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St John's Episcopal Church
Built in 1816, this is the second oldest building in Lafayette Square after the White House. Pew 54 bears the plaque "President's Pew" and the church has become the "Church of Presidents" since so many have attended here. Since it opened, every US President has attended at least once. Windows honor several presidents and another window was a gift from President Chester Arthur who met his wife Ellen Lewis Preston here while she was a choir member. He could see the window from the White House and remember his courtship.
The building was designed by Benjamin Latrobe (who was the chief architect of the Capitol) and it was enlarged by James Renwick in 1883. The bronze bell in the tower was made by Paul Revere's son in 1822. |