St. John's Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

St. John's Episcopal Church was established in 1815, and is located near Lafayette Square and the White House in Washington DC.

Beginning with James Madison, every president has at least been an occasional attendee, giving this church its nickname "Church of the Presidents". The 54th pew has been reserved for the President.

It was designed in 1816 by Benjamin Latrobe, designer of the U.S. Capitol, and is constructed of stucco-covered brick, taking the form of a Greek cross. In 1820, the portico and tower were added to the church.^[1]

In 1902 the formal state funeral of British ambassador Lord Pauncefote took place here. President Roosevelt ordered out 15,000 troops to line the way from the Connecticut Avenue house, the British Embassy, to the 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.

[edit] References

^ Federal Writers' Project (1937). Washington, City and Capital: Federal Writers' Project. Works Progress Administration / United States Government Printing Office, p. 126.