Presidents Day is February 18
E
very president of the United States
since James Madison has, at some
time in his tenure, visited St. John’s
Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square,
Washington D.C., known as the Church of
the Presidents. The handsome Classicalstyle church is located across the street
from the White House.
Episcopalians have always been
well represented among the nation’s
presidents—some 12 of the 43 have
had some connection with the Episcopal
Church—but chief executives representing
many denominations, including the
Unitarian, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Dutch Reformed, Disciples of Christ, and
Quaker churches, have attended regular or
special services at St. John’s.
St. John’s, which was built in 1816,
was designed by architect Benjamin
Latrobe, who worked on the United States
Capitol and the White House. Originally, the
church was built in the shape of a Greek
Presidents Day is February 18
If these walls could talk …
what could they tell us about the
Presidents of the United States?
If these walls could talk …
what could they tell us about the
Presidents of the United States?
CHURCH OF THE PRESIDENTS
CHURCH OF THE PRESIDENTS
St. John’s Episcopal Church
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.
Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.
cross, with arms of equal length, reflecting
Latrobe’s belief that a church should be a
meeting house, with clear lines of sight for
all participants. As a result, the church has a
central pulpit and no interior columns. A man
of many talents, Latrobe also composed
a new hymn and played the organ for the
service of dedication.
As soon as St. John’s was built,
President Madison paid the customary fee
to “rent” Pew 54 for himself and his family.
Today, pew rentals are a thing of the past,
but Pew 54 is still reserved for the current
President’s use.
The congregation of the new church
grew rapidly, and in 1820 the west transept
arm was extended and the front portico,
with its Doric columns, was built. Later, a
steeple was built and fitted with a 1,000pound bell, cast by Joseph Revere, son
of Revolutionary hero Paul Revere, at his
Boston foundry in August, 1822. Because
the bell served as an alarm and signal for
E
very president of the United States
since James Madison has, at some
time in his tenure, visited St. John’s
Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square,
Washington D.C., known as the Church of
the Presidents. The handsome Classicalstyle church is located across the street
from the White House.
Episcopalians have always been
well represented among the nation’s
presidents—some 12 of the 43 have
had some connection with the Episcopal
Church—but chief executives representing
many denominations, including the
Unitarian, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Dutch Reformed, Disciples of Christ, and
Quaker churches, have attended regular or
special services at St. John’s.
St. John’s, which was built in 1816,
was designed by architect Benjamin
Latrobe, who worked on the United States
Capitol and the White House. Originally, the
church was built in the shape of a Greek
cross, with arms of equal length, reflecting
Latrobe’s belief that a church should be a
meeting house, with clear lines of sight for
all participants. As a result, the church has a
central pulpit and no interior columns. A man
of many talents, Latrobe also composed
a new hymn and played the organ for the
service of dedication.
As soon as St. John’s was built,
President Madison paid the customary fee
to “rent” Pew 54 for himself and his family.
Today, pew rentals are a thing of the past,
but Pew 54 is still reserved for the current
President’s use.
The congregation of the new church
grew rapidly, and in 1820 the west transept
arm was extended and the front portico,
with its Doric columns, was built. Later, a
steeple was built and fitted with a 1,000pound bell, cast by Joseph Revere, son
of Revolutionary hero Paul Revere, at his
Boston foundry in August, 1822. Because
the bell served as an alarm and signal for
the neighborhood, President James Monroe
authorized a $100 contribution of public
funds toward its purchase
Among St. John’s many treasures are
its 27 memorial stained-glass windows and
an 18th-century Book of Common Prayer in
the presidents’ pew, which many of the chief
executives have signed.
In addition to its ministry of hospitality for
the residents of the White House and visitors
to Washington, D.C., St. John’s is a thriving
parish church of some 1,000 members, with
English- and Spanish-speaking services, a
busy outreach program and highly-developed
music and worship under the leadership
of the Rev. Dr. Luis León, its 14th rector.
In recent years the parish has carried out
ministries in Honduras and South Africa, and
partnered with St. Luke’s Church in New
Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Now nearing the end of its second
century of service, St. John’s has recently
begun an extensive series of renovations
and repairs. Furnishings and floors are
being refinished; stained glass windows
repaired, and the electrical system rewired.
The nave will be closed during the summer
of 2008, to emerge in the fall with new paint
and an upgraded air-conditioning system. A
new organ will be added in 2010.
The parish welcomes visitors from
1:00 to 3:00 pm every day, and invites
all Washington residents and visitors to
services on Sundays. Volunteer parishioners
offer a guided tour after the 11:00 a.m.
service each Sunday.
St. John’s is located at 16th and
H Streets, NW at Lafayette Square in
Washington. Guided tours are offered every
Sunday after the 11:00 am service. For
further information, call the parish office at
202.347.8766 or visit the parish website at
www.stjohns-dc.
the neighborhood, President James Monroe
authorized a $100 contribution of public
funds toward its purchase
Among St. John’s many treasures are
its 27 memorial stained-glass windows and
an 18th-century Book of Common Prayer in
the presidents’ pew, which many of the chief
executives have signed.
In addition to its ministry of hospitality for
the residents of the White House and visitors
to Washington, D.C., St. John’s is a thriving
parish church of some 1,000 members, with
English- and Spanish-speaking services, a
busy outreach program and highly-developed
music and worship under the leadership
of the Rev. Dr. Luis León, its 14th rector.
In recent years the parish has carried out
ministries in Honduras and South Africa, and
partnered with St. Luke’s Church in New
Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
O
Resurrection-themed stained-glass window was given
to St. John’s by President Chester Arthur in memory of
his wife, who sang in the parish choir.
Lord our Governor, whose glory is
in all the world; We commend this
nation to your merciful care, that,
being guided by your Providence, we may
dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the
President of the United States, the Governor
of each state, and to all in authority,
wisdom and strength to know and to do
your will. Fill them with the love of truth and
righteousness, and make them ever mindful
of their calling to serve this people in your
fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer
Now nearing the end of its second
century of service, St. John’s has recently
begun an extensive series of renovations
and repairs. Furnishings and floors are
being refinished; stained glass windows
repaired, and the electrical system rewired.
The nave will be closed during the summer
of 2008, to emerge in the fall with new paint
and an upgraded air-conditioning system. A
new organ will be added in 2010.
The parish welcomes visitors from
1:00 to 3:00 pm every day, and invites
all Washington residents and visitors to
services on Sundays. Volunteer parishioners
offer a guided tour after the 11:00 a.m.
service each Sunday.
St. John’s is located at 16th and
H Streets, NW at Lafayette Square in
Washington. Guided tours are offered every
Sunday after the 11:00 am service. For
further information, call the parish office at
202.347.8766 or visit the parish website at
www.stjohns-dc.
O
Resurrection-themed stained-glass window was given
to St. John’s by President Chester Arthur in memory of
his wife, who sang in the parish choir.
Lord our Governor, whose glory is
in all the world; We commend this
nation to your merciful care, that,
being guided by your Providence, we may
dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the
President of the United States, the Governor
of each state, and to all in authority,
wisdom and strength to know and to do
your will. Fill them with the love of truth and
righteousness, and make them ever mindful
of their calling to serve this people in your
fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer