Pamphlet, History of Christ Church (Protestant Episcopal), Alexandria, Virginia

succeeded by the Rev. Cornelius Walker, who at were SO closely connected with the old Church, the breaking out of the Civil War became a chap- where Washington in his manhood worshiped and HISTORY lain in the Southern Army. where Lee from boyhood attended and was con- In 1861 Federal troops occupied the town, and firmed by Bishop Johns of Virginia on July 17th, 1853. while other churches were used as hospitals, Christ Christ Church reported in 1931 an active com- CHRIST CHURCH Church was used for Divine services, army chap- municant list of 324 persons, and besides the usual (Protestant Episcopal) lains filling the pulpit. During this period the parochial organizations, has a flourishing Sunday original name plate marking Washington's pew, as ALEXANDRIA, VA. NATIONAL School numbering about 300. ARCHIVES AND well as the Parish Register, covering the period RECORDS Services are held in the church each Sunday 1765 to 1860, and containing records of births, 1773-1932 SERVICE" at 11 a. m. and 8 p. m. During the month of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials and August the 8 p. m. services are discontinued. All other official acts of the successive rectors of the pews are free, and visitors are welcomed to all Parish, disappeared. Whether these records were services. Gates are closed on Sundays except dur- lost, stolen or destroyed is not known, but the ing the hours of worship. hope is still cherished that they may some day The church is opened to tourists on week days come to light, and be restored to the church. from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Their loss is serious and irreparable. An admission fee of ten cents is charged, and In 1866 the Church was restored to its old Ves- were it not for the income received from this try, and since that time its pulpit has been oc- source, the Parish would be financially unable to cupied by men of outstanding character, such as bear the additional expense of keeping the church Bishop A. M. Randolph, Dr. Randolph H. McKim, open on week days for tourists. Dr. William M. Dame, Dr. Henderson Suter, Dr. Miss Mary Custis Lee, daughter of Gen. R. E. Berryman Green, late Dean of the Virginia Lee, left in her will a legacy of $10,000 to Christ Theological Seminary, and our present rector, Dr. Church. With this bequest the Vestry started an William Jackson Morton. endowment fund. Gifts put in the contribution At the entrance of the Church you will see the box at Washington's pew are invested with the bronze tablet to the memory of Washington's pall- endowment fund, and it is hoped that in time bearers given by the Mt. Vernon Chapter, Daugh- this fund may be large enough to furnish sufficient REV. Wm. JACKSON MORTON, D. D. Rector ters of the American Revolution, in 1912. income to enable the church to dispense with the Within the Church on the east wall are placed admission charge. NOTE-CHRIST CHURCH is the only Church Building now standing in Alexan- two memorial tablets to George Washington and Information regarding bequests and gifts to dria that was erected during the Colonial Robert E. Lee. It is but a step further to the pews Period. this fund will be gladly furnished by the Rector, once occupied by these two great men, whose lives Dr. William J. Morton.