18th and Church St, NW before construction started
Ed. Note: CityPaper reported that the building’s ground floor footprint exceeds the 80% maximum lot occupancy and “The issue will now go back to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for further consideration.”
A reader passes on from St. Thomas’ Parish:
“Dear neighbors,
As you may have noticed the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has issued a stop work order (SWO) for 1772 Church Street as a result of the decision from the DC Supreme Court, which sent the decision back to the zoning the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). Our hope is to resolve this matter as quickly as possible and resume work. There is a great deal of construction fatigue in this area and I suspect we all would all want this project to resume and be completed as soon as possible. I don’t know anyone who wants a semi-built building in the neighborhood.
Vacated And Remanded decision from the DC Supreme Court (PDF)
In the mean time, you may notice workers on site performing certain tasks to ensure the site is safe, delivery of materials, and people performing administrative tasks. All of this is permissible under a SWO. DCRA officials have been on site this morning and clarified this issue. Below is an email from Garret Whitescarver (DCRA) which authorizes us to perform tasks to ensure the safety of the building and the public safety of this neighborhood. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman
I told you this was gonna be awesome!!
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman
3101 Wisconsin Ave, NW
From an email:
“Monday through Friday, experiences will include a cosmic mass, an indoor light show, yoga, meditation, an indoor carnival and on the final night, an indoor picnic with screenings of The Hunchback of Notre Dame followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!
Visitors are also encouraged to visit the emptied Cathedral during the day to gain a new perspective of the stained glass.
Space is limited and RSVPs are required. Check out the schedule here.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
Thanks to a reader for passing on this letter:
“Dear friends,
Two years ago, following a tragic shooting at a church in Charleston, S.C., then-Dean Gary Hall called for the removal of two stained glass windows at the Cathedral that honor Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
At that time, we began a process to engage this community in deep questions of racial justice, the legacy of slavery and God’s call to us in the 21st century. Over the past two years, we have heard from deeply passionate voices who have engaged with us and held us accountable to this process, and we thank them.
The programs we have hosted, the conversations within our community and national events have brought greater focus on the key question facing us: Are these windows, installed in 1953, an appropriate part of the sacred fabric of a spiritual home for the nation?
After considerable prayer and deliberation, the Cathedral Chapter voted Tuesday to immediately remove the windows. The Chapter believes that these windows are not only inconsistent with our current mission to serve as a house of prayer for all people, but also a barrier to our important work on racial justice and racial reconciliation. Their association with racial oppression, human subjugation and white supremacy does not belong in the sacred fabric of this Cathedral.
These windows will be deconsecrated, removed, conserved and stored until we can determine a more appropriate future for them. The window openings and stone work in the Lee-Jackson Bay will be covered over until we determine what will go in their place.
There are several things that we know to be true: (more…)
North Capitol and H Street, NW
Thanks to Jeff for the update on Gonzaga’s Church roof:
“Wow, they are getting the church roof patch in right quick…..”
Thanks to Emily Phelps for sharing.
@PoPville Here are the signs in front of Shiloh Baptist. The names DC children and the dates they went missing. pic.twitter.com/P4wJ73tGqN
— Emily Phelps (@EPofDC) March 20, 2017
From an email:
“Washington, DC’s First Annual Blessing of Bicycles
Saturday, May 7, 2016 11 am
Church of the Ascension & St. Agnes
12th + Mass Ave, NW
The non-denominational event will be held on church lawn; if rain, it will move in to church nave.
In addition to Blessing of Bicycles, representatives from DDOT, WABA, National Museum of Women in the Arts will speak at event. Capital Bikeshare is contributing bike lights and bike share passes…
Non-denominational event is kick-off to National Bike Month…
There will be a (savory + sweet) bake sale and sale of tee shirts with the very cool (see attached image) patron saint of cyclists, during event, to benefit church’s accessible renovation fund.”
“Dear PoPville,
Can a church legally earn revenue by having cell phone towers on its roof? I thought churches were exempt from taxes so that’s why they rely on donations. This is Lincoln Park Methodist.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Brian Mosley
From an email:
“With Star Wars mania poised to sweep D.C. with the opening of The Force Awakens next Friday, a member of Washington National Cathedral’s staff will be visiting D.C. theatres, dressed as Darth Vader. Intimidating as this Lord Vader may be though, moviegoers may want to go over and meet him – this Vader will be passing out cards with a chance to win a private gargoyle tower climb at the Cathedral, featuring the building’s own stone carving of Darth Vader. This special promotion highlights the unique role Star Wars plays in the history of the National Cathedral. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
Thanks to all who sent emails:
“Schedule: 2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States of America
Here is the schedule for Pope Francis’ September 2015 Apostolic Journey to the United States of America as released by the Vatican on June 30, 2015. All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time.
tuesday, september 22 (washington, dc)
4:00 p.m. Arrival from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews
wednesday, sePtember 23 (washington, dc)
9:15 a.m. Meeting with President Obama at the White House
11:30 a.m. Midday Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew’s Cathedral
4:15 p.m. Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra, Basilicia of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
thursday, september 24 (washington, dc, new york city)
9:20 a.m. Address to Joint Session of the United States Congress
11:15 a.m. Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington”
