St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square (Washington, D.C.)
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| St. John's Episcopal Church Lafayette Square |
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|---|---|
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| U.S. National Historic Landmark | |
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| Location: | 1525 H Street, N.W. |
| Coordinates: | 38°54′1.41″N 77°2′9.91″W / 38.9003917°N 77.0360861°WCoordinates: 38°54′1.41″N 77°2′9.91″W / 38.9003917°N 77.0360861°W |
| Built/Founded: | 1815-1816 |
| Governing body: | St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL: | December 19, 1960 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000868 [1] |
St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, is a historic Episcopal church located at 16th and H Streets NW, in Washington, D.C. It is near Lafayette Square and the White House.
Beginning with James Madison, every president has at least been an occasional attendee, giving this church its nickname, "Church of the Presidents." President James Madison established the tradition of a "President's pew," selecting pew 28 for his private use in 1816.[2] During a renovation in 1843, the pews were renumbered, and the President's pew became pew 58.[2] President John Tyler asked that pew 58 be assigned to him, and paid for its use in perpetuity by Presidents of the United States.[2] Additional renovations in 1883 renumbered the seat to pew 54, and this pew has remained reserved for the chief executive's use when in attendance.[2] Although the "President's pew" is open for the use of any Chief Executive who wishes to worship at the church, during weddings and other events the President usually sits in the front pew as a matter of protocol.[2]
Organized as a parish in 1815, it was named for Saint John, the Evangelist. The building opened and the first service was held at St. John's Church on October 27, 1816.[2] It was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, designer of the U.S. Capitol Building, and is constructed of stucco-covered brick, taking the form of a Greek cross. In 1820, the portico and tower were added.[3]
In 1902, the formal state funeral of British ambassador Lord Pauncefote took place in St. John's Church.
Artwork in the church includes two sculptures by Jay Hall Carpenter, a chapel cross in polished brass, and Ascent Into Heaven, a 3/4 lifesize bronze angel and child overlooking the church's columbarium.
In 1966, St. John's Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
[edit] References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://www.nr.nps.gov/.
- ^ a b c d e f Grimmett, Richard F. St. John's Church, Lafayette Square: The History and Heritage of the Church of the Presidents, Washington, D.C. Minneapolis, Minn.: Hillcrest Publishing Group, 2009. ISBN 1934248533
- ^ Federal Writers' Project (1937). Washington, City and Capital: Federal Writers' Project. Works Progress Administration / Government Printing Office. p. 126.
[edit] Bibliography
- Hein, David. "For God and Country: Two Historic Churches in the Nation's Capital." Anglican and Episcopal History 56 (March 1987): 123-26.
[edit] External links
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