Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

728 23rd Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Marker Panel 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

1. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Marker Panel 1

Inscription. St. Mary’s was the first Episcopal church in Washington where African Americans could worship free of discrimination. It was established in 1867 by 28 men and women, many of them formerly enslaved. Two White congregations, St. John’s Church and Church of the Epiphany, worked with founders to establish St. Mary’s. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton donated the chapel from a decommissioned Civil War hospital, and another benefactor donated this lot. The present (1887) building was designed by White architect James Renwick, Jr., and features a stained glass window from the Tiffany studio. St. Mary’s was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1850.

Location. 38° 53.943′ N, 77° 3.018′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. Marker is on 23rd Street Northwest south of H Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 728 23rd Street Northwest, Washington DC 20037, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint Mary's Episcopal Church (here, next to this marker); Site of 2310 H Street, Northwest (within shouting distance of this marker); Philip S. Amsterdam Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Carol Brown Goldberg (within shouting distance of this marker); The American Meridian (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John A. Wilson, D.P.S. '92 (about 300 feet away); Helios the Titan, 2006 (about 400 feet away); Liberty Baptist Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places:
St. Mary's Episcopal Church ** (added 1973 - - #73002118)
Also known as St. Mary's Chapel
• Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
• Architect, builder, or engineer: Renwick,Aspinwall & Russell
• Architectural Style: Gothic
• Area of Significance: Architecture
• Period of Significance: 1875-1899
• Owner: Private
• Historic Function: Religion
• Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure
• Current Function: Religion

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

2. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church - marker panels on 23rd Street, NW
— Submitted September 10, 2011.

Additional keywords. Reconstruction; "St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Foggy Bottom"

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, east face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

3. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, east face

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, west face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

4. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, west face

Additional plaque for the church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

5. Additional plaque for the church

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, south face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011

6. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, south face

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 6, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.