American University Park in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Spirit of Community
Top of the Town
— Tenleytown Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, August 31, 2013
1. A Spirit of Community Marker
Episcopalians first gathered here to worship in 1874, when St. Alban's Church, located on Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts, started a mission for the area. In good weather, services took place under a majestic oak tree on land donated by William Murdock. The tree eventually shaded a rough mission chapel, and then two successor churches. In 1904. when the mission received the name Saint Columba's, its parish house contained a stage and a circulating library serving more than 200 families.
St. Columba's became independent of St. Alban's in 1924, and two years later the current church was built. It showcases the work of Tenleytown Stone Masons Louis and Frank Pern and their sons.
In 1975, St. Columba's joined forces with nearby St. Ann's and Eldebrook churches to create Iona House, an experiment in comprehensive social services. Iona House operated from St. Columba's old clapboard rectory until 1990. Its successor, Iona Senior Services, then moved into a new building where Police Precinct No. 8 once stood, across 42nd Street.
When Bernard Janney School opened in 1925, it brought Tenleytown's first public library and community playground. Bob Bates, who attended in the 1950's, recalled how civic responsibility was part of Janney's curriculum. In fact, as part of a lesson by "Officer Friendly," he and
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Erected 2010 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tenleytown Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 38° 56.879′ N, 77° 4.929′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in American University Park. Marker is at the intersection of Albemarle Street Northwest and 42nd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Albemarle Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Albemarle Street Northwest, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. And the Church Goes on (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birth of Tennallytown (about 600 feet away); Beer, Popcorn, and Penny Candy (about 600 feet away); To the Rescue (about 800 feet away); In Touch with the World (about 800 feet away); Set in Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tennally's Town: My, How You've Grown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Inhabitants (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, August 31, 2013
2. A Spirit of Community Marker
Other side of marker.
Janney School students mark George Washington's birthday, February 1955.
Caption of Photo on Lower Right
Principal Nell Hiscvox distributes forms to third graders in the newly desegregated Janney School, September, 1954.
Also see . . . Janney Elementary School. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 12, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 26, 2011
3. Saint Columba's Episcopal Church
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 26, 2011
4. Janney School
NPGallery Digital Asset Management System website entry (pending)
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Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2013, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 662 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2013, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
