Evening star., 1945-11-04

e SftUf (5ts
was extinguished, namely, by contracting
for the education Of his sons at the
college; the whole embracing term
Of years. When the last one left the
institution. there was still an unexpired
term due his estate and the college paid
Mr.. Doyle's executor the balance due.
'T1ae old church." says Mr.. jackson,
writing in 1878, was frequently used
by the college to hold the annual COM
mencements until 1882, when the college
erected new building for that purpose.
The old church has lately been remod-
eled to make room for Trinity Church
Sabbath School, The schoolroom is
fine hall on the first floor Of the build
ing, extending It's entire length and
breadth, with seats for 600 pupils. On
the upper floor are classrooms for the
parish school.
"The parish school connected with
the church is In most hourishing con-
dition and should be encouraged, so
that its influence may extend in doing
good, by educating the children Of the
poor and making them useful members
of society, that they may become an
honor to their parents and q blessing
to the community"
Once in Backwoods
Many have often wondered why the
church was built so far out Of town,
and 1t was substantially in the back
woods when the building was first
erected and even for many years after
ward. Indeed, from the first it was
Father Ryder's intention to make old
Trinity the collegiate church, to buy up
the property between the college, Of
which he was then president, and the
church and lay out beautiful park as
an approach to the college. His plan
could have been very deeply accom-
plished then, for the land could have
been had for a mere song, but the rise
in property has probably prevented the
proposed park from ever being carried
out From the founding Of the church
until 1870, the president Of the college
was the real pastor. But dispersion Of
energy weakens the effect, so Father
Healey, the president at that time. trans
ferred all the rights and responsibilities
of the pastoral office to Father Cache.
During the Civil War. according to an
account printed In The Star In 1889.
the new church was used by the North
ern army as hospital. The floor
covered pews served as wards, the
sacristy as the operating room, while
out near the old church stood the dead
house. Gen. Whipple, after whom Fort
Whipple, now Fort Myer, was called,
was buried from this church, and at
his funeral before the services COM
menced an amusing incident occurred,
which may be remembered by those who
were present. Father Ashwanden, the
wartime pastor, had given instructions
to Patrick Cassidy, the sexton, not to
allow any person in the middle aisle, as
it had been reserved for President Lin
coin, his cabinet and the military.
Soon the President, unknown to Patrick,
arrived and attempted to enter, but was
barred by Patrick, who stood Spartan
like, guarding the pass. Word was sent
to Father Ashwanden, who hurried to
the spot, chided Patrick and apologized
to the President, who calmly said:
would that my officials were so ex-
acting in the performance of their
duties"
Just whether Gen. Washington ever
visited this old church or not is a ques-
ton upon which history is silent, but
we do know that he visited the college
several times, and that following his
Continued on Page C-5)