Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes
Encyclopedia
The Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes is an historic Episcopal
church building located at 1215 Massachusetts Avenue
in Northwest Washington, D.C.
, USA. The current structure built in 1874 as the Church of the Ascension was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1984. In the late 1940s, the Church of the Ascension merged with the nearby St. Agnes Episcopal Church and adopted its present name under which it has continued as an active parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
.
Parishioner Martha Burnes was the owner of 600 acres of real estate in Washington which she inherited. In 1802, she married John Peter Van Ness who was a prominent banker and later became Mayor of Washington. Among Mrs. Van Ness's philanthropic endeavors was the Washington Orphan Asylum which she established and supervised. Mrs. Van Ness expressed a desire to help the building effort, but died before this could happen. In accordance with her wishes, Mr. Van Ness donated land on H Street NW between 9th and 10th to Ascension Parish and the cornerstone was laid September 5, 1844.
The Gothic Revival
brick structure building was complete enough to use by December 1844 and the first services were held December 14. The debt the parish incurred for construction was repaid by 1853 and the church was consecrated May 23 of that year. However, the parish continued to experience difficulties throughout the 1850s which included the ill-health of its rector, Levin I. Gilliss, resignation of his successor, a decline in the number of communicants and Sunday school attendees and continued financial problems.
The congregation sought Rev. William Pinkney, who was then rector of St. Matthias Church in nearby Bladensburg
, Maryland
, to become the next rector. After initial reluctance, Rev. Pinkney agreed and the parish stabilized. In 1859, he oversaw renovations of the building which included expanding the capacity for approximately 600 additional worshipers.
As many parishioners had friends and relatives in both the Northern and Southern states, their feelings and loyalties boiled over in the church during the period leading to and during the Civil War
. This division was evident in the clerical ranks also as Rev. Pinkney sympathized with the South while Maryland Bishop William Whittingham was a Unionist. In March 1862, Bishop Whittingham requested parishes to say a special prayer of thanksgiving for the late (Union) victories, Rev. Pinkney refused.
The Saturday following Pinkney's refusal, Washington's Provost Marshall notified him that the authories would assume control of the church to prevent a disturbance. Ascension became a military hospital to house casualties from the Peninsula Campaign
as did Epiphany Church
and Holy Trinity in Washington.
After their church was seized by the government, the parish was without a home. This was solved by member William Corcoran
, a prominent banker and partner in the firm of Corcoran and Riggs, later known as Riggs Bank
. Corcoran offered the use of a building he owned on H Street NW between 13th and 14th Streets.
The congregation returned to its permanent home after the war, but by 1870, the structure proved too small and not grand enough for what was now one of the most affluent areas of the city. After much debate, leaders decided to erect a new structure and began soliciting funds. William Corcoran donated a site at the northwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 12th Street and $100,000 of the $205,000 construction costs.
The congregation engaged the noted Baltimore firm of Dixon and Carson
and the cornerstone was laid June 9, 1874. The new building was constructed of white marble quarried near Cockeysville, Maryland
with accents of pink Ohio sandstone. Designed in the decorated or Victorian Gothic
, it reached a height of 74 ft (22.6 m) with a 190 ft (57.9 m) tower and spire that was visible across much of the city. The interior featured cast iron columns, timber trusses and was illuminated by gas lamps.
Despite the generous gift of William Corcoran, the church continued to have financial problems and by 1877 was facing the possibility of dissolution. After a plea to its members, the church was able to raise needed funds and received a challenge gift of $10,000 from Corcoran. The construction debt was finally retired in 1885.
In 1895, the Diocese of Washington
was created from the Diocese of Maryland
and included the District of Columbia and Charles
, Montgomery
, Prince George's
and St. Mary’s
Counties in Maryland. St. Mark’s
Church was chosen as the cathedral in 1896. In 1902, Annunciation assumed that role until 1908 the parish leaders voted to terminate the relationship with the diocese. Although the official designation ceased, the church continue to be used as the pro-cathedral for important occasions until 1912 while the Washington National Cathedral
was under construction.
After World War I
, membership began to decline and in 1925, the congregation merged with nearby St. Stephen’s to help stabilize the group. This worked briefly until the onset of the Great Depression
. This downturn continued through 1947 and the diocese considered selling the building to another congregation when the Vestry received a proposal to merge from St. Agnes Church.
The interior was redecorated and a large mural was added above the chancel. The nave windows and window above the organ gallery were replaced between 1965 and 1975 with faceted glass and epoxy designs created by the Willet Studios
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Today, the church is thriving and offers worship services, concerts and number of outreach groups for members and nearby residents.
, and Richmond
. It has a thriving 20s and 30s group including students from nearby Virginia Theological Seminary
who also attend services there.
and sermon with choir and organ, at 10:00 am. Sunday low masses
are at 8:00 am and 12:30 pm. During the week, daily masses and Evening Prayer
attract many who work in downtown Washington and on Capitol Hill
. On the first Sunday of each month the Rosary
is said at 11:45 am, in the Lady Chapel after Mass.
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
church building located at 1215 Massachusetts Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue (Washington, D.C.)
Massachusetts Avenue is a major diagonal transverse road in Washington, D.C., and the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District is a historic district that includes part of it....
in Northwest Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, USA. The current structure built in 1874 as the Church of the Ascension was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1984. In the late 1940s, the Church of the Ascension merged with the nearby St. Agnes Episcopal Church and adopted its present name under which it has continued as an active parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
.
History
On May 7, 1844, several residents of northwest Washington who had previously attended services at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Lafayette Square neighborhood met to begin forming their own parish. The church was formally established March 1, 1845 and the territory of St. John's was split between the two churches. While it raised funds to construct a building, the members met in a schoolhouse on 9th Street.Parishioner Martha Burnes was the owner of 600 acres of real estate in Washington which she inherited. In 1802, she married John Peter Van Ness who was a prominent banker and later became Mayor of Washington. Among Mrs. Van Ness's philanthropic endeavors was the Washington Orphan Asylum which she established and supervised. Mrs. Van Ness expressed a desire to help the building effort, but died before this could happen. In accordance with her wishes, Mr. Van Ness donated land on H Street NW between 9th and 10th to Ascension Parish and the cornerstone was laid September 5, 1844.
The Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
brick structure building was complete enough to use by December 1844 and the first services were held December 14. The debt the parish incurred for construction was repaid by 1853 and the church was consecrated May 23 of that year. However, the parish continued to experience difficulties throughout the 1850s which included the ill-health of its rector, Levin I. Gilliss, resignation of his successor, a decline in the number of communicants and Sunday school attendees and continued financial problems.
The congregation sought Rev. William Pinkney, who was then rector of St. Matthias Church in nearby Bladensburg
Bladensburg, Maryland
Bladensburg is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 7,661 at the 2000 census.Bladensburg is from central Washington, DC...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, to become the next rector. After initial reluctance, Rev. Pinkney agreed and the parish stabilized. In 1859, he oversaw renovations of the building which included expanding the capacity for approximately 600 additional worshipers.
As many parishioners had friends and relatives in both the Northern and Southern states, their feelings and loyalties boiled over in the church during the period leading to and during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. This division was evident in the clerical ranks also as Rev. Pinkney sympathized with the South while Maryland Bishop William Whittingham was a Unionist. In March 1862, Bishop Whittingham requested parishes to say a special prayer of thanksgiving for the late (Union) victories, Rev. Pinkney refused.
The Saturday following Pinkney's refusal, Washington's Provost Marshall notified him that the authories would assume control of the church to prevent a disturbance. Ascension became a military hospital to house casualties from the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
as did Epiphany Church
Church of the Epiphany (Washington, D.C.)
The Church of the Epiphany, built in 1844, is an historic Episcopal church located at 1317 G Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C.. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 1971.-National Register listing:...
and Holy Trinity in Washington.
After their church was seized by the government, the parish was without a home. This was solved by member William Corcoran
William Wilson Corcoran
William Wilson Corcoran was an American banker, philanthropist, and art collector.-Early life:Corcoran was born in Georgetown in the District of Columbia, the son of a well-to-do father whom the electors of Georgetown twice chose as mayor. His father, Thomas Corcoran, came to Georgetown in 1788...
, a prominent banker and partner in the firm of Corcoran and Riggs, later known as Riggs Bank
Riggs Bank
Riggs Bank was a Washington, D.C.-based commercial bank with branches located in the surrounding metropolitan area and offices around the world. For most of its history, it was the largest bank in the nation's capital. Riggs had been controlled by the Albritton family since the 1980s, but they lost...
. Corcoran offered the use of a building he owned on H Street NW between 13th and 14th Streets.
The congregation returned to its permanent home after the war, but by 1870, the structure proved too small and not grand enough for what was now one of the most affluent areas of the city. After much debate, leaders decided to erect a new structure and began soliciting funds. William Corcoran donated a site at the northwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 12th Street and $100,000 of the $205,000 construction costs.
The congregation engaged the noted Baltimore firm of Dixon and Carson
Charles L. Carson
Charles L. Carson , was an architect born in Baltimore, the oldest son of Daniel Carson, a builder, and one of the founders of the Baltimore chapter of AIA. In 1871 he partnered with Thomas Dixon for some time doing business from their offices at 117 Baltimore Street as Thomas Dixon and Charles L...
and the cornerstone was laid June 9, 1874. The new building was constructed of white marble quarried near Cockeysville, Maryland
Cockeysville, Maryland
Cockeysville is a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 19,388 at the 2000 census.-History:...
with accents of pink Ohio sandstone. Designed in the decorated or Victorian Gothic
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
, it reached a height of 74 ft (22.6 m) with a 190 ft (57.9 m) tower and spire that was visible across much of the city. The interior featured cast iron columns, timber trusses and was illuminated by gas lamps.
Despite the generous gift of William Corcoran, the church continued to have financial problems and by 1877 was facing the possibility of dissolution. After a plea to its members, the church was able to raise needed funds and received a challenge gift of $10,000 from Corcoran. The construction debt was finally retired in 1885.
In 1895, the Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
was created from the Diocese of Maryland
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland forms part of Province 3 of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is made up of the northern and central Maryland counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington...
and included the District of Columbia and Charles
Charles County, Maryland
Charles County is a county in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 146,551. Its county seat is La Plata. This county was named for Charles Calvert , third Baron Baltimore....
, Montgomery
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Prince George's
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
and St. Mary’s
Saint Mary's County, Maryland
Saint Mary's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 105,151. Its county seat is Leonardtown...
Counties in Maryland. St. Mark’s
St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Washington, D.C.)
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Mark's, Capitol Hill, is a historic Episcopal church located at 3rd and A Streets, Southeast in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. Built 1888–1894, the church is an example of Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival...
Church was chosen as the cathedral in 1896. In 1902, Annunciation assumed that role until 1908 the parish leaders voted to terminate the relationship with the diocese. Although the official designation ceased, the church continue to be used as the pro-cathedral for important occasions until 1912 while the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
was under construction.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, membership began to decline and in 1925, the congregation merged with nearby St. Stephen’s to help stabilize the group. This worked briefly until the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. This downturn continued through 1947 and the diocese considered selling the building to another congregation when the Vestry received a proposal to merge from St. Agnes Church.
The interior was redecorated and a large mural was added above the chancel. The nave windows and window above the organ gallery were replaced between 1965 and 1975 with faceted glass and epoxy designs created by the Willet Studios
Willet Hauser Architectural Glass
- Sculptured gold windows :Henry Willet created the first sculptured gold window between 1948-49. When first devised, the sculptured gold overlay was based on leaded stained glass windows. Later, faceted glass set in epoxy resin was used...
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Today, the church is thriving and offers worship services, concerts and number of outreach groups for members and nearby residents.
The parish
The current parish is a diverse, urban congregation of families and individuals from both the downtown area and the entire Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Some parishioners come from as far away as Baltimore, AnnapolisAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, and Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. It has a thriving 20s and 30s group including students from nearby Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary , formally called the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, is the largest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. Founded in 1818, VTS is situated on an campus in Alexandria, Virginia, just a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. VTS...
who also attend services there.
Services
The main Sunday service is Solemn MassSolemn Mass
Solemn Mass , sometimes also referred to as Solemn High Mass or simply High Mass, is, when used not merely as a description, the full ceremonial form of the Tridentine Mass, celebrated by a priest with a deacon and a subdeacon, requiring most of the parts of the Mass to be sung, and the use of...
and sermon with choir and organ, at 10:00 am. Sunday low masses
Low Mass
Low Mass is a Tridentine Mass defined officially in the Code of Rubrics included in the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal as Mass in which the priest does not chant the parts that the rubrics assign to him...
are at 8:00 am and 12:30 pm. During the week, daily masses and Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer (Anglican)
Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening...
attract many who work in downtown Washington and on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Capitol Hill, aside from being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington D.C., stretching easterly in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues...
. On the first Sunday of each month the Rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
is said at 11:45 am, in the Lady Chapel after Mass.
Ministries
The ministries of the parish include:- Community Groups: Ascension and St. Agnes has two weekly community groups where individuals both from the parish and outside come together for a meal and topical yet casual conversation.
- Alpha CourseAlpha courseThe Alpha course is a course which seeks to explore the basics of the Christian faith, described as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life" . Alpha courses are currently being run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations...
: Alpha Course is a ten-week course introducing the basics of Christianity. Designed for both non-believers and those who would simply like to refresh their faith, it is a popular course that has been taken by some eleven million people worldwide. - Catechumenate: Catechumenate is the course of preparation used by the church since the 4th century to prepare new Christians for baptism. The course runs from October through April and serves as instruction for those wishing to be baptized, confirmed, received into the Episcopal Church, or those simply looking to learn more about the distinctiveness of catholic Christianity.
- Theology Book Club: A monthly group which studies and discusses various theological works.
- Benedictine cell: Ascension and St. Agnes takes seriously the role that intentional prayer plays in Christians' individual and communal lives. Benedictine cell serves as a group to engage those wishing to explore monastic spirituality.
- Bible StudyBible study (Christian)In Christianity, Bible study is the study of the Bible by ordinary people as a personal religious or spiritual practice. Some denominations may call this devotion or devotional acts; however in other denominations devotion has other meanings...
: Bible study is held Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. - Outreach programs: The Parish helps subsidize Christ House, a hospital for the inner city poor and homeless. Christ House is a United Way charity. The parish also participates in the mission of N Street Village, which offers programs for homeless women and low-income families. In addition, Ascension and St. Agnes runs an annual mission trip to San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua.