haf streets, on the site
of what was formerly the Southern Rail-
way Building. The Apollo Building had
quite history. AS early as 1888, as
one-story frame building, it was located
on the north side of E street, near the
National Theater. 1t was then occupied
as a wheelwright and blacksmith shop
by Mr.. Brockway, and about this time
was purchased by William Morrow and
removed to the south side of e street,
where it was raised and story placed
under 1t, when it became known as Apollo
Hall. where numerous societies met. OF
it an old account says:
There the eloquent George w. Briggs
of Massachusetts, Thomas Marshall Of
Kentucky and others were wont to ex-
pound the benefits arising from the
abstinence from alcoholic beverages.
Here our esteemed friend, George Saw
age, Esq. (the Father Mathew of Wash
ington) used his best endeavors to rescue
his fallen brothers and by kind admoni-
tions and a helping hand succeeded IN
saving many from a drunkard's grave,
some of whom are now among our most
worthy and influential citizens"
It does look as If the work done by
these good men will have to be done all
over again.
Apollo Hall.
According to James Croggon, Apollo
Hall was long a place for public meetings
and entertainments. and played an i'm
portant part in the early history of the
city. Erected in the early 30s on the
south side of E street, the lower portion
was used as a grocery store by w. M.
Morrow, who also for time conducted