St. Thomas' Parish (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
St. Thomas' Parish is an Episcopal church located in Washington, D.C.. It is part of the Diocese of Washington. This church has a long history of serving its community and welcoming many different people.
Contents
The Story of St. Thomas' Parish
How the Church Started
St. Thomas' Parish began in 1891. It was first called Calvary Parish and was created to serve the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. The first leader of the church was Reverend John Abel Aspinwall. His father, William H. Aspinwall, was famous for building the Panama Railroad.
The main building for St. Thomas' Parish started being built in 1894. The very first church service was held on June 25, 1899.
Famous Visitors to the Church
Over the years, many well-known people came to worship at St. Thomas' Parish. These included important political figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, also attended services here.
In 1933, the church welcomed Franklin D. Roosevelt back. He had just become the President of the United States the day before.
Changes in the Neighborhood
In the years that followed, many people moved from the city to the suburbs. Because of this, St. Thomas' Parish, like other churches in the city, saw fewer members. The 1960s brought many changes to the Dupont Circle neighborhood. It became a place where artists and people with new ideas lived.
A New Beginning After a Fire
In 1970, the original church building was destroyed by a fire. Even after this event, the church leaders decided to stay in the same location. They wanted to continue their work in the community.
The Parish Hall, a building behind the old church, was still standing. It was changed into the simple, modern worship space that people use today. The rest of the building became a place for community meetings. The area where the old church once stood was later turned into a neighborhood park.
Welcoming Everyone at St. Thomas'
Supporting Equal Rights
St. Thomas' has always believed in being a welcoming place for everyone. As early as the 1960s, the church supported movements for civil rights for African Americans and women.
Later, the church also became a place that supported the rights of people who are gay or lesbian. In the 1970s, St. Thomas' was one of the few churches that welcomed a group called IntegrityUSA. This group was for gay Episcopalians who felt unwelcome in other churches. St. Thomas' allowed them to hold their services there.
The church became a spiritual home for many gay and lesbian Episcopalians. It also offered memorial services and funerals for people who died from AIDS, even if they were not members of the church.
Leaders Who Made a Difference
In 1992, Reverend James Holmes became the leader, or rector, of St. Thomas' Parish. He was openly gay and had been with his partner for many years. In 1998, St. Thomas' created one of the first special services in the Episcopal Church to bless same-sex unions.
After Rev. Holmes retired in 2002, Reverend Elizabeth Carl served as an interim leader for two years. Rev. Carl was the first woman who was openly in a lesbian relationship to become a priest in the Episcopal Church.
In December 2004, Reverend Dr. Nancy Lee Jose became the eighth rector of St. Thomas'. She was the first woman to hold this important position. She retired in 2016. In October 2016, Reverend Alex Dyer became the new Priest in Charge.
Bishop Gene Robinson, who was the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, has a special connection with St. Thomas' Parish. After he was chosen as bishop, he visited the church to share his experiences and thoughts on leadership for gay and lesbian people in the church.
