Cathedral Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Nourse Farm
The Washington National Cathedral, standing majestically on the commanding heights of the city, was not the first religious institution on Mount Alban. Joseph Nourse, a Revolutionary War veteran who moved his family to the site in 1813, dreamed of establishing a church there. Nourse (pronounced Nurse) was named register of the United States Treasury by President George Washington. He served seven presidents, until Andrew Jackson fired him and several of his relatives in 1829 to "clean out the Noursery." Upon Nourse's death in 1841, his home became a school with a chapel. Worshippers' contributions, including an initial bequest of 40 gold coins earned, in part, by Nourse's granddaughter Phoebe for her needlework, made possible the opening of St. Albans Church in 1854. It was the first church with no pew fees in Washington. Construction of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul was begun in 1907 and completed in 1990. It is a house of prayer for all people.
a granddaughter of Joseph Nourse.
It is a reproduced with permission of W. Alexander Williams,
a Nourse descendant.
Erected by Cultural
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.
Location. 38° 55.906′ N, 77° 4.363′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Cathedral Heights. It is at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue Northwest and Woodley Road Northwest on Wisconsin Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3140 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:
Other markers no longer nearby. Twisted Pinnacles! (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Damage Alert! (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Damage Alert! (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Damage Alert! (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Damage Alert! (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 777 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
