Christ Church
This sturdy redbrick Georgian-style church would be an important national landmark even if its two most distinguished members had not been Washington and Lee. It has been in continuous use since 1773; the town of Alexandria grew up around this building—it was once known as the “Church in the Woods.” Over the years, the church has undergone many changes, adding the bell tower, church bell, galleries, and organ by the early 1800s, and the “wine-glass” pulpit in 1891. For the most part, the original structure remains, including the hand-blown glass in the windows.
Christ Church has had its historic moments. Washington and other early church members fomented revolution in the churchyard, and Robert E. Lee met here with Richmond representatives to discuss Lee’s taking command of Virginia’s military forces at the beginning of the Civil War. You can sit in the pew where George and Martha sat with her two Custis grandchildren, or in the Lee family pew. You might also want to walk through the churchyard and note how old the tombstones are, some dating from the mid- to late 1700s.
World dignitaries and U.S. presidents have visited the church over the years. One of the most memorable of these visits took place shortly after Pearl Harbor, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended services with Winston Churchill on the World Day of Prayer for Peace, January 1, 1942.
Of course, you’re invited to attend a service (Sun at 8am, 10am, and 5pm; Wed at 12:05pm). There’s no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. A guide gives brief lectures to visitors. A nearby gift shop (121 N. Columbus St., tel. 703/836-5258) is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to noon. Twenty minutes should do it here. Be sure to check out the website before you visit; it offers a wealth of information about the history of the church and town.
This sturdy redbrick Georgian-style church would be an important national landmark even if its two most distinguished members had not been Washington and Lee. It has been in continuous use since 1773; the town of Alexandria grew up around this building—it was once known as the “Church in the Woods.” Over the years, the church has undergone many changes, adding the bell tower, church bell, galleries, and organ by the early 1800s, and the “wine-glass” pulpit in 1891. For the most part, the original structure remains, including the hand-blown glass in the windows.
Christ Church has had its historic moments. Washington and other early church members fomented revolution in the churchyard, and Robert E. Lee met here with Richmond representatives to discuss Lee’s taking command of Virginia’s military forces at the beginning of the Civil War. You can sit in the pew where George and Martha sat with her two Custis grandchildren, or in the Lee family pew. You might also want to walk through the churchyard and note how old the tombstones are, some dating from the mid- to late 1700s.
World dignitaries and U.S. presidents have visited the church over the years. One of the most memorable of these visits took place shortly after Pearl Harbor, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended services with Winston Churchill on the World Day of Prayer for Peace, January 1, 1942.
Of course, you’re invited to attend a service (Sun at 8am, 10am, and 5pm; Wed at 12:05pm). There’s no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. A guide gives brief lectures to visitors. A nearby gift shop (121 N. Columbus St., tel. 703/836-5258) is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to noon. Twenty minutes should do it here. Be sure to check out the website before you visit; it offers a wealth of information about the history of the church and town.
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